Orphans Africa

The following answers to our most frequently asked questions are designed to help you if you are considering traveling to Tanzania as a volunteer for Orphans Africa. These FAQs provide 99% of the information you will need to make an informed decision. PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY before applying or before contacting OA for additional information.

Program Requirements, Fees, and Accommodations

How long can I stay?

The minimum stay is two weeks. A stay of longer duration can be coordinated with OA.

Do I need to be able to speak English? Swahili?

All volunteers must speak fluent English, and be proficient in reading and writing English. All classes are taught in English and many Tanzanians will speak or understand some English. Tanzanians may have three languages. One may be the language of their original tribe. Kiswahili is the unifying language of East Africa. Tanzanians appreciate your effort at learning some Kiswahili and it will definitely assist you when teaching or going to the market. Volunteers can buy books or CD’s to assist in learning Kiswahili. The Pemsleur CD’s are good for beginners, as is the “Teach Yourself” Swahili program.

How much are the volunteer fees?

We have two rates: STANDARD and Reduced-Rate STUDENT, in addition to ROOM & BOARD.*

STANDARD Fees per person (USD):

• $450.00 for the first two weeks
• $100.00 for week three
• $50.00 for each week thereafter

Reduced-Rate STUDENT Fees per person (USD):

• $290.00 for the first two weeks
• $70.00 for week three
• $40.00 for each week thereafter

(Must provide proof of student-status)

*ROOM & BOARD per person (STANDARD AND STUDENT) (USD):

$12.00 per day. Includes accommodations with a host family and three meals a day.

A one-time $45.00 banking wire fee is assessed for each travel family. This enables OA to wire your fees to on-site personnel in preparation for your visit. Volunteer fees include transport to and from the airport upon arrival and departure. Repeat volunteers qualify at the student rate.

When are the fees due and what is your cancellation policy?

50% of all fees, including room & board (R & B), are due upon OA’s acceptance of your volunteer application. The balance is due to OA 60 days prior to your travel date.

If a volunteer cancels before 45 days of their travel date, all fees, R & B, are refundable, less a $100.00 administration fee. If a volunteer cancels within 8-44 days prior to their travel date, 50% of fees, and 100% of R&B are refundable, less a $100.00 administration fee. If a volunteer cancels within seven days prior to their travel date, only R&B is refundable, again, less a $100.00 administration fee.

What is NOT included in the above fees?

All transportation costs are your responsibility, including airfare, bus fare, taxi, etc., with the exception of transport to and from the airport upon arrival and departure. Also not included are food and drink outside of the home stay, bottled drinking water, phone cards, vaccinations, visa fees, optional entertainment and tour activities.

Are there age requirements and can children go?

Unaccompanied volunteers must be at least 20 years old. Parents or adult guardians are welcome to bring their children, so long as the child will be at least eight years old at time of travel. Children must be well-behaved and supervised at all times. Volunteer fees and Room & Board for children ages 8-14 are one half the standard rates. Over age 14, student rates apply.

What are the accommodations like?

Volunteers will be housed with a host family. Accommodations reflect the actual living conditions of most people in Tanzania. There is no electricity; light in the evening is by kerosene lantern or flashlight. Water is delivered by the “water lady” in a hand-pushed cart or fetched from the local water source. Water must be boiled for drinking (bottled water is available for purchase). There are metal screens on the windows, but no glass. The exterior doors are locking. Volunteers have a private bedroom with door. Spouses will share a room. Children may be required to share a room with the parents. There is an outdoor bathhouse, including a toilet room and shower room. The toilet is a typical “squat” floor toilet. The shower room has a small hole for drainage, but does not have a showerhead. You can heat water and use a bucket for “showering.”

What are the meals like?

Meals are simple, delicious, and home-cooked over a charcoal fire. Common dishes might include the national dish, ugali, which is similar to corn-meal, stir-fried cabbage and carrots, fish, chicken, eggs, rice, Irish potatoes, chapatti (flat bread), mdazi (raised fried bread), red beans, stewed greens, papaya, and cassava root.

Why do I have to pay to volunteer?

The main focus of on-site personnel is to serve and support the orphans and widows. On-site personnel will take time away from their other duties to escort you, interpret for you, explain things to you, help you find things you need when in-country and look after you if you have needs. Fees charged help them to provide these services to you as well as to continue serving the orphans and widows. (NONE of your fees go to support the OA staff in the USA, or to pay for OA overhead.)

What about my health concerns?

Travel in a third-world country can be arduous (see “conditions” below). Volunteers with special healthcare and dietary concerns should discuss these difficulties with their healthcare providers before applying to volunteer. There are local pharmacies called “Duca La Dawa” that sell a variety of ointments and pills. Some are known to be fakes and may not work. Volunteers should plan to take a full supply of all medications and healthcare aids. Access to a health care facility may be severely limited depending upon your location.

How do I apply?

Prospective volunteers must fill out our Orphans Africa Volunteer Application Form. The form can be emailed, faxed, or snail-mailed to us here at Orphans Africa. Your application will then be assessed based upon a variety of factors: your purpose, your desired travel dates, your age, health, experience, and your likelihood of having a successful, meaningful experience (which is what we want for you!).

Is Orphans Africa, and/or any of its employees, volunteers, or field partners, responsible for my safety and health while volunteering in Tanzania?

No. While we do everything in our power to provide for the safety and health of our volunteers, you must assume complete responsibility for your own safety, health, and actions while in Tanzania. Travel in a third-world country is always a risk; there is a lower level of health care, disease is rampant, hygiene is poor, there is minimal food and water safety, and the average life expectancy is only 50.7 years. It is also impossible to monitor all volunteers at all times, as frequently volunteers wish to go off on their own. We cannot be held responsible, even when you are volunteering at one of our projects. Once your application is approved, all volunteers must sign an Assumption of Risk and Release and Hold Harmless Agreement.

What to Expect

What is the climate like?

As Tanzania is located just south of the equator, the climate is hot. At present, most volunteers will be working in the Dar Es Salaam region near the Indian Ocean, so conditions will be humid. Rather than having four distinct “seasons,” Tanzania has rainy and dry seasons. The main rainy season is typically between March and May, although increasingly the weather in Africa is becoming unpredictable. Tropical downpours are typical in the afternoons. June-Oct is the long dry season, followed by the “short rains” in Nov-Dec, which are much lighter than during the rainy season. Jan-Feb are usually dry. In the coastal regions where you will be, however, it is normal to receive some rain even in the dry seasons. Temperatures average 30°C during the day, and 19°C at night. For more comprehensive climate information, see http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/africa/ and search for “Tanzania.” If you are volunteering in one of the mountainous, remote regions, temperatures can plunge to 4°C at night.

What are conditions like in the surrounding areas, and how difficult will it be for me?

Volunteers must be prepared for third-world conditions. There is no handicap accessibility. Volunteers will likely need to walk 5-6 kilometers a day when commuting to and from the Marilynn Primary and Nursery School in Majohe. The public bus system is composed of mini-vans that crowd about 25 or more people inside. There is no air conditioning anywhere except in large businesses in Dar Es Salaam. Volunteers with special healthcare and dietary concerns should discuss these difficulties with their healthcare providers before deciding to enroll as a volunteer. OA takes very seriously your capacity to handle these conditions.

Where will I be working, and what will I be doing?

All volunteer programs will be tailored according to your specific skills and interests. Most of our volunteers will be working in the Dar Es Salaam area, although we are expanding our volunteer program into the more remote, mountainous Mbeya region, a province in Western Tanzania.

Water Safety

Regardless of where you will be working in Tanzania, observing proper water safety is essential to maintaining your health. Please click here for detailed information.

What is public transportation like?

For the most part, volunteers should plan on walking a lot. For those times in which a public bus is available, it is usually a Toyota mini-van. Conditions are over-crowded, uncomfortable, and hot. Most of the time you will not have a seat. One way tickets cost about twenty cents. Sometimes you may choose to hire a car or Land Rover for the day. Cars cost about $25.00 for the day, and a Land Rover about $45.00.

How much do things cost in Tanzania?

A little goes a long way. Meals in an average restaurant cost about $2.00. Bottled sodas are the most expensive item at $1.00. Foreign goods are much more expensive than those made or grown locally. You can get a nice outfit from a tailor for about $12.00, including material. But remember, inflation is rampant. What may have been the price last month may no longer be accurate this month. Also, whenever Westerners show up, prices increase. Please feel free to negotiate, but remember that most of the vendors have little to nothing with which to support their families. Conclude the bargaining when you feel it is beneficial to BOTH parties. Always agree on a price prior to purchasing.

Can my family contact me if needed, and how can I contact home?

Prior to your departure we will provide you with the contact information to share with your family. They would be able to contact you fairly quickly, (although we ask that they not plan to contact you unless it is an emergency). To call home from Tanzania, you must use SIMM cards for international long distance. Many on-site personnel have cell phones and cell phone service is available throughout Tanzania. SIMM cards can be purchased at the airport and in Dar Es Salaam. Purchase them on your first day before leaving the airport. (While your cell phone may work in Tanzania, it could be very, very pricey.)

Travel Arrangements

Do I need to make my own airline reservations?

Yes. All travel arrangements and fees into and out of Tanzania are your responsibility. To compare airlines and ticket prices, visit www.farecompare.com. Prices begin at $1,700.00 plus taxes and fees for round-trip flights between the USA and Dar Es Salaam (December, 2009). All volunteers must fly into “DAR” — the international airport code for Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Once you have your reservations, please forward your itinerary to OA.

Will someone be there to pick me up at the airport?

Yes! Someone will be there to greet you and take you to your host family. The cost of transport to and from the airport is included in your volunteer fee.

What about travel insurance?

We require that each of our volunteers obtain travel insurance. We recommend that the policy includes trip cancellation or interruption,and require that it include medical emergency evacuation in the event of accident, illness, or death. You can compare a variety of policies offered by various companies at www.InsureMyTrip.com. Also, AAA provides travel insurance to members. Proof of travel insurance must be provided to OA prior to travel.

Will I need a passport? A visa?

Yes, you will need both a current passport and a tourist visa to enter Tanzania. Tourist visas can be purchased upon arrival at the Dar Es Salaam airport, but as lines can be long, it is recommended to purchase the visa well in advance. U.S. citizens can obtain visas from the Tanzanian Embassy at http://www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org/tzevisa.html; visa application fees are $100.00 USD. Other nationalities will need to utilize the Tanzanian embassy located in their own country.

What other things are there to see or do while I’m in Tanzania?

Tanzania is a beautiful country and we encourage you to extend your stay and explore the wonders. (It is best to explore either before or after your volunteering project, not during.) You can go on safari, climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, or check out the tropical island paradise at Zanzibar. OA is not a travel company, however, so we must leave those details to you. There are many quality safari and travel organizations to choose from, but we do have first-hand knowledge of the quality of the following tour groups: http://www.intoafrica.co.uk/, and http://www.alpineascents.com/kilimanjaro.asp.

Preparation — What to Bring

What immunizations will I need?

Many. Besides the AIDS epidemic, malaria is a persistent killer of people in equatorial Africa. The virus is delivered by mosquito bite. All volunteers are strongly urged to consult with a travel physician/clinic several months before planning a trip to begin immunizations and receive guidance on handling medical emergencies. Malaria medication must be started before departing to Tanzania, taken during your stay, and completed a few days after returning. In the USA, a special card and stamp for proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for readmission into the USA after visiting equatorial Africa. You can also check with the CDC for information on the particular vaccinations required for a particular country.

Are there cultural restrictions on how I should dress in Tanzania?

Yes. Because Tanzania has a large Christian and Muslim population, women especially must dress modestly when out in public. Long pants, mid-length skirts, and shirts with short or long sleeves are appropriate attire. No bare midriffs, no revealing shirts, and no short skirts or shorts, please. However, take your tank tops and shorts with you (modest ones), as often your host will advise you that this dress is appropriate for your day’s work. Certainly you can wear more comfortable attire when you are at your host home. But always, please, dress tastefully and use your good judgment.

Are there other social / cultural customs or restrictions of which I should be aware?

Yes. These will be included in your OA Volunteer Orientation Packet which you will receive once your application is approved.

What should I bring?

Click here for a list of what to bring.

How much money should I bring and how do I get more if I need it?

How much you bring depends upon the duration of your stay. At minimum, we would recommend having no less than the equivalent of $20.00 USD for each day you volunteer at MOP, in addition to your room and board. The currency is Tanzania Shillings (TSH). Inflation is very high in Tanzania. The exchange rate for your local currency should be checked prior to departure. The airport has currency exchange. They will not take older U.S. currency due to counterfeit concerns, so take crisp new bills, no larger than $100 denominations. Away from the airport, it is likely that you will need to go into Dar Es Salaam to a bank to exchange travelers checks. It is a lengthy process, sometimes taking hours. Instead we recommend ATMs which are available at the airport and in Dar Es Salaam.

Can I fundraise to help pay my expenses, and if so, is it tax-deductible?

Yes. Please contact us for details in fundraising for both the programs and your personal travel expenses. Orphans Africa is registered as a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 public charity in the U.S.A. Click here to download a printable 2-page, tri-fold brochure about OA.

Does OA have a PowerPoint presentation I can use to help me fundraise?

Yes. If you are interested in using our PowerPoint presentation, please contact us for details on how to download it.

Are grants available from OA to help me cover my travel costs?

No grant funds from OA are available for volunteers wishing to go to Tanzania. All funds OA generates go toward helping the orphans’ and widows’ projects. Volunteers must be able to fund themselves, or they should not apply.