Tanzania & Zanzibar Island: African Safari, School Construction & Education, and Swimming with Dolphins

GIVE is such an amazing company that volunteers in a truly sustainable way. I cannot recommend this experience enough! The local guides take such good care of you and really make you feel like family. The island of Zanzibar is absolutely breathtaking and getting to experience right next to the local people is just incredible.

While I was there, we worked on constructing a new store house for the local schoolhouse. I had so much fun working with the GIVE construction workers and just making memories with our GIVE group. In the afternoon, we worked in the classrooms and taught English to students. It was so amazing to watch the students pick up on a new concept or watch a light come on as you explained something that they didn’t understand at first. When we were not volunteering, we were out experiencing the local culture. We swam with dolphins, explored local food markets, swam in the most beautiful ocean and so much more! If you are on the fence about a trip to Tanzania, don't be! GIVE will take such good care of you and this experience will change your life in ways you can't even imagine!

If you have the opportunity to go to Tanzania, East Africa, go. This trip for me was absolutely life changing, and exactly what one needs. I was able to learn and expand my knowledge about being a global citizen, traveling with purpose, volunteering, culture, and all while having fun. You are going to meet so many amazing and wize people, so become a sponge and soak up all the experiences and life long lessons you'll learn. Ask questions to the locals and learn about their lives and culture. For example, hearing the locals stories, or how they got involved in GIVE, was inspiring. Not only do you have so much fun while volunteering, you're making a huge impact in their community. The kairo give school, gives the opportunity to everyone to gain an education and learn english. Everyday involved multiple highlights, but there were some that were both outstanding and inspiring. For example, the moment I got there the volunteers were welcomed with open arms by the locals and GIVE workers into their family, life, and culture. That is something I raley witness in my life, and it made the whole trip more memorable.To be constantly surrounded by so much happiness and love and ambition was definitely one of the best highlights. Also, to be immersed into their culture and traditions. After leaving, I created life long friendships with some of the volunteers and locals. Being in such a beautiful place, surrounded by beautiful people inside and out, and making a huge impact on their lives is something you can not pass up.

My trip to Zanzibar was the most incredible thing I have ever done. I loved every aspect of my work in Zanzibar - construction, teaching, relaxing on the beach, making dinner with locals, painting, learning Swahili. Every single thing we did on Zanzibar created a profound impact on me and my heart. There is a magic to Zanzibar that I have trouble explaining - all I can say is that you need to experience it for yourself. I am forever grateful for GIVE and this trip, and I am forever changed by my experience.

To be honest this trip exceeded my expectations. GIVE did a fantastic job of keeping us busy with impactful projects and giving us a chance to really see how we were improving and helping the village of Kairo. I enjoyed all of the education, construction, and permaculture projects we worked on, with the permaculture projects being my favorite! All of our guides were awesome and made the trip that much better! The local people were so loving and accepting of us and just seemed very happy. This trip was life changing and the relationships I made with other people on the trip will last a lifetime!

The island of Zanzibar and the village Kairo are such incredible experiences. Not once at any point did I ever feel unsafe, unhappy, or unsatisfied with my experience during this trip. The people you meet along the way are AMAZING, I have truly never felt more welcomed into someone else’s community. This trip meant so much to me, and it will definitely stay in my heart forever! The guides the at were with us on the trip were so knowledgeable about the area, the people, the culture, and more. You should definitely consider going on this trip, it will change your life!!

Going on this trip truly changed my outlook on life, as silly as that sounds, it rings true. I would recommend this trip to anyone that is at all interested. Since I have been home, I know that I have annoyed my friends and family with my nonstop chatter about this trip. But, the stories and conversations are countless. Be ready to fully immerse yourself in the culture and learn as much as you can. My favorite part of the trip was being able to learn from the locals. These people have a huge part of my heart. If you are able to go to Tanzania, do it!!!! For the more adventurous, adding on Kilimanjaro is 100% worth it. I have never done something so mentally challenging but, summiting made it all worth it. The beauty that is all-surrounding in Tanzania is breathtaking. Make sure to take everything in!

My trip with GIVE to Tanzania was absolutely life-changing and I highly recommend this amazing experience! Throughout the whole trip, I felt safe and comfortable. There were never any problems with transportation, meals, or accomadations. Everyone from the communities in Kairo and Arusha, both the local and non-local guides, as well as the other volunteers were extremely supportive, motivating, and kind. Arriving in Kairo, I felt so welcomed by all the smiling faces and greetings from the locals. We had excellent accommodations and superb meals. I loved waking up to the extraordinary view of the beach and ocean every morning and watching beautiful sunrises. At night, I was surprised by how many stars I could see. On the beach, in the village, and at school, we were greeted by the most adorable kids who always had a smile or hug for us that always brightened our day. The students, of all ages, were so intelligent and eager to learn. I had never done construction before this, but I am very glad that I pushed myself to do so. Construction included lots of cement, sweat, and hard work as well as so much fun, motivation, music, and great talks while working. Both the education and construction projects were so rewarding and you could really see change being made. Everyday I spent with GIVE assured me more and more that I made the right decision to travel with this amazing organization. GIVE is very environmentally friendly, culturally aware, and the communities we volunteered in were so thrilled to have us there. There were also a couple adventure days which included swimming with wild dolphins, snorkeling over a coral reef, and a safari. These experiences were also spectacular. We were able to see such beautiful animals and environments while supporting good groups who instead of poaching the animals for profit, are able to make local businesses by showing others the beauty of these animals. I cannot recommend GIVE enough: you make lifelong friends, learn about different cultures, push yourself and prove to yourself what you are capable of by stepping outside of your comfort zone, and come back a better person, ready to share the knowledge and stories you've gained and keep making an impact.

GIVE Tanzania was the best two weeks of my life. I learned more than I could have ever imagined about the culture, other people, and myself. It was truly life-changing. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for an experience that will change them for the better. It is weeks full of adventure, friendship, joy, learning, laughter, volunteering, and making connections with people that will last a lifetime. You will leave with a feeling you've never felt, and a feeling that will never leave. The locals in Kairo made me feel so welcome in their village and the connections I formed with them will forever be treasured. If you are considering going on this trip, please do it! You will have the absolute time of your life. Get ready to leave your comfort zone, and never want to return to it. You will grow so much. I will forever be grateful for this trip.