Ever thought of volunteering in Africa? Immerse yourself in the lifestyle and culture, whilst assisting the local community?
Victor Worked as a Volunteer Consultant and he decide to Start a local Volunteering hostel in Mwanza called Blessing Hostel. Blessing Hostel opened with the belief that if you want to volunteer you shouldn't have to pay high prices for the experience, therefore accommodation is kept at a minimum to allow this as an affordable option for anyone. This is a fantastic way to get to the grass roots of helping the community and an experience, which will stay with you forever. The cost of staying at Blessing Hostel is between USD$ 21-$23 per night which includes accommodation, breakfast, dinner & laundry daily. The volunteering aspect is free - as it should be.
We have a Special Volunteer Program in Tanzania which will allow to Experience the Lifestyle and Culture of Tanzanians, Will have time of doing Safari in Tanzania like Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater which is populated by the Big 5 (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino) and feel the chills while camping amidst the wilderness, you'll get to meet some interesting and like-minded travelers from other parts of the world, work for the underprivileged communities living in and around Mwanza and broaden your social network.
You have the opportunity to work at orphanages, schools, vocational training centers, women's groups, centers for children with disabilities, hospitals, community development projects and environmental conservation projects. There is a minimum 1 month or less stay which is to ensure all volunteers are truly valuable to the project they work in. Internships are also available. This would be the perfect program for High School/ College students looking forward to having a short and Long yet fun-filled learning volunteer experience abroad. Set out for exploring Tanzania like never before, and create memories that would last for a lifetime. Volunteering in Tanzania is an amazing experience and allows you to get a great feel for the country and the local people. It can be a life changing experience.
At Vic Consult Volunteering we try to provide best of the living arrangements to our international volunteers. So when in Tanzania, you do not have to worry about a single thing in the world and simply focus on your volunteer work.
You will be met by our representative at Kilimanjaro International Airport or will Connect a flight direct to Mwanza from where you are transferred to the accommodations in Karatu or Mwanza. Volunteers can also arrive in Nairobi and take a direct flight to Mwanza or shuttle or bus to Arusha. They will be picked up at the bus station.
Volunteer Accommodation is provided in a Volunteer Housing / Hostel type of accommodation. The accommodation will be shared along with other volunteers. It is exciting to stay at the volunteer house as you get to meet and interact with other volunteers from around the world. The volunteer house has a guard, a cleaner, and cook who prepares meals for the volunteers. Volunteers share the rooms on the same gender basis.
Usually, 2 -3 volunteers share a room together. Volunteers are provided with all two meals. Breakfast usually comprises of Tea, Coffee, Bread, Jam, Butter, Eggs and/or Fruits and Dinner usually comprise of a mix of Western and local dishes such as vegetables, chicken, rice, spaghetti, meat, and fruits. The dishes can vary on a daily basis. For VEGETARIANS - please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can help ensure you are able to order the best food! Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well.
All volunteers will be provided with an orientation session by Our Coordinator. Areas like safety, locations, transportation, things to see etc will be covered in the Orientation. After your orientation is over, you will be introduced to your project and given a tour of the local area and town.
Volunteers are provided with 2 meals in a day. Typical meals include Salads, Sandwiches, Ugali, Chapatti, Chai (Tea), Bread and rice, with vegetables and fruits. Breakfast and dinner are at the volunteer house. Meals provided to the volunteers are a mix of Tanzanian and western dishes usually. If you have any special dietary requirements, do let us know in advance.
Typically most of the volunteers choose to travel outside Mwanza or Karatu on the weekends and go for Safari trips. You have the option to choose a 2 to 3 day Safari trips to Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorogoro. You can also head to Moshi or explore the coffee plantations and waterfalls area near Arusha. Volunteers can also go for short hiking trips near Mwanza or Karatu.
Are there any necessary requirements to Participate in the Mwanza or Karatu Programs?
The necessary requirements to participate in the Mwanza or Karatu volunteer projects are as follows:
Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project.
Medical Program volunteers must be at least 18 at the time of joining.
Volunteers joining the medical volunteer project must be either Pre-Medical, Medical or Nursing student or possess other qualifications related to medical and nursing field such as CNA or EMT.
Medical professionals such as doctors and nurses are also welcome to join this program.
Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.
A volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. The participant must be in good health.
Can I volunteer as part of a group?
We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers. In our experience of more than 10+ years we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for student groups- college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.
Can I know more about the Program location?
Vic Consult Volunteering offers volunteer placements in and around the region of Mwanza and Manyara, which is surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks. Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley, it has a mild climate and is close to Serengeti, Saa Nane, Ngorongoro Crater, Rubondo Island, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro.
How do i get to the Program location?
Our Coordinator will take you to your placement and introduce you to your project after providing a basic orientation about the program, city, culture etc. You will be provided with the directions for the project from your accommodation and will be briefed about the mode of transport to be used.
Does Vic Consult Volunteering help with Visa?
All participants joining the Tanzania volunteer projects, need to apply for Visa at the nearest Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate. Along with the visa application, you need to attach the required supporting documents. Volunteers are provided with the necessary supporting document for their Tanzanian Visa application. More information shall be provided after you become a Vic Consult Volunteering enrolled participant. Participants also have the option to take the Visa on arrival at the airport. Tourist Visa can be obtained on arrival at the Airport or at the border when arriving overland.All volunteers working in Tanzania need to get a Class C Permit while in Tanzania. The Work permit costs $200 USD and you will be provided assistance by our team to get the necessary work permit.
What are the Recommended airlines to fly to Tanzania?
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) has flight connections from Europe and other African destinations. KLM Dutch Airlines, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, Condor Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Precision Air and Ethiopian Airlines are the major airlines flying in directly to Mwanza or Lake Manyara or Arusha, Tanzania.
How safe is Mwanza and Tanzania in General?
Mwanza is regarded as the gateway to the popular Western Safari circuit and attracts tourists from around the world. Mwanza is a safe city, however, as in any country around the world, you need to take general precautions for safety. You will be given safety precautions and instructions by your coordinator during the orientation as well as in your Pre-departure handbook after you become an enrolled participant.
What immunizations / Vaccinations will I need?
We recommend you to consult your physician or travel doctor before traveling to Tanzania. All travelers are required to carry an International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card) to show proof of Yellow Fever immunization. The following vaccinations are recommended for travelers going to Tanzania.
Do I need to buy a health insurance?
Yes, for all participants it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. If you do not have a travel insurance, you have the option to purchase the Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from us. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
Would I have free time during my program? Can I don Sightseeing during my program?
Volunteers typically work for around 5-6 hours in a day, for 5 days a week. Depending on the workload every day, working hours can vary. Evenings are free for the volunteers when they can get together and go out for social gatherings, eat out or just relax at the volunteer house. Weekends are free for the volunteers and you can go for short weekend trips. Volunteers go for Safari trips to Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro. Local sightseeing trips are arranged for the volunteers by Our coordinators. Volunteers are encouraged to explore different places on the weekends and do sightseeing so that you can see as much of the country during your stay in Tanzania.
Are there more expenses once I arrive in Tanzania?
Your program fee covers your Airport Pickup, Accommodation, Food and In-country Support. You will have to get an work permit, which will cost around $200. The in-country coordinator will guide you about it. You will need to cover your personal expenses,such as Lunch, bottled water, local transport, telephone, the internet, shopping, weekend trips etc. However, you should carry around $50-60 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you choose to go on Safari trips. The cost of the safari trips varies between $300- $600 depending on the safari option you choose.
For how many hours will I volunteer every day?
Vic Consult Volunteers usually put 5-6 hours of volunteer work, 5 days a week depending on their program. You will have the weekend for yourself to explore in and around the city. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can change on certain occasions.
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