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.
My name is Musa Mwawalo, and I am a teacher and community-minded person from Mkwajuni, Songwe, Tanzania. I help lead Cacilia Pre and Primary School, a local school dedicated to giving children access to quality education, care, and opportunities to build a better future. - Our Story: Cacilia School began with a simple but meaningful dream: to create a welcoming place where children can learn, grow, build confidence, discover their talents, and dream big. Our school is part of the local community, and we work together with dedicated teachers, parents, and community members who believe that education can create positive change. - Our Mission: Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and inspiring learning environment where every child is encouraged to develop academically, socially, and personally. We want children to gain knowledge, confidence, good values, and skills that will help them become responsible members of their community. - Why We Welcome Volunteers: We believe volunteering should be a two-way experience. Volunteers can support our children through teaching, English practice, sports, creative activities, games, arts, cultural activities, and sharing their own knowledge and skills. At the same time, volunteers have the opportunity to learn from our teachers, children, families, and community. - Cultural Exchange: We welcome volunteers as friends and members of our community. You can experience authentic Tanzanian life, learn about local traditions, food, language, family life, and community values while sharing your own culture and experiences with us. By joining Cacilia School, you are not simply visiting Tanzania—you are becoming part of a community. Your time, skills, kindness, and ideas can contribute to children's education and help them grow, learn, and dream big. We believe that when people from different backgrounds come together with respect, friendship, and an open heart, everyone has something valuable to offer.
Eick Memorial Foundation for Education and Rehabilitation for Disabled is a community-based organization supporting children and young people with disabilities through education, rehabilitation, care, and inclusion. We help children develop their abilities, build confidence, and participate more fully in their families and communities. Our goal is to create better opportunities and improve the quality of life for children with disabilities and their families.
Medi Trip is a skills-led volunteer organisation that provides structured placements for medical, nursing, allied health, psychology, law and human rights, engineering, and accounting students and professionals. Unlike many volunteer organisations, Medi Trip was founded by a registered nurse with NHS experience who is also a Leadership Award winner. We work directly with local hospitals and community partners to provide supervised, ethical, and educational placements. Volunteers gain valuable exposure to real-world practice while supporting local services, with accommodation, orientation, airport transfers, and 24/7 in-country support included.
The Children Therapy & Care Program is a community-based initiative that supports children with special needs and developmental challenges in Arusha, Tanzania. The program serves children aged 0–12 years from diverse social and economic backgrounds, providing them with essential care, learning support, and developmental assistance. Many of the children we support experience developmental delays or disabilities caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, ADHD, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, muscular disorders, and speech or developmental delays. Our approach focuses on improving each child's independence, communication, mobility, and overall quality of life through structured therapy support and daily care activities. The program offers a combination of physiotherapy support, occupational therapy activities, speech and communication exercises, and play-based learning designed to stimulate development in a safe, supportive, and child-friendly environment. As resources become available, we also plan to expand our services by introducing additional rehabilitation approaches, including hydrotherapy. We believe that every child deserves access to quality care, regardless of their family's financial situation. For this reason, we work closely with families to ensure that children continue receiving support even when they are unable to afford the full cost of services. We are also developing long-term sponsorship opportunities for children from vulnerable backgrounds. Volunteers play an important role in supporting our team by assisting with daily activities, engaging children in educational and recreational activities, and helping create a positive, inclusive, and nurturing environment. We welcome volunteers and trainees from a wide range of backgrounds, particularly those with an interest in childcare, education, therapy support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology, social work, or special needs education. No professional experience is required; however, a willingness to learn, work collaboratively as part of a team, and respect the knowledge and experience of our local staff is highly valued.
Our Community Outreach & Women’s Empowerment Initiative in Arusha, Tanzania is a program designed to support women, children, and vulnerable families living in underserved communities. We work with groups facing social and economic challenges such as single mothers, widows, schoolgirls, and rural families who have limited access to education, health information, counseling, and skills development opportunities. The program brings together local experts, educators, and international volunteers to create meaningful change through education, empowerment, and hands-on community engagement. Our focus is not only to support, but also to build confidence, independence, and long-term opportunities for the people we work with. All activities are guided by a professional local team in collaboration with experienced coordinators and community leaders. Program Focus Areas 1. Women & Community Education Sessions - Women’s health and reproductive education - Pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare awareness - HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention - Family planning and menstrual health - Human rights, gender equality, and protection laws - Personal development and life skills - Environmental awareness and climate change education 2. Workshops & Skills Development - Entrepreneurship and business training - Financial literacy and income generation - Soap making and handicrafts - Sewing reusable menstrual pads - Baking and small business production - Nutrition and healthy cooking - Tree planting and environmental conservation - Sports, games, and mental health activities - Self-defense and safety awareness - Basic first aid training 3. Community Outreach Activities - Field visits to rural villages and schools - Support for women’s groups and health centers - Educational campaigns and awareness programs - Counseling and mentorship sessions - Sponsorship and school support initiatives
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.
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.