It has left me with many practical skills I can use for the rest of my life! Not only is the volunteering very rewarding, but experiencing Tanzania was a gift on its own.
Construction and Renovation Volunteer Program in Tanzania - Arusha
Purpose
Improve infrastructure for the community
Start dates
Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
Duration
Choose from 1-16 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Accommodation
Volunteer house or homestay
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Active volunteers who don't mind getting their hands dirty. There’ll be a qualified supervisor on site so no construction and renovation experience is required.
Project details
Want to build a better future as a Construction and Renovation volunteer in Tanzania? By taking part in this project, volunteers have the opportunity to assist with a range of tasks designed to improve the infrastructure of local schools, childcare centers and important community spaces. This helps support learning, development and basic services within the wider Arusha community. Volunteers will be able to see the physical results of their efforts and make a lasting impact for the community for years to come.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
As a Construction volunteer, you’ll assist with renovations in the local schools, childcare centers, kindergartens and the women’s center where our Teaching, Childcare and Women’s Education programs are based.
You’ll be volunteering alongside a local foreman and tasks may include, but are not limited to:
- Brick laying
- Window repairs and replacement,
- Plastering
- Painting and decorating
- Small construction jobs
- Plumbing repairs
The work volunteers take part in will depend on the projects already underway at the time you join the program.
Volunteers can also be providing important support to families and those in the community that wish to start small businesses with livestock where they will assist in building wooden structures that can house animals. This work helps provide a life saving business for a family or small community.
If volunteers want to do a specific type of work or project while in Arusha, they can discuss this with the local team in Tanzania after registering and they would need to fundraise money to cover additional costs associated with it.
Why do Construction and Renovation volunteering in Arusha with IVHQ?
As a building volunteer in Tanzania you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Helping local communities build and improve important facilities
- Assisting local initiatives to complete construction and renovation projects
- Developing your communication and practical skills
- Gaining renovation experience
- Immersing yourself in Tanzanian culture
- Discovering Africa’s incredible wildlife
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or friend who is over 18 to participate in this program
- Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
- All volunteers are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure, or if aged under 18 need to provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
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IVHQ Construction project
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IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Construction project
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IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Medical project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Construction project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Construction project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ volunteer orientation
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
KH
Kai Hartley
17 Sep 2024
...
SH
Santiago Hevia
20 Aug 2024
I lived probably one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. I met great people, made friends, worked hard everyday, enjoyed socializing and hanging out and discovered how amazing Africa and Tanzania are.
Luckily, I had the opportunity to do a safari seeing the wildlife with my own eyes and enjoying the company of the best guide.
Overall I could say that volunteering might be seen differently by the majority of people, and I think it is underrated. I would say that it is not cheap but it's totally worth every single cent.
I go back home with a lot of things to tell, adventures to describe and friends to keep in contact with. I would love to repeat this in a different country trying to enjoy a new culture and new people that could teach me something new and allow me to get out of my daily routine.
...
KM
Keith Morris
27 Mar 2024
IVHQ's support was timely, regular and extremely comprehensive . The local team were always present and extremely helpful. The placement exceeded my expectations and, as a (much) older volunteer, it was easier to participate than expected. The accommodation was well kept and the food was always sufficient and available. And the bonus of cheerful kitchen staff!
I gained the satisfaction of a meaningful contribution, and the cultural immersion through the opportunity of a very wide range of extra curricular activities.
...
DH
David Hutchinson
14 Feb 2024
I'm glad I could help paint a classroom and build a cinder block house. And I'm glad I met the people whose lives these projects would impact. When the work was difficult, knowing who it was for inspired me to go the extra mile. Volunteering was also an opportunity to meet people from around the world. The other volunteers were definitely a part of the program experience for me. Most of them were great to get to know.
I fell in love with Tanzania. The people I met will live in my heart for years to come. There are countless challenges involved in travel and volunteering of this kind. Being ready to improvise is essential. But mostly, I would say, just give yourself over to the experience. Let go of expectations and just go with it. If you do you will be rewarded.
...
PW
Philip Wright
18 Jul 2023
The local team was excellent. Before the trip, I had organised all my excursions with IVHQ and I was worried that they wouldn't be flexible with changing them if needed. However, the team allowed me to alter the dates of the excursions so I could go with the other volunteers. I did the Construction and Renovation project so I could visibly see the impact I was making. This trip has made me appreciate what I have and has helped improve my confidence. I think in the future it will help me pay forward in kindness. Take that leap!
...
BR
Blake Richardson
21 Jun 2023
IVHQ was very well organized and met my expectations. The local team was friendly, supportive and knowledgeable. I was given the option to stay at a homestay and I requested it. However, it was changed within a couple weeks before my arrival to be housed at a group home with much younger volunteers. It was no problem as I understood that there may be changes. Interaction with the other volunteers was respectful and fun.
The volunteer house setting turned out great. In terms of meals, I expected far less than what was provided which was a welcomed surprise. The food was good and there was always enough to eat. The volunteer work was challenging and I feel I made an impact. I did my best and the placement staff put me with very supportive people. I loved working in construction and renovation at a school and providing them with school supplies and two soccer balls as gifts. The head teacher/principal in return honored me with a small ceremony and gifts on my last day there. I wasn't expecting anything for my gifts but they insisted on a ceremony anyway. It was a very emotional day! I did my best showing the local community my passion for working for and with them and helping in anyway I could. And making friends with both the other volunteers and the staff in Tanzania. Find a place you are interested in, learn something about the country and people and take a chance. I was a little concerned if I would like where I went and thought that 2 weeks there would be too long a stay. Within days I was trying to extend my stay and would have had the airline fees not been so high to change my reservation. It turned out 2 weeks wasn't enough time in this enchanting country.
...
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
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 creditLocation
Location
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.
Arrival and orientation
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.
Volunteer schedule example
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. |
| 2:00 - 5:00 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.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers in Tanzania are accommodated in dorm-style volunteer houses or homestays located in Sakina, Arusha. The local team currently hosts volunteers in three volunteer houses, typically for younger volunteers, and two homestays, often preferred by families and mature volunteers.
In the volunteer houses, volunteers share a room with one to nine others of the same gender, with most rooms accommodating up to six people. Homestays can accommodate up to 10 volunteers, with rooms also separated by gender and a maximum of four people per room.
Living conditions in Arusha are basic but comfortable. Both volunteer houses and homestays have running water and electricity. Toilets and showers are Western-style, though power outages are common, which can affect the availability of hot water and electricity.
During the busy months of January, June, July, and August, the volunteer accommodations in Arusha may reach capacity. To ensure everyone is comfortably accommodated, some volunteers may be hosted in a nearby hotel in dormitory-style rooms separated by gender. Volunteers can expect to share a room with up to seven people.
Wifi is not available at homestays, and although volunteer houses have wifi, it is slow and unreliable. To stay connected, we recommend purchasing an e-SIM before arrival or bringing an unlocked mobile phone and buying a local SIM card in Tanzania. The local team can assist you with purchasing a SIM card and data during your program orientation. Complimentary wifi is available at the hotel.
If you wish to arrive before your recommended arrival date or extend your stay, extra nights at the standard accommodation can be arranged for US$40 (approximately CA$58) per person, per night. Extra nights include three meals a day, are subject to availability, and bookings can be requested by registered volunteers via their profiles.
For added privacy and comfort, private room upgrades are available year-round at a nearby hotel for an extra cost. These rooms can accommodate one or two persons and offer private bathrooms. They are subject to availability and can be booked as an add-on through your MyIVHQ account after registration.
Meals
Tanzanian cuisine varies across the country due to differences in produce found inland and along the coast. The immigration of Khoja Indians has introduced Indian flavors to local dishes. Staple foods in Tanzania include rice, ugali (maize porridge), chapatti, and beans. Rice and beans are significant components of meals, so expect to be served these often.
Volunteers are provided with three meals a day. 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 prepared for volunteers by host families at homestays and by cooks at the volunteer houses. Those accommodated in the hotel, whether in private room upgrades or during the busy season, will receive their meals on-site. Lunch boxes 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 US$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-free, gluten-free, and nut-free. However, 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 to remain flexible.
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer room upgrade
Typical volunteer room upgrade
Typical volunteer bedroom
Volunteer living room
Volunteer living room
Outside of volunteer house
Outside of volunteer house
Volunteer kitchen
Volunteer kitchen
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer dinner
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately CA$437), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately CA$437) 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 | $419 Equivalent to $60/day |
| 2 weeks | $618 Equivalent to $44/day |
| 3 weeks | $872 Equivalent to $42/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,136 Equivalent to $41/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,400 Equivalent to $40/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,664 Equivalent to $40/day |
| 8 weeks | $2,192 Equivalent to $39/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,720 Equivalent to $39/day |
| 12 weeks | $3,248 Equivalent to $39/day |
| 16 weeks | $4,304 Equivalent to $38/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately CA$437) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Independent volunteers under the age of 18 will have an additional cost of US$80 per week added to their program fee to cover extra logistical support provided by the local team, including transportation to and from placement each day and airport drop-off.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Tanzania generally find US$75-100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Airport pick-up
- US$49 per week to the placement to cover supervision, materials and logistics involved
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Arusha
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Arusha program.
Kifaru Safari
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.
CA$516
Maasai Village Tour
Gain an authentic insight into the Maasai way of life on a full day tour to Maasailand.
CA$175
Moshi Weekend Escape
A weekend getaway to Moshi Town, the last village before the Kilimanjaro National Park, and and its surroundings.
CA$175
Check what's required to visit Tanzania
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| 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.
Apply to check if you're eligible!
