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Social Work in Zanzibar

Duration

1 - 12 weeks

Language requirements

English

Availability

All year

Age

18+

Price starts with

480 EUR

Type of program

Volunteering or Internship

We arrange volunteer placements and internships in various non-profit social work organizations in Zanzibar. These organizations are dedicated to improving the socioeconomic status of children, youth, young adults, and families through programs in housing, education, vocational training, job placement, and income-generating measures, as well as providing life counseling.
Description

Family Support Program

A non-profit foundation focuses on improving the lives of children and their families through educational support, health services, and empowerment programs in the Jumbi/Tunguu district of Zanzibar Town. Its mission is to ensure that no child is left behind due to their socioeconomic status. The foundation employs cognitive, behavioral, and educational approaches to enhance academic success and foster better future prospects.

The foundation's primary activity is a family support program involving around 30 families. Staff members regularly visit families in the afternoons to support children struggling academically, helping to improve their learning and build their confidence. During these visits, the overall living situation of the family is evaluated, with counseling and medical support organized as needed. To promote family stability, the organization conducts empowerment initiatives, including sewing courses, adult education, and mental health support, addressing basic needs and fostering self-sufficiency. The aim is to break the cycle of poverty and build stronger, more resilient families.

The foundation was founded by a graduate of the Master of Social Work program at Regis College in the USA. It collaborates closely with local schools and non-governmental organizations.

As a volunteer or intern, you will accompany local staff in the afternoons, and later possibly work independently with families, helping children with their homework and teaching English and math. You will also observe the family's situation and discuss your findings with the social worker to develop solutions together.

A qualified internship supervisor in social work can be provided by the foundation's director. The minimum duration for participation is six weeks.


Transition House

Another foundation runs a transitional housing facility in Zanzibar for young adults aged 18 and older who previously lived in state orphanages but were not adequately prepared for independent living. The facility provides a safe living environment and supports residents in achieving personal and professional independence, helping them integrate into society. This includes mentoring and financial support, such as covering school fees, educational materials, insurance, living expenses, and medical visits. The foundation also arranges vocational training, such as becoming a preschool teacher, car mechanic, or electrician. Over ten years, 57 young adults have benefited from this program and transitioned to independent living.

Additionally, the foundation implements women's empowerment programs, teaching skills that enable economic independence.

The foundation also trains young adults as Swahili teachers and tour guides. If you book Swahili lessons with World Unite!, your teacher will be one trained by this foundation.

Your activities as a volunteer or intern will be coordinated in advance with the organization’s Canadian director, a qualified mental health-focused nurse. Typically, you will spend time mentoring the residents, assisting with activities promoting their independence, and contributing to administrative tasks, communication, or fundraising.

The minimum duration for volunteering or interning in this organization is two weeks. Qualified internship supervision can be offered in social work, education, and healthcare. An additional one-time fee of EUR 100 applies (independent from the duration of your placement) if you wish to volunteer or do an internship at this facility. Please select "Additional Fee for Transition House" under the extras in the online booking.


Afternoon Care at the Children’s Home

A non-profit organisation operates a children's home in Jumbi, Zanzibar, on behalf of the Zanzibari authorities. This children’s home accommodates 46 children aged 6-18, providing a family-like environment with shelter, education, healthcare, and psychological support to help them reach their full potential. These children and adolescents come from challenging backgrounds, including parental death, extreme poverty, neglect, or sexual abuse.

The children attend public school in the mornings but often need remedial education due to their previous life circumstances. For example, some 11-year-olds have never attended school, or teenagers may have the academic level of primary school students. Some children also have ADHD or dyslexia. Volunteers visit the children’s home in the afternoons to provide tutoring.

Additionally, the foundation runs an education and networking platform aimed at facilitating vocational training and employment opportunities for youth, focusing on hospitality skills. It also offers a scholarship program for young adults in Zanzibar to pursue higher education. The foundation provides underprivileged women with employment opportunities at the children’s home.

The foundation was established and is led by a Kuwaiti woman with an MBA from Swansea University in the UK.

As a volunteer or intern, you typically work from 2 PM until the children's bedtime, for about 30-40 hours per week. You assist with homework, tutoring, and recreational activities while acting as a positive role model. You may also support the hospitality training program and oversee the children’s home operations, assisting the director with administrative and management tasks.

The minimum duration for volunteering in this organization is four weeks.


Training Clubs and Teaching in Fuoni District

Another foundation operates in Zanzibar's Fuoni district, providing children and youth from low-income families with practical learning opportunities for school, life, and career.

The foundation's community academy offers evening courses from 4-9 PM for children, youth, and young adults aged 8 and above. Subjects include foreign languages (English and Arabic are always available; other languages depend on the skills of on-site volunteers), math, science, computer skills, geography, history, Kiswahili, and religion.

The organization runs small enterprises for training purposes, including as two bicycle repair shops, a catering service and a farm where chickens and ducks are raised, and vegetables are cultivated. These are managed by students, allowing them to gain technical and business skills in areas such as bike repair, cooking, agriculture and cooking, as well as financial management. The foundation also operates a job board and connects graduates with employers in Zanzibar while encouraging self-employment through its microfinance program. The youth-led clubs also generate funds to support the foundation's educational programs.

In January 2020, the foundation opened a primary school in Fuoni, serving students from kindergarten to fourth grade. The school employs eight individuals who previously completed the foundation's training programs. The primary school offers scholarships to about 10% of its students and provides flexible fees for others to ensure education is accessible to all. The center also runs a daycare for some preschool-aged children with special needs, attended by around 10 students from Monday to Friday.

The organization was founded in 2006 by a local who as a teenager had been expelled from public school due to poor performance and lived on the streets. Inspired by volunteer tutors who taught him English and other subjects, when he was only 18, decided to help other children and youth in similar situations. He is well-known in Fuoni as the go-to person for children, youth, or families in precarious situations, addressing their needs through the foundation's programs or referring them to other organizations.

As a volunteer, you can support ongoing courses by assisting local teachers in subjects such as English or any of the offered subjects at any time. If teaching another foreign language (e.g., German, French, or Spanish), you should commit to at least four weeks and independently teach the basics of that language.

You can also contribute to youth and young adult clubs by teaching skills in areas such as:

  • Bicycle repair (two bicycle repair shops are operated by the NGO)
  • Repair of household appliances and furniture
  • Raising chickens and ducks, as well as cultivating crops
  • Business skills, including finance, accounting, marketing, sales, administration, and product design
  • Girls' Club: Workshops on hygiene, body awareness, sexual education, dental hygiene, etc.

  • Volunteers can also support the organization in administration, preparing reports, communicating with donors and partners, updating websites, budget planning, and meeting preparation.

    The minimum duration for volunteering in this organization is one week.


    Booking Process

    If you are flexible regarding the choice of the organization to volunteer or intern with, you can book directly online, and we will assign you to one of the organizations listed here.

    You can also send us a non-binding inquiry first. In the case of a mandatory internship for your studies or vocational training, please provide us with the requirements (e.g., total number of hours or specific requirements for internship supervision) and send your CV/resume in English. We can only confirm the availability of a specific organization once we have inquired there on your behalf using your details and CV/resume.

    Program details

    Rates

    Who can join

    Anyone passionate about the activities of these organizations and eager to contribute can participate.

    Program start

    The stay can begin on any Wednesday in Zanzibar. We need to have your start date confirmed by the host organization.

    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

    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.

    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.

    Read more

    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 €

    Additional Fee for Transition House (one-time fee)

    + 100.00 €

    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
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    What is included?

    VM_WHAT_IS_INCLUDED?
    • Arrangement of your internship/volunteer placement
    • Accommodation with/without meals (as booked)
    • 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
    • Project contributions
    • 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?
    • Meals (if not part of your selected accommodation type)
    • 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)
    • Personal Expenses
    • Vaccinations

    INSIGHT

    5 REASONS why to join
    this program
     

    Broaden your horizons and knowledge in education and social work

     

    Develop intercultural skills

     

    Live in shared housing with other participants or with a local host family

     

    Experience life on a tropical paradise island in the Indian Ocean

     

    Support children, youth, young adults, and families

    contact kareen

    Questions?

    your consultant for this program is

    Kareen Leodgard

    (she/her)

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