Tanzania is one of the most famous countries in Africa, thanks to factors like the Serengeti-Masai Mara wildebeest migration. It also has a wide range of wildlife systems that attract tourists throughout the year. Therefore, as a foreign visitor to the country, there are a lot of fun activities you can engage in and enjoy the time spent in the area.
Are you interested in volunteering in Africa? Tanzania is one of the ideal destinations for such projects. Within the region, there are a lot of ways through which you can show your love and make a difference in society. For instance, a significant number of children don’t have access to proper education either because of financial issues or limited resources within the schools. The health sector is also full of similar cases. As such, there are a lot of potential volunteer projects you can initiate in the country.
But before you board a flight to Tanzania and commence your project, there are various things you need to know. This article aims to discuss some of these factors to help you make the most of your time in this exciting country.
1. Best Volunteer Projects in Tanzania
Before actualizing your dream of helping Tanzanians, you first need to understand the needs of these people. Which are the most popular projects in the country? Among the programs you have in mind, which ones will have the biggest impact on the target communities? Read on to learn more!
Women’s Empowerment
There are many volunteer initiatives geared towards women’s empowerment in Tanzania. You can join the campaign and offer to help make it a success in one way or another. Inasmuch as gender equality has become part of the modern laws, women still suffer a great deal of discrimination, especially in the job and education sectors.
The good thing is that you’ll come across a lot of women who are in a position to strengthen your plans and enhance your volunteer program. Of course, it’s important to have some idea of how you’ll pass your message to the community without clashing with their culture and traditions. Keep in mind that you’ll need to conduct this project for at least two weeks for you to see any impact.
Education
Another sector that needs a lot of attention in Tanzania is education. The ratio of students to available teachers in many schools exceeds the recommended value. As such, the learning process has been made quite difficult, especially for students with special needs.
As a volunteer, what you can do to help salvage such a situation is to give a helping hand in these schools. You can offer to teach some subjects to ease the pressure on teachers. Remember, education is one of the main tools that can help build future leaders. Therefore, your small service may help more generations than you think.
Health
If you’re not ready to invest your energy in women’s empowerment or education, the health industry might interest you. Health services are among the most popular volunteer projects in Tanzania and Africa at large. Given the fact that many people are low-income earners, affording all basic needs may prove to be a challenge.
So, how will you volunteer in the health sector? For one, you can offer free health services to the community through reputable hospitals and organizations. As you plan to start your project, it’s important to note that the healthcare system in Tanzania might be different from what you’re used to in your home country. Health insurance, for instance, isn’t readily available, and many people prefer to pay for the services using their basic income. (1)
Environmental Conservation
Last but not least, you might also want to try volunteering in environmental conservation. Pollution continues to be a threat to the health of people and animals across the globe. In Tanzania, this problem has a huge impact on the wildlife ecosystem, which is one of the main revenue generators.
The changing climatic conditions also affect poor communities, which face various related consequences, like crop failure, flooding, and storms. Volunteer projects in this sector are usually geared towards reducing any risk factors that might lead to the aforementioned problems. Some organizations, on the other hand, focus on improving the lives of those who have been affected negatively by natural calamities. Either way, the objective is to make sure that vulnerable communities enjoy a better life.
2. When to Visit
Generally, Tanzania has a welcoming culture, and you’ll feel at home as soon as you land in the country. However, that’s not to say you can travel to the country any time of the year. Of course, there are no legal restrictions, but environmental conditions can easily frustrate your efforts.
As such, it’s recommended that you visit the country during dry seasons. Choose any time between June and September because these are the most favorable months throughout the year. It’s also the season during which wildebeests migrate in search of water. Therefore, if you time your trip well, you’ll be able to witness the Great Migration first-hand.
3. Preparing for the Visit
Like any other country, the Tanzanian government has strict laws that foreigners must adhere to. For that reason, you need to board a flight only when you’re sure that everything is in place. Some of the main requirements needed include;
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate
- Anti-malaria medication
- Travel visa
It’s worth noting that yellow fever vaccination is mandatory and can be administered on the spot for those who have not been vaccinated. Anti-malaria medication, on the other hand, is not part of the law, but it’ll help you, given the fact that Tanzania is home to the chloroquine-resistant strain.
Conclusion
Tanzania is best known for its amazing wildlife, especially the annual wildebeest migration. If you’re interested in volunteering to help people abroad, then this could be the ideal destination. Most volunteer programs in Tanzania are either in the health, education, or women empowerment sectors. As a foreigner, the best time to visit this country is between June and September because of the dry weather, which will enhance your service delivery.
