Why Tanzania Needs Volunteers

Tanzania welcomes you to spend your time away volunteering in one of the most spectacular and interesting places in Africa - The Land of Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. Enjoy some of Africa's most beautiful national parks and game reserves like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and the Selous. With all its natural beauty, Tanzania is enjoying a rapidly growing economy. Volunteers are needed to assist in community’s development and efforts to keep Tanzania's natural beauty intact as well as help the native people keep up with the fast paced changes.

Tanzania is a country blessed with a wealth of delights for its visitors. Fantastic wildlife in its National Parks, the majestic mount Kilimanjaro and glorious beaches on the coast and islands. Tanzania has something for everyone. For lovers of animals you can take a safari into the Selous, Serengeti or Ngorongoro, those wanting some rest and relaxation can head to Zanzibar for it's stunning beaches and the more adventurous can take a hike up Mount Kilimanjaro.

The tourism boom in Tanzania does not come without its problems where tourists concentrate in key areas causing environmental and social issues. Money does not get to the poorer communities and the outstanding natural environment of Tanzania suffers. EVI projects in Tanzania revolve around environmental and social responsibility for the local communities. The aim is to empower the local people to become sustainable by teaching them new skills or working with the local volunteers to improve the environment. Volunteers can help in: Construction, Teaching, projects managements fundraising and Community Centre and also Conservation projects

Tanzania Hotspots

* ZANZIBAR - wander around the Stone Town, chill out on the beach, dive and snorkel the islands coral reefs or swim with dolphins on this beautiful tropical island
* SELOUS GAME RESERVE AND SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK - go on safari and spot elephants, buffalo, big cats, rhino and much much more, the wide open plains of the Serengeti are excellent for animal spotting and the Selous is the largest protected wilderness reserve on the continent
* NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA - visit the largest unbroken crater in the world, it's the best place to see black rhino in Tanzania and the flamingos and other birdlife are world famous
* MOUNT KILIMANJARO - Topped with snow the year round this 5,895m mountain is the highest in Africa, for those fit people out there it's possible to trek to the top

Spending Money while in TZ

Regular costs (i.e. bottled water, day-to-day travel and laundry) will be around US$20-30 per week. The ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar will cost you $35 each way, while public transport around Dar could cost you up to $10. A cheap weekend away may cost around US$40, though if you want to splash out on activities (for example hiking in national parks) or travel to remote areas, you could easily spend up to US$150 per weekend.

US$15 per week is a generous estimate for the amount you might spend on email, mail and calling home. A medical consultation costs around US$40. You should also set some money aside for buying souvenirs, resources for your project and extras like camera film and suntan lotion.

Volunteers Needed

CEHRC need volunteers to help with this fantastic project that is sure to have a really positive effect for the local community and give the children a chance of a much better future. This project will require commitment and hard work but you will be able to physically see each week the progress you and your fellow volunteers are making.

You will help locals to build a very much needed CEHRC this will be the first CEHRC in the community what they have deserved and needed for too long. It’s undeniable that the world is a place heavily laden with inequalities within nations and inequalities between nations, that’s why you are needed to help where it matters the most. By doing this project you will help Tanzania to help itself by educating the thousands who never had the chance to go to schools, which in the west we take for granted.

What kind of skills you need to go on this type of work?: You will need to be willing to get involved in hard work and be very hands on and willing to get involved in anything that is asked of you. You have a love of the outdoors and not mind working in any weather. Building experience is not necessary but if you have a specific skill it will be welcomed. The ability to view the bigger picture and long-term goals of the placement are essential to the understanding of activities that may seem repetitive and a little insignificant.

Your role as a volunteer: You will get involved in all aspects of the building but this will depend on the stage you get involved in the building. You could help build septic tanks, lay floors, dig trenches and help put on roofs amongst, design building other tasks.

The village is outside of Dar Es Salaam, which is approximately 1.5 hours away by bus or daladala. Medical facilities, banks with ATM machines and communications such as post, telephone and internet, are relatively easy to come by, and there are a range of hotels, bars and restaurants to keep you entertained in the evenings.