Gilys Children Foundation is a community-based organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable children through education, childcare, and community development programs in Tanzania. Founded with the mission of creating a safe and supportive environment for children, the organization operates daycare and preschool programs that provide early childhood education, care, and daily support to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through the support of volunteers, donors, and community partners, Gilys Children Foundation works to improve the lives of children by promoting education, health, creativity, and personal development. The organization also aims to empower local communities through youth support, volunteering opportunities, and social impact initiatives. Volunteers joining our programs have the opportunity to make a real difference while experiencing Tanzanian culture and community life.
Our Gracious Daycare is a community-based center providing a safe, loving, and supportive environment for young children from diverse backgrounds. We offer early childhood education, care, and emotional support during their key developmental years. Our mission is to nurture each child’s potential through a balance of learning, play, creativity, and care. We focus on building foundations in language, numbers, and social skills, while encouraging confidence, curiosity, and kindness. Children take part in daily activities such as singing, storytelling, games, creative arts, and outdoor play. We believe learning should be fun, interactive, and inclusive. We also support the local community by offering a safe place for parents to leave their children while they work. Volunteers play an important role by sharing their time, skills, and energy to enhance the children’s learning experience, while also gaining meaningful cultural exchange and connection. Our Gracious Daycare is more than a childcare center—it is a place where children feel valued, supported, and inspired every day.
We have committed ourselves to working with the community by supporting children and bringing volunteers from around the world to teach different subjects in primary schools. Our mission is to address socioeconomic challenges and promote quality education.
United Tansania e.V. is a German NGO, registered in 2021 and based in Tanzania. We study both hyena species: the striped hyena, classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, and the spotted hyena, which is threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and human-wildlife conflict. To understand the drivers of sustainable carnivore survival outside protected areas, we work on mitigation solutions with communities that experience hyena conflicts. Due to their negative reputation and responsibility for livestock losses, hyenas are subject to high levels of persecution, including the use of snares. Our team, led by a veterinarian and supported by local trackers and camp staff, is committed to empowering local communities and conducting research on spotted and striped hyenas. Our long-term goals include developing effective strategies for carnivore conservation and improving animal health.
Our volunteer program supports children in surrounding villages by improving access to sustainable education and helping bridge the gap between local and Western-style schooling. Private schools have 50–100 students with 5–30 pupils per class, while public schools can have up to 1500 students with 50–80 pupils per class. Due to limited teachers, classes cannot always be split. After an introductory period with a professional teacher, volunteers may teach independently once comfortable. What you can expect: Books are limited, usually 1–2 per subject per class. Students copy from the blackboard and learn at different speeds, so individual attention is important. Teachers often lack time to support every student, so volunteers help keep students engaged and support those who need extra help. We welcome ideas from volunteers to improve teaching methods, many of which continue even after they leave. An after-school library is also available where volunteers assist students from nearby villages. These students have mixed learning levels, so help with exercises, corrections, and explanations is highly needed. The library also has teaching materials and a small playground with a basketball hoop for educational games and PE activities. Location: Schools are within walking distance from host families and include classrooms, playgrounds, and staff rooms. Smaller schools may have basic play equipment, while larger public schools may have football or basketball fields. Tea and cake are provided during break time. Host families are in quiet villages near Arusha town, with shops nearby and a 20-minute walk to the city. The area is green with views of Mount Meru and a strong community atmosphere. What we expect from you: No special equipment is required, though school supplies like books, pens, and pencils are appreciated. Volunteers should be open-minded, respectful, and responsible. We provide full support during your stay and assistance with daily needs and travel arrangements. You will gain valuable insight into local culture, traditions, and everyday life beyond typical tourism experiences.
Kilimanjaro Volunteers Exposure (which we shorten to KiVolEx), is a Volunteer organization based in Tanzania. We are a non-profit organization, aimed at improving the lives of all those in need in the local community. Specifically, we work with underprivileged groups such as women and children through providing the needed healthcare and services from our Volunteers. Established to bring Western enthusiasm, expertise and passion to tackling some of the problems which affect the most needy in Tanzania. Our ethos is that you’ll be volunteering with us, not for us. We’re far more interested in your skills and desire to help than your money. In Tanzania, KiVolEx is run by a group of experienced social workers and doctors who have seen the difference passionate Volunteers can make to people’s lives. We have support in the UK in the form of previous Volunteers, who handle the recruitment and support of new Volunteers before they fly out to begin project work.
Samaritan Volunteers is an NGO registered under the Non-Governmental Organizations Act with Registration Number 00NGO/R/2581. The organization is dedicated to supporting education for children from low-income families in the Chamazi community. It runs Samaritan School, which was founded in 2018 with the support of both local and international volunteers who regularly visit and contribute to the project throughout the year. Local teachers and volunteers work together to provide lessons for children from Kindergarten to Primary level, ensuring they receive consistent and quality education. The mission of Samaritan Volunteers is to ensure that every child in Tanzania has the right to study and access educational opportunities, regardless of their background or circumstances. The focus is on supporting children from low-income families and those facing challenging daily life situations. The vision of the organization is to create a sustainable system where every child can access a safe, vibrant, and stimulating place to learn. It strongly believes that education is a human right, not a luxury, and that every community should have access to a proper learning environment.