0
You have no items in your shopping cart.
  $ 

Select your language

     

Teaching and Childcare in Zanzibar

Duration

1 - 12 weeks

Language requirements

English

Availability

All year 

Age

16+

Price starts with

590 EUR

Type of program

Volunteering or Internship

We arrange volunteering and internship placements in teaching and childcare at various schools and kindergartens in Zanzibar.
Description

Heroes Community Academy

The Heroes Community Academy is a private school run by a non-profit NGO in the Fuoni suburb of Zanzibar Town. It aims to provide higher educational standards than the government schools. While government schools have up to 200 children in a class, making it impossible for teachers to address the needs of individual students, the Heroes Community Academy limits class size to 35. The school follows the state curriculum but offers extracurricular afternoon activities. Except for Swahili, Arabic, and Religion, all subjects are taught in English. The subjects offered include English, Math, Geography, Science, ICT, Religion, Swahili, Arabic, and PE (swimming, football, and netball). The extracurricular activities, which are also open to teenagers from the neighborhood who are not students at the Heroes Community Academy, include foreign language classes such as German, Spanish, and French, the Computer Club, the Book Club, and the Pen Pal Club, making it possible for youth to communicate with teenagers abroad in writing.

Half of the students are from difficult family backgrounds and do not have to pay school fees. The other half pays school fees. The school has about 180 students aged 2 to 15 years. In the primary school, you often find teenagers who are much older than typical primary school students. Since they have often not attended school for many years, they need to catch up on primary school content.

There are currently 12 primary school-aged children with intellectual disabilities who spend their days at the NGO's center. You can play with them or teach them outside of formal lessons. There is no qualified special education program at the institution yet.

As a volunteer or intern, you can independently or supportively participate in formal teaching and afternoon activities. Besides teaching, if you want to get further involved, you can join many activities with the NGO that will be introduced to you on-site. These include a bike workshop, a tailoring workshop, a chicken farm and a vegetable farm used for training purposes, a job placement service for young adults, workshops on various topics relevant to teenagers, and support for the NGO in administration, marketing, and fundraising.


St. Monica Kindergarten and Primary School

The Anglican Church runs a kindergarten and a primary and secondary school in the heart of the historic old town of Zanzibar Town. The kindergarten currently has about 30 children aged 4-6 years, and the school has about 105 children aged 7-15 years. School hours vary by grade level, from about 8 a.m. to 12 or 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also get involved beyond regular school hours by participating in organizational and administrative tasks in the afternoons.

Volunteers or interns can help in both the kindergarten and the school, or combine both. Although the institution is run by the church, religious education plays a minor role, and many Muslim children attend the school and kindergarten. Instruction is usually in English, so you can easily follow the lessons.


Montessori Kindergarten and Primary School

The Montessori Kindergarten and Primary School, along with a residential building for boarding students, is located in Mangapwani. Participants can help in both the kindergarten and the school, as well as care for the approximately 20 children who live in the boarding house.

In the school and kindergarten, you usually teach in English. The focus is on playfully conveying content to the children, e.g., through English children's songs or educational games. The kindergarten currently has about 50 children aged 4-6 years, and the school has about 60 children aged 7-15 years. School hours are from about 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through Friday.

In the afternoons and, if desired, on weekends, you can offer recreational activities for the children who live in the boarding house. The children are housed in the facility for various social reasons until they can be reintegrated into a family structure. The care of these children is financed by the school fees of the Montessori students. You can come up with playful and sports activities for the children and go on discovery tours to the nearby beach. Former volunteers have also organized excursions to the Jozani Forest for the children. In addition, you can organize workshops independently, e.g., on topics such as recycling, environmental protection, hygiene, etc.

School holidays are two weeks before the major holidays of Christmas, Easter, and Eid-Al-Fitr. During school-free times, you can get more involved in childcare and recreational activities for the children living at Montessori Bububu.

Program details

Rates

Who can join

Anyone who wants to get involved can participate. Previous teaching experience is not required.

Program start

Arrival in Zanzibar is possible every Wednesday.

Getting there

You book a flight to Zanzibar (ZNZ). At the airport we will pick you up and bring you to your accommodation (if included in your package or booked separately). Please share your flight details with us.

From some countries, flights to Dar-es-Salaam (DAR) might be cheaper. From DAR you might book a separate connecting flight to ZNZ.

Visa

Volunteer Visa: 50 USD (for most nationals; to buy on arrival at the airport in Tanzania; only US citizens pay 100 USD; we will send you an invitation letter that you show on arrival in order to get the correct visa) + Work Permit 200 USD (we arrange it through the Zanzibar Labour Office)

For entry into Zanzibar, a mandatory health insurance is required, for which a one-time fee of 44 USD applies for any duration of stay of up to 90 days.

Accommodation Options

Zanzibar Town

Shared Accommodation

We operate two World Unite! shared apartments in Zanzibar Town. If you choose shared accommodation, we will assign one to you based on availability and proximity to your internship or volunteering location. Both flat shares offer a comparable standard of accommodation. One apartment is located in Baghani, and the other one is in Migombani.

Migombani

The spacious apartment in Migombani is located on the 2nd upper floor with views of the blue ocean. It has its own kitchen, toilets, bathrooms, and a communal living room. There is also a spacious garden. You can choose between 4-share rooms (each with 2 bunk beds), double rooms, and single rooms. The 4-share rooms have their own en-suite bathrooms, while the double/single rooms share a bathroom and toilet with other residents. The beds/bedrooms are equipped with mosquito nets, a wardrobe or chest of drawers, and a fan. Bed linen is provided, but please bring your own towels. The bathrooms have western flush toilets and cold showers, which can be refreshing given the temperatures in Zanzibar. The shared kitchens are equipped with electric or gas stoves and a basic set of kitchen utensils for cooking and eating. The shared living room has a sofa and dining table. There is also a communal washing machine in the house. For security purposes, the windows are barred, and a night watchman is present at night. Shopping and dining options are within easy walking distance.

Baghani

The Baghani apartment is located on the first floor of a historic building in the Baghani area of Stone Town. It offers four fully furnished bedrooms suitable for single and double occupancy. The kitchen is equipped with a gas and electric stove, refrigerator, and functional kitchen equipment. There are two bathrooms with cold showers and western water toilets. Bed linen is provided, but please bring your own towels. Each room has a ceiling fan and mosquito nets. There are many dining options available in Stone Town.

 

Host Families

Staying with a host family provides you with a unique opportunity to gain a more in-depth insight into the culture and society of Zanzibar. We collaborate with several host families in Zanzibar Town who can be described as belonging to the upper-middle class of Zanzibar. Most of our participants consider their houses to be absolutely suitable to be accommodated at. The houses often have two tiled bathrooms, one for the use of the parents of the family, and another one for the children and guests like yourself. Please note that hot water may not always be available. The houses are equipped with either Western-style toilets or Arab squat toilets with flushing water.

The host families provide two meals per day, typically breakfast and dinner, which usually consist of Zanzibari-Arabic dishes. Breakfast may include deep-fried donuts and chapati, while dinner often features pilau rice and biryani, accompanied by tea, boiled water, or homemade fruit juice. Vegetarian meals are available upon request. The families typically employ domestic helpers to assist with cooking, cleaning, and laundry. They usually have a fridge that you can also use. In the living rooms of these families, you will often find decorative Arabic curtains, ornamental objects, a stereo system, and a large flat-screen TV. Additionally, the families may own a used Japanese car. However, in order to purchase those items, the family often had to make savings during many years, and the family may, even though it might not look like that, still face financial difficulties, such as financing their children's higher education. They often only use the car for absolutely necessary journeys as petrol is expensive.


Rural Zanzibar

Host families in Muungoni

Accommodation in Muungoni is usually in a small house of simple traditional standards, on the grounds of the Zala Park. This has a bedroom, bathroom and a lounge. The bedroom has 2 beds with mosquito nets; the windows are equipped with mosquito nets and metal bars for protection. The bathroom has a flush toilet and a cold shower with running water. The lounge has a table, book shelves, chairs, and a view of the park. The house, like most houses in Muungoni, do not have electricity; it is possible to charge phones, laptops, etc. in the house in the neighborhood, belonging to Park Head Mohammed, where there is electricity. The food is cooked by Mohammed's wife, Mariam and brought you; there is Zanzibarian food like chapati, rice, beans, spinach, fish, Pilau, etc. You can also learn how to prepare these dishes from Mariam. There are always many children and neighbors outside and around the house, as is common in Africa; so, you need not have any anxiety about not finding connections with people. You will soon find yourself part of the village community! There are employees and security guards from Zala Park, watching over the household day and night. If we have two participants of the same sex, you share a room; we would inform you of this in advance.

If required, we can also organize accommodations of simple standards with host families in the village of Muungoni. Please be aware that there are only simple standards in the village; the houses usually have no electricity or running water. Water must be fetched by bucket from a well. For participants who are looking for an experience of rural Africa, Muungoni is a perfect place.

Extras

Extras Swahili


Swahili Lessons

Although Swahili knowledge is not a requirement for your participation, basic Swahili skills can make communication easier on-site. The language is relatively simple to learn. The lessons are offered as private instruction in Zanzibar Town by young Swahili teachers. You can decide the intensity of your lessons and book a certain number of hours (1 hour = 60 minutes) under "Extras." If you plan to take Swahili lessons alongside your internship or volunteering, we recommend a maximum of 10 hours per week.

Extras SUP


SUP Sunset Tour

Stand-up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a fun and easy-to-learn water sport. At least twice a month, we organize a SUP Sunset Tour for our program participants through the calm mangroves of Chukwani, located about 20 minutes from our accommodations in Zanzibar Town. A guide will introduce you to the rich mangrove ecosystem as you enjoy a breathtaking sunset on your paddleboard. Light snacks and drinks are included. The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours. You will receive the schedule of tours available during your stay after booking.

Book or Send an Inquiry

Selected program price
Choose Base Package
Choose Extension Time and Extras

Extension 1 week incl. dorm room accommodation (shared) without meals

+ 90.00 €

Extension 1 week incl. twin room accommodation (shared) without meals

+ 120.00 €

Extension 1 week incl. single room accommodation without meals

+ 150.00 €

Extension 1 week incl. host family accommodation with 2 meals/day

+ 210.00 €

Swahili language lessons (private tutor, on-site or remote), per 1 hour (minimum 20 hours)

+ 10.00 €

Sunset SUP tour (Zanzibar Town)

+ 40.00 €
Select start date
Further Wishes/Comments:
Characters written: 0
Number of Persons:

Send us an inquiry! Your details above will be used. You'll hear from us as soon as possible.
Your name*
Your email*
Your instant messenger number or ID
WhatsApp Line Messenger Instagram
Your phone number
Your preferred contact method
Email Instant Messaging Phone
I agree that my information from the contact form will be collected and processed to respond to my inquiry. The data will be deleted after the inquiry has been fully processed. Note: You may withdraw your consent at any time for the future by emailing info@world-unite.de. Detailed information on the handling of user data can be found in our privacy policy

What is included?

VM_WHAT_IS_INCLUDED?
  • Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
  • Access to the World Unite! Knowledge Base which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination
  • Preparation Session via Zoom together with further participants
  • Arrangements for your Residence Permit, Work 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 Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) on arrival and departure
  • Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
  • Orientation and Introduction in Zanzibar
  • Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
  • 24 Hours emergency support by local support team
  • 50 USD Contribution to your project
  • CO2 compensation of your long-haul flights: Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro
  • Local SIM Card
  • 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"

Not included?

VM_WHAT_IS_NOT_INCLUDED?
  • Accommodation and Meals
  • Travel to/from Zanzibar (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
  • Official fees for visa and work permit; details on the costs under 'Visa'
  • Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
  • Personal Expenses
  • Vaccinations
  • Local Transport

INSIGHT

5 REASONS why to join
this program
 

Contribute to the education and personal development of children in Zanzibar - and have fun with them!

 

Your program participation also supports your financially

 

Improve your intercultural skills

 

Explore the beaches and culture of Zanzibar in your free time

 

Develop yourself personally and professionally

contact kareen

Questions?

your consultant for this program is

Kareen Leodgard

(she/her)

lightbulb 


Did you know that you can earn academic credits by joining any of our volunteering abroad programs? Read more.