4 - 52 weeks
from € 1.320
Tanzania & Zanzibar

Children attend the Children's Center in Zanzibar

  • Directly at the sea
  • Many volunteers on site
  • Day tour included

As a volunteer at the Children's Center on Zanzibar, you will support the caregivers at the daycare center and contribute your own ideas and games. Unfortunately, the oversized classes hardly make it possible to give each child individual attention. Your help is therefore very welcome!

Location icon Zanzibar.
Minimum age icon from 16 years
Icon Duration 4 - 52 weeks / from €1.320
Departure days icon Wednesday, Sunday
SDG 4 - Quality education
Quality education

Ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Project ID : FA-TA155

As a volunteer
Tanzania & Zanzibar

4 - 52 weeks / from €1.320
to the cost overview

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Project Children Center on Zanzibar

What's the matter?

Are you interested in working with toddlers and awakening their childhood curiosity? Then go and look after the children at the Children's Center in Tanzania! At a preschool on the island of Zanzibar, you can contribute your creative ideas and make a positive contribution. The educational situation in Zanzibar is problematic. Although primary school is free, many parents are unable to enable their children to attend school. The shortage of teachers is also a big issue. The individual needs of each child are therefore often overlooked.

As a volunteer, you can actively contribute to mastering this challenge. Support children in preschool to help them make a successful transition to school.

The Children Center on Zanzibar was founded in 2016 and is located in Zanzibar Town. It's still very basic. The children often sit on the floor of the five classrooms. In addition to the classrooms, there is also an office in the building. Around five teachers are permanently employed on site. One teacher at a time looks after around 30 to 40 children who come from underprivileged backgrounds. So a real challenge. The children are between three and six years old and look forward to your attention and new play ideas to loosen up everyday preschool life.

The aim of your project work is to provide imaginative support for the teachers. As an additional strength, you give children your individual attention and thus contribute to the healthy development of the children.

Your tasks as a volunteer

As a volunteer at the Children Center, you primarily support the teachers. Due to the lack of teachers, the individual attention and support of the individual children is often neglected. You are there to make up for this deficit with your presence. Your tasks include preparing lessons and playing with the children. Your own ideas and new development-promoting games are very welcome! You can bring your own material as long as it is appropriate for the children's age. Depending on your prior knowledge, you may be able to teach and supervise a class yourself. Entertaining educational games for hygiene education or for playfully learning the multiplication table are welcome.

In your project you work from Monday to Friday. Working hours begin at around 7 a.m. and end at around 11 a.m. The center closes before lunch. If you wish to help out on another project after lunch, feel free to combine this project with another.

Important note: At some schools in Tanzania, punishment with a cane is one of the common educational methods. This type of punishment has been absent from classrooms in Europe for decades. As a volunteer, you naturally teach without a stick. However, we want you to know about the cane, not be shocked, and handle the situation responsibly. Our on-site team management and program coordination in Munich are a good place to go if you want to talk about the topic or need support.

Accommodation Catering

Volunteer House Kwerekwe

The Volunteer House has four 4-bed rooms and one double room. There are a total of three showers and toilets for the volunteers in the Volunteer House. In the shared kitchen, in the dining and living room and on the terrace you can cook, eat and relax with the other participants. The large garden that is part of the complex is particularly inviting. In total there is space for 16 volunteers in the house. WiFi is also available here.

The Volunteer House is located in the Kwerekwe district of Zanzibar Town and is less than a kilometer from the central bus station. From there you can get to almost every place on the island in about an hour. There is also a market, restaurant and shop nearby. It takes about 20 minutes by bus to get to Stone Town.

Chuini Beach House in Bububu

Up to twelve volunteers can be accommodated in this accommodation. The house has three bedrooms, each of which can accommodate four to twelve participants. The bedrooms each have their own bathroom. There is also a kitchen and a living and dining room where you can hang out with the other volunteers. WiFi is also available here. Halima and Gabriella also live in the Beach House. The two look after the volunteers on site and take care of the food and cleanliness in the house.

The house is located in the Bububu district, north of Zanzibar Town and is situated on a large plot of land right on the beach. Perfect to relax there with the other volunteers. The bus station and the market are a ten minute walk away. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to get to Stonetown by bus. The cost of a bus ride is around 10-15 cents.

Volunteer House Kizimkazi

Up to eight volunteers can be accommodated in the Volunteer House in Kizimkazi. The house has two bedrooms, each of which can accommodate two to four volunteers. There is also a shower and a toilet. WiFi is also available here. On the property there is also a stalactite cave, which is sometimes used for events, and a wooden tower with a small restaurant. From there you have a fantastic view and can look across the island in all directions.

The accommodation is located on the southern tip of Zanzibar in the idyllic Kizimkazi, which is about 200 meters from the beach. The house is surrounded by a large plot of land with a garden where a permaculture farm is currently being built. In about 20 minutes you can walk from your accommodation to the market and the nearest bus stop. From there you can take the bus to the Stonetown district for about 1 euro in about 60-90 minutes.

Location

Zanzibar.

Turquoise blue, crystal clear sea, white sandy beaches, fascinating sights and lots of outdoor adventures - you can experience all of this while volunteering in Zanzibar! 

Historically speaking, the “Island of Spices” has played an important role. Because Zanzibar went down in history as an important hub of Arab and Asian trade relations. In addition to gold, ivory, spices and wood, slaves were also traded here until the 19th century. 

The archipelago's capital, Zanzibar Town, has a picturesque waterfront harbour. The mixture of African, Arabic, Indian and European influences that is characteristic of Zanzibar is particularly evident here. Colorful merchant houses with balconies and mango trees line the small streets.

In Zanzibar, a true paradise of dreamlike palm beaches and colourful, lively towns awaits you! Do you like spending time by the sea and want to explore this unique island? Then on to Zanzibar!

Free time in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Your free time in Zanzibar

“Karibu Sana Zanzibar” – Welcome to Zanzibar! Use your free time, go on excursions with other volunteers or explore historic Stown Town. Turquoise blue, crystal clear sea, white sandy beaches, fascinating sights and lots of outdoor adventures - you can experience all of this in Zanzibar!

Your volunteer program in Zanzibar includes a day trip to Nakupenda Beach. At noon we go together with a boat to Nakupenda Beach, a sandbar, which is located a few kilometers from Stonetown in the middle of the sea. Depending on the tide, the sandbar is larger or smaller. We swim in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and eat and drink together. If the weather and the tides allow, we will stay until the evening and end the evening around a campfire. 

In front of Zanzibar's capital, Zanzibar Town, there is a pleasant scent in the air. Huge spice plantations stretch out here, on which turmeric and cinnamon, among other things, are grown. No wonder Zanzibar is also called the island of spices. In the Jozani forest in the south of the island you can, with a bit of luck, spot the rare red colobus monkeys or watch dolphins on the coast of the small town of Kizimkazi.

The old town of Stone Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. The colorful merchant houses and the small streets lined with mango trees look like something out of a picture book. Small shops that exude the scent of cloves invite you to buy or at least admire embroidered bags, traditional African clothing and handmade fabrics.

If you have a little more time available, for example after your volunteer work, you can also explore the Tanzanian mainland. How about a safari in the famous Serengeti? Or scale the snowy peak of Kilimanjaro!

On-site procedure

Arrival in Zanzibar

Arrival in Zanzibar

You will fly directly to Zanzibar for your work in the project. There you will be picked up and welcomed by an RGV team member at the airport. 

If you are flying into the coastal city of Dar es Salaam, you will be picked up from the airport and taken to the ferry the next morning, which will take you to the main island. The transfer to the ferry (approx. 20 USD) and the ticket costs (approx. 35 USD) are not included. After about 2 hours the ferry docks at the port of Zanzibar Town. There you will be met by a team member or our driver. Together we continue to one of the RGV Student Houses in Zanzibar City.

Orientation on Zanzibar

Orientation program in Zanzibar

Upon arrival, a member of the team at the Student House will guide you through the orientation program. You will be shown the surroundings and explained which rules have to be observed. Afterwards you will explore Zanzibar's old town, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Stone Town, together with our team.

On the tour you will learn where the nearest shops are, where the ATMs are and how to withdraw money. The team will show you where you can find the tastiest Tanzanian snacks and where you can have a drink with the other volunteers. Of course, important information on the subject of safety, health and hygiene on site should not be missing. You will also be shown the easiest way to get to your project.

Volunteer project in Zanzibar

Your first day in the project

As soon as you have familiarized yourself with everything, you can start with your project work. To do this, you will drive to the deployment site together with one of our team members the next day. You will get to know your contacts and become familiar with the area. Depending on what previous knowledge you bring with you and depending on the assessment and needs of the local specialists, you will be slowly introduced to the work or you will soon be assigned your own tasks.

Pricing

  • base fee
    € 1.320, -
    4 weeks of participation
  • extension week
    € 155, - / week
    up to 48 weeks

included
Services

Before departure

  • Individual advice and support from our trained RGV team in Munich
  • Organization including placement in the project and coordination of your stay on site
  • Assistance with preparation: visa, health care, travel insurance, etc.
  • Non-binding flight advice
  • Travel ABC with packing list for your travel preparation
  • RGV t-shirt

On site

  • Local SIM card with 2 GB data volume (one-time, deposit required)
  • Orientation program with the team on site
  • Support and guidance from the on-site team
  • RGV 24h emergency number
  • Project t-shirt to wear during on-site activities
  • Airport transfer on the agreed arrival and departure days
  • Accommodation in Volunteer House or Beach House (extra charge)
  • Meals: Breakfast and dinner
  • Impressive day tour

After return

  • Participation confirmation of your voluntary commitment
  • Reflection course on your experiences abroad
  • Evaluation sheet and optional feedback discussion
useful additional services

not included
Services

  • Round trip
  • Private expenses on site
  • Excursions with microlight flights
  • Travel and cancellation insurance
  • Visa and Vaccinations
  • All nights outside your agreed accommodation
  • Public transport and extra transfers
  • Daily drive to the project
  • Drinks

Individual Recommended additional offers
& must-haves

Picture must-haves

Would you prefer to stay in a single room? Are you vegan or do you have special requests for food? Or do you want to do some cool trips with other volunteers in your free time and explore the country?

With us, you benefit from a variety of optional additional services that you can add individually to your booking, depending on your preferences.

Flight booking icon
" Round Trip
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.
Flight offers with maximum flexibility

Would you like to receive a cheap flight offer for your stay abroad that is perfectly tailored to you? After you have successfully registered, you can have a non-binding offer created.

The excellent rates for volunteers, students and young people are a great advantage. Arrival times and flight time changes can also be sent directly to RGV upon request, so that our RGV teams in the destination countries are always informed about your arrival times.

These special tariffs give you special added value:

  • maximum flexibility for rebookings and cancellations
  • generous baggage allowance
  • Additional discounts on one-way flights: The new volunteer tariffs include attractive discounts to reduce your financial burden on one-way flights (e.g. for stopovers, project or country combinations).
Insurance icon
" Insurance
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.
The 4 in 1 insurance cover for volunteers and internships abroad

You can easily book the long-term travel protection of ERGO Reiseversicherung after you have registered. You will receive the links to this automatically after a successful registration.

The following building blocks are included:

  • Health Insurance
  • Comfort protection: accident, liability and interruption insurance
  • Travel insurance

Zanzibar. Team
site

In Tanzania we have a big team, that of Lukas and Flora is conducted. They are also your direct contacts in Zanzibar. Lukas comes from Tübingen and studied renewable energies. Flora comes from northern Tanzania and studied teaching. The two look forward to supporting you in everyday life in Tanzania and to sharing their insider knowledge with you!

Our RGV team in Zanzibar will be happy to help you settle into Tanzanian culture and will give you a warm welcome "Caribou Sana!"

Volunteers talk about their experiences Joint commitment - big impact!

Testimonials

Report from a day care center in Tanzania

My main tasks included teaching the children and preparing them for school, eating and playing with them and, above all, simply being there for them.

More testimonials
Browse our magazine

RGV FAQ
to the project

What are the project fees used for?

Although we are a non-profit organization, there are costs associated with volunteering abroad. Find out here, why volunteering requires money and what your project fee is used for.

Which visa do I need for Zanzibar?

For your stay in Zanzibar you need a student visa. This is valid for 90 days and you can apply for it online in advance. The cost is around €50, although you may have to pay an additional €200 for a work permit locally.

What language skills do I need for the project in Tanzania?

In order to be able to communicate well with the team on site, you should definitely have knowledge of English. A Swahili course is also recommended.

What vaccinations/ health precautions do I need?

If you are traveling from a yellow fever area, you need a yellow fever vaccination. Otherwise there are no compulsory vaccinations.

We generally recommend a consultation in a practice for travel and tropical medicine.

You can get general information about recommended health care and vaccinations online Center for Travel Medicine as well as on the side of Foreign Office.

When does the social project always take place?

You can register for social projects all year round. But note that during the local school holidays In some countries, child care is limited or not available at all. Contact usif you are unsure whether the project will be managed in your desired time frame.

What are the requirements for the social project?

There are no special requirements for participation. What is important is enjoyment of working with children, a sense of responsibility, exemplary behavior, use of appropriate language, initiative and empathy. Comfortable clothing appropriate for a children's center is recommended, as is clothing that can get dirty (when painting, for example). Smoking should not be allowed in the presence of children.

What do I need to bring for the social project?

When working on the project, you must wear proper clothing that covers your knees and shoulders.

You are also welcome to bring small gifts for the children, such as pens, colored pencils, balloons, stickers or soap bubbles.

What do I have to consider as an LGBTQ person?

Please be aware that homosexual acts are considered undesirable in many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and are even punishable by law in some places. In general, people who are identified as queer are often exposed to hostility.

For example, get information from Foreign Office about the exact regulations in your destination country.

General FAQ about volunteer work

Ready to volunteer in Tanzania & Zanzibar? Start your adventure abroad with Rainbow Garden Village!

Rainbow Garden Village has been offering volunteer work and internships abroad since 1999. What started as a small student initiative in Ghana has now grown into an organization with over 250 projects around the world.

You can be sure that your work as a volunteer will be an unforgettable experience. Bring your commitment and your knowledge to do good locally - and at the same time benefit from the unique experiences that will promote your personal development.

Become part of our RGV community!
We look forward to you.

Register now

RGV Your way
to the volunteer

1
Choose your volunteer project and register online.

2
We will review your application and confirm your participation.

3
Prepare for your assignment online or in our preparatory seminar in Munich.

4
Here we go! During your volunteer work, we will support you at any time with our on-site team.

Gallery Impressions &
Impressions

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