Volunteer in Tanzania with Ujamaa Hostel | Ujamaa Hostel: Volunteer experiences and affordable accommodation

VOLUNTEERING

We know what an incredible experience it is to volunteer at a grassroots level and to be able to have a direct effect on a community. We also believe that if you are willing to volunteer your time, energy and expertise to an organisation in need, you shouldn't have to pay for it. So we have created a volunteer program with a range of local organisations whereby you can volunteer for free while having the peace of mind that you are giving your time to a worthwhile and reputable organisation.

You can choose from working with children, building projects, visiting patients affected by HIV/AIDS, sport programs with children affected by HIV/AIDS, vocational training programs with young adults, teaching, creative arts and there is always potential for you to find and create your own volunteering experience.

We run volunteer programs year round. This is a self-tailored program where you get to decide how long you'd like to stay and where you would like to spend your time. You can stay for as long as you like, but we require you give a minimum commitment of 2 weeks.

You do not necessarily need to have specialised skills to volunteer with Ujamaa Hostel, however if you do have particular skills we would very much like to hear about them. Many of our projects can use expertise in a range of different areas, so no skill will go unused!

To register as a Volunteer with Ujamaa Hostel we require you to pay a one-off non-refundable application fee of US$575. This will be charged once you have confirmed your stay. This money is used to secure your booking, cover the costs of administration and organisation with the projects and also pays for the costs involved in preparing and processing your Volunteer Visa.

The only other cost involved is for your accommodation. Please see our "Rates" page for more info.

You will also need to pay non-refundable 50% deposit for your accommodation costs.

What you get for your Money

A Pre-Departure Guide with useful information to help you get ready for your trip
A tour around Arusha so that you can get to know the town and also find all amenities such as banks, internet, supermarkets, post office, restaurants and bars.
The opportunity to work with a selection of carefully picked and reputable local organisations
A tour of all the projects as well as details of what volunteers are currently doing (and have previously done) so that you can decide how best to use your skills and where to spend your time
Our Volunteer Coordinator who can help with any needs or concerns you have throughout your stay.
Accommodation in a fun, clean and safe environment where you can hang out with other volunteers
Communal lounge room with TV/DVD and a wide range of movies and books
Large gardens to relax in with a view of Mt Meru
24hr Security and lockable draws for your personal items
Hot showers
Linen and mosquito nets on each bed (please bring your own towel)
No curfews or limitations on how you spend your time (assuming that you are respectful and understanding of the local culture and of other volunteers)
Accommodation close to the centre of town so that you can easily get around, go out, shop for souvenirs
Breakfast and Dinner provided everyday with a range of Western Style and African meals. (Vegetarians are catered for)
Free laundry daily

For details about what you can do and our current projects please go to our PROJECTS page!

VISAS

All our volunteers are required to get a Volunteer Visa to work with us. Unfortunately the Tanzanian Government has recently drastically changed the cost of this visa to US$550. We are continuing to work on overturning this increase, but for now that is what is being charged.

Therefore you need to pay a non-refundable payment of US$575 to cover the cost of the visa, Paypal/Bank fees and administration. Please note we do not make any money from this, we simply need to cover the costs involved.
This Volunteer Visa can only be issued from the Immigration Offices within Tanzania and is necessary to volunteer in Tanzania. It is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and covers you for travel and volunteering within Tanzania. If you intend to stay longer than 3 months, we can try to get you a visa valid for the length of your stay.

It is also worthwhile reading the information on the "Helpful Hints" page as it is a useful guide for volunteering and Arusha in general.

TESTIMONIALS

"Myself and my girlfriend Florence stayed in Ujamaa Hostel at the start of 2009 for a total of about 6 weeks during our three month stint in Easy Africa doing some independent volunteer work. The hostel was without a shadow of a doubt the best hostel we stayed in by a mile while we were over there. The atmosphere was like that you would find in your own home. Both Carley and Gasper made us feel very welcome and we got assigned a teaching project in Meru View, which was a really rewarding experience for us.
To anyone thinking of going to Tanzania to do volunteer work, then Ujamaa Hostel is the only option. We met some great people while staying there and the fact that everyone is there to help with volunteer work...it really makes for a great enjoyable experience."

Carlo - Ireland

"Don't look further than here! Going to Arusha and staying at Ujamaa will be one of the best decisions you'll ever make in your life.

It was one of mine! Everything you'll want, expect and more. No hidden costs or agendas. Only thing is...you may not want to leave. Karibu to Tanzania!!"

Mar - Canada

"For anyone wanting a safe, happy place to put down their backpack, findout how to help out at a number of orphanages or schools, and be rightnear the centre of town with internet cafes, money change booths,access to safaris or climbing Mt. Killi, Ujaama Hostel is the place tostay in Arusha. Everything you'll need to know is right there andyou'll be part of the action in no time, making your African experienceso much more meaningful."
Helen - Australia

"Ujamaa Hostel is a great place to volunteer and live. It is clean andwell run and the staff are friendly and helpful. There are many greatvolunteer projects to choose from. It´s a great experience you´llremember for years to come."

Mary - United States

DONATIONS

We do not ask our volunteers for donations but all of our projects survive on the kindness of donors and sponsors. Many of our volunteers choose to donate to the projects and are often able to raise further funds once they return home. We are not a tax deductible charity at this time, but we do guarantee that all donations are used directly to support our projects.

If you are unable to come and volunteer please consider making a donation to one of our projects. Go to the information on each project to see what is needed and how you might be able to help or feel free to contact us for more information.

Asante Sana!

(Swahili for Thank you very much!)