Do I have to book my own plane tickets?

Yes, every volunteer has to book him or herself as it’s good for everyone to book early as volunteers can win bonus tickets, promotions tickets, and other cheap flights. Tickets as the flight price fluctuation in the world change daily according to economic Growth reasons.

Where will I stay? Or Live?

We have three options for your Accommodations Overseas.

1. our Local Host families.
2. Our Hostel.
3. Our volunteer House

Yes, our volunteers will be taken to different homestays families or to their hostel place where their room and their full board will be as all volunteers who opted to volunteer in one of our destinations will be living with our local host families as each volunteer through his/her fees paid to us will contribute only $150 per week as this is the cheap fee contribution of helping volunteers as all volunteers will expect simple nutritious meals. I.e in Tanzania the common staples are ugali (thick cornmeal), rice, potatoes, and noodles. Beans, eggplant, and meat may be served for dinner. For breakfast, tea is served every morning, along with eggs, toast, porridge, or fruit. During Mealtimes a volunteer will get to know her/his family members.

Each family is different – some have a small number of children and others have more teenage children, most houses in rural areas have pit latrines while in town areas most houses have flush toilets. In some houses, there will be a “house girl or boy” – usually a teenager who lives with the family and takes care of household chores and cooking in exchange for food and shelter. Most rural houses are not in a format of self container houses as in rural areas most houses in some places have no electricity or water nearby; therefore it may be common to eat or read by candlelight.

You will have your own private room, Breakfast and dinner will be eaten with your family. – this is one of the best ways to get to know them. Some families speak English, but there will definitely be plenty of opportunities to practice your Swahili. Really this will help build a cultural bridge between African youth and another world Youth Continents cultural bridges.

Homestays will be your new home in Africa for the wholly time of your program as Volunteers will meet up with their new African Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, and brothers during their Program Duration

Why Do I Have to Pay to Volunteer?.

As a private, non-profit organization independent from the government, AMANI HOSTEL programs are financed almost entirely by volunteer and Donors contributions. Tanzania and other Destination communities where we operate cannot afford to pay for the services we provide important support that is out of reach for nearly all our host communities.

In addition to direct financial contributions to local communities’ ongoing projects, your service program fee pays your costs as a Volunteer at AMANI HOSTEL in the host community. This includes your food, lodging, worksite transportation, program materials, the services of a trained team leader, and administrative costs. In addition, we provide supplemental financing to help meet our host’s many, ongoing and special needs. But you benefit as well as you are our Organization representative, If You are a U.S taxpayer, you receive the benefit of our 501-C3 status. This means you can deduct the cost of your service program fee from your taxes.

Though most volunteer vacations will actually cost you money why? Because volunteers are asked to pay for their own travel expenses and even non-profit agencies need to be reimbursed for recruiting costs, volunteer training, and on-site coordination. Volunteer vacation program fees range from $70 to $1,500+ depending on the agency’s degree of involvement and the accommodation provided.

Who is a Volunteer?

Any individual who is sympathetic and kind enough to work for the benefit of the people around us without expecting any material reward is rightly called a volunteer. Every person has been a volunteer once in a while in his/her daily life. You certainly are a volunteer when you help some old women cross the busy road or when you try to save a drowning person. Now, when you participate in the program of Amani Hostel, you are going to do the same with a wider purview and with a more meaningful purpose.

Who is a volunteer?

Different people give different reasons for voluntary work. For some, the desire to serve fellow human beings is the main reason. Some others do it to get more adventure and excitement in their lives. For others, it is a good way of learning new skills.
The fact is almost any reason that motivates you to work as a volunteer is worthwhile, you don’t even have to have a definite reason as voluntary can give people the chance to travel, meet new people, interact with a new culture and face some never before experiences that enhance your life and career.

What do I need to qualify for a volunteer program?

No particular educational qualification or skill is necessary to work as a volunteer. All you are required to have are the enthusiasm to work for your fellow human beings, a child’s curiosity to learn new skills, keenness to learn from new society and culture, however, you should have normal health and energy. Volunteering India, nevertheless, looks at your resume for your skills, volunteer experiences, travel experiences, your interests, and preferences. This information makes our decision easy to suggest you a particular program that suits you the best.

What kind of volunteer work is available.

You can choose from the different options depending on your taste and preference. However, volunteer programs are generally designed to bring about awareness in rural people and to conserve the environment. Hence all works are closely related to nature, environment, and people, especially children. Teaching English in a village school, caring for the orphans, promoting Health and Environments Education, Homestay/ Cultural Exchange are some of our regular programs.

What is the duration of the volunteer program?

The normal duration of the volunteer program would be around 2-3 weeks. However, if you are interested to stay for more time, Amani Hostel would make necessary arrangements to extend the duration up to your desired time / Cultural exchange is suitable for those who want to stay for a longer period of time.

What do I do in my free time?

Many and Many India is the land of diversity and versatility. You have plenty of things that you could do in your free time. You can also interact with local people and learn about their arts and crafts as Rajasthan is famous for its arts and crafts. Our local staff gives you suggestions about the places to visit. On the other hand, some volunteers would prefer not to travel and stay within the village to know the people and their lifestyle more intimately. However, it all depends on your personal taste.

I cannot speak English. Can I become a volunteer?

Of course! Certainly. Speaking English or any foreign language is not necessarily important. While in your work as a volunteer you are supposed to speak Hindi with the local people. Amani Hostel will properly be training you about Hindi speaking to the minimum level of daily communication. This is enough to get through your regular translations. You will also be given enough guidance about the local lifestyle, tradition, and culture, a minimum understanding level of the English language is required to communicate with the staff of Amani Hostel, and with your teammates.

Is there any program during the festival season?

Yes, we arrange many projects during the festival season. Please see the Fairs and Festivals section for more details.

What are the living arrangements at the time of volunteering?

You will be given accommodation that is covered by the program fee. During the training before the program, you will be accommodated with your fellow volunteers. This accommodation is provided by our partner organization in India. You would also spend some time in a village as a part of this training program. At that time you will be accommodated by local people. During the volunteer program you are generally put to live with a host family in the area you are going to work as a volunteer. Sometimes you will be living in the area of work depending on the availability of the facility. Meals will be provided thrice a day during the volunteer program.

Can I come with friends or with my spouse?

Yes, Couples and groups are invited, but it should be noted that Amani Hostel, does not give any guarantee to provide private accommodation for couples in rural areas. Elder children who are independent will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

What support and guidance can I expect?

The very best. Amani Hostel takes every measure to make your volunteer project enjoyable, meaningful, and memorable. During your volunteer program, you will work along with our full-time staff that is very much familiar with local people and the village environment. They will give you every information and guidance wherever necessary. Moreover, the management of Amani Hostel, in India and in Tanzania will be in continuous contact with your face or via the internet as long as you are in our project.

When and how do I pay the program fee?

You have to pay the program fee as explained under our contract agreement within 14-21 days before your departure day to the Project.

What is included in the program fee?

When you register yourself for the volunteer program, you would be entitled to get the following

Food.-All meals are provided to you. The major part of the food will be the local Indian cuisine.

Accommodation: all the volunteers will be provided with neat, comfortable, and hygienic accommodation. Though it is not possible to provide luxurious facilities in rural Tanzania, the atmosphere would be friendly and enjoyable.

Transportation: all the transportation during the volunteer program would be surface transportation, especially buses and light utility vehicles.

Guidance by Team Leaders: During the program, you will be given complete guidance and support by our own staff. These staff will supervise and guide the team of volunteers you work with.

Program Co-ordination: the whole volunteer program follows a well-planned itinerary. Special care would be taken to ensure everything goes smooth and perfect. The costs for project start-up, site visits, volunteer orientation, and additional materials are included in the program fee.

When is the best time of year to visit Tanzania?

Let’s start with when not to travel: November, April, and May. This is the rainy season in East Africa and it becomes pretty hard to get around in the remote places our guests want to explore. The mass migration moves from Kenya into the Serengeti in Tanzania in December, January, February, March, and May That can be a spectacular time to travel in Tanzania.

Climate changes are triggering some changes in the timing of the migrations, so check with us if you are interested in traveling on the edges of the normal migratory months.

This doesn’t mean that there isn’t great game viewing at other times. An off-peak season can be a very relaxing time. The lodges are less crowded and the game reserves not involved in the migratory pathways have as much game as normal. It’s all a matter of what you want. Check with us if you have specific time frames in mind for your travel and we can help you plan where to be so you get the best possible game viewing experiences.

What kind of weather can I expect on Safari?

Most of East Africa is Savannah, comparable to the high plateau, semi-desert areas of Colorado or New Mexico. Altitude ranges from 3,000 to 7,000 feet. (Obviously, Kilimanjaro climbers will experience much higher altitudes.) Temperatures during the day range from 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Nights are cool with temperatures dipping as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas (Ngorongoro Crater, for example).

Even though you will be traveling near the equator, please take our packing recommendations seriously and take along a light jacket or sweatshirt, sweater, and a fleece pullover. Additionally, bring something warm to sleep in at night. Humidity is low. If you don’t travel near the rainy season, it usually doesn’t rain.

What kind of shape do I need to be in?

You get to choose the activity level of your safari. Traditional Land Rovers safaris require little or no physical activity, although you can add all kinds of activities adventures to your safari, including an afternoon walking safari, a morning horseback ride, or boating adventure.

Our Walking Safari, and Kilimanjaro Climb, are quite active. These trips include 8 to 10 walking days. Each walking day involves 3 to 6 hours on foot, with a Land Rover shadowing the group so you can walk as much of that time as you want and rides the rest of the way. On these trips, you also spend some time in a traditional Land Rover safari, but these safaris are definitely for people who want to be more active.

Photography

Some of the happiest travelers I have met are those that don’t take a camera with them and just enjoy what they see, but most people want a record of some of the fantastic sights along the way. You will get fairly close to a lot of the wildlife, but a good 35mm camera with a 75-300 zoom lens will certainly help you take some great shots. It is always best to buy your film before you travel because the film here is expensive and not as fresh. 100 – 200 ASA is a good speed for general photography here.

Though it can get bright, you might want to be able to get some actions shots and the higher speed film will be helpful. Some people also like it use 400 ASA for fast-moving animals and evening shots. A beanbag is much better than a tripod for photos from the car. (The safari vehicle should have a pop-up or removable roof to make photography easier.) a cable release is useful to get shots without camera motion. Also, a flash can help with indoor and campfire shots.

Remember to bring extra batteries for your camera equipment. Most people find they take 2 to 3 rolls of film per day whilst on safari. If you bring a video camera, don’t forget the tapes (very expensive here) and the recharging accessories. You can generally recharge the camera at lodges and from the vehicle.

Do I need experience?

Not at all. Just a willingness to get stuck in. An orientation is provided on arrival. After a couple of days, you’ll be calling your project home and wishing you’d stayed longer! If I have experience in a particular area – can I do this? Tell us what you would like to do (for example, DIY, or only playwork or only teaching) and we will let the local team know in advance. But you can always change your mind after arrival as we know things can change when you’ve settled in, met the team, and visited a few projects.

Do I have to arrive on a particular date?

There are no fixed start dates for Tanzania. The airport pick-up will be organized for you for the time your flight arrives. Although volunteers can arrive on any day, we recommend arriving Monday to Wednesday if possible to settle in and make friends before the weekend when many volunteers relax and go on popular excursions.

Will I be placed with my friend/travel Buddy?

Yes, everyone arriving together will be placed together. For group sizes 2 – 4, volunteers are normally placed in the same bedroom wherever possible. For larger groups of friends, the group may be in two or more bedrooms in the same volunteer house. For large school groups, the group is usually housed in separate self-contained accommodation.

I am worried about traveling on my own – can I buddy up with someone?
Yes. Take a look at our Buddy List or the main Facebook Group to find others. Still no luck? Get in touch with us and we’ll pass your details on to others who are going or thinking about a trip who might not be on FB or the Buddy List yet.

Will I need any jabs?

Most visitors to Africa will need some jabs and boosters to protect themselves and malaria tablets are essential. Boosters usually advised are Diptheria, Hep A, Tetanus, and Typhoid. Yellow Fever is sometimes recommended. Rabies and cholera are not generally advised (taken from fitfortravel 21/08/13).

Do I need a visa for Tanzania?

Although it is possible to obtain a visa on arrival if you have a return flight, it is strongly recommended to obtain a tourist visa before arrival to avoid any stress on arrival after a long flight. All volunteers in Tanzania from all organizations now also require a volunteer permit. The most affordable method is to obtain this after arrival in Iringa as this can be half the cost if obtained outside of Tanzania. The volunteer coordinator will assist you with paperwork after you arrive in Iringa.

Download  ABOUT VISA TO TANZANIA

Do I need to bring anything for the children?

For the children, art and craft materials and outside games and sports equipment will always get used. If you want to take out more ‘special items’ and not use up your baggage allowance on basics, pencils and paper can be bought locally.

Should I bring anything for me?

Mosquito net essential and little things to make life comfortable shower flip flops, little treats and snacks (non-melting ones), wet wipes, a book to read on the area/country. A full list is provided after booking on all the latest recommendations from the local team and volunteers.

Do I have to choose what volunteering I want to do before I arrive?

In Tanzania, it is recommended that all volunteers choose on arrival after discussing the options with the local team and other long-stay volunteers to find the right volunteer work for them. It is possible in Tanzania to move between different projects during your stay for a variety of experiences.

How can I keep in touch with home?

Most volunteers take their mobiles to keep in text contact with home – contact your service provider before travel. There is internet access in the local town for at least weekly communication with home.

What do coordinators do?

Airport picks up Your in-country coordinator will organize your pick up and make sure you get to the volunteer house as smoothly as possible. If your coordinator does not meet volunteers from the airport, their trusted regular driver will be sent to meet you and organize with your volunteer coordinator.

Liaise with local projects If you are on a mixed volunteer program/Ghana/Tanzania/Kenya-Masai/Malawi/Uganda/ your coordinator will be regularly liaising with the projects you will be going to today, this week, and next, organizing suitable times and communicating schedules to the volunteer group.

Help organize specific placements Coordinators will also ensure that volunteers with special preferences eg. medical/building can get involved as fully as possible in their preferred area of work. Show you around and help you to locate things Need a Sim card? Want to buy some paintbrushes for an art session tomorrow? Speak to your coordinator – they will advise on where, how to get there, and prices.

Provide orientation on arrival Your coordinator or their local team will provide an orientation on the arrival of what’s where and how to get started. This may take the form of a more formal meeting for all new arrivals by your coordinator or through informal advice for new arrivals from staff, long-stay volunteers, handouts, information on the noticeboard as per needs dictate. This will usually include any important cultural awareness if this may affect your stay. For example, bare tummies should be covered in Ghana for example otherwise the children won’t stop giggling!

Help you when things go wrong We are often asked what happens when things go wrong. Your local team is the experts on getting you the help you need immediately. They have seen it all before (in a nice way) and are well experienced in looking after hundreds of volunteers each year with all the usual niggles from sunburn to upset tummies. Whether you need a doctor in the night for sickness or you want to try out a new project or move bedroom or volunteer house.

If you have remembered to print off your project contact details and leave them with family (these are sent before traveling to all volunteers) – your family can also contact the coordinator directly. Or they can call us and we can put them in touch. But if you need further assistance or advice we are here to help you. Contact us straight away and we might be able to make the niggly issues go away.

For any country-related crises which may occur which would require volunteers to return home, your coordinator and their team will ensure everyone is safely escorted to the airport or Embassy as per the advice provided by each volunteer’s government together with any additional support that may be required.

Help you when you feel unwell Coordinators are the first port of call if you think you may need medical assistance. They will organize an escort to the local clinic/hospital and make sure you are well treated. They can also contact home and will be happy to speak to parents to explain how you are. If you are volunteering alone, they may also stay with you in the hospital or request that a member of their staff and a volunteer keep you company as it can be quite daunting to be in a foreign hospital, even if it is only an infected mosquito bite! Most health problems are minor and with a day or two’s bed rest either at the volunteer house or the local hospital and plenty of water, most volunteers are back to their normal selves again.

While on the subject of hospitals – make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover local medical bills and repatriation. In developing countries and where medical care is mostly private, it is not uncommon to be admitted into a private room for something which would be treated as an outpatient back home.

Without insurance, hospital fees can be as much as £200 per day. For doctor’s appointments when you only need a prescription, your coordinator will help you to locate the nearest doctor/clinic. For these, it is often easier to pay on the spot and not claim on the insurance. Expect to pay approx. £5 – £15 per consultation and £5 – £20 for basic medication.
Organize excursions Your coordinator knows all the best trips and best prices which volunteers over the years have participated in and recommended. If the options are not posted on a notice board ask your coordinator what is available and how to book. Typical prices across all destinations as a very rough guide: £30 – £40 for a day’s activity, £200 – £400 for a trek/budget safari for 3 – 5 days.

Most volunteers go together in a group for more fun and get discounts. Additional trip discounts for volunteers are available in Ghana and Tanzania.

Return transfer back to the airport  Your coordinator can organize the return trip back to the airport for you, simply ask a few days before your flight. This is not automatically organized as many volunteers will have made friends and may leave the project a day or two earlier to sightsee before flying home, want to go shopping right up to the last minute, or forget that the transfer was booked and have already jumped in a taxi!

What’s included?

Accommodation with your friendly volunteer coordinator and is family or with family friends. Friends and travel buddies are placed together. This is an ideal option for those preferring a cultural experience.

Airport pick-up
An airport pick-up and transfer service is available from Dar -Es -Salaam and is arranged for you in advance. Pay on arrival approximately £55 – £75 for a taxi to a guesthouse in Dar es Salaam for overnight stay (recommended), a morning taxi to the bus station, and a bus to Iringa.

What’s not included?
Flights, visas, meals, insurance, return airport transfer, local transport around Tanzania, volunteer permit (obtained on arrival in Iringa approx. $200)
What are the school dates?
The school term dates in Tanzania are as follows: 1st term: 1st week of January – 1st week of June 2nd Term: 1st week of July – end of November Usually students are on school holidays during the following dates: The whole of December 2nd week of June – 1st week of July There are other short breaks (mid-term breaks) for Easter (one week) and one midterm break in September. Volunteers can still participate during the school holidays as there is plenty of volunteering work, which can be done in the community, at the University, and at youth centers.

What do coordinators do?

Airport picks up Your in-country coordinator will organize your pick up and make sure you get to the volunteer house as smoothly as possible. If your coordinator does not meet volunteers from the airport, their trusted regular driver will be sent to meet you and organize with your volunteer coordinator.

Liaise with local projects If you are on a mixed volunteer program (Tanzania/Kenya/Uganda Masai/Malawi/Mexico-Merida/Ecuador) your coordinator will be regularly liaising with the projects you will be going to today, this week, and next, organizing suitable times and communicating schedules to the volunteer group.

Help organize specific placements Coordinators will also ensure that volunteers with special preferences eg. medical/building can get involved as fully as possible in their preferred area of work. Show you around and help you to locate things Need a Sim card? Want to buy some paintbrushes for an art session tomorrow? Speak to your coordinator – they will advise on where, how to get there and prices.
Provide an orientation on arrival Your coordinator or their local team will provide an orientation on arrival of what’s where and how to get started. This may take the form of a more formal meeting for all new arrivals by your coordinator or through informal advice for new arrivals from staff, long stay volunteers, handouts, information on the noticeboard as per needs dictate. This will usually include any important cultural awareness if this may affect your stay. For example bare tummies should be covered in Ghana for example otherwise the children won’t stop giggling!
Help you when things go wrong We are often asked what happens when things go wrong. Your local team are the experts on getting you the help you need immediately.

They have seen it all before (in a nice way) and are well experienced in looking after hundreds of volunteers each year with all the usual niggles from sunburn to upset tummies. Whether you need a doctor in the night for sickness or you want to try out a new project or move bedroom or volunteer house. If you have remembered to print off your project contact details and leave them with family (these are sent before travel to all volunteers) – your family can also contact the coordinator directly. Or they can call us and we can put them in touch.

But if you need further assistance or advice we are here to help you. Contact us straight away and we might be able to make the niggly issues go away. For any country-related crises which may occur which would require volunteers to return home, your coordinator and their team will ensure everyone is safely escorted to the airport or Embassy as per the advice provided by each volunteer’s government together with any additional support that may be required.

Help you when you feel unwell Coordinators are the first port of call if you think you may need medical assistance. They will organise an escort to the local clinic/hospital and make sure you are well treated. They can also contact home and will be happy to speak to parents to explain how you are. If you are volunteering alone, they may also stay with you in the hospital or request that a member of their staff and a volunteer keep you company as it can be quite daunting to be in a foreign hospital, even if it is only an infected mosquito bite! Most health problems are minor and with a day or two’s bed rest either at the volunteer house or the local hospital and plenty of water, most volunteers are back to their normal selves again.

While on the subject of hospitals – make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover local medical bills and repatriation. In developing countries and where medical care is mostly private, it is not uncommon to be admitted into a private room for something which would be treated as an outpatient back home.

Without insurance, hospital fees can be as much as £200 per day. For doctor’s appointments when you only need a prescription, your coordinator will help you to locate the nearest doctor/clinic. For these it is often easier to pay on the spot and not claim on the insurance. Expect to pay approx. £5 – £15 per consultation and £5 – £20 for basic medication.

Organize excursions Your coordinator knows all the best trips and best prices which volunteers over the years have participated in and recommended. If the options are not posted on a notice board ask your coordinator what is available and how to book. Typical prices across all destinations as a very rough guide: £30 – £40 for a day’s activity, £200 – £400 for a trek/budget safari for 3 – 5 days. Most volunteers go together in a group for more fun and get discounts. Additional trip discounts for volunteers are available in Ghana and Tanzania.

Return transfer back to the airport Your coordinator can organize the return trip back to the airport for you, simply ask a few days before your flight. This is not automatically organized as many volunteers will have made friends and may leave the project a day or two earlier to sightsee before flying home, want to go shopping right up to the last minute, or forget that the transfer was booked and have already jumped in a taxi!

What’s included?

Accommodation with your friendly volunteer coordinator and is family or with family friends. Friends and travel buddies are placed together. This is an ideal option for those preferring a cultural experience.
Airport pick-up
An airport pick-up and transfer service is available from Dar -Es -Salaam and is arranged for you in advance. Pay on arrival approximately £55 – £75 for taxi to a guesthouse in Dar es Salaam for an overnight stay (recommended), a morning taxi to the bus station, and a bus to Iringa.

What’s not included?

Flights, visas, meals, insurance, return airport transfer, local transport around Tanzania, volunteer permit (obtained on arrival in Iringa approx. $200)

What are the school dates?

The school term dates in Tanzania are as follows: 1st term: 1st week of January – 1st week of June 2nd Term: 1st week of July – end of November Usually students are on school holidays during the following dates: The whole of December 2nd week of June – 1st week of July There are other short breaks (mid-term breaks) for Easter (one week) and one midterm break in September. Volunteers can still participate during the school holidays as there is plenty of volunteering work, which can be done in the community, at the University, and at youth centers.

Can I get medical care in Arusha?

Medical Care: Medical care is widely available in Arusha and our ground staff will be on hand to assist you in locating suitable health care, should the need arise. Please note that most of the local facilities and practices are likely not as you are accustomed to. We recommend that you schedule a medical assessment and dental exam prior to your departure as preventative measures. This is not to cause alarm but only to suggest that you be proactive in preventing unnecessary interruptions to your efforts and experience in Arusha.

What are the accommodations and meals like?

Our hostel is a local home that we hope will feel like your home away from home! Our volunteers share dorm-style rooms with each guest having their own bunk bed. There are common areas where you can relax, mingle and watch movies. The meals are a combination of local and international foods that you will likely recognize and each meal will offer a vegetarian option.

I am a vegetarian; will I be able to find suitable meals?

The hostel will provide vegetarian options in their menu plan. Locally, vegetarian lifestyles are rarely chosen but are often practiced due to economic limitations. There are many restaurants that cater to tourists and provide vegetarian food choices. More local eateries will offer non-meat options, however, their cooking practices may not mean that there has been no contact with utensils and cooking equipment that has been in contact with meat.

Do I need to speak the local language?

It is not necessary for you to speak the local language (Kiswahili), although we will help you to learn some of the local greetings, which will help you in your interactions and catch the interest of local people. In fact, it is your fluency in English that is truly needed to help our projects teach English to its people.

Do I need specific skills or qualifications to volunteer?

Generally, the only requirement for volunteers is to be fluent in English. However, in most of medical and health placements, volunteers must be qualified or trained in a relevant medical field.

What are the specifics of my placement?

Placing a volunteer in an accurate project or placement requires our program staff to consider a number of factors such as.
The program for which you have applied
The projects and work that will be available at the time of your trip
Your skills, interests, and qualifications

What about public holidays in Tanzania?

These holidays do not affect the volunteer programs, and over the Christmas and New Year€™s holidays period the programs continue to run.
1 Jan : New Year’s Day
12 Jan: Zanzibar Revolution.
20 Mar : Birth of the Prophet – Varies Good Friday – Varies Easter Monday
26 Apr : Union Day
1 May : International Labour Day
7 Jul : Saba Saba (Industry’s Day)
8 Aug : Nane Nane (Farmer’s Day)
1 Sep : Eid al-Fitr (Ramadhan)
14 Oct : Nyerere Day
8 – 9 Dec : Eid al – Adha
9 Dec : Independence and Republic Day
25 Dec : Christmas Day
26 Dec : Boxing Day

Can I help with fundraising?

Absolutely! Many volunteers arrive with articles donated by friends and family, which is greatly appreciated, however bringing along money is generally more useful and contributes best to the specific needs of the project, as well as the overall community. Bringing donated articles can prove challenging for people traveling, due to luggage restrictions.

Can I take time out from volunteering to go sightseeing?

We encourage our volunteers to experience as much as they can during their time in Arusha, and Africa. We recommend that you use your free time to take day and short overnight trips. We also recommend that you allow some time following your volunteer commitment for some longer experiences, such as going on safari and other adventures that require more time. We can help you to organize your expeditions while you are staying with us. We discourage people from booking their trips prior to arrival as we can connect them with tour operators who will offer better prices to our volunteers, or we can arrange things with our own staff, which makes it more personal.

Where do my fees go?

Giving up not only your time but also money to volunteer is a huge commitment. A lot of people struggle to understand the concept of paying to volunteer. Simply put, our projects are often struggling to pay the staff and provide basic services, such as food and water, to the people that they support. Your fees contribute to the operating costs of the hostel, such as rent, staff wages, security, and meals. A portion of the fees that you pay is used to help us support the projects. You may find comfort knowing that almost every cent that you pay supports this community in some way, be it the staff, the projects, or the local shops and food vendors.

Contact us for specific questions.

We are always happy to answer any questions you may have. We pride ourselves on the vast knowledge of our projects and are always willing to share. Give us a call for a quick chat on WhatsApp +255 767 707 352 or email info@amanihostel.net  to get the answers you need!