There are many “Volunteer Agencies” Operating in Tanzania and around the world.  During my first visit to Tanzania, I volunteered with one of these international organizations.  Although I had a good time, it was quite clear that the thousands of dollars I spent, for only a few weeks, were not helping local Tanzanian projects or even the local economy.  This is the basis of why our volunteer project was founded.

For this reason, we would prefer to keep costs as low as possible.  There is no obligation to fundraise, but if you do manage to raise some money you can put it directly into the project where you are volunteering.  Here you can see exactly how your money is being used to help.

Through us, you pay for your accommodation.  Volunteering is free, as it should be!  

Volunteer Now!   

We arrange volunteer placements at a variety of different projects falling under a number of categories.  You can chat with past and current volunteers if you wish.  They can be contacted through our Facebook page, Most of these projects are working towards long-term sustainability.  We have a set number of placements for each project, according to their needs.  Please read through the placements listed to get an idea of what we do, but for a more detailed description please contact us via email.  The earlier you book, the wider range of projects there will be to choose from.

Projects Abroad 

Below is a summary of the type of projects you can expect to work with during your time at the volunteer project

Teaching project 

There is much need for extra help in Tanzanian schools.  However, it is very important to know where and how to give support.  We do not support government schools as this interferes with the local education system and may reduce the incentive for the government to improve its own educational system, whilst also disrupting the work of the local teachers.  In general, we support locally-based schools, trying to provide an education to those that would otherwise go without.  We currently have volunteer positions at teaching projects for children of all ages. The nursery schools are run by local organizations trying to prepare the children for primary school by teaching them basics such as reading, writing, Maths, Swahili, and English.  Projects working with older children are providing education to orphaned and disadvantaged children, who otherwise would not be able to attend school.  

We do not agree with placing unskilled people into teaching positions, replacing local teachers, or disrupting the work of the local teachers. Local teachers are teaching at all of these schools and rather than replace them, we try to enhance their work by taking extra classes and activities, dividing large classes, and helping give more individual attention to the children.  Volunteers can also help with one on one tuition for children falling behind. 

One of the common difficulties for children in Tanzania is that primary school is taught in Swahili and secondary school in English.  This is obviously a difficult transition; therefore much assistance is required to help children build their English.



Along with formal teaching, there are opportunities to pass on other skills to children, such as drama, singing, music, gardening, hygiene, and human rights.  Volunteers run skills training and health/life skills tasks at a few projects. 

You do not need to be a teacher to help with teaching positions. You can still be a valuable asset when volunteering as a teacher’s assistant, activities director, or offering one on one tuition.  Other aspects of teaching projects include work with children with learning difficulties, street children, and young people on remand.  Vocational skills are particularly valuable for these placements.


Orphanages care project 

There are many orphanages within Arusha and its surrounding area.  Due to the high rates of HIV/AIDS and poverty here, there are large numbers of orphans who benefit from the help offered by these centers. 

Path to Africa, our charity, currently financially supports Hope Village Orphanage.  This orphanage is more like a family home, with seven children who have been taken in by one local lady.  Volunteers work at the orphanage after the children return home from school each day, helping the children with their homework and running activities for them.

We have other orphanages also requiring volunteers, although some are only available during school holidays when the children are home from school.  Often these can be combined with a teaching project close by during term time.  If you prefer to work solely at an orphanage, manual work such as farming and household chores are available whilst the children are at school.

Volunteering at an orphanage can be very rewarding.  The children love having people to play with or provide some simple lessons.  No skills are required for this type of volunteering, just a true love for children.

Working with Disabilities project 

Volunteers wishing to work with young people with disabilities are always welcome, as there are eleven centers in need of support in the Arusha area.  Some centers focus on children with more physical disabilities and others work primarily with mental disabilities such as autism and Down’s syndrome. 

Volunteers are required to play with the children, help with drawing and writing, help with feeding and other daily chores and assist with simple exercises with the physically disabled children.  Occupational Therapists, physiotherapists, and volunteers with experience of working with special educational needs are most useful at these center’s, however, all volunteers with experience of working with disabilities will be welcome.

Manual Work

Construction and building work is frequently being undertaken by a number of our projects, although this can be sporadic as it is often based upon available funds.  Please contact us to find out where there is a need for support when you would like to stay.

Greater awareness of environmental sustainability is also developing in the region and as a result, a number of our projects are developing environmental aspects to their work.  For example, one of our orphanages operates a farm to provide produce for the orphans and another project focuses on growing and planting trees in the local villages where deforestation has occurred.  Whilst volunteers with experience in sustainability and farming are very useful here, those with no skills but a willingness to work hard are also very welcome.

Clinical Work 

There are a number of small clinics and hospitals we work with that are in need of support from volunteers with a medical background, including medical students, doctors, nurses, laboratory technologists, and midwives.  Volunteering in this way provides a great opportunity to share skills and gain experience. 

Women’s Projects

There are many women’s groups in the area affecting change at a local level.  The women that create these groups are often widowed due to HIV/AIDS virus, HIV positive themselves, or looking after the children of deceased relatives.  These groups generally focus on helping at a very local level to empower those around them.  Common activities include educational and microfinance projects to assist women in becoming self-sufficient, supporting local orphans in the form of access to free education, and raising awareness of important health issues. 



We are working with a number of such groups which are at different stages of development.  Volunteers are needed to support various ongoing activities such as microfinance projects, education or administration, or helping with long-term funding.  Volunteers are placed according to their skills and length of time here, as some groups are looking for very specific skills, whilst others can use help at a more basic level.  Contact us directly for information.  Women’s groups also undertake local community-based projects such as surveying in local villages, running community health seminars, or discovering new ways to assist a particular village.

Women’s and Community development projects are most suited to volunteers who can come for a minimum 3 month period.

Other Projects

Some of our projects undertake a multitude of different work.  Often teaching, community work, and women’s groups can be combined.  Projects are also continuously evolving and therefore may have more specific needs at certain times.  

When contacting us it is good to advise us of any skills or experience you have. We have connections with projects needing medical practitioners, website designers, social and international development, construction, lawyers, social workers, therapists, and many other skills. 

We can find something that will be enjoyable to you whilst also highly benefiting a project.  Often these projects will require you to have contact with them in advance.  We can put you in contact with the project directors and clear information can be provided about the skills needed and the best ways for both you and the project to benefit.