About the Program
OPEN NOW!
Tanzania has reopened to international arrivals. See the 'Additional Info.' section for procedures in place during the pandemic.
The mission of this program is to support the women of the Arusha area who have suffered from abuse. The Women's Empowerment program aims to assist these women offering them a refuge to escape the violence and a safe place to re-group and plan for a better life. The program was founded in 2006 to fight human trafficking and other injustices, while giving girls and young mothers a second chance in life and has helped hundreds of women and their children to date. The program offers temporary residence for girls, young mothers and their babies. All girls and young mothers can get medical assistance, counselling and advocacy. The women are educated in mathematics, English, computer, health education and life skills and one-year vocational trainings are offered in cooking and tailoring and in entrepreneur skills for starting and running their own business after graduation. While the mothers attend school or the vocational training, their children will be supervised in the day care or the pre-school, depending on their age. Girls and women who didn’t finish their schooling will be given a chance to finish their education. This program truly empowers women and girls who have suffered abuse and helps them to achieve a brighter future.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide essential care and support to vulnerable women and children
- Improve the future prospects of abused and disadvantaged women through education and skills
- Give impoverished women and children quality care, compassion and a sense of hope
- Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both locals and international volunteers alike.
How You Can Help
Volunteers on this program play an essential role in helping women and their children suffering from abuse of many kinds. Participants will spend their time supporting the women and their children and assisting the local staff as needed. Volunteers are asked to support the center at least three hours a day. For those working in the Day Care/Pre-School, working hours will be 9 am -12 pm. Those working with girls and young mothers usually work from 11am - 2pm. While volunteers can work longer hours if they wish (and it would be greatly appreciated), these hours also give volunteers plenty of time to explore the area and make new friends. The organization needs various forms of support, including marketing and fundraising, teaching computer skills or English, working with the children or supporting the vocational training. There is something for everyone and all contributions are welcomed.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways on this program and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Support women and children in a number of ways
- Attend to and interact with the children
- Organize activities and provide skill-based training
- Work on marketing and fundraising activities
- Teach computer or English language skills
- Assist with vocational training in fashion design and cooking.
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to help us provide support to some of Tanzania's most marginalized and vulnerable women. While this challenging project does not require participants to have a background in the fields of social work, counselling and/or Women’s studies, as there are many ways you can assist, volunteers with suitable education, qualifications or experience are highly sought after. Regardless, a volunteer’s individual role can often be tailored to suit their particular skills and interests. All applicants must of course display a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
Project Location
Situated in northern Tanzania, Arusha is the capital of the Arusha Region and is surrounded by some of Africa’s most famous landscapes and national parks. Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, it has a mild climate and is close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as having its own Arusha National Park on Mount Meru.
Arusha balances well the ‘city life’ with the ‘small town’ feel and that makes it even more attractive in the eyes of tourists and travelers from all parts of the world. The city is surrounded by farm estates growing coffee, wheat and maize. These farm estates are being maintained by the Arusha and Meru tribes since the 18th century. Arusha is commonly referred to as the safari capital of East Africa. This is because it is the main starting point for safaris into Tanzania. It is a vibrant town renowned for its streets filled with tourist vehicles, the Maasai warriors and the famous Central Market. Awesome!
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round and programs start every SATURDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 1 week to 12 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Volunteers are collected on arrival by the local team and transported to their accommodation for a brief welcome session. The following day a full orientation session is conduced, covering local and regional customs, transport, rules and recommendations as well what to expect from the volunteering experience in Tanzania. The orientation includes a town tour and the opportunity to purchase a SIM card and data package for internet access during the placement.
This is a great opportunity to get to know the hosts, meet fellow volunteers, ask any last questions and perhaps even start to make those safari trip plans...oh yeah!
- Program Arrival Day: SATURDAY
- Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania (CODE: JRO)
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers on the Women's Empowerment program in Arusha are accommodated in a modern, comfortable, safe and secure hostel run by our local partner in the Sakina neighbourhood of Arusha, just 25mins walk into the centre of town - or a short ride on the ubiquitous motorbikes or Dala Dala (minibuses).
Volunteers are housed on their own floor in dormitory style rooms shared between 2 - 4 persons. Rooms are split by gender whenever possible. Each room has a private bathroom with hot showers (water is a scarce resource in Arusha so enjoy the luxury sparingly!), mosquito netting over each bed and individual lockable storage for valuables.
A project coordinator lives on-site at the hostel and the volunteer coordinator is on-hand from 9am - 8pm on weekdays to assist with anything volunteers require. Two friendly pet 'guard' dogs also reside at the hostel.
Communal areas include a swimming pool, set amongst exotic fruit trees, perfect for cooling off on a hot day and a roof-top terrace where volunteers can relax and enjoy the stunning sunsets with fellow guests after a rewarding day's work. The hostel is set behind a 2 metre high wall and has 24/7 security for peace of mind. Laundry can be done onsite, either in a washing machine for a small fee or by hand.
Volunteers are provided two meals per day at the hostel. A cook prepares vegetables, pancakes, eggs and fruit for breakfast. Dinner will be international as your hosts cook both Tanzanian and Western food.
Don't worry if you are vegetarian, vegan or have any allergies, as the local team can cope with these too. The hostel is also equipped with a fridge and shelves to store your own groceries and you are welcome to prepare some of your own meals if you prefer. Easy!
Prefer a private room?
No problem! We can arrange private rooms at the hostel on request. The additional cost is $120 for the first week and $60 per week thereafter.
Prefer to stay with a host family?
Located in safe areas and with trusted local families a home-stay is a wonderful way to be immersed into the local culture. Volunteers have their own rooms and family members all speak English.
Fees
That’s just USD 56 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.
Additional Info
COVID-19 requirements:
All international arriving flight passengers will need to adhere to the following:
- Travellers are required to complete an online Health Surveillance Form (https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz/) within 24 hours of arrival. Travellers will receive a Unique Health Code (UHC), which they must present to health officials upon arrival.
- All travelers are required to present a negative COVID-19 test certificate upon arrival. The test must be a Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test, with the sample collected within 72 hours before arrival in Tanzania.
- All travellers entering Tanzania will be subject to enhanced screening for COVID-19, including through a rapid test. The rapid test cost is $25 per traveler.
Important Visa Information
An ‘STP’ or ‘Volunteer’ visa is required to volunteer in Tanzania and costs around US$100 depending on where it is obtained. Some nationalities can apply in advance from their local Tanzania Embassy, but most volunteers will obtain the volunteer visa from the airport on arrival in Arusha. Please ensure you have sufficient US$ to pay for the volunteer visa on arrival (notes must be no older than 2009). The STP-visa, which is valid for three months, can then be renewed for a further three months if required.
Note: All travelers require return or onward tickets, all documents required for their next destination and proof of funds. Currently visitors arriving from infected areas must hold a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travelers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.