Women's Empowerment Project in Tanzania, Kilimanjaro Region

As I have my own business, I thought that GHTA might be an option for me to do some volunteer work, so I did a short stay with them with the idea to go back if the program suits me and the answer is a resounding yes. The program is excellent and the students are all highly motivated, enthusiastic and fun. I left wondering whether it was not me that learned more from them than the other way around. The staff are all friendly and extremely helpful. The living accomodation is excellent.I am planning to go back in November and again in 2027. I am happy to recommend this programme to anyone who is looking for a rewarding and interesting program with goals that work.

I spent three months at GHTA in Tanzania between August and November 2025. I taught business studies to three classes, about 15 students per class. The students were keen to learn and a joy to teach. Teaching took place four mornings a week, giving plenty of time to relax, review the day's work or plan for the following day. Each Friday, the volunteers, accompanied by a GHTA representative, would visit one or two of the students at their homes. This was always a special occasion. The students and their families were so welcoming, and it was an ideal opportunity in a relaxed environment to swap our cultural experiences. The staff at GHTA were both friendly and supportive. I had never taught in a classroom before, and was concerned about my lack of experience. But with the help of the GHTA experts, I really felt I'd contributed by the end of my time there. Would recommend this project to anyone.

This was my first time volunteering in Africa, and I felt safe with my experience going through Give a Heart to Africa. Even prior to volunteering, I had a lot of questions that were answered by Monika, and you can tell you're not getting generic responses, but thorough ones addressing my specific questions. It was important to me that I choose an organization, that uses my volunteer fees to good use, and you can see it go a lot towards the students for school resources for them, and funding for them to start their own business ventures. Every day was very structured, as to which lessons to deliver on, and we had flexibility on how we wanted to deliver our lesson plans as well. Monika also knew the right tour operators to connect me with for any sightseeing I wanted to do as well, and it was easy to make friends at the volunteer house, I'm still friends with them several years after volunteering! This was a very rewarding experience.

In 2014 I volunteered with a volunteerism organization in Tanzania and later Ghana. It gave me a taste of the huge demand of help the people needed in these countries, but I came away feeling as though I hadn’t made a lasting impact in any way. I felt like I was just observing in my volunteer positions instead of actually helping. Then I found Give a Heart to Africa the following year. I was thrilled to learn that I would be teaching business to female entrepreneurs. Being a sole proprietor myself I was eager to pass on all that I had learned. All of the course content was laid out for me, I had a safe house to live in ( gated with security) nutritious food to eat and the companion of other volunteers. I didn’t need to cook or clean for 5 weeks! I could focus solely on my mission which was to depart wisdom and encouragement on the women. The largest hurdle I had was my own self confidence in delivering the material in an effective way. There was a translator available for almost all of my classes, this helped tremendously. Our goal was to have the women create a business plan for a business that wasn’t their usual domestic activities but something courageous they had never done or had hoped to always do. We came to a happy medium which was making chapati for the tourists at the local hotel. This blended their comfort zone with a little “get outside of the box” The business was a success. The very best part was watching the transformation of the women’s concept of self. There is nothing greater than watching a woman overcome her cultural norms and rise above to the person she never dreamed she could ever be. I highly recommend this program. There is so much good work being done here. It is a perfect blend of academic material and practical skills for both the student and the teacher. You will have free time in the afternoons and weekends to explore the surrounding area also so it is a perfect mix of work and play.

I volunteered at Give a Heart to Africa as an English Language teacher. The students were all women above the age of 18 and were highly motivated to learn English and vocational skills for their future lives. It was an amazing and very rewarding experience. Give a Heart to Africa GHTA is a very well administrated empowerment project for women. The women apply each year to be part of the project. There are three areas of study - English, Business Management and Vocational skills. The project is located in Moshi at the foot Kilimanjaro in a beautiful part of Tanzania. The home base offers a home for volunteers with a modern kitchen as well as three well supplied classrooms adjacent. It is a very rewarding volunteer experience because the students are welcoming, motivated and hard working. The coordinators are experienced and skilled and will go the extra mile for GHTA volunteers. It's really excellent volunteer placement in a beautiful part of Africa.

When I retired from a teaching career in 2010, I had a couple ideas for what was next: learn another spoken language, use my experience to teach students with a motivation to learn. Little did I know that 30 days after that I would be flying solo to Tanzania with the opportunity to do both. I was in my mid-60's, so don't think that this is just a place for 20 or 30-somethings. I taught English and also filled in briefly for the director who took a few weeks' change of scenery. I still tell people today how appreciated and loved by the students I felt. Their enthusiasm and energy and pure desire to learn was incredible. The lesson plans guide instruction and I had Tanzanian translators to help as needed. One of the most amazing things is that GHTA today employs some of my own students in their program of instruction. I don't say that to boast but rather in admiration of how hard they worked then and now have the chance to sustain the program. The vision to raise the educational level of women has made so much difference in the lives of GHTA students past and present. You do NOT have to have a background in teaching to volunteer at GHTA. You will truly feel needed at GHTA. This is not a place where you'll stand around and feel you are not helpful. I volunteered alongside men and women of diverse backgrounds and training; some stayed a few weeks, others several months. I spent 2 months in each of my 3 trips to volunteer at GHTA. Each time volunteers from around the world shared this home and dinner table. I had amazing teachers for learning some Swahili, too. Just a few words brought smiles (ok, sometimes laughs) to my students, and I learned how they felt learning another language! I was able to make friends each time and spend the time I was not teaching on all kinds of things like a trip to a coffee plantation, a day trip to local waterfalls, taking a Tanzanian friend on a day safari, helping our students in the co-op; observing business projects; the marvelous home visits to students; trips into Moshi or to Arusha; getting to know staff and neighbors. I was able to visit the Usambara Mountains as well as go on a safari near the end of my visits. You will grow in so many ways by volunteering at GHTA and living just outside of Moshi. It's a beautiful neighborhood in every season with a very safe and comfortable house to live in. When you return home, you just might start planning for the next trip to GHTA. You will see your surroundings through a different lens and truly feel that you have left family behind at GHTA. It is such a worthy investment of time, energy and resources.

GHTA is an amazing organization! I had signed up to volunteer for one month, but I loved it so much I stayed for three. That was a few years ago. Then I went back again and volunteered for three months a second time. The women in this program are amazing. They are working so hard to improve their lives, and the lives of their children, in very difficult circumstances. Getting to know them was an honour. I was a bit nervous about teaching but I absolutely loved it. The lesson plans are easy to follow and the local teachers are fantastic support. The highlight was definitely going on home visits on Fridays. Being invited in students’ homes, meeting their families, and understanding more about their day-to-day lives was a beautiful experience. Moshi is a great little town and being able to see Mount Kilimanjaro every day is incredible! I can’t say enough good things about this organization. I recommend it so highly!

I wanted to be involved in a program that was small, grass roots, and where the impact was lasting. Give a Heart to Africa checked all of those boxes, so much so that I have been volunteering there since 2012 and have returned 5 more times! Based in Moshi, Tanzania, Give a Heart to Africa is a free, one-year program that allows women to improve their skills in business, literacy, math and vocations to allow them to grow their abilities, and support their families. The school is staffed entirely by local Tanzanians and most are graduates of the program. They are the only paid positions in the organization; all others in Tanzania and abroad are volunteer positions. Moshi, where GHTA is located, is a small city, where I could access the comforts of home (latte!), and also immerse myself in the local culture. Tanzania is a diverse country, and I was able to travel to different parts and experience the beaches of Zanzibar, (I highly recommend!) the city life in Arusha (the restaurants, the Shanga, the local markets), and the wildlife safaris in the national parks. The volunteer house is attached to the school. There are three shared bedrooms, two shared bathrooms, a kitchen, a common area, and a dining room. The kitchen has everything you need to make this your home away from home (stove, microwave, shared fridge) The bathrooms are western style with flush toilets, and showers. There is a beautiful courtyard that is the perfect spot to enjoy some sun, read, plan for tomorrow's lessons, and hang your laundry out to dry.

The school is run totally by volunteers and the only people who get paid are local translators/teachers and some of the local administrative help. One of the reasons we keep volunteering is because we know that the fees actually go the the operation of the school and not to someone living in another part of the world. While in Tanzania you'll also have a chance to see Mount Kilimanjaro (daily) as the school is in the shadow of the mountain and climb it if you would like the adventure (I have, twice). You can also visit some of the best national parks in Africa--including the Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti. All this while helping women make a better life for themselves and their families. If you are looking for a wonderful place to volunteer, I recommend Give a Heart to Africa! Like us, you may find yourself planning you return trip before you leave.

I have volunteered at GHTA twice now. I don't have adequate words to describe the hospitality of the Tanzanian people. The school is run very professionally with experienced staff who go out of their way to make you feel at home. Lesson plans are provided and I have always felt 100% supported. The staff is absolutely wonderful, and always willing to help with anything. The food is home made and beautifully cooked. Tanzania is a very safe place to be. I have never felt unsafe. The students are young women who are willing and ready to learn, and I have felt that I learn just as much from them. I truly love "Give a Heart to Africa" and I know I will volunteer again.

I volunteered with GHTA teaching English as a part of a larger program helping women learn the skills they need to become entrepreneurs. I was well-supported in developing my lessons and tests as well as in the classroom with a translator as a part of my daily team. I loved getting to know each student in the classroom, doing extra study sessions around mid-terms and even visiting them at home to meet their families and learn about daily life in Moshi. Being embedded a neighbourhood meant I could buy the freshest eggs for breakfast from chickens I see everyday and play with the children in the shared community space. My own learning was supported as well with a well-appointed volunteer house on site, daily meals and a great team of other staff and volunteers to explore the surrounding area with on evenings and weekends. Having a chance to try out local restaurants, coffee shops and support local artisans was a great way to learn about Tanzania. A number of my students have gone on the run their businesses with Moshi Mamas, an Arts and Crafts Collective where graduates can run their businesses in a supportive - and successful - environment. This storefront allows creatives to sell their goods locally and support their families using the skills they have learned at GHTA. Knowing that I played a small part empowering each of those students to find financial security makes my time with GHTA one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

I gave myself a "gap year" for my 60th birthday and spent four months of it in Africa. I arrived at Give a Heart to Africa the beginning of October 2022, which is springtime in Tanzania. I was surprised by how lush and beautiful Moshi was. There were so many flowering trees and plants. (It reminded me a lot of Southern California.) And the views of Kilimanjaro from in front of the school were spectacular - when it decided to show itself! As an older, solo female traveler, I was very concerned about safety. Now that I've been to GHTA, I can tell you that you will be 100% safe and sound. The volunteer house is within the school's complex, which features a high wall, an alarm system, and two wonderful security guards who you will quickly think of as family. (Seriously, they are the nicest guys.) It's also within a university complex, which has its own security. AND, you will quickly realize that Moshi itself is a pretty nice town. Tanzanians treat everyone like family. You will feel very welcome. I also appreciated that the vendors were not super aggressive. Just say you are a volunteer and they will leave you alone - and thank you for coming to Tanzania. The volunteer manager and her grandson live in the house with you. The volunteer bedroom has a bunk bed and I was very happy to discover that the mattress was well-supported on wooden slats. The volunteer bathroom has a western-style toilet! (You will appreciate that in East Africa.) And there's an electric point of use water heater on the shower. Because I was the only volunteer, I had it all to myself. Although there was no air conditioner, the ceiling fan had a turbo speed, so even as spring turned into summer, I was comfortable under my mosquito net. (And it drowned out the time-challenged rooster next door - LOL!) I taught for the last two months of the school year and was able to attend graduation (which involved a lot of dancing) and help interview students for the next school year. I travelled during the December summer break, then returned to GHTA for another two weeks in January. The Tanzania co-workers are so nice, helpful, and welcoming. I still keep up with them on WhatsApp and social media. Besides my December overland tour (camping in seven southern and eastern African countries), I took some short trips on weekends, led by a fabulous and enthusiastic guide who was once a GHTA student. I also hired a Swahili tutor for a couple of hours four days a week. It was lots of fun and helped me understand some of the problems my students might have learning English. Whether you travel with friends or solo, whether you are young or older, and whether you have teaching experience or not, GHTA will be an unforgettable experience and you'll make lots of friends. I'm already thinking about returning!

I spent 2 weeksat GHTA and I would recommend this experience to anyone. Monika and the GHTA staff have lots of support and direction for volunteers, but you can set your own volunteering goals and make the experience unique to your interests as well. Living and working at the school is a special experience. I felt like a welcomed member of the neighborhood and community. Moshi is a great place to be a volunteer and get to know Tanzanian people and culture. AND there's the added bonus of lots of tourist attractions to explore while you are there.

I loved every moment of my time there, from the women who started to sing as soon as they arrived each morning to clean the school grounds to the home visits to actually see how they lived. I have never been in an environment where people appreciated everything that you could do for them and were so eager to learn. I have very fond memories of their smiles and the respect that they gave me as I entered the classroom. The living conditions for the volunteers were far above average for the area and especially convenient being next to the university. And, of course, we rose every morning to see if the sky was clear so we could see "Kili", as we called Kilimanjaro. The students still hold a special place in my heart. I went to give MY heart to Africa, but I received far more than I could ever give. As I watch the school's website, I am particularly aware of how many employees are still with the school seven years after I was there. That says a lot about the management and spirit of the school.

I arrived in Moshi in June 2010 for my first volunteer experience with Give A Heart To Africa (GHTA), after much research and debate about which volunteer project to choose. I had never been particularly engaged in women’s issues before, but the fact that GHTA focused on women felt good to me, and was definitely one of the deciding factors in my choosing GHTA. In addition, at that time, the school was in great need of volunteers, which was another of the deciding factors for me, as I wanted to feel needed and to be kept busy. GHTA was promising a truly hands-on experience and that is what I was looking for. I did not want to volunteer for a large organization; I wanted a more “cohesive” type of experience, which is what GHTA offers, where the staff, students, and volunteers form one big family. That is the experience I got, and that is what has kept me going back! During my 4-month stint, I became a teacher for the first time in my life and had a blast! I taught English and then entrepreneurial skills (i.e., how to start a small business and be successful). Of course, I had major jitters in the beginning, but the help and kindness of the Tanzanian translators (all former students), a curriculum and lesson plans to guide me, and -- importantly -- the students’ enthusiasm, warmth, and smiles, soon put me at ease. The students were so grateful and eager just to be in school, that I knew that anything I could help them learn would be appreciated. The weekly visits to students’ homes were definitely a highlight of my volunteer experience, giving me the opportunity to see Tanzanian life up close and, importantly, get to know the students better. When it was finally time for me to return to my life before GHTA, I was definitely not ready to say good-bye! My time at GHTA helped put a lot of things in perspective in my life, and I returned to GHTA 9 months later to take on the role of general manager for one year – and what a year it was! I now live in Tanzania and visit the school when I can, and help interview prospective students. Please join our GHTA family. We need you!

It's so amazing when you have a family and friends from different countries and culture, my confident was built when I met the founder of Give a Heart to Africa in 2009, the organisation started with a small number of students and in a church, the experience that I have learn brought me to be a women I am today. Give a Heart to Africa gave me the opportunity to offer the service to volunteers. It is a pleasure to work with volunteers, students and staffs of Give a Heart to Africa with their passion to achieve the Organisation goal that improve the lives of most women around the society. I am proud to be with the Organisation for ten years now because it gave me the confident, skills and more experience through day to day activities. When I met founder Monika the energy and passion she had for the Tanzanian women though the culture, environment is different from her mother land but she dedicate her experience to give a chance to the women of Tanzania which drove me to be part of the Organisation for this ten years.

I had a great moment when i was a student at Give a Heart to Africa, the Organisation gave me a chance to explore my knowledge through the subjects that they offer, the subjects that I have learned from Give a Heart to Africa helps me to add more skills and knowledge in my accounting course because I got a sponsorship to continue with my studies in Tumaini University after finish Give a Heart to Africa a one year free course, when I was a student at Give a Heart to Africa I got a chance to meet different women from different society who has gave me confidence and passion to keep going with my dreams because they are coming from very difficult life but they take their time to have more education in their life. The staffs and volunteers help me to improve my English language because of their professional skills that they have from different culture, Give a Heart to Africa and founder of the Organisation see the needs of the women in Tanzania society and take a chance to help by offering the free education. I am so proud to be the part of the Organisation because I am now working with the team of Give a Heart to Africa.

I spent 6 months at GHTA and I would recommend this experience to anyone. Monika and the GHTA staff have lots of support and direction for volunteers, but you can set your own volunteering goals and make the experience unique to your interests as well. Living and working at the school is a special experience. I felt like a welcomed member of the neighborhood and community. Moshi is a great place to be a volunteer and get to know Tanzanian people and culture. AND there's the added bonus of lots of tourist attractions to explore while you are there.

Lisa Mkopy November 11, 2019 I joined GHTA 2011 as a student, the time I joined they had three subjects English, Business and computer skills. I was so excited to join GHTA because I wanted to learn all three subjects because of the dreams I have wanted to be an Entrepreneur. I met Monika, the founder of GHTA at the salon I use to work and she explained about the school and I decided to quit my job so I can improve my skills. It was a very hard decision because of the financial status besides the education is more important. After six month GHTA sponsored me through Planetera to start a spa business, lala salama spa which is operating well and has six employees who are GHTA graduates. I am so grateful for GHTA and founder of this organisation, teachers, volunteers and sponsors. GHTA has friendly environment for students and volunteers.

What appealed to me when searching for a good place to volunteer my services for two months, was GHTA was a small organisation which had been running for some length of time (10 years), that they had a well written course outline, and that they had in place ongoing help for the women graduates. The pre trip communication was excellent. I arrived on the 1st of January 2019 and worked for 2 months. The accommodation was better than I expected with hot showers and dinner cooked by Margaret 6 days a week. The beds were comfortable. Monika one of the founders was there for the first month and I saw how she drew everyone into seeing GHTA as one big supportive family with everyone being equal no matter who/ what /where you were from. The volunteers were encouraged to take time off to explore Tanzania such as Safari or Zanzibar. The location of the house and school was lovely, close to a University, very secure, and Moshi township easy to navigate by foot. I am a 48 year old full time independent artist and I wanted to stretch and challenge myself to teach Business Studies. It was nerve wracking at the start as I have no teaching qualifications but with the lesson plans and my wonderful translator Telsi. I became confident. We would teach for 3 hours in the morning and then have the rest of the day off to explore the markets or swim at the resorts close by, or help individual students and the Graduates that has set up business. By the end of two months I got to know the Students who ages between 22 and 62 years old , they were all amazing individuals. I would encourage anyone thinking of having a meaningful and real connection with a community in Africa to consider Give A Heart to Africa. @volunteer_in_tanzania. Kind regards Rae.

On 5 December I returned from my eight volunteer assignment at GHTA and once again I am left with the feeling of how amazing the students are in their approach to life and learning. I usually teach the Business Class with subject matter ranging from 'What it takes to be an entrepreneur', to the difference between Gross Profit and Net Profit. Students with only a primary school education absorb facts like a sponge and respond with amazing questions. Located in a walled compound close to the university, GHTA offers women the opportunity to learn and grow - virtually every student in the graduation class leave with a sense of pride and satisfaction at their achievements. With a group of amazing support staff, every volunteer is made welcome. Often volunteers find themselves learning to cook local food, getting used to being greeted hugs and enthusiasm when meeting locals in town and even attending students weddings. GHTA is a life changing experience and I always leave with the feeling I have received more than I was able to give.

Living and working in Moshi, Tanzania with GHTA is one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences I have had; that's why I've returned three years in a row. The GHTA staff are kind, warm and supportive, and I count them all as dear friends now. Working with the women in training also affords one the opportunity to form strong friendships and to develop a more nuanced understanding of the culture of Tanzania. The most attractive thing about working with GHTA for me is that it is a small, grassroots organization, where volunteers can share ideas and help move the organization forward. I always feel that I take away so much more from the experience than I give.

I first volunteered at GHTA for 3 months in 2012 and have returned several times since for 2 month periods of volunteering. Living in a very pleasant house on the campus next to the classrooms and only a 20 minute walk from the centre of Moshi, this is a safe and comfortable volunteer experience in Africa. The school is run on democratic lines and is an exciting community to be a part of. The students are so excited to be at school and so welcoming to the volunteers. It is a really rewarding teaching and learning environment. As a volunteer you learn so much about life in Tanzania - it’s a far cry from being a tourist! One of the highlights of the program is the Friday morning ‘home visit’ to meet the families of the students. I wholeheartedly recommend this project as an excellent volunteer experience.

I enjoyed volunteering at GHTA so much I returned to volunteer again 3 times. It is an extremely well run organization and allows the volunteers to form close relationships with students, staff, and other volunteers. Many of the people I met during my first volunteer experience in 2012 are still close friends with me today. The most rewarding part of the GHTA experience is the amazing women students. They are so smart, so strong, and so brave. I am looking forward to my return to Moshi and GHTA to volunteer again in the next year.