Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Inspired to be a Women’s Education volunteer in Tanzania? International Volunteer HQ’s Women’s Education project is a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to make a meaningful difference to the lives of women who face the challenges of gender inequality in Arusha. Volunteers gain experience supporting and teaching women by helping them learn new skills that could lead to them gaining employment and becoming more self-sufficient.
Gender equality is an ongoing issue in Tanzania, where many women face challenging situations in their everyday life. Domestic violence, homelessness and HIV/AIDS are all too common, and women who have to confront these challenges are often stigmatised by society. Volunteers can make a significant difference to the prospects of disadvantaged women, helping with education and supporting them to become more self-sufficient.
As a Women’s Education volunteer you’ll be based with a local NGO that focuses on empowering women and giving them the skills to be healthy and financially independent. Many of these women would struggle to find these kinds of opportunities to upskill and support themselves without these volunteer-driven initiatives. You’ll help with a range of activities which can include:
You can also teach the local women a range of life skills such as cooking, dancing, singing, playing games and really anything that you might like to share that can be beneficial to them.
If you would like to teach or bring any specific activity to your placement that you think would be beneficial to the local women and be of their interest, please advise, and the local team will do their best to help you facilitate the activity you wish to bring to the local women.
This project is well suited to volunteers with experience in business, health or education. Typically volunteers who have skills and qualifications on those subjects can provide better support to the local women. However, anyone who is open minded and interested in supporting disadvantaged women is very appreciated! Everyone over the age of 16 is welcome to take part in this project, including male volunteers.
Volunteers can also participate in community outreach visits. Visits take place every one to two weeks, and you’ll be able to visit women in their own homes. During these visits, you’ll provide food, companionship, counseling and medical assistance to those in need. Although transportation is provided by the local team, these outreach visits are fully coordinated by volunteers, being responsible for funding food or any other donations they wish to bring to the local women.
When you volunteer with women in Tanzania you’ll be adding value to the local community, 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.
I appreciate IVHQ because they addressed everything I needed before going to my destination.
I was surprised because people in Tanzania were more cheerful than I expected. They have less stuff than my country, but they look happier.
I realised I need to practice communicating in English. There were many English native speakers. It was hard for me to catch up with the conversation sometimes.
I gained a massive amount of respect for those working within the women’s education program and for the women it helps. I made fantastic friends and had the best time in an incredible country. Go for it even if you’re the tiniest bit hesitant - everyone makes you feel SO welcome!!
This program provided the perfect balance of volunteering and getting to experience the local culture and tourist attractions. The mamas at the volunteer house are truly incredible and did everything to make my stay a 10/10.
Based on my experience, it was a life time adventure, which helped me grow as a person even at the twilight of my years. You can never be too old to grow and gain new perspective in life. I've established lifetime friendships there. I now have an "adopted" Maasai daughter there that I'm being invited to her wedding. Another person asked if I would consider relocating there.
The lush and green surroundings in Tanzania were beautiful. The people, despite how little they have are quite happy. Hakuna Matata!
I have managed to get out of my comfort zones. Even hanging out with the young and full of life people, was quite fun. I was the oldest, but some of those young people from all over the world didn't seem to mind my presence. I especially like when they didn't think I was a 70 year old woman.
And trekking part of the Mt. Kilimanjaro was an amazing feat that I can be very proud of. Asante sana IVHQ and THE! Your excellent collaborations and joint purposes made it possible for the people around the world to volunteer.
I volunteered in the Women's Education program. It was an experience that changed my life. I would like to say that people that want to volunteer at women's education don't need to have a certain degree in teaching or business. You learn everything from the beginning so there is nothing that you couldn't do without some research. The local women deserve to have an education and every skill you can offer will help them out.
The women at my placement were always so excited to learn. It was hard work because I had to plan every lesson but I truly loved teaching them. They never had the opportunity to go to school due to their realities, but they found my placement and they got an opportunity to learn and create their own business. With volunteering you will give these women a second chance, you will give them education and they will be learning In a safe place.
I left Arusha with a full heart but also with a bittersweet feeling because I wished I could have stayed longer. I would recommend this volunteering program to every person that wants to empower women and make them feel that their existence has a purpose because it does. They are so smart and capable of achieving everything if they are giving a chance in this world.
I feel like I didn’t really know what to expect before I came but it was so amazing. My hesitations were around the support I’d get whilst being there and making friends with people. I got a lot of support and a lot of flexibility especially in terms of the excursions. I’ve made friends with everyone at the volunteer houses and and everyone was amazing.
I have definitely made an impact during my programme but I could have made more of an impact if I’d stayed longer. As I was working with women, it takes time to build relationships with them so I felt like I had to leave as soon as we became closer which was a shame as they were all absolutely incredible and I would have loved to hear more about their stories.
All the staff in the house were incredible! The mamas, coordinators, cleaners, security guards etc made me feel so welcome! Of course with the windows being open to keep the house cool but the mud and dust could get a little dirty, however the cleaners were very on top of it. I felt completely safe in the house and appreciated the 24/7 security.
The food was incredible! There was a lot of food, a lot of flavour, it was kept warm and the fruit was covered. The cinnamon rolls were amazing!
It was so great to speak to people from all over the world and learn about different countries and cultures on top of learning about Tanzania and Africa. I am in touch with a volunteer who is soon coming to the program helping her with recommendations, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone else that was looking for an experience like this.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
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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 travelling 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 socialising.
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. 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 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$35 (approximately £28) 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.
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.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$329 (approximately £263) 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 | $440 Equivalent to $63/day |
| 2 weeks | $590 Equivalent to $42/day |
| 3 weeks | $795 Equivalent to $38/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,010 Equivalent to $36/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,225 Equivalent to $35/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,440 Equivalent to $34/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,870 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,300 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,730 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 16 weeks | $3,590 Equivalent to $32/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.
A weekend getaway to Moshi Town, the last village before the Kilimanjaro National Park, and and its surroundings.
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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