Lutindi Mental Hospital is a private psychiatric hospital in the Usambara Mountains, which has been under German direction since 1896. There is a particular focus on Occupational Therapy. Many patients have problems with substance abuse. Internships, elective placements and volunteering is possible for students and professionals of medicine, nursing, psychology, social work and occupational therapy.
Lutindi Mental Hospital
Lutindi Mental Hospital is located near Korogwe in the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania, which is between Moshi and Daressalam; around 4 hours by bus from Moshi or 7 hours from Daressalam.
It is probably Tanzania's psychiatric hospital of highest standards. As opposed to other mental hospitals in the country, Lutindi is putting a lot of effort into occupational therapy.
The private hospital was founded in 1896 by German missionaries and became a mental hospital as early as in 1904. It is financially supported by foreign church organizations (United Evangelical Mission) and since its inception has been directed by German mental health specialists in cooperation with German psychiatric organizations. Lutindi Mental Hospital is affiliated with Sebastian Kolowa Memorial University in Lushoto/Tanzania, which has a Bachelor Program in Mental Health and also a one-year specialization course in Psychiatry for clinical officers. Both courses were developed in cooperation with the Bethel Foundation Germany and psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Albert Diefenbacher, director of Hospital Königin Elisabeth Herzberger Berlin.
The hospital is located in the Tanga region within the plain nature of the Usambara mountains, surrounded by farm land, which also belongs to the hospital. It is only reachable by a steep, winded road on a mountain, around 13 km outside the town of Korogwe. Three villages with a total population of around 3000 are reachable by foot. This location, which differs a lot from the big city life of Dar-es-Salaam or Arusha where most of the patients come from, and which therefore is a big change of location and lifestyle, is fundamental to the recovery process of the patients. It is the hospital's aim to involve the patients who suffer from mental problems including substance abuse, psychosis or schizophrenia, into a fixed daily schedule of countryside-life activities.
Activities carried out as part of occupational therapy include tea farming (harvesting twice per week, processing, packaging), the production of sisal products (door mats, etc.) carpentry and wood work, animal keeping, cheese-making, and gardening. The hospital runs its own tea plantation and tea factory. Sisal fibers are first spun, dyed and then woven to mats, baskets, hats etc. The farm has cows whose milk is processed to cheese, and there is cultivation of fruits and vegetables. All of these products are sold at various shops, including the Dar-es-Salaam airport shop, and at church shops in Europe.
The hospital has 120 beds (90 for males and 30 for females) and the patients are from all over Tanzania. Often they are referred by public hospitals to Lutindi, but many are also brought directly by family members.
New patients usually spend their first 2 weeks at the closed inpatient department where they are treated with medicines. Afterwards they start Occupational Therapy activities according to their interest. The total duration of stay is usually 2 months. Around 450 in-patients are treated every year at Lutindi, including repeat patients.
At Lutindi Mental Hospital there are 2 nursing officers, 2 clinical officers and 2 social workers. Most of these professionals are relatively young and have started their job at Lutindi in 2016 when several previous team members got retired.
Lutindi also runs a psychiatric outpatient clinic at the town of Korogwe, which is often attended by former in-patients. Korogwe is located half way between Dar-es-Salaam and Arusha/Moshi along one of Tanzania's main highways and is therefore easily reachable by public transport. The outpatient clinic is open 3 days per week and serves around 5000 outpatients per year.
The hospital furthermore operates its own medical dispensary, which not only serves the hospital's own patients, but also the people of the neighbouring villages. Every year, around 50 births are given at the dispensary.
Internships/Elective placements are possible for students of medicine, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy and social work. They shadow a professional of their area of interest and are given small tasks to perform under supervision.
These include:
* Participation in the morning report
* Participation in new admissions
* Daily ward rounds
* Drug management
* Participation in group counselling (3 times per week for drug addicts, which are around 30% of the patients), done by the social workers
* Participation in one-to-one counselling (twice per week done by clinical officers)
* Participation in group counselling for patients with schizophrenia/psychosis (saturdays)
* Assisting at the outpatients' clinic in Korogwe (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday with nursing officers)
* Working with patients at occupational therapy activities (e.g. tea factory, farm etc)
* Participation in new admissions
* Daily ward rounds
* Drug management
* Participation in group counselling (3 times per week for drug addicts, which are around 30% of the patients), done by the social workers
* Participation in one-to-one counselling (twice per week done by clinical officers)
* Participation in group counselling for patients with schizophrenia/psychosis (saturdays)
* Assisting at the outpatients' clinic in Korogwe (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday with nursing officers)
* Working with patients at occupational therapy activities (e.g. tea factory, farm etc)
The minimum duration of an internship is 3 weeks. The social workers, clinical officers and nursing officers all speak English and also some of the patients. Anyway it is useful to learn some Swahili prior to your internship.
To interns, the hospital provides accommodation of good standard on full board. The weekly contribution to be paid directly to Lutindi Mental Hospital including internship supervision, accommodation (double room) and full board is 120 EUR.
Info Box
Location: Lutindi (near Korogwe, Tanga province)
Availability: whole year, flexible start dates Minimum duration: 3 weeks Maximum duration: 12 months
Language requirements: English Further languages of advantage: Swahili Accommodation: Guest rooms on the hospital campus Krankenhausgelände (Twin rooms of good standard) |
Supervision possible: yes
Qualification supervisor: Physicians, psychiatric nurses, social worker. Minimum qualification intern: Pre-medical/nursing studend or student Further contribution to the project: Yes, 120 EUR per week incl. accommodation and full board. |
Volunteering possible: Yes
Expected qualification of volunteer: professional skills/experience Further contribution to the project: Yes, 120 EUR per week incl. accommodation and full board. We expect: Professional work attitude, the "right" attitude |
You can be accommodated at guest rooms on the hospital campus on full board. The rate is 120 EUR per week.
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 | ||
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1 Person
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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 |
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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 flight: 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 find accommodation costs in the tab "Accommodation".
Overview of other costs:
- If meals are not included: around 110-200 USD/Month for 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: Visa total 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.
Getting to Lutindi Mental Hospital
You either fly to Daressalam (DAR) or to Kilimanjaro (JRO).
If you fly to Daressalam (DAR), we will pick you up from the airport, you will meet our coordinator and you get your orientation. It is probably necessary to stay in Daressalam for one night; we can arrange accommodation for you (hotel from USD 25). You will then take a bus from Daressalam to Korogwe (takes around 7 hours, ca. 30,000 TSH). The buses only depart in the morning until around 9:30am. In Korogwe you will be picked up from the bus by a staff member of the hospital who will drive you to Lutindi (takes around 45 min).
If you fly to Kilimanjaro (JRO), we will pick you up from the airport and bring you to Moshi where you will meet our coordinator and where you will get your orientation. You will then take a bus from Moshi to Korogwe (takes around 4 hours, ca. 30,000 TSH). It is probably necessary to stay in Moshi for one night, as the buses only depart in the mornings until around 9:30 am (Accommodation costs from around 12 usd). In Korogwe a staff member of the hospital will pick you up from the bus and will drive you to Lutindi (takes around 45 min).
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.