Special Needs Care Volunteer Program in Arusha - Tanzania with Volunteering Solutions

Overview

Want to be a Special Needs Care volunteer in Arusha, Tanzania ? Volunteering Solutions Special Needs Care project gives volunteers the chance to assist at a center for children with with disabilities in Arusha.

Volunteers work at a center that opened in the summer of 2023. It accepts children with all disabilities. Children here have different needs and, at times, have more than one disability. Some of the children at the center are deaf and blind while others have autism along the spectrum, Down Syndrome, and about 80% of the children have cerebral palsy.

The center is a wonderful place for children, but is in dire need of resources. The children are meant to have classes, but due to their types of needs, they need specialty items to engage their brains in their own learning processes. The building needs a lot of work and we need funding to cover staff wages, as many parents are volunteering due to lack of funds.

The needs include volunteers who know how to work with children. This includes Special Education teachers, physical therapists, doctors, occupational therapists, developmental psychologists, social workers, and behavioral therapists. Teachers not in SpEd or those interested in working with children with minimal experience should come in shifts and ask questions to properly work with and interact with the children.

Volunteer Work Schedule

The general schedule for volunteers in this program would be as follows :–

Sunday - Arrival at the destination (Arusha)
Monday - Orientation + Local Tour of area and visiting projects
Tuesday to Friday - Volunteer work at the placement
Weekends - Free to explore the city / Head out for wildlife safaris and much more
Breakfast - 07:30 am onwards
Working hours at the placement - 9am to 4pm (divided between morning and afternoon shift). Home visits are done by Professionals on Friday only
Lunch - 12:30/1pm onwards
Dinner - 7pm onwards

The same work schedule continues from the second week onwards (Monday - Friday).

Note: Please note, the schedule may vary and can change depending on local circumstances.

Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities

As a Special Needs Care volunteer in Arusha you’ll provide hands-on support and care at the project. Your tasks will depend on your experience and any relevant qualifications but may include:

Caregiving
General supervision
Interacting with and providing training for the family and their community
Helping at meal times
Playing with children
Helping out the local staff in daily chores
Preparing and serving meals
Cleaning up after meals

Volunteers with appropriate qualifications and experience may also be able to assist with physiotherapy and rehabilitation as well as imparting training to parents of children with special needs.

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and have a passion for working with children. You should also be proactive and have the ability to take initiative All volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report prior to joining the program. Special Education teachers, physical therapists, doctors, occupational therapists, developmental psychologists, social workers, and behavioral therapists who have experience working with children will be able to do more tasks with the children.

Expectations from Volunteers –

Come with lots of positive energy, and LOADS of it. Once these children arrive, they are ready to play!
Be Patient - the children do not speak English so will follow your physical cues, and many of them cannot read facial expressions and social cues
Manage what you can handle. If you think you can only do a morning or afternoon shift, just do one per day. Do not burn yourself out as children can feel the energy you are giving off
Play with children- once the center gets more resources, you will have more options, but with minimal resources they enjoy talking, dancing, singing, coloring, and playing with the items within their vicinity
Meal time help- we will need everyone to help during mealtimes. As many of the children have cerebral palsy, many cannot feed themselves
The children are balls of energy and love meeting new people. They are active and fun, but if you don’t have experience, it can be overwhelming

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Volunteer in a Special Needs care project in Arusha, Tanzania

Living

Airport Transfer
You will be met by our representative at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Kilimanjaro region from where you are transferred to the volunteer house accommodation in Arusha.Volunteers can also arrive in Nairobi and take a direct shuttle or bus to Arusha. They will be picked up at the bus station.For those participants arriving from Dar Es Salaam or Zanzibar, pickup can also be arranged from the much smaller Arusha airport, which serves only domestic flights currently.

Accommodation
Volunteering Solutions offers accommodations for volunteers in a dedicated volunteer house located in Arusha.The housing consists of shared rooms, with options for private upgrades available.The volunteer house includes several rooms and apartments where volunteers can live together comfortably. A well-equipped kitchen is staffed with cooks, and security personnel ensure a safe environment.

Conveniently situated about a 25-minute walk from the main clock tower, the heart of Arusha Town, the house features a spacious common area where volunteers can unwind, socialize, and engage in games like snooker or table tennis. Wi-Fi access is also provided throughout the house.

For laundry needs, there is a designated washing area for volunteers where you can hand wash your clothes. Alternatively volunteers give their clothes for washing to house helpers at an extra charge or give it to the laundry.Safety is prioritised with CCTV cameras installed and a security guard on duty. The volunteer house has the capacity to accommodate over 50 volunteers.

Orientation
All volunteers will be provided with an orientation session by the local coordinator. Areas like safety, locations, transportation, things to see etc will be covered in the Orientation. After your orientation is over, you will be introduced to your project and given a tour of the local area and town.

Meals
Volunteers are provided with 3 meals in a day. Typical meals include a mix of western and Tanzanian dishes. Sample of meals at the volunteer house are :-

For Breakfast : Hot water with option of black tea and coffee,Toasted Bread with Butter, Jam and Seasonal Fruits, and Eggs
For Lunch and Dinner : Rice,Spaghetti, Salad,Mashed Potato,French Fries, Chapati as well as other Tanzanian dishes and fruits.

Breakfast and dinner are at the volunteer house while lunch is usually packed for you to eat the placement or can be taken if you are back at the accommodation from the project.

During your Free Time
While in Arusha you will also be interested to travel around and see some of the best and most popular tourist locations. Majority of the participants travel to Masai lands as well go for a safari trip. Going on a safari trip is a must on the trip to Tanzania. The country offers some of the best Safari and wildlife trips in the world. You can travel to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park. Some other local sightseeing options include snake park,Arusha National Park,Lake Duluti,Chemka Hot Springs and Materuni Waterfalls.

Dates

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Available

Filling Fast

Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
1 Week	$375
2 Weeks	$550
3 Weeks	$725
4 Weeks	$950
5 Weeks	$1175
6 Weeks	$1395
7 Weeks	$1620
8 Weeks	$1845
Extra Week	$225

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying For?

24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Airport Pickup at Kilimanjaro Airport or Bus station in Arusha
Orientation
Food
Accommodation at Volunteer House
Assistance in booking weekend safari trips and other tours
Travel & Medical Insurance(Available at an extra cost)
Certificate of Participation(On Request)

What's NOT Included?

Airfare
Visa and Work Permit Fee
Return Airport Drop(Can be arranged at extra cost)
Local Transportation
Vaccinations
Personal Expenses

FAQ's

Health and Safety

Do I need to buy a health insurance?: Yes, for all participants it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. If you do not have a travel insurance, you have the option to purchase the Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from us. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
How safe is Arusha and Tanzania in general?: Arusha is regarded as the gateway to the popular Northern Safari circuit and attracts tourists from around the world. Arusha is a safe city, however, as in any country around the world, you need to take general precautions for safety. You will be given safety precautions and instructions by your coordinator during the orientation as well as in your Pre-departure handbook after you become an enrolled participant.
What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?: We recommend you to consult your physician or travel doctor before traveling to Tanzania. All travelers are required to carry an International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card) to show proof of Yellow Fever immunization.

The following vaccinations are recommended for travelers going to Tanzania.

Yellow Fever

Hepatitis A and B

Typhoid

Rabies

Application and Program Details

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Arusha volunteer programs?: The necessary requirements to participate in the Arusha volunteer projects are as follows:

Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. Medical Program volunteers must be at least 18 at the time of joining.

Volunteers joining the medical volunteer project must be either Pre-Medical, Medical or Nursing student or possess other qualifications related to medical and nursing field such as CNA or EMT. Medical professionals such as doctors and nurses are also welcome to join this program.

Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.

A volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

The participant must be in good health.
Can I know more about the program location of Arusha?: Volunteering Solutions offers volunteer placements in and around the region of Arusha, which is surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks. Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley, it has a mild climate and is close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as having its own Arusha National Park on Mount Meru.
When should I apply for a volunteer program in Tanzania?: As we have limited spots available in our programs and we follow the first come first serve basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online and pay the application fee. You can pay your program fee later and also, in installments, however, the complete payment should be made 45 days prior the start of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form.
Can I volunteer as part of a group?: We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.

In our experience of more than 12+ years we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for student groups- college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.
When do I need to arrive in Tanzania for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Tanzania?: All volunteers need to arrive in Tanzania on the mentioned program starting dates.

Volunteers are picked up from the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by the in-country coordinator or representative. You will be transferred to the volunteer house accommodation in Arusha followed by an orientation session. Kilimanjaro International Airport is around 50 km drive from Arusha city and it takes around 45 minutes to reach.

Volunteers also have an option of arriving in Nairobi and then taking a shuttle bus to Arusha. Pickup will be provided from the bus station. Drive from Nairobi to Arusha takes around 5 hours. This option is chosen by many volunteers. Volunteers should note that airport pickup is not provided from Nairobi airport.
Will VolSol provide with a reference or a certificate after program completion?: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
How do I get to the program location?: Our in-country coordinator will take you to your placement and introduce you to your project after providing a basic orientation about the program, city, culture etc. You will be provided with the directions for the project from your accommodation and will be briefed about the mode of transport to be used.
How long will it take to process an application? Will my application be accepted?: After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be active.You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need a mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.
Does VolSol provides discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?: If you are planning to come for multiple programs in your trip, you will have to pay the application fees just once. Your application fee is valid for a year's time ( from the date of application). You will not have to pay the application fees again if you come within the mentioned time frame.

For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next Vol Sol program.

Accommodation and Living

Can vegetarians be accommodated?: Yes - please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can help ensure you are able to order the best food! Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well.
Where can I change my money in Tanzania? Are there ATMs in Arusha?: On arrival in Arusha, you can change your currency to Tanzanian Shillings at the currency exchange shops at the airport. There are several ATMs available and, mostly Visa and Mastercards are accepted. During the orientation, the coordinators would show you the nearest ATM as well as foreign currency exchange shops. Tanzania is mostly a cash-based society and you would need to pay in cash at most of the places you shop. Credit cards are not accepted at many places.
Would I have free time during my program? Can I do sightseeing during my program?: Volunteers typically work for around 5-6 hours in a day, for 5 days a week. Depending on the workload every day, working hours can vary. Evenings are free for the volunteers when they can get together and go out for social gatherings, eat out or just relax at the volunteer house. Weekends are free for the volunteers and you can go for short weekend trips.Volunteers go for Safari trips to Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro. You can also go for shorter trips to Arusha National Park or Hot Springs outside Arusha. Local sightseeing trips are arranged for the volunteers by the local coordinators. Volunteers are encouraged to explore different places on the weekends and do sightseeing so that you can see as much of the country during your stay in Tanzania.
How will be the weather in Arusha?: Being at foothills of Mount Meru, the weather in Arusha is extremely pleasant and moderately cold at night. You can carry light jackets.
Are there more expenses once I arrive in Tanzania?: Your program fee covers your Airport Pickup, Accommodation, Food and In-country Support.

You will have to get an work permit, which will cost around $200. The in-country coordinator will guide you about it.

You will need to cover your personal expenses, such as bottled water, local transport, telephone, the internet, shopping, weekend trips etc. However, you should carry around $50-60 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you choose to go on Safari trips. The cost of the safari trips varies between $300- $600 depending on the safari option you choose.

Airport drop is no included in the fee but we can arrange for it at an extra cost of approx $50.
Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?: Volunteers in Arusha are provided accommodation in a volunteer house/ hostel. The accommodation is centrally located and it is not far from the central part of the town and Arusha clock tower. It is exciting to stay at the volunteer house as you get to meet and interact with other volunteers from around the world. The volunteer house has a guard, a cleaner, and cook who prepares meals for the volunteers. Volunteers share the rooms on the same gender basis. Usually, 2 -3 volunteers share a room together.

Volunteers are provided with all three meals. Breakfast usually comprises of Tea, Coffee, Bread, Jam, Butter, Eggs and/or Fruits. Lunch and Dinner usually comprise of a mix of Western and local dishes such as vegetables, chicken, rice, spaghetti, meat, and fruits. The dishes can vary on a daily basis and lunch is usually packed for the volunteers or you can eat at the house if you are there.
For how many hours will I volunteer every day?: VolSol volunteers usually put 5-6 hours of volunteer work, 5 days a week depending on their program. You will have the weekend for yourself to explore in and around the city. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can change on certain occasions.

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Tanzania alumni as well as other former and current volunteers?: We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions Tanzania program participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering">https://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringSolutions/">Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page orhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/volunteeringsolutions/">; Facebook Group and connect with other participants and our team.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit, Meet">https://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/meet-a-volunteer">Meet a Volunteer section on our website.

Flights and Visa

Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?: All participants joining the Tanzania volunteer projects, need to apply for Visa at the nearest Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate. Along with the visa application, you need to attach the required supporting documents. Volunteers are provided with the necessary supporting document for their Tanzanian Visa application. More information shall be provided after you become a Volunteering Solutions’ enrolled participant.

Participants also have the option to take the Visa on arrival at the airport. Tourist Visa can be obtained on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or at the border when arriving overland.

All volunteers working in Tanzania need to get a Class C Permit while in Tanzania. The Work permit costs $200 USD and you will be provided assistance by the local team in Arusha to get the necessary work permit.
What are the recommended airlines to fly to Tanzania?: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) has flight connections from Europe and other African destinations. KLM Dutch Airlines, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, Condor Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Precision Air and Ethiopian Airlines are the major airlines flying in directly to Arusha, Tanzania.