About Childcare and Orphanage Assistance in Tanzania

Childcare centers and orphanages in Tanzania serve underprivileged children who need additional care either during the day or on a full-time basis. World Endeavors Childcare and Orphanage Assistance volunteers in Tanzania help care for children and teach them English and other skills that are crucial for success in later life. Many volunteers lead activities such as art, music, and sports, depending on their experience and skills, and they may also organize special outings and events for the children. The presence of volunteers benefits both the children and the local childcare workers, who appreciate the extra help in caring for the children and the day-to-day operations of the center, including cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation. Assisting in an orphanage or childcare center is a powerful way for volunteers to make a difference while learning first-hand about Tanzanian life.

A Typical Day in the Life of a Volunteer in Tanzania

World Endeavors volunteers in Tanzania can expect their days to be a combination of meaningful volunteer work, cultural experiences, and free time for relaxation and reflection.  The sample schedule below represents a typical day for a volunteer in Tanzania.  Keep in mind that when volunteering abroad, a typical day can be anything but typical!

7:30 am – 8:00 am: Breakfast with your host family or at the volunteer apartment.  Breakfast in Tanzania often consists of fruit, freshly baked bread, eggs, and a cup of locally-grown coffee or spiced milk tea.

8:00 am – 8:45 am: Walk or catch the local bus to travel to your volunteer project site.

8:45 am – 12:30 pm: Work at volunteer placement.

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm:  Lunch with your host family, at the project site, or at a local affordable restaurant.  Lunch in Tanzania often includes a combination of wali (rice), beans, ndizi kanga (fried bananas or plantains), spinach or other greens, maandazi (bread rolls), sambusas (triangular pastries deep-fried and filled with vegetables or meat), or nyama choma (a piece of goat meat, chicken or beef grilled on an open fire).

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm: Work at your volunteer project.

4:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Free time to stop by the market, hang out with other volunteers, visit the internet café, watch a rugby or soccer game, or play soccer with the local children.

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Dinner with your host family or at the volunteer apartment.  Dinners in Tanzania often include beans, meat, or fish with rice, ugali (a porridge made of cornmeal) or chapatti (fried flatbread).

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Relax at home, practice Swahili and watch a movie with your host family, prepare for the next day’s volunteering, or plan a weekend excursion to go hiking, go on a safari, or visit Lake Victoria, Mount Kilimanjaro, the coast, or one of Tanzania’s beautiful national parks.

Project and class schedules, meals, and free time activities may vary depending on the details of your placement.

Eligibility

Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Successful volunteers are hardworking, flexible, and open to truly immersing themselves in Tanzanian culture.