Where
Stone Town, Zanzibar
When
Departures every week, all year round (except during 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 curious to discover life in Zanzibar, spend time with children, and contribute in a simple but meaningful way.
Project details
An educational project for the rural communities of Zanzibar
In Stone Town, among the scent of spices and winding alleys, many schools lack the resources and staff needed to support every child closely.
This is where the project begins: to support local teachers and build a bridge between cultures through education.
As a participant, you will work alongside teachers during lessons, suggest educational and creative activities, and take part in the evening programme with the children and teenagers at the community centre.
You do not need to be a trained teacher: what matters is the willingness to get involved, listen, and share your presence in an authentic way.
This is where the project begins: to support local teachers and build a bridge between cultures through education.
As a participant, you will work alongside teachers during lessons, suggest educational and creative activities, and take part in the evening programme with the children and teenagers at the community centre.
You do not need to be a trained teacher: what matters is the willingness to get involved, listen, and share your presence in an authentic way.
Teach and learn in Zanzibar
An educational project for the rural communities of Zanzibar
In Stone Town, among the scent of spices and winding alleys, many schools lack the resources and staff needed to support every child closely.
This is where the project begins: to support local teachers and build a bridge between cultures through education.
As a participant, you will work alongside teachers during lessons, suggest educational and creative activities, and take part in the evening programme with the children and teenagers at the community centre.
You do not need to be a trained teacher: what matters is the willingness to get involved, listen, and share your presence in an authentic way.
This is where the project begins: to support local teachers and build a bridge between cultures through education.
As a participant, you will work alongside teachers during lessons, suggest educational and creative activities, and take part in the evening programme with the children and teenagers at the community centre.
You do not need to be a trained teacher: what matters is the willingness to get involved, listen, and share your presence in an authentic way.
Why participate
Help children grow with confidence
Support local teachers and families, encouraging children to learn English through games, songs, and creative activities that let them have fun while learning.
Why participate
Help children grow with confidence
Support local teachers and families, encouraging children to learn English through games, songs, and creative activities that let them have fun while learning.
Discover the authentic Zanzibar
Experience the island beyond the resorts: get to know the community, step inside the schools, and take part in daily life, discovering authentic sides that few travellers ever get to see.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, the days are divided between educational activities in kindergartens and primary schools, creative play with the children, and time to socialise with the local community.
In the afternoon, there is also time to prepare activities and lessons for the following day, with support and advice from the local coordinators.
Three evenings a week, you will also take part in evening classes at the Community Center, where you will teach English to children and young people of different ages, enjoying an even fuller and more engaging experience.
07:00Breakfast and getting ready for the day
08:30Classroom activities: supporting teachers, basic English lessons, and educational games
11:00Break and free play time with the children
12:30Return to the accommodation and shared lunch with the other volunteers
15:00Preparing activities and lessons for the next day with support from the local coordinators
18:30Dinner, free time, or participation in evening classes at the Community Center (3 times a week)
Weekend
Weekends are free from mandatory activities. You can explore the area, join small trips, or relax with the other volunteers.
Explore Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Get lost among the narrow alleys, carved doors, and spice markets of one of Africa’s most fascinating cities.
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FAQs
During your stay in Zanzibar, you will live in the volunteer house in Chukwani, a peaceful area not far from lively Stone Town. The accommodation is a traditional, functional guesthouse designed to provide essential comfort and encourage connection among participants. Rooms are shared (2–8 people per room), separated by gender, with shared bathrooms and a living area where everyone can gather after activities.
There is no Wi-Fi, but you can easily buy a local SIM card to stay connected. The rooms have a fan, beds with linen provided, and mosquito nets. There are no hot showers or air conditioning, but the environment is airy and safe, and each room can be locked. Laundry service is available on request for a small extra fee. Meals are served at the house, with typical Zanzibari menus prepared by the local team.
🍽️ Once a week, volunteers help plan meals for the following days, encouraging a sense of participation and togetherness. The house is just a short walk from shops, banks, and a local pharmacy, and the sea can be reached with about a 30-minute walk.
🛏️ Included amenities:
- Accommodation in shared rooms (2–8 people)
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water always available
- Fan in every room
- Ongoing support from the local team
- Laundry service available on request (extra charge)
- Lockable rooms
- Safe, authentic setting close to Stone Town
The volunteer house is much more than simple accommodation: it is a space for exchange, conversation, and friendship, where you can live side by side with people from all over the world, sharing meals, stories, and unforgettable moments.
There is no Wi-Fi, but you can easily buy a local SIM card to stay connected. The rooms have a fan, beds with linen provided, and mosquito nets. There are no hot showers or air conditioning, but the environment is airy and safe, and each room can be locked. Laundry service is available on request for a small extra fee. Meals are served at the house, with typical Zanzibari menus prepared by the local team.
🍽️ Once a week, volunteers help plan meals for the following days, encouraging a sense of participation and togetherness. The house is just a short walk from shops, banks, and a local pharmacy, and the sea can be reached with about a 30-minute walk.
🛏️ Included amenities:
- Accommodation in shared rooms (2–8 people)
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water always available
- Fan in every room
- Ongoing support from the local team
- Laundry service available on request (extra charge)
- Lockable rooms
- Safe, authentic setting close to Stone Town
The volunteer house is much more than simple accommodation: it is a space for exchange, conversation, and friendship, where you can live side by side with people from all over the world, sharing meals, stories, and unforgettable moments.
The safety of our participants is an absolute priority.
Every programme is carefully monitored, from the schools or community activities you will join to the volunteer house where you will stay, to ensure a welcoming and protected environment.
🔹 Participant screening and protected environments
To protect children and local communities, all participants must provide an up-to-date criminal record certificate before departure.
We can help you obtain a DBS check or equivalent when you take part in one of our programmes: we will guide you through the process step by step.
🔹 High safety standards
We work only with reliable schools, community centres, and local partners used to welcoming volunteers from around the world. Accommodation is in safe areas, rooms can be locked, and the local team is always on hand to provide support.
🔹 24-hour support
From airport arrival to the end of the programme, you can count on the constant presence and assistance of the local staff, including in the evenings and at weekends. Our HQ team also remains available via WhatsApp whenever you need help.
🔹 Training and orientation
On your first day, you will take part in an orientation meeting with practical rules, safety advice, and an introduction to Zanzibari culture. This is essential for giving you the tools to live the experience safely and with awareness.
🔹 Good habits for enjoying the experience with peace of mind
Zanzibar is a welcoming island, but it is still important to follow a few simple rules:
- Avoid moving around alone at night.
- Try to go out with other volunteers whenever possible.
- Always follow the local coordinator’s advice on transport and which areas to visit.
💡 Our goal
is to provide a safe, supportive context so you can focus on what really matters: sharing your time, energy, and knowledge with the local community.
Every programme is carefully monitored, from the schools or community activities you will join to the volunteer house where you will stay, to ensure a welcoming and protected environment.
🔹 Participant screening and protected environments
To protect children and local communities, all participants must provide an up-to-date criminal record certificate before departure.
We can help you obtain a DBS check or equivalent when you take part in one of our programmes: we will guide you through the process step by step.
🔹 High safety standards
We work only with reliable schools, community centres, and local partners used to welcoming volunteers from around the world. Accommodation is in safe areas, rooms can be locked, and the local team is always on hand to provide support.
🔹 24-hour support
From airport arrival to the end of the programme, you can count on the constant presence and assistance of the local staff, including in the evenings and at weekends. Our HQ team also remains available via WhatsApp whenever you need help.
🔹 Training and orientation
On your first day, you will take part in an orientation meeting with practical rules, safety advice, and an introduction to Zanzibari culture. This is essential for giving you the tools to live the experience safely and with awareness.
🔹 Good habits for enjoying the experience with peace of mind
Zanzibar is a welcoming island, but it is still important to follow a few simple rules:
- Avoid moving around alone at night.
- Try to go out with other volunteers whenever possible.
- Always follow the local coordinator’s advice on transport and which areas to visit.
💡 Our goal
is to provide a safe, supportive context so you can focus on what really matters: sharing your time, energy, and knowledge with the local community.
🧭 Orientation day
Your experience in Zanzibar begins with a full day entirely dedicated to orientation, designed to help you settle in, get to know the local culture, and begin the educational project with the right practical and relational foundations.
📅 On the first Monday, the local team will guide you through a series of activities designed to make you feel welcome and prepared from the very beginning:
- Welcome meeting, presentation of the childcare project, and house rules
- Guidelines on health, safety, and cultural norms to respect
- Introduction to Zanzibari culture and your first words in Swahili, useful for interacting with the children
- Tour of the Chukwani area, with practical information about shops, pharmacies, local SIM cards, and transport services
- Guided visit to Stone Town, among markets, historic alleys, and local curiosities
✨ Orientation is also the moment when you will meet the other participants with whom you will share the house, activities, and free time. A precious opportunity to start bonding, exchange thoughts, and break the ice straight away.
📌 From the next day, Tuesday, you will begin the educational activities in the schools and childcare centres, with the constant support of the local coordinators. But from day one, you will already feel part of something bigger.
Your experience in Zanzibar begins with a full day entirely dedicated to orientation, designed to help you settle in, get to know the local culture, and begin the educational project with the right practical and relational foundations.
📅 On the first Monday, the local team will guide you through a series of activities designed to make you feel welcome and prepared from the very beginning:
- Welcome meeting, presentation of the childcare project, and house rules
- Guidelines on health, safety, and cultural norms to respect
- Introduction to Zanzibari culture and your first words in Swahili, useful for interacting with the children
- Tour of the Chukwani area, with practical information about shops, pharmacies, local SIM cards, and transport services
- Guided visit to Stone Town, among markets, historic alleys, and local curiosities
✨ Orientation is also the moment when you will meet the other participants with whom you will share the house, activities, and free time. A precious opportunity to start bonding, exchange thoughts, and break the ice straight away.
📌 From the next day, Tuesday, you will begin the educational activities in the schools and childcare centres, with the constant support of the local coordinators. But from day one, you will already feel part of something bigger.
To start your experience in the best way, we recommend booking a flight arriving at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar, ideally on Saturday or Sunday between 06:00 in the morning and 21:00 in the evening.
During this time window, our free meet-and-greet and transfer service to the volunteer house is available (about a 30-minute drive).
If you decide to arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night at our accommodation (additional charge).
⏰ Arriving outside the recommended time? No problem! You can reach us independently by taxi (we will give you all the instructions you need) or request a personalised transfer service in advance for a small extra fee. In any case, please send us your flight details as soon as you book so we can provide all the support you need.
🛬 On arrival at the airport, a member of our local staff will be waiting for you outside the arrivals hall, clearly visible with a sign showing your name or the name of the partner association.
If your flight is delayed, or if you do not immediately find our staff at the meeting point, stay there and wait at least 20 minutes. In any case, you will have emergency numbers to contact, which we will send you before departure.
📱 A practical tip: buy a local SIM card directly at the airport (it is very inexpensive), so you can easily communicate with the local staff, the other volunteers, and home.
🚖 Departure and return flight recommendations
At the end of the project, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on Saturday. The return transfer to the airport or other destinations is not included in the programme, because there are usually many people leaving at different times and only a few coordinators.
In any case, our team will be happy to help you organise a taxi or a private transfer service shared with your travel companions!
We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the house calmly in the morning and reach the airport without rushing (about a 30-minute drive).
🗓️ If you plan to continue your trip elsewhere
Let us know in advance so we can give you useful advice to organise your departure in the best possible way.
💡 After your participation is confirmed
We will send you a detailed document by email with all the updated practical information and the emergency contacts you may need.
During this time window, our free meet-and-greet and transfer service to the volunteer house is available (about a 30-minute drive).
If you decide to arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night at our accommodation (additional charge).
⏰ Arriving outside the recommended time? No problem! You can reach us independently by taxi (we will give you all the instructions you need) or request a personalised transfer service in advance for a small extra fee. In any case, please send us your flight details as soon as you book so we can provide all the support you need.
🛬 On arrival at the airport, a member of our local staff will be waiting for you outside the arrivals hall, clearly visible with a sign showing your name or the name of the partner association.
If your flight is delayed, or if you do not immediately find our staff at the meeting point, stay there and wait at least 20 minutes. In any case, you will have emergency numbers to contact, which we will send you before departure.
📱 A practical tip: buy a local SIM card directly at the airport (it is very inexpensive), so you can easily communicate with the local staff, the other volunteers, and home.
🚖 Departure and return flight recommendations
At the end of the project, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on Saturday. The return transfer to the airport or other destinations is not included in the programme, because there are usually many people leaving at different times and only a few coordinators.
In any case, our team will be happy to help you organise a taxi or a private transfer service shared with your travel companions!
We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the house calmly in the morning and reach the airport without rushing (about a 30-minute drive).
🗓️ If you plan to continue your trip elsewhere
Let us know in advance so we can give you useful advice to organise your departure in the best possible way.
💡 After your participation is confirmed
We will send you a detailed document by email with all the updated practical information and the emergency contacts you may need.
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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