About i-to-i What i-to-i trips and TEFL are, how and why we do what we do!
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About i-to-i What i-to-i trips and TEFL are, how and why we do what we do!
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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 fantastic that it was even 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.
Today you will be met at the airport ( Julius Nyerere International Airport to those in the know!) and will be met by your i-to-i representative. You will spend your first night in Dar Es Salaam and you will be taken to your basic but comfortable hostel situated outside the city where you will be able to relax after your flight and have a good nights rest!
If you aren’t able to arrange a flight to get you into Dar Es Salaam on the designated arrival day 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 for a small additional fee - give us a call for more information.
Today you will be taken to the ferry port where you will board the boat headed for the idyllic island of Zanzibar. After a beautiful boat ride you will arrive at the port and will be taken to your accommodation in Stone town where you will spend the duration of your stay.
The orientation kicks off this morning and will take you through what it’s going to be like at your project, do’s and don’ts, how to stay safe and it’s also your prime opportunity to ask any burning questions that you haven’t yet had answered. After the orientation you'll have time to explore, relax and prepare before your first day at the project tomorrow.
Today you'll start work at your project! You will be accompanied by the in country team - it is only about a 25 minute walk but pay attention to the route! You can also travel by bus or taxi to the route if you prefer, but you won`t get this scenery at home so you may prefer to walk to take it all in. You will be introduced to the owner of the centre and the energetic children so get your high five hand ready and prepare yourself for a warm Tanzanian welcome.
You'll walk to your project each day taking in the varying sights, we bet you'll even want to find a longer route so that you can see more! Over your time at the project you'll be doing a variety of different things ranging 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!
We’re sure you’ll be exhausted after all your hard work at the centre this week so why not just chill out on one of the beautiful beaches nearby and soak up all the gorgeous suns rays? Take in the wonderful atmosphere or if you feel more energetic then take a wander around Stone Town and explore some more! You can always venture to the market and buy your souvenirs or just take in the wonder of all the array of different items that are for sale.The House of Wonders built in 1883 and the Arab fort are also well worth a visit. Having said that, half the appeal of Zanzibar is just to slow down, relax and take life easy.
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. You’ll be sharing stories and smiles with them and realise that their smiles can be the biggest even if they possess nothing.
As the children have not had the easiest start in life you'll find that you become an important role model in their lives. One thing we’ve learnt along the way is that you get what you give; so get involved and give as much as you can - you won’t be disappointed in what you get back from your new little friends around you!
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 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.
When you’re volunteering in Tanzania the project you work on benefits from your help and adds to the ongoing work of others. You’ll need to apply for a Class C 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. There are a just few things you’ll need to know about the permit when preparing your itinerary:
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!
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 look after children aged between 6 months to 6 years and are situated around a 10 to 20 minute drive away (bus or taxi) or a pleasant 25 to 40 minute walk away from the accommodation. In fact one of the projects we work with is just 2 minutes walk away from the home of the president of Zanzibar!
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, maybe in some cases just 1 teacher so your extra pair of hands is definitely needed to help look after the children. Not only will you be teaching English to the children in a fun way but also helping to manage the children and ensure everything is done with an equal amount of care. 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.
There is limited help for the number of children at these centres and so any extra help to teach English and look after the children is appreciated. Your help is needed with their education by teaching English but these children also need that extra bit of care that you can give.
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 from 9am to 3pm.
If you do want to work 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 getting involved with sporting activities, if you have any ideas for any extra curricular activities then please feel free to bring them along!
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.
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.
When you’re volunteering in Tanzania the project you work on benefits from your help and adds to the ongoing work of others. 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. There are a just few things you’ll need to know about the Permit when preparing your itinerary:
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!
It may seem like a strange concept to pay for your volunteer experience. You'd be right if you think you shouldn't and the truth is you actually don't! Your placement is free; it's the benefits around it that you pay for. It's important to note that i-to-i is a travel company and not a charity. We provide a professional travel service. We are responsible for finding and assessing worthwhile projects across the world, preparing you fora the volunteering experience and supporting you whilst you're there.
Here’s some more information about what your placement fee covers….
We work with hundreds of locally run partner projects around the world and are constantly sourcing new opportunities. We visit all projects to check that they are worthwhile and legitimate and we also conduct a thorough safety assessment before we'll send volunteers there. More
Almost everyone who works for i-to-i has traveled extensively or worked overseas. This means we're a goldmine of information; we're always available to offer support and guidance before, during and after your trip.
Once you book on to a project you'll receive a Welcome Pack that contains loads of general information about volunteering, about your chosen country and how to have fun and stay safe. We'll also give you advice on visas and inoculations.
It can be pretty daunting arriving in a different country for the first time - especially after a long flight! If you arrive on your project start date, there'll be a welcoming face at the airport to pick you up and take you to your accommodation.
Soon after you arrive you will attend a thorough orientation with our in-country team. This is to cover important safety and security information. You'll also get some tips about sight-seeing options for your time off and maybe even learn some of the local lingo!
Accommodation is included with all projects and meals are even included with some. We only use locally-owned and operated accommodation so that part of your placement fee is filtering back into the local economy. Most projects offer homestay, guesthouse or shared volunteer houses as standard accommodation, but some offer the chance to upgrade to a more comfortable living standard. More
Your in-country team will arrange a pick-up for you at the airport and will conduct your orientation upon arrival. All coordination teams are English speaking and are locals of your destination country. They won't be at your project every day, but will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need them. More
Aside from the local support from your in-country team you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line manned by our response team in case any problem should arise while you're overseas. We also hire crisis management professionals to be on hand in case of a situation that requires additional expert support. More
The safety and security of our volunteers is paramount. For this reason we provide ongoing crisis management and emergency response training to our local teams around the world. We also fly in our in-country coordinators to the UK regularly for thorough training to help them offer the best safety to the thousands of volunteers they support each year. More
We don't fund our projects directly from the project fee that you pay us. Instead we choose to support a number of projects every year through a grant scheme for tangible long-term initiatives. In the last 3 years we have distributed over US$250,000 to our most needy projects to help them in the great work they do.
We make no secrets of the fact that part of your placement fee is reinvested in to recruiting volunteers just like you! The volunteers recruited in one week will typically deliver over 2000 man-days of service. The difference this makes to projects overseas is immeasurable. Many of our overseas projects rely on assistance from international volunteers, so it's necessary for us to put together brochures and websites to find the people who can support them. This recruitment process is vital to ensure programs have a constant stream of reliable volunteers.
Volunteering through a company like i-to-i has a lot of intangible benefits to developing overseas communities and the individual projects that we work with. To find out more about our placements. click here
We aim to provide you with a safe and soft landing into your destination by picking you up from the airport, giving you an orientation that helps to settle you into the country as quickly as possible. It's also the best time to ask any questions you have about your time in Tanzania. Here's what will happen: You will arrive on the Arrival Date and will be met at the airport on that day (whether it is 12 in the morning or 11:59 at night). You will be taken to the Art in Tanzania Volunteer House (see details below) in Dar Es Salaam where you will have the first day/night to recover from your flight. The following day you will board the ferry to Zanzibar. You will be met in Zanzibar by a member of the i-to-i team and taken to your hostel in Zanzibar.
Note: If you're arriving early we can arrange a meet and greet for you. If you require this please contact us to arrange this service. If you wish to make your own way please arrange to be at the hotel on the arrival date:
Art in Tanzania Volunteer House
Bahari Beach
Kunduchi
Dar es Salaam
The Dar es Salaam Volunteers Hotel is located some 20km north along the coast from the Dar es Salaam city center. The hotel has all basic services including internet café, bar and curio shop.
Your accommodation in Stone Town is in a beautiful, bright hostel right in the centre of the action, this is for the use of our volunteers only. You’ll be woken each the morning by the sounds of the Muesin calling people to prayer! You’ll be sharing a room and bathroom with up to six other volunteers. 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 by one of the hostel staff and is a great opportunity to try the weird and wonderful local fruits that are in season. Lunch and dinner are for you to arrange for yourself. We’d suggest eating out as there is such fantastic food at dirt cheap prices, it’s silly to resist! However, if you fancy preparing something for yourself you can use the hostel kitchen (though be aware this is a local kitchen and doesn’t have many of the mod-cons we’ve come to expect)!
Each room has it’s own basic bathroom but does have a western style toilet, sink and a shower, water is based on cold water but we are sure that you will enjoy this due to the hot weather! There is a cupboard or a closet in your bedroom where you can store your belongings.
Your bed will have it’s own mosquito net and bedding is provided. You’ll get a top and bottom sheet and a small pillow, , however if it does get chilly then you can always ask for an extra sheet! If you are going travelling further north in Tanzania then we would suggest that you bring a sleeping bag.
There is a lock on your bedroom door and there is always a security guard on duty too. However if you want to keep your valuables in a more secure place we’d suggest bringing along a portable safe such as a PacSafe or something similar.
You’ll find local people dress surprisingly smartly. Bring trousers or long skirts and modest tops for your project. There are mozzies around in the evenings so you’ll need long trousers and tops for then too.
The volunteer hostel is in a fantastic location with access to shops, bars, restaurants and the great local vibe. You can get a great meal at the local food market which overlooks the beach. Fish and meat kebabs, pancakes, chapatis and sugar cane juice are all on offer for a couple of pounds so you can nibble your way round night after night. There is also a plethora of local curry restaurants as well as western establishments which you’ll find are significantly more expensive! The further off the beaten track you get, the cheaper you’ll find the food is! We’d suggest that you budget US$20 a day for lunch and dinner.
Banks, internet cafes, laundry facilities are all within easy walking distance. In fact, everything within Stone Town is within walking distance, and it is such a pleasure to wander the streets it won’t feel like a chore! There are mini-buses that will take you further afield to the north or south of the island for a few dollars. Taxis are available but you’ll find they are a lot more expensive, and not nearly as fun!
Your project will be up approximately a 5 to 10 minute walk from your accommodation or a 15 minute bus ride with a 5 minute walk. Don`t worry though as the team will help you find your way!
Modern day Tanzania was formed in 1964 with the merger of Tanganyika and the island of Zanzibar. Migrating tribes from across Africa settled on the land as early as the first century BC, while Arab traders occupied the coastal regions from around the 8th century onwards. The Portuguese added to the mix when they colonised the country from the 16th century. By the 19th century, a European presence was stronger than ever; explorers, notably Stanley and Livingstone, were arriving and the country became part of the German Empire until the British took control after WW I.
Nationalist movements were gathering pace against the onslaught of European rule and by 1961 the country had gained independence with Julius Nyerere of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) at the helm. A one party system pervaded much of the century until 1995, which saw the first democratic elections in almost 20 years. Recent elections however have been wrought with contention and have succeeded in widening the gap between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Tanzania remains one of the poorest countries in the world, but it has achieved steady economic growth, aided by a rise in tourism.
Tanzania’s summer is December to March while its winter season runs from March to May, and is also the main rainy season. The heavy rains can make travel on unpaved roads and dirt tracks difficult. The rainy season hits Zanzibar in April and May. The country is hot year round with the most agreeable temperatures from June to September, averaging in the high 20°C. The most opportune time to see lions roaring and wildebeest roaming is to visit the Serengeti from January to March, or the beginning of June and mid-November, when the great migrations to and from Kenya takes place.
The mainland and Zanzibar are serviced by a stream of airlines, both domestic and private small plane operators. Air Tanzania and Precision Air fly the main domestic routes, including flights to Zanzibar (around 20 minutes flying time from Dar es Salaam), with the main flight hubs based at Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Kilimanjaro. Zan Air, Zanzibar’s airline, also flies to the mainland and to the island of Pemba. Coastal Aviation specialises in Safari trips and has a fleet of small planes varying from 3 to 12 seaters. Ferries also serve Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam. Ferry operator Azam Marine provides a daily service that takes around 2 hours, while its route from Zanzibar to Pemba takes just over an hour and runs a couple of times a week. Faster services are available from companies such as Sea Express and Flying Horse.
Bus travel is the most used form of transport but is tainted with road accidents and poor quality roads outside of the major towns. Private companies like Scandinavia Express offer air-conditioned buses that cover the major routes. Dalla dallas (minibuses) are also in abundance and often travel to more remote areas though they don’t have the best safety records. Buses only travel during daylight hours as night time bus travel is not permitted. Self-driving is not recommended. Most four-wheel drives for safaris are required to be hired with a driver and some car hire companies don’t allow for self-driving outside of Dar es Salaam.
A much safer, albeit slower, option is to ride the country’s railways. Tanzania Railways Corporations runs services from Dar es Salaam to stations throughout the country, while TAZARA covers stops en route to Zambia from Tanzania. It’s best to opt for the comfort and security of classes 1 or 2 but travellers still need to keep an eye on belongings and close windows at night.
For localised travel, crowded buses and minibuses, together with taxis, are a regular feature in towns and cities as a means of getting from A to B.
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.
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