Internships and volunteering related to Social Work are possible in Moshi/Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. The organization "Good Hope" carries out Social Work Outreach Programs for HIV orphans, elderly people, sick people, disabled and other people in need, and furthermore supports communities through activities including music and sports projects with children and youth, school support and education of children, youth, women and men. Also manual building work is possible.
What is your placement organization doing?
The Good Hope Support Organization was founded in 2011 and is located in Majengo kwa Mtei, a rather poor urban district in the east of Moshi.
Besides a Community Centre where an informal school is run, where interns and volunteers can teach (you will find details in the project description "Schools in Moshi/Kilimanjaro"), the Good Hope Support Organization has a Social Work Outreach Program in place, supporting people in need. Furthermore, there are various leisure activities for children and youth in difficult life circumstances, which have the aim to foster their talents and to keep them away from dangers such as drug abuse.
In the field of social work, Good Hope supports about 15 families through home visits. Most of the persons cared for are HIV-positive, empoverished, don't have family support and therefore need assistance in their daily lives. During the visits, the social workers of Good Hope inquire about the current health of the patients, give them advice on how to cope with everyday life and encourage them. In some patients, the visits are also used to carry out physiotherapy exercises at the same time. Home visits help prevent them feeling excluded from society. Good Hope is an important point of contact for all kinds of problems that they might face.
In the field of leisure activities for children and youth, the idea is to discover and foster their talents. At the moment, there are music and sports activities. A music teacher regularly gives workshops to a small group of children and youth. First, basics of music theory are taught, then a song is written, which will be recorded in a studio. Here you can listen to one of such recordings. In sports, the focus is on football (soccer) and endurance training. Every year, the children and youth of Good Hope participate in the Kilimanjaro Marathon and in a football tournament, where they play against children and youth of other organizations.
How can you get involved?
Depending on your interests or the requirements of your university you can participate in the wide range of subject areas of the work of Good Hope. Qualified social workers can supervise your internship.
During the home visits, as a volunteer/intern you will always be accompanied by an experienced social worker of Good Hope who will give you explanations and tasks. Basic knowledge in Swahili here is useful in order to actively participate in the exchange with the patients. If you are interested, you can also join simple construction work, to improve the housing of families supported by the Social Work outreach program.
During the home visits, as a volunteer/intern you will always be accompanied by an experienced social worker of Good Hope who will give you explanations and tasks. Basic knowledge in Swahili here is useful in order to actively participate in the exchange with the patients. If you are interested, you can also join simple construction work, to improve the housing of families supported by the Social Work outreach program.
Depending on your interests and skills you can assist with such music or sports activities or you can also direct workshops on your own, for instance about theater, dance, music, sports, arts etc.
A further area is fundraising, where you can write reports to apply for funding through institutionalized national and international programs.
There are more organizations in Moshi and Zanzibar, where Social Work internships and volunteering are possible. We are happy to assist you finding the right option!
Info Box
Location: Moshi, Tanzania
Availability: All year, Start date flexible Minimum Duration: 1 Week Maximum Duration: 12 Months
Language Requirements: English Further Languages Of Advantage: Swahili Accommodation: Shared Accommodation, Host Family, Hotel |
Supervision Possible: Yes
Qualification Of Supervisor: Social Worker Minimum Qualification Of Intern: No formal qualification required Further Contribution To Project: No |
Volunteering Possible: Yes
Required Qualification For Volunteer: No Further Contribution To Project: None Expectations: Motivation, Do you have the "right" attitude? |
Accommodation in Moshi
In Moshi you can choose between accommodation of different standards:
Most popular! - This is the choice of most of our participants. You live in a shared apartment with other students (you can choose between 4-share dorm room, twin/double room, and single room) or in boarding of middle standards with a host family.
Comfort+ - For those who place emphasis on comfort: Accommodation at a Hotel or boarding of upper standards with a host family.
Adventurer - For simplest deals: Home stays of simple standards.
I. World Unite! Service Package
Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.
up to 31 Days | 32-60 Days | 61-90 Days | 91-120 Days | 5 Months or longer | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Person
|
450 EUR | 600 EUR | 700 EUR | 750 EUR | 850 EUR | |
2-4 Persons
(Rate per Person) |
400 EUR | 500 EUR | 600 EUR | 650 EUR | 700 EUR |
Convert rates to USD, GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies
The World Unite! Service Package includes:
- Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
- Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
- Preparation Session via Skype, together with further participants
- Arrangements for your Residence Permit or similar permit and other official permits (if required), but not the official government fees for it/them (See costs below)
- Pick-up and Transfers from/to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) on arrival and departure
- Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
- Orientation and Introduction in Moshi
- Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
- 24 Hours emergency support by local support team
- 50 USD Contribution to your project
- To compensate for the CO2 emissions of your long-haul flights: Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro
- Local SIM Card with 10,000 TSH air time
- Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university
- 15% Discount for Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Excursions and Watersports Activities offered by "Budget Safari Tanzania"
The Rates do NOT include:
- Accommodation and Meals (see below)
- Travel to/from Tanzania (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
- Official fees for Visa and Residence Permit (see below)
- Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
- Personal Expenses
- Vaccinations
- Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)
- Please note that for supervised/mentored internships, some organizations charge further contributions. You find this information in the "Info Box" below the respective internship description.
II. Accommodation Costs
You can choose between the following options:
All Rates in US-Dollar! Convert Currency | All durations of stay (1-365 Days) | |
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Shared House/Apartment or Hotel | ||
House/Apartment shared with other participants |
1 Person (Single Room) |
10 USD/Night |
2 Personen p.p. (Double/Twin Room) |
7 USD/Night | |
4-Share Dorm Room p.p. | 4.50 USD/Night | |
Hotel incl. Breakfast |
1 Person (Single Room) |
495 USD/Week
|
2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room) |
320 USD/Week
|
|
Host Family |
||
Host Family of Middle Standard on Full Board |
1 Person (Single Room) |
15 USD/Night |
2 Personen p.p. (Double/Twin Room) |
15 USD/Night | |
Host Family of High Standard on Full Board |
1 Person (Single Room) |
18 USD/Night |
2 Personen p.p. (Double/Twin Room) |
18 USD/Night | |
Host Family of Simple Standard on Full Board |
1 Person (Single Room) |
10 USD/Night |
2 Personen p.p. (Double/Twin Room) |
10 USD/Night |
In case of 3-4 person: Same rate as in case of 2 Persons. 5 or more persons: Contact us for group rates.
Overview of other costs:
- If meals are not included: around 110-200 USD/Monthfor self-catering (eating out at affordable yet good restaurants and/or cooking by yourself; you are much more flexible in this way compared to if we would serve food at your accommodation)
- Visa and Permits (mainland Tanzania): In case of stay of up to 90 days: Visa 50 USD; In case of stay of 91-180 days: Total visa costs 200 USD
- Small local expenses (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
- Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month
How do I pay?
Once all your questions have been answered and you confirm that you want to participate, we will email you an invoice. You can pay it via bank transfer, credit card or via Paypal. You will pay a deposit of 200 EUR / 250 USD when the invoice is issued. One months prior to your arrival you will pay the remainder for your Service Package.
The payment modalities for rent and possible further costs (e.g. internship supervision fees, as stated in info box of the respective project description) depend on your host country and placement. We will inform you beforehand. In many cases these costs are paid on site, but for some countries and placements they need to be paid partially or fully in advance.
Other Projects That Might Interest You:
These projects are suggestions for alternatives that may interest you or those that could be chosen as COMBINATIONS. The combination of projects in different organizations is often possible and usually cheaper than two individual bookings. Please contact us to know more! Check out our other listings in the areas of "World Learner" and "Active Travel" at your travel destination to make your stay even more interesting.
Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Day Trips, Watersports
As "Budget Safari Tanzania" we are arranging cost-effective yet high-quality safaris, Kilimanjaro climbs, excursions, and watersports activities in Tanzania and Zanzibar. You will group with other World Unite! participants and further travellers.
As a World Unite! participant, you get a 15% discount on all offers of Budget Safari Tanzania. We will share a Discount Code with you that you can use with the online booking of your safari, Kilimanjaro climb, excursion or watersports activity.
This is the Website of Budget Safari Tanzania.
Learning Swahili in Moshi!
It is always helpful to know Swahili while doing your project here. Swahili is a relatively easy language for participants and some start to follow it within the first few lessons. You can choose the intensity of the lesson. We would, however, recommend a maximum of ten hours per week. The lessons are conducted individually; in some cases, 2-3 participants with similar levels of knowledge may be given combined lessons. The number of participants does not affect the cost of the lessons.
The cost for Swahili lessons: 1 Student: 10 EUR
Please check "Language Training Required" in the registration form and specify your desired duration (minimum 20 hours).
Travel Health Insurance
We recommend the following travel insurance that is meant specifically for participants of internships, volunteering, language study, working holiday, and courses abroad. It is available for travelers of all nationalities and usable for all countries, except your home country. You can also add a journey liability insurance.
Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get a confirmation email.
Check out our video on Moshi!
In this video, tourism intern Iris and our team member Adelina show us around Moshi Town and the surrounding areas. Adelina and Themi, two of our coordinators, introduce themselves. We also meet the volunteers Pia, who collaborates with the Social Reality Tour, and Laura in their host family. Coffee Farmer Dennis talks about coffee and we see a few shots from a Maasai Village.
Moshi at Kilimanjaro
Moshi is a town in the north of Tanzania, at the foot of Kilimanjaro. Here, you are in the middle of Africa and deal with people like the Chagga and Maasai. The city has about 150,000 inhabitants; however, it appears - like many African cities - much smaller, owing to the fact that many unplanned settlements are spread over long distances outside the city. Furthermore, the majority of the population do not have the purchasing power that would make transactions comparable to for instance a European city of this size. Nevertheless, Moshi is a relatively well-developed city and all necessities may be found here - from ATMs to specialty stores, restaurants to small supermarkets.
Moshi is the starting point of all Kilimanjaro climbs and many safaris to the Northern National Parks of Tanzania start from here. Kilimanjaro International Airport is about 40 km from Moshi. Tourism and trade of coffee and bananas have contributed to the flourishing of the city.
The city lies at an altitude of 813 m and has a year-round climate that people from moderate climates consider to be very comfortable (compared to the humid heat that often prevails on the coast or on the islands).
HIV and AIDS are the biggest problem - it is estimated that up to 16 % of the population are HIV-positive. The resulting problems are the countless orphans and street children, neglected people of retirement age and sick people, about whom no one cares because of lack of money. The other problems are poverty-related - lack of access to education, health care, infrastructure, and destruction of environmental resources such as deforestation.
Things to do in Moshi
Moshi is conveniently situated for safaris in all the Northern National Parks of Tanzania; you can travel over a weekend (Tarangire, Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara) or a multi-day tour (incl. Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area, Lake Eyasi, Lake Victoria, Lake Natron). The Kilimanjaro rises directly in front of your door - for a climb you need physical fitness and 5-7 days’ time.
As a day trip, you can visit the Marangu Waterfall and the village of Marangu with coffee plantations, the even higher Materuni waterfall, the Arusha National Park, a Maasai village, Lake Chala, swim in volcanic hot springs and hike on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. In Moshi, there are several cafes, restaurants, internet cafes, bars, discos, swimming pool and even an open- air cinema with karaoke.
Getting To Moshi
You book your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). If the flights to Dar-es-Salaam (DAR) are much cheaper, you can also fly there and then book a separate connecting flight from DAR to JRO. From JRO airport, we pick you and take you to your accommodation in Moshi.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are there fixed start dates for the project, which I must adhere to?
No, you can arrive at any date and you can hence, plan your trip according to your availability and the prices of flights. We can pick you up from the airport even at night.
Can I stay longer at my accommodation after my volunteering/internship or arrive earlier?
Yes, this is possible and we will give you our best rates. Just let us know when you arrive and leave and we will let you know the costs.
During my stay, can I travel around the country?
Of course you can travel around, almost all of our participants do so. In Moshi and Zanzibar, we ourselves often offer day trips, for which you can join other volunteers and interns when you travel there. We share these trips with you in our monthly subscriber list and you can book them. Participants often organize on-site travel together. In Moshi and Zanzibar, you can stay at the same low rates as our Zanzibar or Moshi participants in accommodations provided by us. If you plan to travel during your volunteering/internship period, you should seek permission in advance. We recommend that you plan your travel after your volunteering/internship. For this, you can also stay longer in your accommodation at affordable rates.
Is it safe to travel in Tanzania alone as a single female traveller?
Approximately 80% of our participants are female and many of them, only about 20 years old. Not a single instance of a serious security breach has occurred. Our coordinator will advise you on how you should conduct yourself in order to avoid problems - your dressing style, valuables, and in dealing with local men. Our preparation materials elaborate on this matter. If you follow these basic rules that apply equally to many other places, the risk in Moshi is not great.
Will I be the only volunteer/intern in the project or in Moshi?
The total number of participants that participate simultaneously with an organization depends on the size and activity of the organization and responsibilities of volunteers/interns. We try to avoid too many volunteers/interns in an organization at the same time. It may be that you are alone in your work site, but usually there are, throughout the year, other participants in Moshi, who you can meet in your spare time, if you desire so. Moshi is a small town, where you walk around quite a bit. In addition, there are well-known places such as the Coffee Shops, where you actually meet with other participants. We also have regular meetings with all participants and you will get a list of participants in the country at the same time, with their contact information. You need not be worried about being "alone" in Moshi, nor should you avoid contact with the locals because you spend all your time with other foreign participants.
What vaccinations do I need?
Our Info-PDF that you get as a participant gives detailed information on health care. Also refer to Recommended Vaccinations
Where will I live?
You can find details in the tab "Accommodation".
Can I choose my accommodation?
We give you choices (Most popular!, Comfort +, Adventurer) and you can tell us if you prefer a shared accommodation or homestay; we will then seek an accommodation for you. We organise accommodation, taking into consideration the distance from your work site. However, since Moshi is not a very big city, is relatively easy to reach locations in other parts of the city by public transport ("Daladala") or by bike.
How free or bound am I in my accommodation with the host family?
With the host family, you can have your freedom, and do not need to join them during meal times or have any other obligations. If you will return late in the evening, you need to let them know in advance, so that they can unlock the doors for you (which are locked at night for security reasons). Bringing home casual acquaintances is taboo. They look to integrate our participants into their family life, but you can determine to what extent you want to be part of it.
Does my accommodation have internet facilities?
In Tanzania, Internet is accessed via the mobile phone networks. With smartphones, you can use the Internet. For laptops, there are USB modem sticks for about 10 EUR. There are no flat rates; you use data packets, depending on your needs. You might consume 2 GB of data in a week, which costs about 4.50 EUR. In the centers of cities (Moshi Town, Dar-es-Salaam, Mwanza, Zanzibar Town, Karatu, etc.), the connection is good, the speed is satisfactory and sufficient for Skype phone calls. In the suburbs and in the country, there is connection, but usually almost impossible or very slow and unreliable. We will provide you information on the use of mobile Internet in Tanzania. At Twiga Home, internet is available to our participants at a small additional fee.
How can I do my laundry?
In general, laundry is washed by hand in Tanzania. You can ask your landlord or host family if they have someone who can wash your clothes. Usually, someone offers that to you for a small fee. Please ask your local supervisor, what the appropriate thing to do is. You can use the washing machine at Twiga Home, even if you live elsewhere, for a small fee.
I am a vegetarian. Can I get vegetarian food?
Tanzania is a meat-eating country and Tanzanians do not usually understand that someone who could afford meat and who is not sick, volunteered to give up meat; but the host families are familiar with participants, and understand that some are vegetarians, and prepare appropriate food. In Dar-es-Salaam, there are Indian vegetarian restaurants, with a wide choice of dishes. In the market, there are a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. Special dietary needs (e.g. Vegan, allergies to certain foods) can be expressed to the host families, and many foods are available in the supermarket.
What language skills do I need?
You should be able to make yourself understood in English. The national language of Tanzania is Swahili, but knowledge of English is widespread, especially among people who have a better education or work in tourism. In everyday life, there is usually no problem to be able to communicate in English; if you should come across someone who can not speak English, you can almost immediately find someone who offers to translate in English. If you are in a social project for a longer duration, you will have to deal with people who have little or no education. For this, it is useful to acquire at least a basic knowledge of Swahili before your arrival through any book (or audio CD). You can also take basic Swahili lessons while on site. We also have vocabulary lists with useful words that can help you.