United Planet is an excellent organization and Dave Santulli's vision of bringing people closer together through cultural exchange is a true and somewhat life changing experience. - Jon Ryder, United Planet Quest Volunteer

Check out our August 2007 Featured Volunteers

On-going year-round volunteer opportunities in Tanzania:
Volunteer opportunities in Tanzania include interacting with local service providers in a wide range of services. There are four main areas of volunteer work: teaching at schools; care-taking at orphanages/shelters: HIV/AIDS education, and medical volunteering. All of these opportunities are located in Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania. Included in your Quest is a weekend excursion to the beautiful and exotic island of Zanzibar!

Volunteer Expectations
There is a minimum time commitment of two weeks for the Tanzania Quest. Basic level of Swahili is a bonus, but not required.

Program descriptions:

Teaching Quest
Volunteers can choose to teach subjects such as Mathematics, Biology, Economics, French, Physics, Geography, History, English, Book keeping and Accounting. Primary schools range from grades one to seven and subjects taught include Mathematics, English, Science, French, IT and Social Studies. No teaching experience is required as long as you are comfortable with a particular subject. You can also teach sports activities, music, art, etc. Volunteers will be provided with a syllabus to use for teaching. Most schools provide a mid-day meal. Students in Tanzania are very eager to learn and having a teacher who is from another country is a great experience for them.

Orphanage Quest
Help take care of children (vary from a day old to 15 years) and elders at an orphanage/shelter. Volunteers roles include: taking care of the children and elders; preparing food; reading and telling stories, etc. There are several age groups with different needs. Toddlers need someone to play with, to be fed, held, and changed. The 3 to 5 year olds are very energetic and would love volunteers who will sing songs, feed them, or teach art. The 6 to 12 year old group go to primary schools during the day and need assistance with Math and English. The orphanage is very flexible, and volunteers can work with any group they choose from Monday to Saturday.

Social Education Quest

Volunteers will work with a local vocational school in a number of capacities. Volunteers can teach English and computer skills to the students during the day, and conduct HIV/AIDS education seminars in the evenings with the local community. HIV/AIDS is a serious issue in Tanzania. Many people are infected with HIV due to the lack of health education, poverty, and the traditional culture against protection during sex. Many young people die from HIV/AIDS and their children end up with greater poverty, which can drive them to be street children or prostitutes. No previous experience with HIV/AIDS education is required.

Medical Quest

Volunteers wil work with a HIV/AIDS outreach clinic conducting home-based care to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The homecare will include counseling to the caretakers and distributing medication and food supplies to people suffering with HIV or AIDS. Other duties will depend on which projects the organization is working on when the volunteers is there. Volunteers will sometimes be required to visit a branch office.

The volunteers for this Medical Quest must be a qualified doctor or nurse.

Visas
United Planet sends volunteers from many countries around the world. Obtaining a Visa (if necessary) is therefore the responsibility of the volunteer. U.S. citizens can visit the website of the U.S. State Department to learn more about foreign entry requirements. For citizens of all other countries, please contact your destination country's embassy in your home country or your government website. If you need a letter from United Planet to verify your participation in our program, please e-mail us with this request and we will be happy to provide one.

Health Issues and Vaccinations
Some countries require or suggest that volunteers have certain vaccinations before entering the country.  Please consult your country's government website for more information regarding the health of travelers. U.S. citizens can visit the website of the Centers for Disease Control to learn more about vaccinations and staying healthy while traveling.  It is also recommended that you visit nearest travel clinic prior to departure.

Living and volunteering in another country, often in conditions you are not used to, can take a toll on the body and mind.  In addition to the information that is provided in your pre-departure package, please research how to stay healthy in your country of destination.  It could make all the difference!