Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Excited to be a Childcare volunteer in Tanzania? International Volunteer HQ’s Childcare volunteer project is a great way for volunteers to assist at kindergartens and early childhood centers in low-income areas where many families rely on them for support while they go to work. Volunteers gain childcare experience while helping staff at centers which are often lacking adequate funds and resources to provide the kind of high quality childcare which helps young children grow and learn.
Childcare centers and kindergartens in low-income areas of Arusha are often lively places, and many families rely on them for support while they go to work for the day. Volunteers can ease the workload of local staff and help them provide better quality care for preschoolers.
As a Childcare volunteer you will assist in daycares and kindergartens that are often underfunded, under-resourced and in need of extra help. Volunteers provide valuable support by:
You’re welcome to bring along books, pencils, basic first aid supplies and musical instruments to help entertain the children and assist with activities. These supplies can generally be purchased in Tanzania, which also helps to support the local economy.
When you volunteer with children in Tanzania you’ll be helping teach the kids, while also developing personally and professionally by:
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This was the most incredible experience of my life so far. IVHQ and the local team in Tanzania organised it amazingly and I'm so grateful for all the opportunities they offered me. It gave me such a better understanding of other cultures and changed my mindset in a positive way.
If anyone was hesitant about joining it I would say to do it regardless because everyone I met was nervous at first but incredibly thankful that they chose to do it
I would say just book it! Three weeks is the perfect amount of time in Arusha in my opinion. Take advantage of all the opportunities while you’re there. I loved meeting people from all over the world and learning about their cultures as much as I loved learning about Tanzanian culture. No regrets!
I was so nervous going into this volunteer trip especially as I had booked to do this for 6 weeks, and it was quite literally the other side of the world so it was a very scary idea. However, now looking back I know that it was the best idea I had ever had!
This trip has taught me so much and made me feel like I am a different person now, seeing things in such a new light. But also built my confidence like I originally hoped for, I met some of the best people from all around the world that I will never forget and will always be friends with.
Any advice to someone thinking about joining take the leap and go for it, you won't regret it I know I didn't.
I would highly recommend it. I’m only 16 but felt completely safe and it felt amazing to know i was doing something to help others, coming to Africa to do this has been a lifelong dream of mine.
I had an incredible time volunteering in Arusha with IVHQ, the local staff are incredibly happy, friendly and supportive. Very approachable and facilitating. The food was as described and always enough, special shoutout to the soups every afternoon.
My placement was close by and easy to get to with great kids and directors. I feel I made an impact and will miss the children I met over 3 weeks. The other volunteers really made the experience and were always so easy to get along with.
I went into this experience terrified to travel across the world alone. The people I met in my house became a comfort for me, we became such a close group of 20 people and are already thinking of a reunion. I couldn’t have imagined this experience without them. The children taught me more than I could ever teach them and that’s to find joy in the little things. Life is all about what you make it!! Going into this experience with an open mind is extremely important but it will end up being the most rewarding thing you will ever do.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit
We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.
Get TEFL certified online
The IVHQ Tanzania volunteer program is based in Arusha, a small city often used as the base of many safari trips into the Serengeti and other national parks. It’s also near Africa’s highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro. Tanzania as a whole is known for its seemingly boundless areas of wilderness where African animals roam, sometimes migrating in vast groups across the plains; and also being the country where the oldest human skull and even older fossils of human ancestors were found.
Despite its many attractions, communities in many parts of Tanzania still lack access to the basic necessities of life. Volunteer projects based in rural and urban areas around Arusha and nearby help to provide better access to healthcare, education and childcare.
The program orientation begins on the 1st and 15th of every month and volunteers need to arrive in Arusha on the day before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) in Arusha. Your airport pick-up is included in your program fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Arusha. Your accommodation is covered by your program fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Tanzania prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Arusha on the day before your program orientation. Orientation is hosted by our local team at one of the volunteer houses in Arusha. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date. If your start date falls on a weekend or a public holiday, your orientation will begin on the Monday or day following the public holiday. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Tanzania – an introduction to Tanzania, Tanzanian customs, rules and expectations, language lessons (Kiswahili), safety, travel opportunities in Tanzania, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
First Day
On the first day of the volunteering placement, you will be escorted to the project by our local staff and introduced to the staff at the project you will be working with.
Weekdays
Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at. A typical volunteer day would be as follows:
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer house or homestay. |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements. Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at. |
| 1:00 PM | Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel home for lunch at their accommodation, prepare for the next day or do some shopping and sightseeing. |
| 8:30 PM | Dinner at the volunteer house or homestay |
Weekends
Tanzania is a wildlife lover’s dream. In your free time you can venture out on a safari and see Africa’s Big 5 - lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhino - as well as the mind-blowing number of other species that call Tanzania home.
In Arusha itself you can find great markets, take a few days to hike up the nearby Mt Meru, or learn about the Maasai and Meru tribes of the area. You can also take take a short flight down to Zanzibar for a weekend of sun and sandy beaches or save some time before or after your program to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Volunteers in Tanzania are accommodated in dorm-style volunteer houses or homestays located in Sakina, Arusha. In the volunteer houses, volunteers can expect to share a room with one to ten other volunteers of the same gender; however, the majority of rooms accommodate 4-6 people.
Currently, there are two homestays available, located next to each other. One homestay can accommodate up to 10 volunteers, and the other can accommodate up to 6, with rooms also being separated by gender. Typically, rooms can fit a maximum of 4 people.
Living conditions are basic, but the volunteer houses and homestays have running water and electricity. It’s important to note that there are often power outages, which can affect the availability of hot water and electricity. There are cooks who prepare meals for the volunteers, and each volunteer house has a security guard.
Please be aware that private room upgrades are not available in Tanzania.
During the busy months of June, July, and August 2024, our volunteer houses and homestays may reach full capacity due to the high number of volunteers joining us.
To ensure that everyone is comfortably accommodated, part of our volunteers may be hosted in a nearby hotel, in dormitory style rooms separated by gender. Don’t worry, this arrangement is carefully coordinated to ensure your comfort and convenience. Those staying in the hotel will receive their meals - breakfast, lunch, and dinner - directly at the hotel.
If you would like to stay connected during your stay, we recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone and purchasing a local SIM card when you arrive in Tanzania. The local team can assist you with purchasing a SIM card and data during your program orientation. Additionally, you can access WiFi at cafes and restaurants in Arusha.
If you wish to arrive a day earlier than your recommended arrival date or spend a few extra nights after finishing your program, we can arrange extra nights of accommodation for you at US$35 (approximately CA$50) per person per night, including meals, subject to availability. You will be able to book extra nights via your profile after you register.
Tanzanian cuisine varies across the country due to differences in produce found inland and along the coast. The immigration of Khoja Indians has influenced local dishes with Indian flavors. Staple foods in Tanzania include rice, ugali (maize porridge), chapatti, and beans. Please keep in mind that rice and beans are significant components of meals in Tanzania, so you can expect to be served these quite often.
Volunteers are provided with three meals a day at the volunteer houses and homestays. Breakfast typically consists of eggs served with pancakes, mandazzi (deep-fried dough balls), or cake, along with plenty of fresh fruit, bread, and a selection of jams and other spreads for toast.
Lunch and dinner usually feature a traditional meat dish (chicken or beef) alongside a vegetable dish, beans, lentils, or cooked vegetables served with rice, pasta, chips, or chapatti.
Meals are served at the accommodations, but lunch boxes with fruits and sandwiches can be provided upon request if your placement is scheduled to finish after lunchtime.
Bottled water is readily available in Tanzania, and volunteers should budget approximately $5 per week for 2 liters a day. Filtered water is also available at the accommodations, and you can choose between purchasing bottled water or using the free filtered water provided in the houses.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please inform us so that the local team can make arrangements for you. They can provide vegetarian meals and options that are dairy and gluten-free; however, please note that vegan, halal, and kosher options are not available. Keep in mind that your eating experience may differ from what you’re accustomed to at home. The local team will do their best to accommodate your needs and ensure volunteers are well taken care of, but it’s essential for volunteers to remain flexible.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$329 (approximately CA$478) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $360 Equivalent to $51/day |
| 2 weeks | $510 Equivalent to $36/day |
| 3 weeks | $715 Equivalent to $34/day |
| 4 weeks | $930 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,145 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,360 Equivalent to $32/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,790 Equivalent to $32/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,220 Equivalent to $32/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,650 Equivalent to $32/day |
| 16 weeks | $3,510 Equivalent to $31/day |
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Arusha! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Arusha program.
A 2 day safari in Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater where you will have the opportunity to see amazing wildlife in their natural habitat.
Gain an authentic insight into the Maasai way of life on a full day tour to Maasailand.
An opportunity to visit Moshi Town, the last village before the Kilimanjaro National Park. Volunteers can choose between 1 or 2 day trips.
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
| Capital | Dodoma |
| Population | 58 million |
| Languages | Swahili and English |
| Currency | Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) |
| Time zone | UTC+03:00 |
Weather and climate
Tanzania is hot throughout the year and is humid on the coast and dry on the central plateau. The heavy rains last from March to June and can make unsealed road travel difficult. The hot, dry weather in January and February attracts the most tourists. The best time to visit the Serengeti is from January to March, when the grazers are calving and there are plenty of lions around. Or witness the wildebeest migration to and from Kenya, which occurs at the onset of the dry season and again with the first rains, usually around the beginning of June and mid-November.
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