Where
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
When
Departures every week, all year round (excluding holiday closures)
Duration
From 1 week
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in the volunteer house, with meals included
Language
Basic English is enough
Ideal for
Anyone who enjoys spending time with younger children, getting creative and getting to know everyday life in a Tanzanian neighbourhood
Project details
A school project at the heart of daily life in Dar es Salaam
In Madale, in the hills just outside the city, many kindergartens have large classes and limited resources. The local teachers do their best, but there's often little time to give each child the attention they need at this early stage.
That's where this project comes in: giving the youngest children a bit more play, attention and creative input, with English and creative activities woven into their everyday learning.
You'll work alongside the teachers in lessons, suggest games, songs and drawing activities, and help with the day-to-day care of the children. Practical, simple work that brings real value to the school and lets you live the community from the inside.
That's where this project comes in: giving the youngest children a bit more play, attention and creative input, with English and creative activities woven into their everyday learning.
You'll work alongside the teachers in lessons, suggest games, songs and drawing activities, and help with the day-to-day care of the children. Practical, simple work that brings real value to the school and lets you live the community from the inside.
Learn through play with the children of Madale
A school project at the heart of daily life in Dar es Salaam
In Madale, in the hills just outside the city, many kindergartens have large classes and limited resources. The local teachers do their best, but there's often little time to give each child the attention they need at this early stage.
That's where this project comes in: giving the youngest children a bit more play, attention and creative input, with English and creative activities woven into their everyday learning.
You'll work alongside the teachers in lessons, suggest games, songs and drawing activities, and help with the day-to-day care of the children. Practical, simple work that brings real value to the school and lets you live the community from the inside.
That's where this project comes in: giving the youngest children a bit more play, attention and creative input, with English and creative activities woven into their everyday learning.
You'll work alongside the teachers in lessons, suggest games, songs and drawing activities, and help with the day-to-day care of the children. Practical, simple work that brings real value to the school and lets you live the community from the inside.
Why participate
Help children grow with confidence
Support the teachers and families, helping the youngest children pick up English and grow more confident through games, songs and creative activities.
Why participate
Help children grow with confidence
Support the teachers and families, helping the youngest children pick up English and grow more confident through games, songs and creative activities.
See everyday life in Madale
It's not just about the schools, you'll be part of neighbourhood life, get to know the local community and share moments most travellers never see.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, your days are split between activities at the kindergarten, creative play with the children and helping with everyday care like meals and nap time.
Mornings are mostly dedicated to songs, movement and basic teaching, while afternoons cover quieter activities and planning the next day's lessons with the local coordinators.
There's also time to socialise with the other participants and join evening activities at the centre.
07:00Breakfast at the house and getting ready for the day
08:30In the classroom: supporting the teachers, educational games and basic English
11:00Break with the children, free play and outdoor games
12:30Back to the house for a shared lunch with the other participants
15:00Planning the next day's activities and materials with the coordinators
18:30Dinner, free time, or evening group activities (films, games, BBQ or bonfire)
Weekend
Weekends are free of set activities. You can explore the area, plan a short trip, or just take it easy with the other volunteers.
Relax at Coco Beach
Walk along the city's favourite local beach, try some street food and enjoy an afternoon of sun and music.
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FAQs
During your stay in Madale you'll live at the volunteer house, set in the hills just outside central Dar es Salaam. The accommodation is simple but practical, with everything you need to be comfortable and safe while staying close to local life. Rooms are shared (2–8 people), separated by gender and lockable, with beds, linen provided and fans to keep the air moving. Bathrooms are shared and there's no hot water.
There's no Wi-Fi at the house, but you can pick up a local SIM easily to stay in touch.
The common areas, dining room, lounge spaces and courtyard, are the heart of daily life: where you'll meet the other participants for shared meals, evening activities or just to swap stories after a busy day. A laundry service is available on request for a small extra fee, and drinking water is always available. Around the house you'll find small shops, banks, a pharmacy and other essentials, so you don't need to head into the city for the basics.
Meals are included: three a day on weekdays and two at weekends. The menu is simple, prepared with fresh local ingredients, with typical Tanzanian dishes like rice, vegetables, pulses, and meat or fish when available. Dietary requirements can be flagged in advance so the staff can adapt the meals.
The volunteer house isn't just somewhere to sleep, it's a social space where you'll make friends, share experiences and feel part of an international community, alongside other young people from all over the world.
🛏️ What's included:
- Shared rooms (2–8 people, lockable)
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water always available
- A fan in every room
- Ongoing 24/7 support from the local team
- Common areas for socialising and relaxing
- Laundry service on request (small fee)
- Quiet, safe setting close to the project
There's no Wi-Fi at the house, but you can pick up a local SIM easily to stay in touch.
The common areas, dining room, lounge spaces and courtyard, are the heart of daily life: where you'll meet the other participants for shared meals, evening activities or just to swap stories after a busy day. A laundry service is available on request for a small extra fee, and drinking water is always available. Around the house you'll find small shops, banks, a pharmacy and other essentials, so you don't need to head into the city for the basics.
Meals are included: three a day on weekdays and two at weekends. The menu is simple, prepared with fresh local ingredients, with typical Tanzanian dishes like rice, vegetables, pulses, and meat or fish when available. Dietary requirements can be flagged in advance so the staff can adapt the meals.
The volunteer house isn't just somewhere to sleep, it's a social space where you'll make friends, share experiences and feel part of an international community, alongside other young people from all over the world.
🛏️ What's included:
- Shared rooms (2–8 people, lockable)
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water always available
- A fan in every room
- Ongoing 24/7 support from the local team
- Common areas for socialising and relaxing
- Laundry service on request (small fee)
- Quiet, safe setting close to the project
Your safety is something we take seriously. All our programmes in Dar es Salaam are chosen with care to give you a welcoming, well-supported environment, both at the schools where you'll work and at the volunteer house.
🔹 Background checks and safe spaces
To keep children and local communities safe, every participant is asked to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. We'll send you clear instructions on how to request it.
🔹 Trusted local partners
We only work with schools and communities that regularly host international volunteers, in well-organised settings. The volunteer house is in a quiet area of Madale, with lockable rooms and the local team always on hand. Our partners host hundreds of volunteers every year and are set up to give you a safe, organised welcome.
🔹 24/7 support
From your arrival through to the end of the programme, you can count on the local staff being available, evenings and weekends included. Our UK team is also reachable on WhatsApp whenever you need us.
🔹 Briefing and orientation
Before you travel, you'll get a guide with all the practical info on culture, behaviour and safety. Once you arrive, you'll join an orientation session with the local team covering rules, context and good practice.
🔹 A few sensible habits
Tanzania is welcoming and friendly, but as in any big city a few simple habits go a long way:
- Avoid going out on your own at night, especially in quieter or poorly lit areas.
- Travel with other volunteers when you can.
- Always follow your local coordinator's advice on areas and transport.
💡 Our aim is to give you a calm, well-supported experience, so you can focus on what really matters: spending time, sharing skills and learning alongside the local community.
🔹 Background checks and safe spaces
To keep children and local communities safe, every participant is asked to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. We'll send you clear instructions on how to request it.
🔹 Trusted local partners
We only work with schools and communities that regularly host international volunteers, in well-organised settings. The volunteer house is in a quiet area of Madale, with lockable rooms and the local team always on hand. Our partners host hundreds of volunteers every year and are set up to give you a safe, organised welcome.
🔹 24/7 support
From your arrival through to the end of the programme, you can count on the local staff being available, evenings and weekends included. Our UK team is also reachable on WhatsApp whenever you need us.
🔹 Briefing and orientation
Before you travel, you'll get a guide with all the practical info on culture, behaviour and safety. Once you arrive, you'll join an orientation session with the local team covering rules, context and good practice.
🔹 A few sensible habits
Tanzania is welcoming and friendly, but as in any big city a few simple habits go a long way:
- Avoid going out on your own at night, especially in quieter or poorly lit areas.
- Travel with other volunteers when you can.
- Always follow your local coordinator's advice on areas and transport.
💡 Our aim is to give you a calm, well-supported experience, so you can focus on what really matters: spending time, sharing skills and learning alongside the local community.
🧭 Orientation day in Madale
Your time in Tanzania starts with a full day of orientation, a chance to settle in, get to know the local context and start the project confidently.
📅 On your first Monday, the local team will walk you through an introductory programme that includes:
- Welcome meeting, programme introduction and house rules
- Practical tips on health, safety and local etiquette
- A short introduction to Tanzanian culture and a few first words in Swahili, useful for chatting with the children
- A walk around Madale and the surrounding area, with practical info on shops, the pharmacy, transport and where to get a SIM
- Time to share a meal and break the ice with the staff and the other volunteers
✨ Orientation isn't just a briefing: it's when you start feeling part of the community. Between first words in Swahili, smiles and small everyday discoveries, you'll start finding your rhythm.
📌 From Tuesday onwards, you'll be into the activities at the schools and childcare centres, working alongside the local teachers and spending time with the children.
Your time in Tanzania starts with a full day of orientation, a chance to settle in, get to know the local context and start the project confidently.
📅 On your first Monday, the local team will walk you through an introductory programme that includes:
- Welcome meeting, programme introduction and house rules
- Practical tips on health, safety and local etiquette
- A short introduction to Tanzanian culture and a few first words in Swahili, useful for chatting with the children
- A walk around Madale and the surrounding area, with practical info on shops, the pharmacy, transport and where to get a SIM
- Time to share a meal and break the ice with the staff and the other volunteers
✨ Orientation isn't just a briefing: it's when you start feeling part of the community. Between first words in Swahili, smiles and small everyday discoveries, you'll start finding your rhythm.
📌 From Tuesday onwards, you'll be into the activities at the schools and childcare centres, working alongside the local teachers and spending time with the children.
For an easy start, we'd recommend booking your flight into Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam on the Sunday, ideally between 07:00 and 21:00. That's when our pickup and transfer to the accommodation in Madale runs (around 1 hour by car, traffic permitting).
Sunday arrivals (recommended): airport pickup is included.
Saturday arrivals: possible, with an extra night at the house (small supplement applies).
Out-of-hours arrivals (late night or early morning): you can book a private transfer (paid) or get a taxi yourself (we'll send the address and local contacts).
📍 Meeting point at the airport: at the arrivals exit, our staff will be holding a sign with your name or the project name. You may need to wait a few minutes if other volunteers are landing at the same time.
👉 If you can't spot the team straight away:
Stay at the meeting point (don't leave the airport on your own).
Wait at least 20 minutes.
If you run into any trouble, use the emergency contacts we'll send before you travel.
📱 A quick tip: pick up a local SIM at the airport so you can stay in touch with the local team, the other volunteers and people back home.
🧳 Check-in and check-out: check-in on the Sunday (the day before the programme starts). Check-out on the Saturday by 12:00. Extra nights available on request, supplement applies.
🚖 Heading home: the return transfer to the airport isn't included, since people travel home at different times. The local team will happily help you book a taxi or share a transfer with other volunteers.
👉 We'd suggest booking your return flight for the Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the house in your own time and get to the airport without rushing.
🗓️ Carrying on with your trip? Want to stay on in Tanzania after the project? The local staff can share safe itineraries to Zanzibar, the national parks or other parts of the country, and help you sort the transfers.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed, we'll email you a detailed pre-departure pack with all the practical info, emergency contacts and the local team's details.
Sunday arrivals (recommended): airport pickup is included.
Saturday arrivals: possible, with an extra night at the house (small supplement applies).
Out-of-hours arrivals (late night or early morning): you can book a private transfer (paid) or get a taxi yourself (we'll send the address and local contacts).
📍 Meeting point at the airport: at the arrivals exit, our staff will be holding a sign with your name or the project name. You may need to wait a few minutes if other volunteers are landing at the same time.
👉 If you can't spot the team straight away:
Stay at the meeting point (don't leave the airport on your own).
Wait at least 20 minutes.
If you run into any trouble, use the emergency contacts we'll send before you travel.
📱 A quick tip: pick up a local SIM at the airport so you can stay in touch with the local team, the other volunteers and people back home.
🧳 Check-in and check-out: check-in on the Sunday (the day before the programme starts). Check-out on the Saturday by 12:00. Extra nights available on request, supplement applies.
🚖 Heading home: the return transfer to the airport isn't included, since people travel home at different times. The local team will happily help you book a taxi or share a transfer with other volunteers.
👉 We'd suggest booking your return flight for the Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the house in your own time and get to the airport without rushing.
🗓️ Carrying on with your trip? Want to stay on in Tanzania after the project? The local staff can share safe itineraries to Zanzibar, the national parks or other parts of the country, and help you sort the transfers.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed, we'll email you a detailed pre-departure pack with all the practical info, emergency contacts and the local team's details.
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free)
Pick the project you like the look of and tell us when you'd like to travel. No commitment, the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we'll put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They'll walk you through everything and answer your questions.
3
Confirm your spot
When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.
4
Off you go
Pack your bag and travel. On arrival you'll find other travellers like you, a welcoming local team, and a trip you'll be talking about for a while.
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