Where
Stone Town, Zanzibar
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 curious about life in Zanzibar, who enjoys spending time with children and wants to contribute in a simple, grounded way
Project details
A childcare project in the rural communities of Zanzibar
In Stone Town, between the smell of spices and tangled lanes, many schools don't have the resources or staff they need to give every child individual attention.
That's where this project comes in: supporting local teachers and building a small bridge between cultures through education.
As a participant, you'll work alongside the teachers in lessons, suggest creative activities and join the evening programme with the kids at the community centre.
You don't need to be a qualified teacher: what matters is being open, listening, and showing up properly.
That's where this project comes in: supporting local teachers and building a small bridge between cultures through education.
As a participant, you'll work alongside the teachers in lessons, suggest creative activities and join the evening programme with the kids at the community centre.
You don't need to be a qualified teacher: what matters is being open, listening, and showing up properly.
Teach and learn in Zanzibar
A childcare project in the rural communities of Zanzibar
In Stone Town, between the smell of spices and tangled lanes, many schools don't have the resources or staff they need to give every child individual attention.
That's where this project comes in: supporting local teachers and building a small bridge between cultures through education.
As a participant, you'll work alongside the teachers in lessons, suggest creative activities and join the evening programme with the kids at the community centre.
You don't need to be a qualified teacher: what matters is being open, listening, and showing up properly.
That's where this project comes in: supporting local teachers and building a small bridge between cultures through education.
As a participant, you'll work alongside the teachers in lessons, suggest creative activities and join the evening programme with the kids at the community centre.
You don't need to be a qualified teacher: what matters is being open, listening, and showing up properly.
Why participate
Help children grow with confidence
Support local teachers and families, encouraging children to learn English through games, songs and creative activities that make learning feel like fun.
Why participate
Help children grow with confidence
Support local teachers and families, encouraging children to learn English through games, songs and creative activities that make learning feel like fun.
Discover a different side of Zanzibar
See the island beyond the resorts: meet the community, spend time in schools, and join everyday life in a way most travellers don't get to.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, your days are split between activities at the kindergartens and primary schools, creative play with the children and time to spend with the local community.
The afternoons leave space for planning the next day's activities and lessons, with the local coordinators always on hand to talk things through.
Three evenings a week you'll also join the evening sessions at the Community Centre, where you'll teach English to children and teenagers, making the experience even fuller.
07:00Breakfast and getting ready for the day
08:30In the classroom: supporting the teachers, basic English lessons and educational games
11:00Break and free play with the children
12:30Back to the volunteer house for a shared lunch
15:00Planning the next day's activities and lessons with the local coordinators
18:30Dinner, free time, or evening sessions at the Community Centre (3 times a week)
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.
Wander through Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Get lost in narrow lanes, carved doorways and spice markets in one of Africa's most striking towns.
The next story is yours
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FAQs
During your stay in Zanzibar you'll be based at the volunteer house in Chukwani, a quiet area a short distance from lively Stone Town. The accommodation is a traditional, no-frills guesthouse, comfortable enough and set up to make sharing the experience with other volunteers easy. Rooms are shared (2–8 people per room), separated by gender, with shared bathrooms and a common living area to unwind after the day.
There's no Wi-Fi at the house, but you can pick up a local SIM easily to stay in touch. Rooms have fans, beds with linen provided and mosquito nets. There's no hot water or air conditioning, but the place is well ventilated and secure, and each room locks. A laundry service is available on request for a small extra fee. Meals are served on site, with traditional Zanzibari menus prepared by the local team.
🍽️ Once a week, volunteers help plan the menu for the days ahead, a small thing that makes the place feel more like a shared home. The house is a short walk from shops, banks and a local pharmacy, and the sea is about 30 minutes away on foot.
🛏️ What's included:
- Shared rooms (2–8 people)
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water always available
- A fan in every room
- Ongoing support from the local team
- Laundry service on request (small fee)
- Lockable rooms
- Safe, welcoming setting close to Stone Town
The volunteer house is more than just a place to sleep. It's where you'll share meals, swap stories and live alongside people from all over the world. That part is what makes the trip what it is.
There's no Wi-Fi at the house, but you can pick up a local SIM easily to stay in touch. Rooms have fans, beds with linen provided and mosquito nets. There's no hot water or air conditioning, but the place is well ventilated and secure, and each room locks. A laundry service is available on request for a small extra fee. Meals are served on site, with traditional Zanzibari menus prepared by the local team.
🍽️ Once a week, volunteers help plan the menu for the days ahead, a small thing that makes the place feel more like a shared home. The house is a short walk from shops, banks and a local pharmacy, and the sea is about 30 minutes away on foot.
🛏️ What's included:
- Shared rooms (2–8 people)
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water always available
- A fan in every room
- Ongoing support from the local team
- Laundry service on request (small fee)
- Lockable rooms
- Safe, welcoming setting close to Stone Town
The volunteer house is more than just a place to sleep. It's where you'll share meals, swap stories and live alongside people from all over the world. That part is what makes the trip what it is.
Your safety is something we take seriously.
Each programme is monitored carefully, from the schools where you'll be working to the volunteer house, so you can settle in to a welcoming and well-supported environment.
🔹 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 community centres that regularly host volunteers from around the world, in well-organised settings. The volunteer accommodation is in a safe area, with lockable rooms and the local team always on hand.
🔹 24/7 support
From your arrival at the airport 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
On your first day you'll join an orientation session covering Zanzibari culture, the practical basics, and a guided walk around the area. It's the best way to get the lay of the land and start the experience confidently.
🔹 A few sensible habits
Zanzibar is welcoming and friendly, but a few simple habits go a long way:
- Avoid going out on your own at night.
- 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 safe, well-supported environment, so you can focus on what really matters: spending time, sharing skills and learning alongside the local community.
Each programme is monitored carefully, from the schools where you'll be working to the volunteer house, so you can settle in to a welcoming and well-supported environment.
🔹 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 community centres that regularly host volunteers from around the world, in well-organised settings. The volunteer accommodation is in a safe area, with lockable rooms and the local team always on hand.
🔹 24/7 support
From your arrival at the airport 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
On your first day you'll join an orientation session covering Zanzibari culture, the practical basics, and a guided walk around the area. It's the best way to get the lay of the land and start the experience confidently.
🔹 A few sensible habits
Zanzibar is welcoming and friendly, but a few simple habits go a long way:
- Avoid going out on your own at night.
- 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 safe, well-supported environment, so you can focus on what really matters: spending time, sharing skills and learning alongside the local community.
🧭 Orientation day
Your time in Zanzibar starts with a full day of orientation, a chance to settle in, get to know the local culture and start the childcare project on the right foot.
📅 On your first Monday, the local team will walk you through a series of activities to help you feel welcome and ready:
- Welcome meeting, introduction to the childcare project and house rules
- Health, safety and cultural guidelines
- A short introduction to Zanzibari culture and a few first words in Swahili, useful for chatting with the children
- A walk around Chukwani, with useful spots like shops, the pharmacy, where to get a SIM and how to get around
- A guided walk through Stone Town's markets, historic alleys and local stories
✨ Orientation is also when you'll meet the other volunteers you'll be sharing the house, the project and your free time with. A good chance to break the ice and start finding your rhythm together.
📌 From Tuesday onwards, you'll start the activities at the schools and the childcare centres, with the local coordinators on hand throughout. By the end of day one you'll already feel settled in.
Your time in Zanzibar starts with a full day of orientation, a chance to settle in, get to know the local culture and start the childcare project on the right foot.
📅 On your first Monday, the local team will walk you through a series of activities to help you feel welcome and ready:
- Welcome meeting, introduction to the childcare project and house rules
- Health, safety and cultural guidelines
- A short introduction to Zanzibari culture and a few first words in Swahili, useful for chatting with the children
- A walk around Chukwani, with useful spots like shops, the pharmacy, where to get a SIM and how to get around
- A guided walk through Stone Town's markets, historic alleys and local stories
✨ Orientation is also when you'll meet the other volunteers you'll be sharing the house, the project and your free time with. A good chance to break the ice and start finding your rhythm together.
📌 From Tuesday onwards, you'll start the activities at the schools and the childcare centres, with the local coordinators on hand throughout. By the end of day one you'll already feel settled in.
For an easy start, we'd recommend booking your flight into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar, ideally on a Saturday or Sunday, between 06:00 and 21:00.
That's when our free airport pickup runs, taking you straight to the volunteer house (around 30 minutes by car).
If you arrive on a Saturday, you'll need to book an extra night at the house (small supplement applies).
⏰ Arriving outside those hours? Not a problem. You can either get a taxi yourself (we'll send the directions) or pre-arrange a private transfer with us for a small extra fee. Either way, please send us your flight details as soon as you book so we can sort out the right support.
🛬 When you land, a member of our local team will be waiting outside the arrivals hall, holding a sign with your name or the partner organisation's name.
If your flight is delayed or you can't spot the team straight away, stay where you are and wait at least 20 minutes. You'll also have emergency numbers to ring; we'll send these before you travel.
📱 A quick tip: pick up a local SIM at the airport (it's very cheap), so you can stay in touch with the local team, the other volunteers and people back home.
🚖 Heading home: return flight tips
When the project finishes, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on the Saturday. The return transfer to the airport (or anywhere else) isn't included, since there are usually lots of people leaving at different times and only a small coordination team.
That said, our team will happily help you book a taxi or share a private transfer with the others heading back at the same time.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the house in your own time and get to the airport without rushing (about 30 minutes by car).
🗓️ Carrying on with your trip elsewhere?
Let us know in advance and we'll share useful tips so your departure goes smoothly.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed
We'll email you a detailed pre-departure pack with all the practical info and emergency contacts.
That's when our free airport pickup runs, taking you straight to the volunteer house (around 30 minutes by car).
If you arrive on a Saturday, you'll need to book an extra night at the house (small supplement applies).
⏰ Arriving outside those hours? Not a problem. You can either get a taxi yourself (we'll send the directions) or pre-arrange a private transfer with us for a small extra fee. Either way, please send us your flight details as soon as you book so we can sort out the right support.
🛬 When you land, a member of our local team will be waiting outside the arrivals hall, holding a sign with your name or the partner organisation's name.
If your flight is delayed or you can't spot the team straight away, stay where you are and wait at least 20 minutes. You'll also have emergency numbers to ring; we'll send these before you travel.
📱 A quick tip: pick up a local SIM at the airport (it's very cheap), so you can stay in touch with the local team, the other volunteers and people back home.
🚖 Heading home: return flight tips
When the project finishes, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on the Saturday. The return transfer to the airport (or anywhere else) isn't included, since there are usually lots of people leaving at different times and only a small coordination team.
That said, our team will happily help you book a taxi or share a private transfer with the others heading back at the same time.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the house in your own time and get to the airport without rushing (about 30 minutes by car).
🗓️ Carrying on with your trip elsewhere?
Let us know in advance and we'll share useful tips so your departure goes smoothly.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed
We'll email you a detailed pre-departure pack with all the practical info and emergency contacts.
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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