7 Best Volunteer Projects in Tanzania

What project should you do when you volunteer in Tanzania?! Does your head feel sick of working at your current workplace, is your heart dreaming of going abroad, and is your belly filled with excitement when you think of experiencing a new culture first-hand? You cannot get closer to the local people of a country than by volunteering in a charitable project. In the following, we want to introduce you to the seven most interesting projects in Tanzania.

If you weren’t feeling inspired before, we bet you are now!

Have you thought of using your gap year not only for traveling, but also for making a positive impact on the living conditions in the Eastern part of Africa? Get the chance to get engaged into the Tanzanian community and learn about the cultural differences!

We will lead you through the seven most exciting projects in Tanzania. Do you want to work in a hospital, school, or animal shelter? Or in a women’s empowerment project or environmental project? Keep on reading to discover and learn more about volunteering opportunities in this Eastern African nation. And last but not least—let’s get ready for an amazing time in the country of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Big Five!

Read on to learn about the volunteer projects in Tanzania that are most in need this year:

Top areas of need in Tanzania

1. Women Empowerment

It is a fact that in some parts of the world, women still suffer from patriarchy and discrimination. Although equality should be self-evident and part of the law, they are facing challenges every day of their lives. Women’s empowerment work is one of the most important causes in Tanzania you can work towards. In this project, you get the chance to volunteer with great female personalities, give them a voice, and encourage them to fight for their own rights.

Not only will you learn a lot from their wisdom, their life experience, and their culture, but you will also have the opportunity to exchange ideas and make friends for a lifetime! Many women empowerment projects are focused on helping women to make their own income and become more independent from the men-dominated business world. That's the reason why a lot of women empowerment projects are based in the fashion industry, so that women can be taught to become tailors. They sew a variety of clothes, make necklaces and other jewelry, and sell them on local markets, in hotels, or lodges.

Tanzania is an extremely friendly and welcoming country. The women of the project will welcome you with open hearts and all their hospitality. You will have a wonderful time empowering them and making a crucial impact on their future while at the same time enjoying the stunning nature of Tanzania!

• Skills needed: It is an advantage if you already have some idea of how you can teach the women in independence and confidence. Furthermore, having a good level of English will not only make your stay easier, but will also be a big benefit for the female community.
• Suggested program duration: Minimum two weeks
• Recommended program: Viva Tanzania

Women’s empowerment is one of the most fulfilling projects you can work on when you volunteer in Tanzania.

2. Health

Health is one of the most popular volunteer projects in Tanzania for foreigners. Hospitals and healthcare centers can be really different from what you might know from your home country. As health insurance is not common in Tanzania, the access to health care usually depends on a person's income. Many people cannot afford any health care which is why they are dependent on the help of the government or volunteer communities.

It can be really interesting for interns and volunteers to experience the health system in a country like Tanzania where resources are limited. Public hospitals in the Arusha region are usually very crowded and health service is poor. By getting involved in the daily routines of the hospitals, the volunteers will not only learn how health clinics work in this country but also gain cultural understanding about the community as a whole. You will gain this first-hand experience while working in different units alongside local doctors and nurses.

• Skills needed: When volunteering abroad in a hospital, you should already bring along some experience and skills in health service. You should also be passionate about caring for others.
• Suggested program duration: Minimum two months
• Recommended program: Love Volunteers

3. Education

Working with children in a kindergarten or primary school in the northern part of Tanzania not only brings you new experiences but also helps the kids build a foundation for education and a better future. In kindergartens and pre-schools, volunteers are often asked to play, read, and sing with the students, as well as teach them basic English and mathematics.

In primary schools they can teach a variety of subjects such as math, science, art, and more. They can either assist teachers or even perform whole lessons in front of their own classes!Education is the most powerful tool through which we can prepare the future leaders of Tanzania.

• Skills needed: Swahili fluency is not necessary, but a TEFL certificate will help you be an effective volunteer teacher in Tanzania.
• Suggested program duration: Minimum one month
• Recommended program: GoEco

Not only will you make a huge difference volunteering in education in Tanzania, you’ll make plenty of friends along the way too.

4. Special Needs

Volunteers can gain an insight into the daily struggles of children with special needs. In Tanzanian society, there are many prejudices against people with disabilities, no matter whether they have physical or mental special needs. And even if the parents or the local community accept these children, there are basically no facilities where these children can get adequate support.

During your stay, you will get to know how children with disabilities live here and get the chance to play with them. You can make a great contribution to their lives by dedicating your time and making them feel loved while you are making new friends as well!

• Skills needed: The most important thing when volunteering with Tanzania’s youth with disabilities is to be loving, patient, and caring.
• Suggested program duration: 3+ months
• Recommended program: Volunteers for Peace

5. Environmental Conservation

One of the major areas of need in Tanzania is environmental conservation. Climate change affects all of us, but especially poor communities face the consequences of floods, storms, crop failure, or the lack of rain the most. Working in environmental conservation projects is a great way to help maintain the ecosystem of our planet.

During your volunteering service, you can plant trees together with local communities in order to minimize the effects of deforestation. Help the people of the village to find a sustainable income! You can also go to schools and teach children in environmental conservation or help with beach or forest clean ups.

Trees are crucial for our atmosphere and the natural cycles of our earth. Planting and giving them space to grow is going to have a positive influence on our climate. Consequently, we should support these environmental projects as much as we can. Not only will the environment benefit from your work—It will be also an enrichment for your own life. You will work besides local experts and the Tanzanian society, see their daily life style, and get the chance to learn some Swahili.

• Skills needed: Identification, communication, local language, mapping skills, understanding of ecological survey techniques.
• Suggested program duration: Minimum one week
• Recommended program: World Endeavors

The world needs someone to speak for animals as well, and volunteer projects in Tanzania will help you do just that!

6. Youth Empowerment

Join youth empowerment volunteer projects in Tanzania and have the best time of your life! Work with the youth of the Northern part of Tanzania. Gain different experience by supporting marginalized youth groups—most of them are former street kids.

Whether volunteers work on a farm, teach sewing, English, or life skills, there is a lot to do! Previous volunteers have also taken street kids out for lunch, which was always a great experience for both sides. Take your time and go back to your teenage life, give them the understanding they need, and you will get a lot back from them.

Visit the families of the teenagers, learn about the different culture from the locals of your project, and experience local transportation means such as dala dalas or motorbikes on the way to your work.

• Skills needed: Caring and patient nature, leadership skills, adaptability, problem-solving, imagination, and creativity.
• Suggested program duration: Minimum two months
• Recommended program: Carpe Diem Education

7. Animal welfare

Become a part of an animal shelter project in Tanzania. Work with abandoned cats and dogs, give them a better life, and make them your lifetime friends!

Your daily routine can involve feeding, training and walking the dogs, cleaning their kennels, doing marketing, and fundraising. You may also visit schools and educate children about rabies, animal welfare, and all other related topics.

For those who cannot get enough of animals: you will be also only one step away from the great Arusha National Park!

• Skills needed: Physical stamina, empathy, research skills, affection for animals, and concern for their welfare.
• Suggested program duration: Minimum one week
• Recommended program: Kaya Responsible Travel

[Browse ALL Volunteer Opportunities in Tanzania]

Next steps to volunteering in Tanzania

Now that you have the inside scoop, know where many volunteers choose to spend their time, and know common causes that volunteers are working to eradicate, it's time to choose who you want to volunteer abroad with! Choosing a program isn't as hard as it sounds, especially if you follow these steps:

• Decide where to go. Figuring out where YOU should volunteer in Tanzania is paramount. Have a short list of locations that sound ideal for your goals and skills (i.e. if you don't have experience working with animals, you might reconsider volunteering in Arusha). Don't let the chapati hold you back—choose a place that's right for you.
• Pick your project. We outlined a few common causes that international volunteers support above. Do some reflection on what skills and knowledge you bring to the table, and which project would best benefit from your time and energy.
• Choose from the best volunteer abroad programs in Tanzania. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/university reputation, location, and how the project's needs match your skills. Some programs may even share contact info for ambassadors or past participants if you want the REAL dirt. Here are more considerations to make as you figure out how to choose the right volunteer program for you. Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
• Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge on travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Be sure to raise a little extra money to donate to the organization that you'll be working with. Learning how to fund your volunteer abroad adventure is essential prior to your travels!
• Get prepared! Preparing to volunteer abroad is as fun as it sounds. With the days til departure number dwindling and your excitement boiling, it can be easy to overlook the details. Lean on us to help guide you through your pre-departure process—that's what we're here for. 

Time to pick your project then volunteer in Tanzania!

Buckle your seatbelt and hold on—your volunteer in Tanzania adventure is just beginning!

It can be scary at times to take that first step, but you don't need to be afraid. Tanzania is a beautiful country filled with friendly and welcoming people, lots of opportunities to make a difference, and plenty to see and do.

So if you're ready to start a brand new and exciting adventure that you'll remember forever, it's time for you to take the first step! We can guarantee that any of these projects will provide you with feelings of accomplishment, satisfaction, and joy.

Get Matched with 5 Volunteer Programs in Tanzania for FREE

This article was written with help from Viva Tanzania. Viva Tanzania runs volunteer programs in Tanzania for hard working, big-hearted volunteers—like you!