Volunteer Programs in Zanzibar with African Impact

Volunteering at African Impact in Tanzania was by far the most rewarding and fulfilling, and hot, experience of my life! I loved every second! I felt that I contributed positively in so many varied ways, and all suggestions were encouraged by staff. I was immersed in the culture and really felt like I was living as a Tanzanian, experiencing such a different way of life than my own, appreciating getting to know the Tanzanian people, their way of life, and their laughter! I came home a better person, with a clearer perspective on what is important in life, feeling like I had accomplished a lifelong goal! I want to go back to continue teaching English and working on gender equality and health education. Thank you for the awesome opportunity!

I've been in Tanzania for five weeks (Kilimanjaro). Before I came, I didn't have a lot of expectations. It sounds a bit cliché, but I had the time of my life. You should be curious why I had the time of my life. First it is because of the different types of projects so I saw the African life trough different eyes (older people, children, adults). I had a lot of freedom which projects I wanted to do and also during the lessons you have a lot of freedom how to full in the lesson. For example: I had for 5 weeks the same classes and saw the progression of the students, what gave me a lot of motivation! Also, it was amazing because I had a lot of contact with the locals and learned a lot of them. I recommend Tanzania, Kilimanjaro also because of the possibilities to do during the weekend and discover the rest of the country. My highlights were: I've been on safari to the Seregeti and Ngrorogoro crater, did a homestay during the weekend at someone's house around Moshi, had diner with the locals and last but not least I climbed the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimajaro (...still have to do it next week;)). All together, I had a real African experience and enough reasons to come back!

I had such an amazing time with African Impact, spending a month working on the Wildlife Photography and Conservation Program. I met like minded people who were interested in volunteering, photography and conservation. The staff were fantastic at making us feel welcomed, ensuring we were well fed and looked after. It was a home away from home. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and were always keen to share information during drives, which made taking photographs even more interesting and exciting. During the program, staff were able to take on feedback and make alterations to better suit the needs of the group. I have come away with new friends, improved photography skills and a greater understanding of conservation and the risks animals like the rhino face. It was an unforgettable month and an experience I would recommend to anyone interested in making an impact.

My two weeks in Tanzania were short but sweet! Getting to volunteer on so many different projects was an unforgettable experience and one that I will treasure forever. Teaching English to adults was one of my favourite parts of the projects. The food at the house was absolutely excellent and the staff was extremely reliable and approachable. Learning about Tanzanian culture was a bonus! I would recommend this project to anyone looking for an unforgettable way to spend a few weeks!

Not only have I had the privileged to experience African Impact Moshi once, but twice. I have volunteered over the last two years, in July-August 2017 and in June-August 2018 as a Skills Development Intern. I have experienced first hand what it was like to teach alongside such committed and enthusiastic project coordinators and teachers, and I was also able to form so many friendships with staff and volunteers alike from across the world. The dedication to the projects, the wellbeing and the enjoyment of the volunteer from the staff is amazing and completely inspires you to mirror such enthusiasm and positive energy. African Impact Moshi is not just a come and go project and organisation, but a place where you are always welcome - even after you leave, there is opportunity to stay connected and involved in the development of the projects across Moshi.

It was an amazing experience. They gave me the opportunity to learn so much and really implement all my own ideas and knowledge into the programme. Apart from that we also had these incredible weekend trips and a real community within the lodge.

This project also helped me with my personal growth in a lot of ways. I was/am very shy with standing in front of a group of people. But since all the children were eager to learn and the co-volunteers so kind I learned how not to be afraid. Also, me and children were never really the biggest match. I was always afraid I wouldn't know how to handle or understand them, luckily I learned that children aren't so hard to connect with. These kids were just little angels.

Last summer I went to Moshi, Tanzania. I am a teacher and have always wanted to teach abroad and finally I was able to do so! When arriving at the Kilimanjaro Airport, I was nervous because it is so different than the states, but as soon as we passed through customs, Elieza, from African Impact, was there with a sign with bright smiling face - needless to say, my nerves were gone. The drive to Moshi was incredible; most take pictures, but taking it all in was far better. Everyone at the volunteer house were so welcoming - the staff and volunteers.

Volunteering to teach adults English was truly a blessing - that school year prior, I thought I’d lost my love for teaching, but teaching them reminded me how incredible the gift of learning is and how important it is. The adults and the children in the nursery brought so much joy to me. Visiting the Wazee each day and learning Kiswahili was life changing.

They say we went to make an impact, but no one realizes the impact Africa has on you.

Our goal was to teach, so that their are more opportunities for all. I think African Impact does it beautifully and makes you feel at home the minute you arrive! Staying for two weeks seemed long in the planning process, but in the end, it didn’t feel like enough.

Well,
About this volunteering experience I wanted to focus on how I felt myself being useful and helpful to the world.
I worked on the Marine Conservation Project with dolphins, where we collected data for research everyday on hoe many dolphins there were and how many tourists and how the tourists were affecting their behaviour.
For me, as a Biologist, doing things that come with science and conservation is my passion and what I aime to do for life.
So, having this amazing experience allowed me to see what I really want for my future, specially when it comes to deciding the group of animals I want to work with: marine mammals and how feeling useful as a scientist is absolutely essencial for my well-being.

The contact with the locals and the boat drivers was something that made me to even love more the project. This close contact allows you to see how important it is to have the community working with you and to be able for the project to work. Besides that, you get to see how their life is and how they live, how is there culture, their food,...
For me, having this experience is essencial and I could find it all at this project.

But, I had some little disappointments when it comes to the high price that we pay and how I couldn't see this money being truly used: the food wasn't very good; one of the teaching projects was going to stop because they had no money for fuel.
For the amount of money we pay and the amount of people at the project it makes no sense, at my point of view, for this to happen.
We were told that to feed all the kids from the schools the project worked at, for 1 month, they spent only 200 dollars! Each one there was paying around 2100 dollars per week!
The maths don't match.

But, even with these problems, I would recommend it, specially because I see the project changing things and helping people. And because it allows you to have amazing experiences that you will never forget!