Looking to volunteer in Tanzanie? Know that the country is in need of support! But for a successful humanitarian mission, you must choose the right organization, one that aligns with your aspirations, availability… and budget. Discover the different statuses (volunteer, unpaid volunteer, intern) and the precautions to take before departure.

How to choose your organization for volunteering in Tanzanie?

Choose the organization that suits you

Your humanitarian mission will commit you for several months. Therefore, it is essential to research thoroughly and, ideally, meet with a representative from the organization—perhaps at an event or volunteer fair.

Human connection and rapport will help you choose one organization over another, while also giving you precise information about the structure, on-ground missions, and the working and accommodation conditions offered locally.

Understanding the different statuses for a humanitarian mission

Volunteer

As a volunteer, you will receive a stipend during your mission to cover your living expenses once you're in place. This support can be partial or full (between €100 and €813). These allowances are granted under the framework of:

- International Corporate Volunteer Program, ages 18 to 28;

- National Civic Service, ages 16 to 25;

- International Volunteer Service – a fairly lengthy and tedious process, but with the advantage of having no age limit.

Unpaid Volunteer

As an unpaid volunteer, you cover all travel costs yourself. If you opt for this status, you will need to pay for your airline ticket, international insurance, and then accommodation and meals once on the ground (approximately €2,500 for two weeks). This status is suitable only for short-term missions within the framework of solidarity tourism.

Intern

It is possible to carry out a volunteer humanitarian mission as part of your studies—particularly in the medical field. Note that this is a "regular" internship and not an official status. As such, the student must provide an internship agreement (and receives no compensation).

What missions can you undertake during a humanitarian stay in Tanzanie?

1 Health-related missions

Supporting HIV and AIDS victims

Despite awareness campaigns, HIV and AIDS remain a scourge in Tanzanie. To combat these public health issues, centers provide support and care to affected individuals.

True assets for local staff, volunteers provide comfort to patients while also conducting prevention work on the ground among young generations, helping to prevent and stem AIDS.

Joining a medical center team

Medical centers in Tanzanie welcome medical students to help healthcare staff with daily tasks—taking blood pressure or temperature, assisting nurses, and even providing first aid, depending on volunteers' qualifications.

To validate a year or gain medical experience, it is possible to join one of the hospital centers in Arusha (clinics, hospitals, and dispensaries) as an intern.

2 Education-related missions

Supporting an orphanage

Due to the AIDS virus, many children are placed in orphanages following their parents' deaths… To provide them with an education, these reception centers offer classes within their facilities.

Some orphanages with limited resources raise animals and cultivate vegetable gardens to feed the children through their livestock and harvests. All of these activities require daily assistance.

Teaching English lessons

Caught in poverty, many disadvantaged children lack access to education. To give them opportunities to learn—and escape their circumstances—humanitarian initiatives offer English classes.

Essential for children's futures, these missions require great autonomy from volunteers and adaptability skills (for example, organizing engaging activities to facilitate learning).

3 Human Rights missions

To ensure the Human Rights Convention is applied and respected in Tanzanie, Protection Centers raise awareness among populations and support individuals by providing legal assistance or advice. These centers also organize conferences and seminars for residents or the press.

4 Construction or urban rehabilitation missions

If you hold a degree (or are training) in building or civil engineering, your help and expertise will be welcome in construction or rehabilitation missions, such as building or renovating schools, roads, or dams…

If this type of mission interests you but you don't have a degree in these fields, you can help physically with construction work (mixing cement, painting facades, etc.), under the supervision of a qualified worker.