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Help teach and care for young children on Zanzibar

1,560.90 CAD1,331.10 CAD

Price above is guide only. Choose start date for your price.

   
  

Overview

Want to look after underprivileged children and enjoy a stunning tropical island at the same time?

Zanzibar is a sun drenched island located off the coast of Tanzania, rich in history, culture and full of amazing beaches. Stone Town is the old city and the cultural heart of Zanzibar and here you will be able to explore the winding alleyways, bustling bazaars, mosques - not forgetting the extravagant dwellings of the Arab elite. Stone Town is so awesome that it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Along with living in this wonderful place you will be helping to teach and care for some amazing children in nurseries or day centres.

Trip Highlights:

  • Exploring the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar
  • Working with some amazing children 
  • Tasting the excitingly exotic island dishes
  • Soaking up the rich cultural heritage of this incredible island

Fast facts

Project duration: 
Min 2 weeks - Max 8 weeks
Location of project: 
Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Arrival airport: 
Zanzibar International Airport (airport code ZNZ)
Activities: 
Teaching English, caring for the children, playing games and fun activities
Working hours: 
Flexible; Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm
Getting to the project: 
Up to 15 minute walk or a 15 minute bus ride and 5 minute walk
Requirements: 
Minimum age 18, Police check required (fees apply)

What's included

Accommodation: 
Shared room in basic volunteer hostel
Food: 
Breakfast is included, budget approximately US$20 a day for lunch and dinner
Airport pickup: 
Included on arrival date - ask us for details if you're arriving early
Training: 
In-country orientation
Support: 
Pre-departure helpdesk, local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

What's not included

Flights, Insurance, Visas, Local Transport (on Zanzibar), return airport transfer

Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday) – Arrive into Zanzibar

Welcome to Zanzibar! You’ll be met by a member of the i to i team at the airport. Then it’s a short drive to your accommodation where you will be able to settle in to your room. Here you’ll have time to relax after your long journey, meet other volunteers and start to acclimatise to the lovely warm air.

If you aren’t able to arrange a flight to get you into Zanzibar on your official arrival date then we’d recommend you fly in a day early. We can arrange an early airport pick-up for you including one night’s accommodation. Please give us a call for more information.

Day 2 (Sunday) – Zanzibar!

Today you will have your orientation meeting which is a crucial part of settling in to life as a ‘Mzungu’ (Westerner) in Tanzania. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the local team who will take you through what it’s going to be like at your project, do’s and don’ts, how to stay safe. This is your prime opportunity to ask any burning questions that you haven’t yet had answered.

After the orientation you’ll have some time to relax and prepare before your first day at the project tomorrow, or if you prefer you can head out into Stone Town and start exploring!

Day 3 – Monday - Meet the kids; 

Today is the day that you will meet the kids and the team that you will be working with! You will be accompanied by the in country team - it is only about a 25 minute walk away.

Days 4 to 7 - Tuesday to Friday - Getting stuck in!

Over your time at the project you'll be doing a variety of different things from looking after the children and teaching them English to playing games and helping put some fun in their lives! Be prepared to be flexible and get immersed in whatever is needed by the project. Don`t forget that the kids here are much more enthusiastic to learn than back home so be prepared for lots of questions! You will be working at the centre from 9am to 3pm, the children are aged between 6 months and 6 years so be prepared for some fun times! 

Days 8 and 9 - Saturday to Sunday - Free time

It's the weekend! Take in the wonderful atmosphere or if you feel more energetic then take a wander around Stone Town. The beaches are gorgeous, why not head there for the day?

Following weeks

As you'll be in Zanzibar for at least another week you'll have time to get a real feeling for this beautiful island. Your time will be filled helping looking after these adorable children through creative play, support and whatever is needed by the project.

Your last day - Saturday

Your last day will come around more quickly than you realise and it will be time to head home or on to further travel. You can take a taxi to airport in Zanzibar (or if you arrived into Dar Es Salaam you can take a taxi to the ferry port and then after the ferry trip you can take a taxi to Dar Es Salaam airport. If your flight is early in the morning then you can transfer to Dar Es Salaam on the Friday and stay overnight, our team can help you with these arrangements.) Please note that the return transfer is not covered within your project fee.

Please note that the project may be affected during the week of Eid celebrations.

Visa Information:

When you’re volunteering in Tanzania the project you work with benefits from your help. You’ll need to apply for a Permit in order to do this; it’s a working Permit that allows you to volunteer. We’ll send you all the documents straight after booking so you know what you to do. The team in Tanzania will apply for your Permit and keep it with their records. You will need to enter Tanzania on a tourist visa which you can get on arrival (to be paid in US dollars cash, cost varies dependant on nationality).

IMPORTANT: If you want to travel around Tanzania, go on safari, climb Kili etc please ensure that you do this BEFORE your project start date whilst you are still on a tourist visa - the tourist visa you enter the country on gives you far greater freedom in terms of where go and what you do!

  • Our team in country will be responsible for you under the rules and regulations of the Class C permit and you will need to confirm with them any weekend travel plans. This is to ensure that both they and you are able to ensure that you remain within the regulations of the work permit.
  • Once you have started your project, due to the rules and regulations regarding work permits in Tanzania you will only able to take tours offered by our in-country partners. These will usually be during your free time at the weekends, you will be expected to work at the project through the week.
  • After your trip, it is expected that you will leave Tanzania to return home. At this time you’ll cease to be the responsibility of our partner company. If you do wish to spend more time in East Africa you will need to head across the border to Kenya, get a tourist visa there and then return to Tanzania on a tourist visa as well. Both visas cost around US$50 so it is by far the cheapest option to do your tourist activities before you start your volunteering.

Project

What does the project do?

We work with a number of nurseries and day care centres in Zanzibar which aim not only to provide a safe caring place with a relaxed atmosphere but a good basis of education for the children of the area that are needing that extra care while their parents are out at work. You may find that some of the centres are homes where half of the house has been converted into a day care centre especially for the plight of the local children.

These projects provide a friendly atmosphere for these children and aim to give them the best start in life that they can. The importance of education is apparent as is the care that the children are given. These centres have up to 30 children and usually only a small number of teachers, so your extra pair of hands is definitely needed. The main aim of the centres is to widen the childrens English knowledge, but you will also be helping to prepare their food, sleep time and to help develop the children`s arts and crafts skills.

Activities and schedule

English, art, games, songs, reading, Kiswahili and sports are all taught at these nurseries and day centres. The children at these ages need to focus on developing their English skills, key motor skills and their language. You will be teaching English, singing, playing games, reading and writing with the children along with general basic care such as washing, feeding bathing etc. If you love babies and young children then this is the one for you!

You will be working Monday to Friday, for half a day's volunteering. If you want to volunteer for longer there are plenty of activities that need your help in the evenings from 5pm to 9pm such as helping the children with their homework, or playing sport.

Please note that school holidays run from the end of June to the middle of July, end of August to the beginning of September and beginning of December to beginning of January. During this time you will be involved in various activities such as painting and renovating the premises and holiday sessions or whatever is needed by the project. Please also note that schools are closed during Ramadan and you will participate in alternative activities such as above.

Project resources and advice

Zanzibar is very limited when it comes to stationary. Colouring books, ready books, coloured pencils, plastic scissors painting equipment and sharpeners are all very hard to come by so if you could brings a few of these, the project and the children would be so grateful.

As Tanzania is a modest country you will need to dress conservatively at your project so remember that shorts and skirts should be to the knee or below and tops and shirts should cover the shoulders. Bikinis, short skirts and shorts, strappy tops should be left for the beaches!

Please note that you will need to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival.

Please check the itinerary to find out more about your visa requirements.

Accommodation

Tell me more?

Your accommodation in Stone Town is in a renovated colonial hostel right in the centre of the action, and is for the use of the volunteers only. You’ll be sharing a room and bathroom with up to six other volunteers.Each room has it’s own bathroom apart from one bedroom that has a separate bathroom - rooms are basic but do have a western style toilet, sink and a shower, water is based on cold water.  There is a large area where there are chairs and tables for you to eat your meals, read, chat and relax.

Breakfast will be made for you, and lunch and dinner are for you to arrange for yourself. We’d suggest eating out as there is such fantastic food and it's all very cheap! However, if you fancy preparing something for yourself you can use the kitchen at the hostel.

We'd suggest bringing:

  • Sleeping bag for the cooler winter months or if you plan on travelling on the weekends
  • Towels
  • Your bed will have a mosquito net but they are not new so you may prefer to bring your own.
  • There is no TV (hooray!) so bring a couple of books to take to the beach with you

You’ll find local people dress surprisingly smartly. Bring trousers or long skirts and modest tops for your project.

What you get

Next steps

Flights & insurance

Country information

I've done this trip. Write review >
Heather Helsby gives this project
10/10
Here is what Heather had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
It's hard to pick one think....lots of highlights...living in Stone Town, volunteering, Nungwi, Paje. Everything about Zanzibar.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Don't believe everything that the tour guides say... Zanzibar is a very safe place and it's no necessary to have a money belt. Be careful of stay away from the Ports....I was quite scared at the port in Dar es Salaam. If you go in Rahamdan respect what they do...don't eat and drink in the streets.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience:
I left a part of me in Zanzibar however small it was.
Katherine Kjaer Bang gives this project
10/10
Here is what Katherine Kjaer had to say:
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience:
An experience of learning about other cultures, and learning to act alone.
Maria Arias Tsygankova gives this project
9/10
Here is what Maria Arias had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The amazing experience I had in an absolutely different country from mine. The proximity and hapiness of the children to whom we were teaching, and also all the teachers of the school. I tried to learn from them how to be happy without nothing material.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
1. Be positive in every occasion, because the arrival into the country would have a great impact on you 2. Bring materials for the children and the school, because they have nothing 3. Smile, and enjoy the experience
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience:
Memorable, amazing and breathtaking... Makes you realise how sometimes real life is!
Jade Camilleri gives this project
9/10
Here is what Jade had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Working with the young children and also volunteering at a sober house. The difference that I could make was evident and that made it all the more worthwhile.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience:
Very proud that I finally did it.
Freya Evans gives this project
10/10
Here is what Freya had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
My highlights were: Meeting and becoming friends with other volunteers, these will be life long relationships.Spending time volunteering in schools and spending time with children who were disadvantaged.Experiencing the Zanzibar way of life and seeing some amazing sites.Making friends with locals who became great friends and helped us find our way around Stonetown.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
1. Know a little about the country you are going to (customs, laws, etc.) 2. Contact the people on your buddy list, it will be nice to kind of know at least someone when you get there. 3. Go with it, you will be thrown into a crazy time and you need to just go with the flow and be prepared for anything!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience:
The best thing I have ever done in my whole life!
Ellen Schersby-Wignall gives this project
9/10
Here is what Ellen had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Meeting and teaching the children, the amazing beaches and meeting amazing people.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Prepare lots of children songs to sing with them! Be open minded! Take every opportunity that comes your way
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience:
The best experience of my life, really did change the way i look at things, met the most amazing people.
Lucy Murphy gives this project
10/10
Here is what Lucy had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Meeting the kids and the amazing work of Edward who runs the hostel in Stone Town. He made me feel right at home and was always around the house if i had any questions.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience:
Life changing experience that has not only made me want to go back there, but also made me want to travel the world!

We work in partnership with hundreds of established projects that are run by local communities. The information on our website comes directly from the projects and we work with them to ensure this information is as accurate as possible. However, due to the very nature of the projects themselves the exact details of what happens on a daily basis can change with little or no notice. If you have travelled with us and have any updates to this information, please let us know.