An adventurous and proactive individual who wants to immerse themselves in an African community for a decent length of time. Someone who wants to build upon established and valued projects and make their own mark upon them.

Overview

You can really make an impact on children’s lives by Volunteering in Tanzania. You could be a care worker at the Living Water orphanage, an English/ sports/ music teacher in a school or work on an Aids awareness program. Oyster projects are based either in or around the town of Arusha in the North of the Country. You will be on the slopes of Mount Meru within reach of a bustling town, game parks and Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain.

What will I be doing?

Many people opt to teach in the village schools where your help is greatly appreciated by both the teachers and pupils. Around half of your time will be spent teaching English and the other half is spent teaching a hobby or passion of yours, i.e. sports, music, art etc.

There are two local orphanages (Living Water and Bourka) that love having Oyster volunteers to work as care workers providing fun activities for the children to do and giving them lots of love. If you are interested in healthcare we also have volunteer places on a local Aids awareness program as well as at a local hospital.

Journalism

Oyster has arranged a work placement with the weekly Arusha Times; the most widely distributed paper in the town. You will be able to get experience in every aspect of producing the paper form writing to photography to editing etc.

Oyster organised Safari

As a well earned reward for your voluntary work our Oyster representative, Mads, organises a fantastic four or five day safari for your group. You will visit the Serengeti, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro crater to see the big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo) as well as fantastic migration of herds of animals.

Life in Tanzania

You will be based in and around Arusha and its neighbouring villages. Arusha is a bustling town that lies on the foothills of the snow capped Mount Meru. You will be living with at least one other volunteer in local housing within the school grounds or near your community project. All volunteers are within easy reach of each other and meet in Arusha at weekends.

Your free time

Tanzania has the very best of Africa - snow capped Kilimanjaro, tropical coastline and the world’s finest game parks. Most volunteers opt to go on the Oyster arranged safari to see the fantastic wildlife. The famous spice island of Zanzibar is where many of our volunteers have relaxed after their placements swimming with dolphins, snorkeling and sunbathing!

Oyster Worldwide Support

Being a small and personal Gap Year company, our dedicated team of 3 full time staff really take the time to get to know you and provide a personal service.

1. When we receive your application, we invite you to an informal interview and tell you all about the placement that you have applied for.


2. 3 months before departure, we meet you and the rest of your group again at the Pre Departure Course to tell you even more about the country and project that you will be working in.


3. Once in Tanzania, our Representative Madeline becomes your main point of contact, being there to help with any problems either at the placement or in your personal life.

Here at Oyster, we have the right balance between support and independence and as such our representatives are not your typical ‘holiday rep’, we like to think of them as helpful friends to you. We do encourage you to be independent and help yourself but should you need it you can feel assured that you have our established support network on hand at any time.

Your placements have been arranged by Madeline Oosterhuis, a New Zealander who has lived in Arusha for many years and who has been responsible for over 200 volunteers since the program began. Madeline will meet you at the airport and you will have the first couple of days to visit the various projects and find your way around Arusha.

Madeline will run a short orientation course for you and your fellow Oyster participants, be a helpful friend to you throughout and she will keep us updated in the UK. Madeline lives in Arusha with her young family who you will get to know.

Benefits

• You will have brought education, friendship and fun to African children.


• You will have seen wildlife that you may never have seen before.


• You will have learnt a new language (Swahili)


• You will have made some amazing friends and gathered some amazing stories!

Although the flights are not in the price we will arrange one for you, for just £600!!

0845 344 7615

We'll send you to places you've never been to try new things and meet new people - change the lives of street kids in Brazil, perfect your Spanish teaching in Chile or finance an amazing ski season working in a Canadian resort. Whatever you choose, we'll help you get it right!