Childcare Support in Tanzania
Work alongside the teachers at a nursery school in Madale and support children as they take their first steps in English. Through games, songs, and creative activities, you will experience everyday life in a neighbourhood on the hills of Dar es Salaam, in an authentic and welcoming setting.
Where
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
When
Departures every week, all year round (except closure periods)
Duration
Minimum 1 week
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in a volunteer house with meals included
Language
English (beginner level recommended)
Ideal for
Anyone who loves being with children, wants to get involved creatively, and wants to discover the everyday life of a Tanzanian neighbourhood.
Project details
An educational project in the everyday heart of Dar es Salaam
In Madale, on the hills just outside the city, many nursery schools have large classes and limited resources. Local teachers do their best, but there is often not enough time to support every child through their first steps in learning.
That is why the project exists: to offer younger children extra moments of play, stimulation, and attention, creating spaces where English and creative activities become part of their growth.
As a participant, you will support teachers during lessons, lead games, songs, and drawing activities, and help with the children's everyday care. It is a simple but meaningful contribution that brings real value to the school and allows you to experience the community from the inside.
That is why the project exists: to offer younger children extra moments of play, stimulation, and attention, creating spaces where English and creative activities become part of their growth.
As a participant, you will support teachers during lessons, lead games, songs, and drawing activities, and help with the children's everyday care. It is a simple but meaningful contribution that brings real value to the school and allows you to experience the community from the inside.
Learn through play with the children of Madale
An educational project in the everyday heart of Dar es Salaam
In Madale, on the hills just outside the city, many nursery schools have large classes and limited resources. Local teachers do their best, but there is often not enough time to support every child through their first steps in learning.
That is why the project exists: to offer younger children extra moments of play, stimulation, and attention, creating spaces where English and creative activities become part of their growth.
As a participant, you will support teachers during lessons, lead games, songs, and drawing activities, and help with the children's everyday care. It is a simple but meaningful contribution that brings real value to the school and allows you to experience the community from the inside.
That is why the project exists: to offer younger children extra moments of play, stimulation, and attention, creating spaces where English and creative activities become part of their growth.
As a participant, you will support teachers during lessons, lead games, songs, and drawing activities, and help with the children's everyday care. It is a simple but meaningful contribution that brings real value to the school and allows you to experience the community from the inside.
Why participate
Help children grow with confidence
Support teachers and families by helping younger children learn English and build confidence through games, songs, and creative activities.
Why participate
Help children grow with confidence
Support teachers and families by helping younger children learn English and build confidence through games, songs, and creative activities.
Experience the authentic everyday life of Madale
Not just schools: you step into neighbourhood life, get to know the local community, and share moments that few travellers have the chance to experience.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, your days are divided between educational activities at the nursery school, creative playtime with the children, and support with everyday care such as meals or nap time.
Mornings are mainly dedicated to songs, movement activities, and basic teaching, while afternoons include calmer activities and preparing the following day's lessons with help from the local coordinators.
There is also plenty of social time with the other participants and organised evening activities at the accommodation, which make the experience even more engaging and complete.
07:00Breakfast at the accommodation and getting ready for the day
08:30Classroom activities: support for teachers, educational games, and basic English
11:00Break with the children, social time, and outdoor games
12:30Return to the accommodation and shared lunch with the other participants
15:00Preparing activities and materials for the following day with the coordinators
18:30Dinner, free time, or group evening activities (films, games, BBQ, or bonfire)
Weekend
Weekends are free from mandatory activities. You can explore the area, join short trips, or relax with the other volunteers.
Relax at Coco Beach
Walk along the beach most loved by locals, try typical street food, and enjoy an afternoon of sun and music.
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FAQs
During your stay in Madale, you will live in the volunteer house, located on the hills just outside central Dar es Salaam. The property is simple but practical, designed to give you everything you need to live comfortably and safely while still experiencing authentic local life. Rooms are shared (2–8 people), separated by gender, and lockable, with beds, bed linen, and fans to keep the space cool. Bathrooms are shared and do not have hot water.
There is no Wi-Fi at the property. We recommend purchasing an eSIM so you can have a stable connection throughout your stay. With Airalo, you can buy an international eSIM that can be activated before departure, so you are connected as soon as you arrive. You can easily get one via this link.
The shared spaces — dining room, relaxation areas, and courtyard — are the heart of everyday life: this is where you will meet up with the other participants to share meals, organised evenings, or simply swap stories after a full day. Laundry service is available on request for a small extra fee, while drinking water is always provided. Nearby you will find small shops, banks, a pharmacy, and other essential services, so everything you need is close at hand without having to go into the city each time.
Meals are included: three a day during the week and two at weekends. The menu is simple and prepared with fresh local ingredients, with typical Tanzanian dishes such as rice, vegetables, legumes, meat, or fish when available. Dietary requirements can be communicated in advance so the staff can adapt the meals.
The volunteer house is not just accommodation, but a place of connection and growth: here you will build friendships, share everyday experiences, and feel part of an international community, living alongside other young people from around the world in an experience that goes far beyond daily routine.
🛏️ Included amenities:
- Accommodation in shared rooms (2–8 people, lockable rooms)
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water always available
- Fan in every room
- Ongoing support from the local team (24/7)
- Shared spaces for socialising and relaxing
- Laundry service available on request (for a fee)
- Quiet, safe setting close to the project
There is no Wi-Fi at the property. We recommend purchasing an eSIM so you can have a stable connection throughout your stay. With Airalo, you can buy an international eSIM that can be activated before departure, so you are connected as soon as you arrive. You can easily get one via this link.
The shared spaces — dining room, relaxation areas, and courtyard — are the heart of everyday life: this is where you will meet up with the other participants to share meals, organised evenings, or simply swap stories after a full day. Laundry service is available on request for a small extra fee, while drinking water is always provided. Nearby you will find small shops, banks, a pharmacy, and other essential services, so everything you need is close at hand without having to go into the city each time.
Meals are included: three a day during the week and two at weekends. The menu is simple and prepared with fresh local ingredients, with typical Tanzanian dishes such as rice, vegetables, legumes, meat, or fish when available. Dietary requirements can be communicated in advance so the staff can adapt the meals.
The volunteer house is not just accommodation, but a place of connection and growth: here you will build friendships, share everyday experiences, and feel part of an international community, living alongside other young people from around the world in an experience that goes far beyond daily routine.
🛏️ Included amenities:
- Accommodation in shared rooms (2–8 people, lockable rooms)
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water always available
- Fan in every room
- Ongoing support from the local team (24/7)
- Shared spaces for socialising and relaxing
- Laundry service available on request (for a fee)
- Quiet, safe setting close to the project
The safety of our participants is a core priority. All our programmes in Dar es Salaam are carefully selected to ensure a welcoming and protected environment, both in the schools where you will carry out activities and in the volunteer house where you will stay.
🔹 Participant screening and protected environments
To protect minors and local communities, we require every participant to provide a criminal record certificate before departure. In , this document can be requested online and is exempt from stamp duty if submitted for participation in our programmes. We will provide all the instructions you need to obtain it easily.
🔹 On-site safety standards
We work exclusively with schools and communities accustomed to welcoming international volunteers, in structured and reliable settings. The volunteer house is located in a quiet area of Madale, with lockable rooms and the constant presence of the local team. Our partners host hundreds of participants each year and are trained to provide safe, well-organised support.
🔹 Ongoing support, 24/7
From your arrival until the end of the programme, you can rely on constant support from the local staff, who can be reached in the evenings and at weekends as well. In addition, our HQ team will always be available via WhatsApp for any question, need, or emergency.
🔹 Training and orientation
Before departure, you will receive a guide with practical information about culture, behaviour, and safety. Once you arrive, you will take part in an orientation meeting with the local team to learn the rules, understand the context, and receive practical guidance on how to approach the experience safely.
🔹 Good practices for experiencing Dar es Salaam safely
Tanzania is a welcoming country, but as in any large city it is important to take a few simple precautions:
✔ Avoid going out alone at night, especially in isolated or poorly lit areas.
✔ Travel preferably with other volunteers.
✔ Always follow the advice of the local team about getting around and which places to visit.
💡 Our goal is to give you a calm and protected experience, where you can feel safe and focus on what really matters: your contribution and your personal growth.
🔹 Participant screening and protected environments
To protect minors and local communities, we require every participant to provide a criminal record certificate before departure. In , this document can be requested online and is exempt from stamp duty if submitted for participation in our programmes. We will provide all the instructions you need to obtain it easily.
🔹 On-site safety standards
We work exclusively with schools and communities accustomed to welcoming international volunteers, in structured and reliable settings. The volunteer house is located in a quiet area of Madale, with lockable rooms and the constant presence of the local team. Our partners host hundreds of participants each year and are trained to provide safe, well-organised support.
🔹 Ongoing support, 24/7
From your arrival until the end of the programme, you can rely on constant support from the local staff, who can be reached in the evenings and at weekends as well. In addition, our HQ team will always be available via WhatsApp for any question, need, or emergency.
🔹 Training and orientation
Before departure, you will receive a guide with practical information about culture, behaviour, and safety. Once you arrive, you will take part in an orientation meeting with the local team to learn the rules, understand the context, and receive practical guidance on how to approach the experience safely.
🔹 Good practices for experiencing Dar es Salaam safely
Tanzania is a welcoming country, but as in any large city it is important to take a few simple precautions:
✔ Avoid going out alone at night, especially in isolated or poorly lit areas.
✔ Travel preferably with other volunteers.
✔ Always follow the advice of the local team about getting around and which places to visit.
💡 Our goal is to give you a calm and protected experience, where you can feel safe and focus on what really matters: your contribution and your personal growth.
🧭 Orientation day in Madale
Your experience in Tanzania begins with a full day dedicated to orientation, designed to help you settle in, understand the local context, and approach the education project with confidence and awareness.
📅 On your first Monday, the local team will guide you through an introductory programme that includes:
- Welcome meeting, project presentation, and house rules
- Practical advice on health, safety, and cultural norms to respect
- Introduction to Tanzanian culture, with local insights and a short Swahili lesson useful for communicating with the children
- Tour of Madale and the surrounding area, with practical guidance on shops, pharmacy, transport, and SIM cards. If you would rather arrive with an active eSIM and avoid looking for a SIM locally, you can purchase one before departure through Airalo, our affiliated partner.
👉 You can do so using this link
- Time to connect with the staff and the other volunteers and start building group spirit
✨ Orientation is not just a briefing: it is the moment when you begin to feel part of the community, through your first words in Swahili, smiles, and everyday discoveries.
📌 From Tuesday onwards, you will dive into activities in the schools and childcare centres, working alongside local teachers and sharing your time with the children.
Your experience in Tanzania begins with a full day dedicated to orientation, designed to help you settle in, understand the local context, and approach the education project with confidence and awareness.
📅 On your first Monday, the local team will guide you through an introductory programme that includes:
- Welcome meeting, project presentation, and house rules
- Practical advice on health, safety, and cultural norms to respect
- Introduction to Tanzanian culture, with local insights and a short Swahili lesson useful for communicating with the children
- Tour of Madale and the surrounding area, with practical guidance on shops, pharmacy, transport, and SIM cards. If you would rather arrive with an active eSIM and avoid looking for a SIM locally, you can purchase one before departure through Airalo, our affiliated partner.
👉 You can do so using this link
- Time to connect with the staff and the other volunteers and start building group spirit
✨ Orientation is not just a briefing: it is the moment when you begin to feel part of the community, through your first words in Swahili, smiles, and everyday discoveries.
📌 From Tuesday onwards, you will dive into activities in the schools and childcare centres, working alongside local teachers and sharing your time with the children.
To start your experience in the best possible way, we recommend booking a flight arriving at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, ideally between 07:00 and 21:00. During this time window, our welcome and transfer service to the accommodation in Madale is available (around 1 hour by car, traffic permitting).
Arrival on Sunday (recommended): airport pick-up included.
Arrival on Saturday: possible, but you will need to book an extra night at the accommodation (for an additional fee).
Arrival outside the recommended hours (late at night or early in the morning): you can request a personalised transfer for a fee or reach the accommodation independently by taxi (we will provide the address and local contacts).
📍 Meeting point at the airport As you leave the arrivals hall, you will find one of our local representatives with a sign showing your name or the project name. You may need to wait a few minutes if other volunteers land at a similar time.
👉 If you do not find the staff straight away:
Stay at the meeting point (do not leave the airport on your own).
Wait at least 20 minutes.
If you have any difficulties, use the emergency contacts that will be sent to you before departure.
📱 A useful tip: if you want internet access as soon as you land, you can activate an eSIM before departure with Airalo, our partner. Use this link
🧳 Check-in and check-out
Check-in: Sunday, the day before the programme begins.
Check-out: Saturday by 12:00.
Extra nights: available on request for an additional fee.
🚖 Departure and return flight The return transfer to the airport is not included, as participants leave at different times. The local staff will be happy to help you book a taxi or a shared transfer with other volunteers.
👉 We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you have time to leave the accommodation at a relaxed pace and get to the airport without rushing.
🗓️ If you continue travelling Would you like to stay in Tanzania after the project? The local staff can suggest safe itineraries to Zanzibar, the national parks, or other destinations, and help you organise transfers.
💡 After your participation is confirmed, you will receive an email document containing:
all the latest practical instructions
emergency contacts
local staff contact details
the full address of the accommodation
Arrival on Sunday (recommended): airport pick-up included.
Arrival on Saturday: possible, but you will need to book an extra night at the accommodation (for an additional fee).
Arrival outside the recommended hours (late at night or early in the morning): you can request a personalised transfer for a fee or reach the accommodation independently by taxi (we will provide the address and local contacts).
📍 Meeting point at the airport As you leave the arrivals hall, you will find one of our local representatives with a sign showing your name or the project name. You may need to wait a few minutes if other volunteers land at a similar time.
👉 If you do not find the staff straight away:
Stay at the meeting point (do not leave the airport on your own).
Wait at least 20 minutes.
If you have any difficulties, use the emergency contacts that will be sent to you before departure.
📱 A useful tip: if you want internet access as soon as you land, you can activate an eSIM before departure with Airalo, our partner. Use this link
🧳 Check-in and check-out
Check-in: Sunday, the day before the programme begins.
Check-out: Saturday by 12:00.
Extra nights: available on request for an additional fee.
🚖 Departure and return flight The return transfer to the airport is not included, as participants leave at different times. The local staff will be happy to help you book a taxi or a shared transfer with other volunteers.
👉 We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you have time to leave the accommodation at a relaxed pace and get to the airport without rushing.
🗓️ If you continue travelling Would you like to stay in Tanzania after the project? The local staff can suggest safe itineraries to Zanzibar, the national parks, or other destinations, and help you organise transfers.
💡 After your participation is confirmed, you will receive an email document containing:
all the latest practical instructions
emergency contacts
local staff contact details
the full address of the accommodation
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free!)
Choose the project that inspires you most and indicate the period you would like to travel. No commitment: the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we will put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They will explain everything in detail and answer all 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
Set off on your adventure!
Pack your bags and go! On arrival you will find other volunteers like you, a welcoming local team and an experience you will hardly forget.
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