Volunteer programs in Zanzibar

About Zanzibar

About Zanzibar

Zanzibar has been a semi-autonomous region within the United Republic of Tanzania since 1964. It is composed of two main islands and small sparsely populated islets: Unguja (1,464 square kilometers), where the city of Zanzibar is located, and Pemba (864 square kilometers).

Although Zanzibar is part of the Republic of Tanzania, it maintains its own government and has different powers as such, for example, in non-labor union matters or healthcare services.

Its population is a mix of ethnicities. On one hand, Islam is the most followed religion, but on the other hand, there are followers of Christianity and other religious beliefs. The majority of schools are Muslim.

The local and main language spoken is Swahili, but English is also spoken by the majority of the population.

The climate of Zanzibar

Zanzibar is situated south of the Equator, which is why its climate closely resembles that of Tanzania. However, it experiences a somewhat more humid climate with generally high temperatures. The winter season lasts from June to October, with maximum temperatures averaging around 20°C and minimum temperatures around 13°C. The summer season extends from November to May, bringing maximum temperatures of approximately 28°C and minimum temperatures around 15°C.

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Time zone

Zanzibar follows East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC+3. This means that Zanzibar is 3 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Currency

The official currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS).

Location

In Jambiani, a beach located in the southeast part of the island.

Stay

The programs in Zanzibar run from Monday to Friday 5 hours a day.

Meals

Volunteer program costs start at €280. You can consult the cost table on our website.

Pick up times

If the volunteer arrives outside the established hours, they will have to pay an additional collection cost of 40 euros.

VOLUNTEER programs

Where are the volunteer programs located?

In Jambiani, a beach located in the southeast part of the island.

Programs

  • Childcare Volunteer Program
  • Teaching Volunteer Program
  • Medical Volunteer Program
  • Community and Environmental Volunteer Program
  • Women’s Empowerment Volunteer Program

What is included?

Airport

Volunteers choosing Zanzibar as their destination should plan to arrive at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in order to be picked up by our team. They will be waiting in the designated pick-up zone near the restaurant, just outside the arrivals area..

Arrival day in Zanzibar is every Friday.

Please note that if a volunteer arrives outside of the specified hours, there will be an additional pick-up cost of 40 euros.

Start/Duration

The programs in Zanzibar run from Monday to Friday, 5 hours per day.

Tourist attractions in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is characterized by having idyllic and exceptional beaches with a unique culture. The volunteer cannot miss the Stone Town, renowned for its culture, labyrinthine streets, and, above all, for being the city of spices. They should also not miss Prison Island, where dolphins and abundant marine life can be found.

Visiting the northern part of the island (Nungwi) is a must, where you can witness the best sunset in Zanzibar. There are also numerous excursions (such as Safari Blue, snorkeling, etc.) that will allow you to get closer to this paradise.

Our programs

Teaching Volunteer Program

The Zanzibar teaching program is conducted in various local schools near the Jambiani area. The volunteer will be placed in one school or another depending on the current needs and the school. The children’s ages in our schools can range from 4 to 14 years old.

Enjoy the opportunity to assist local teachers and students in one of the most incredible places in the world. Zanzibar is more than just spices and beaches. It is an amazing blend of cultures and traditions that have come together, and the youth of this archipelago have much to learn from you, as well as much to offer.

You will assist local teachers with educational songs and games. You can also guide children in activities such as crafts, sports, drawing, coloring, writing, and more.

Feel free to bring educational materials such as games, colored pencils, erasers, English books, and even clothes and toys to donate.

The objectives of the program are to improve the educational foundation of the village children, expand their cultural interactions, and assist the teaching staff. Remember that these schools already have a teaching team; your volunteering will involve supporting the teaching staff according to their instructions. We work in various childcare centers and schools in Zanzibar. Some can be reached on foot, but for others, local transportation will be necessary. The project that the volunteer attends will be chosen by the Cooperating Volunteers team based on the inherent needs at the time. The cost of transportation to the projects is not included in the cost and will be covered by the volunteer. *Important: Cooperating Volunteers is developing an adult teaching program in the community where we work. The program takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the afternoons. The volunteer who applies for the teaching program will also assist in supporting this extra program in the afternoons.

Medical Volunteer Program

This project takes place in a small hospital in the area, which has various departments:

  • Laboratory
  • Nursing
  • Exclusive section for doctors
  • Medication and pharmacy section
  • Dentistry section

Being the main reference hospital, it also serves as a teaching hospital for schools and universities on the island. In this sense, the volunteer is a valuable resource for the communities it serves. The scarcity of medical equipment and supplies contributes to a significant number of health problems in Tanzania, which represents a huge challenge in achieving the third goal of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: good health and well-being. Therefore, to actively participate in the medical program of the hospital, participants must have some medical experience and/or background to closely follow and learn more about providing health services. Depending on their level of medical knowledge and experience, they will be assigned various tasks to assist at the hospital, thus serving those with limited access to quality and affordable healthcare.

Participants who join this program can contribute to the hospital by sharing their knowledge and skills, as well as donating additional resources/supplies, helping to bridge the financial gap, and supporting the local community members.

Some of the tasks/duties may include, among others, observing and/or monitoring patients, assisting with treatment techniques, providing health outreach information, and broadening their perspective on international medical care and treatment.

The Medical Volunteer Program conducted by volunteers from the healthcare field, who have not completed their training and/or are not registered in the corresponding Professional College and/or those who do not have Professional Liability Insurance coverage for the activities to be carried out at the destination, will consist of providing care and assistance under the supervision and direction of a Healthcare Professional who meets the aforementioned requirements. Their role in the Medical Volunteer Program will involve assisting and accompanying Healthcare Professionals.

We will also need you to send your CV in English and your certificate of studies so that we can present them to the local hospital where you will be collaborating.

Childcare Volunteer Program

In Zanzibar, the support that volunteers provide for childcare is highly appreciated.

Working as a volunteer in childcare means being committed to the well-being of the children in the community. The role of the volunteers is to assist the staff at the center (whether it’s a school or daycare) in better attending to the needs of the children.

Volunteers will create dynamics and games to entertain the children; to teach them sports, values, activities, etc. This project takes place in a daycare center, which accommodates 60 children aged between 5 and 6 years old, divided into three classes. Most of these children have parents who are unable to take care of them for a few hours a day because they are working. Additionally, families tend to be very large.

We work in various childcare centers and schools in Zanzibar. Some can be reached on foot, but for others, local transportation will be necessary. The project that the volunteer attends will be chosen by the Cooperating Volunteers team based on the inherent needs at the time. The cost of transportation to the projects is not included in the cost and will be covered by the volunteer. Volunteers will share good moments with all the children from Monday to Friday!

Community Volunteer Program

In Zanzibar, we collaborate with both a community center for adults and a group of young people dedicated to environmental and ocean care. Both groups play a crucial role in Zanzibar.

Jambiani is characterized by its family and community atmosphere. Within this context, environmental cleanliness and care for the surroundings are prioritized in the community.

The community program will involve assisting the community based on the needs present at the time of your volunteering. Therefore, the activities are diverse and will vary depending on when you carry out your volunteering, always aligning with the needs of the community center and the group of young people.

Volunteers applying for this program will be able to engage in the following activities:

  • Beach cleanup and environmental maintenance
  • Awareness talks on the need for environmental and ocean conservation
  • English lessons for adults: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the mornings at the community center and in the afternoons at a local school in the area.
  • Collaboration in English classes for the women’s empowerment program
  • Assistance in local schools in the area if needed
  • Playing and teaching with children from the community in the afternoons at the community center
  • Sports workshops in different villages with the community’s youth once a week.

Please remember that the schedule for activities can take place in the mornings or afternoons, varying depending on the needs that arise at the time of your trip. The community program is, in addition to being a volunteering program, a total immersion into the daily life and culture of the people you will be working alongside.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

The Women Empowerment Program in Zanzibar is primarily focused on working hand in hand with a group of local women to foster new opportunities for growth and the future. At Cooperating Volunteers, we believe that one of the strongest tools for community development is the empowerment of women.

Job opportunities in Zanzibar are often limited, especially for women. Therefore, this program aims to create a safe space for meetings and the exchange of ideas, with the goal of shaping economic opportunities for this group of local women. Our priority is to help this group of women achieve an independent source of income by learning foundational knowledge about economics, finance, English, and more, enabling them to develop independently in the future, relying solely on themselves.

Through the exchange of financial, economic, and various other ideas, you will directly contribute to the establishment of a group of empowered and creative women, already named “TUPENDANE” (love for one another). This is a recent program, so you will witness the entire process from the beginning firsthand.

The activities you will undertake in this program in collaboration with the women’s group will include:

  • Daily meetings with the women’s group, exchanging market ideas, exploring creation possibilities, and seeking opportunities and alternatives.
  • Assisting the women in budgeting and purchasing necessary materials for the creation of various items.
  • Helping in the crafting of the items they will sell in the future, emphasizing creativity.
  • Assisting in the creation of a “memory book” documenting all items arising from the meetings, along with relevant information.
  • Conducting English classes several times a week for the women in the group. It is essential for them to learn English to advance socially and economically in the future.

Note: this program does not have rigid schedules. They will vary depending on the time of your trip and the needs inherent to the moment of the same. It is a flexible program, and requires creativity, proactivity, and a lot of enthusiasm.

accommodation and meals

Our house in Jambiani

In Jambiani, you will stay in a volunteer house that features several shared rooms accommodating 4 to 8 people. The location is about a 10-minute walk from the beach and approximately a 20-minute motorcycle ride from the farthest project.

You can take a dala dala (local bus) to Paje, which is 10 minutes from the house. There you will find ATMs, supermarkets, restaurants, shops, and more.

The house is situated in a very rural area where you can fully experience the true essence of an incredible island like Zanzibar.

All meals are included in this accommodation.

Note: Zanzibar is an island where electricity and water can occasionally fail, so participants must be patient in these situations.

program costs

The total cost of the volunteer programs is divided into 2 parts: the inscription fee, which is paid to book your spot (210€), and the program fee, which is paid afterward.

Childcare Volunteer Program

315€ per week

Teaching Volunteer Program

315€ per week

Medical Volunteer Program

360€ per week

Community Volunteer Program

360 € per week

Women’s Empowerment Volunteer Program

360 € per week

If your currency is not specified here, you can convert the costs here.

What is included in the fee that I am paying?

What additional costs will volunteers incur?

Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, transfer back to the airport from the program, and other personal expenses.

Contact

Leave us your information and we will contact you within the next 24 hours

UNIVERSITY PRACTICES

Our volunteers will be able to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.

What does volunteering focused on university practices involve?

At Cooperating Volunteers, we make agreements with different universities to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.

The specialties we work with are extensive: medical volunteering, nursing, education, social work, psychology, physiotherapy, engineering, architecture…

The practices can be carried out in our designated destinations for this purpose, as well as in Spain.

If you choose an international destination, it’s a unique way to live an unforgettable and enriching experience, as you will have the opportunity to continue your education in another country, with a completely different culture.

Stepping out of our comfort zone and being part of the various projects at the destination will allow us to grow both personally and professionally, creating a more extensive curriculum.

And we are fully convinced that this experience will accompany you throughout your life.

You will be able to visit hospitals, schools, centers, orphanages, and participate directly and actively in the daily lives of all those people at the destination, always accompanied by other professionals willing to collaborate hand in hand with you and guide you in daily tasks.

If your university is not part of the agreement with Cooperating Volunteers, you can contact cristina@cooperatingvolunteers.com so that we can get in touch and make this experience a reality. 

CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING

Corporate volunteering consists of tailored programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills.

It is proven that teamwork directly impacts productivity. 

Collective effort surpasses individual capabilities, promotes diversity of skills, stimulates creativity, and facilitates problem-solving in the face of various challenges.

Therefore, it not only maximizes efficiency but also enriches the work environment.

We conduct corporate volunteering programs that consist of customized programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills, improve performance, and foster unity among employees.

We tailor projects to the corporate identity and size of the company, and we can adjust them to any destination and time of the year.

The advantages of corporate volunteering include:

  • Improving communication.
  • Group unity.
  • Cultural integration in different situations.
  • Employee training.
  • Increased Corporate Social Responsibility.

The future is aligned with a more responsible society, and participating in social projects positions our company among the list of revolutionary businesses that want to be part of the change.

If you resonate with this message, corporate volunteering is a unique experience both individually and collectively, and at Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the process to make it a unique journey.

FAMILY VOLUNTEERING

Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. 

Spending quality time with family and being able to disconnect from our hectic routines is not only enriching but also necessary.

Sometimes we forget to communicate, connect, and dedicate time to each other. Each one of us lives focused on our jobs, schools… And it’s necessary to find the opportunity to pause and take care of ourselves.

Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. And of course, it creates lifelong positive memories.

At Cooperating Volunteers, we suggest moving away from those ‘more superficial’ trips (which can also be fantastic), but we invite you to live this experience to bring out our most empathetic and humanitarian side.

Family volunteering gives us the opportunity to be part of a positive impact, promoting values of solidarity and social responsibility.

There are many families who choose to experience these trips focused on cooperation and direct involvement with different communities around the world, where living conditions are very different and sometimes entirely precarious.

Projects are tailored to different ages, allowing us to work together.

An incredible way to fill our suitcase with memories, learning, and knowledge.

And although stepping out of our comfort zone often feels daunting, we assure you firsthand that it’s worth it.

At Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the entire experience, from start to finish, to make it unforgettable.

SENIOR VOLUNTEERING

At Cooperating Volunteers, we believe it’s never too late for anything, especially for volunteering and living a unique and unforgettable experience.

There are many people, increasingly so, who opt for responsible travel that involves social work.

Accustomed to organized and mostly touristic trips, at Cooperating Volunteers, we want to advocate for a more enriching experience, one that transforms us from within and allows us to be part of the change the world needs to see.

We can adapt both the destination and the duration of our projects to fit your needs.

It’s an opportunity full of emotions that allows us to significantly contribute to different communities and their evolution. And you can participate in different areas such as education, social support, or assistance in different centers.

Some of the benefits include:

  • Sense of purpose: Provides a sense of purpose by contributing your skills and experiences to meaningful causes.
  • Emotional well-being: Reduces feelings of isolation and establishes social connections.
  • Personal development: It’s continuous learning, skill development, and discovering new activities while keeping the mind-body active.
  • Physical health: Keeping active.
  • Stress reduction: The act of helping others reduces stress and contributes to mental health.

Living this experience will undoubtedly be a before and after. 

SOCIAL VOLUNTEERING

A volunteering initiative with leadership and impact through the educational action program.

When we talk about social volunteering, we refer to all those actions and activities carried out altruistically, selflessly, and with the aim of addressing multiple problems and needs of different communities, always focused on education and self-sufficiency.

Education is essential because it provides the tools and knowledge necessary for personal, social, and economic development.

Our goal is to create self-sufficient communities and provide opportunities for the future personal development of each member. The message is not to ‘give’, but to accompany in the process of training for self-managed provision.

At Cooperating Volunteers, many of our destinations and projects embrace this type of volunteering. Some of our projects include: community programs, education, women’s empowerment…

And although they are completely different from each other, they share a single objective: progress towards a society that can embrace us all in the same way.

If you are someone who is restless, who needs to see a change in the future, volunteering is an experience tailor-made for you.