Small Groups.
Secured
Payments
Local Guides.
Easy Payments
Tanzania and all the sub-Saharan African countries are badly affected by the epidemics of poverty and HIV/AIDS. The number of orphans and street children is growing. Efforts have been made by various local organizations to protect these children by offering much-needed education as well as skill-development training. Thousands of orphaned children who suffer from extreme poverty, HIV/AIDS and hopelessness leave their villages and travel to Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi and other cities, where they most often end up worse off on the street.
Most orphanages in Tanzania lack resources and are under-staffed. Some are extremely poor, and struggle just to feed the children. Not all of the children can attend school, as they lack sponsors to pay for uniforms, books and so on. Other orphanages are more fortunate and even have their own school close to their premises. All of them, however, rely on volunteer workers and donations of all kinds in order to be able to run the orphanage and maintain an everyday, secure environment for the children.
Volunteer tasks usually are:
In the morning help with breakfast and prepare the children for school. Volunteers accompany the children to and from school
Teach English 3-4 hours a day in the local school
Small children (ages 2-6 years) remain in their orphanages. Volunteers who choose not to teach in schools play with these children: sport, art, games, picture books, music. You are welcome to suggest all sorts of activities.
Organize activities when the children return from school and help with homework
Skill-training and leisure activities for the children, who are too old to go to school
After dinner help the children wash, brush teeth and take care of themselves
Keeping the orphanage clean and tidy
Help with daily chores such as washing the children’s clothes, repairing and maintaining the premises etc.
This is just a general picture of daily tasks. Each orphanage has its own routine. You will receive detailed information about your work place before travelling.
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Some Basic Rules of Tanzanian Culture
First time in Tanzania.
Some Basic Rules of Tanzanian Culture
- Affection between men and women is seldom expressed in public. Public kissing, hugging, and hand-holding are offensive to most Tanzanians and a sign of low morals. But it is acceptable for two men or two women to walk hand in hand. This has nothing to do with sexual orientation; it is basically male (female) bonding and is not considered odd.
- Maintaining eye contact during conversations is not expected in an African context and many people become uncomfortable when you look them in the eye for a long time.
- East Africans love to formally greet each other, so be ready to shake a million hands!
- In most rural areas, punctuality is not too common, so be prepared to wait.
- Clothing is somewhat conservative. Men should not go bare-chested and shorts should be conservative. Women should avoid bare shoulders, halter-tops, and shorts. Ties and suits are not necessary except for special occasions.
- The dress codes can vary, depending on your area of placement. In many places, summer clothes are worn most of the year. Semi-formal wear or what is known as “business casual” (slacks and a shirt with a collar)will be acceptable in most places and for most purposes including volunteer work.
- You can wear jeans and t-shirts but we recommend clothes that are easy to wash – since most washing is done by hand, – jeans will be a bother to you in this regard.
- In some areas, shorts are rarely worn. If you wear some, khaki or walking shorts will be generally more acceptable.
- For official occasions, a shirt and tie worn with long trousers or a dress will do. Men should wear socks and both sexes should wear shoes during meetings and public events.
- The East African coast including the area around Dar es Salaam has a large Muslim population. Here, courtesy demands that women, outside their hotels, should dress modestly.
Legal Issues
- It is an offence to photograph heads of state, airports or strategic buildings, including military and power installations, and police officers in uniform. Photographs should not be taken of people without their consent.
- Destruction of local currency, even in small amounts, is illegal, and will result in arrest and penalty.
- Nudity is illegal under East African law; if you sunbathe topless you may be arrested.
- The penalty for possession of illegal drugs, including marijuana, is ten years imprisonment, with no option of a fine.
- Tanzanian law defines any sexual relations between men as a criminal act; the penalty is 5 to 14 years imprisonment.
Our Happy Clients!
Our Tanzania trip was fabulous. Spotting the Tree-climbing lions and Black Rhino was unforgettable. Thanks for fulfilling our dreams. We’ll be back soon!
Clara Smith
Thank you, Maasai Land Wonders Team, for your exceptional care during my 3 Months Volunteering program. A thousand thanks for an unforgettable experience.
Shelly Barns
Thank you, Edwin and your team, for an amazing 7-day trip. Your personal care and dedication made it unforgettable. 1000 thanks!