Project Summary

Join us for teaching and community volunteer work in Zanzibar, located just off eastern Africa’s coast. The project works with a number of different institutions where you will be volunteering on a combination of different activities. Work with pre-schools, primary and secondary schools supporting local teachers in educating and playing with children as there are often too many children to accommodate at one time, and shortages of staff and facilities. You can also get involved with teaching not only English, but also computer and life skills to adults at the local tourism training institute, helping them get work. You may also have the chance to get involved with the local beach and marine conservation program. The focus of your project will depend on the time of year you visit and the school holidays, but there is plenty of work all year round.

Why choose this project?

Despite being one of the Indian Ocean’s most renowned tropical paradises, Zanzibar’s local communities are severely affected by unemployment and lack of education and training. There are many possibilities to impact the lives of those affected by these problems, by getting involved in the local nursery, primary and secondary schools, tourism training schools and local environmental programmes to aid community development. You will find that most of the facilities have meagre and ill-equipped facilities, but a wealth of children with a desire to learn. As a volunteer, you will assist teachers and contribute to our effort of providing children and adults with a better education, especially by aiding them in the English language.

Role of the volunteer

As a volunteer you will assist teachers in providing a better education to children, especially in improving their English language. You will teach English, singing and dancing, develop creative skills such as painting and drawing, and get involved with after-school sports for pre-school children. There will be some special refurbishment days scheduled at the schools too, as they are quite run down.

For adults, training in all areas of language, computing, administration and hospitality skills helps locals to get work within the growing tourism industry. Any specific skills brought by volunteers are valuable. You will also be involved in a community marine project in the town. This entails keeping the beach clean and planting local trees.

There may also be opportunity for you to get involved at the local Primary School, depending on needs at the time and your skills if you have prior teaching experience. Should you have teaching experience and/or skills and wish to get involved in teaching at the local Primary School, please let us have your Department of Education Certificates, CV and any other relevant Certificates or qualifications before you arrive so that we can put this in place for you if possible.

Skills Required

Volunteers for a keen interest in education and who work well with children are sought for this project. For those wishing to lead lessons, a teaching qualification will be needed. We do recommend carrying out your TEFL/TESOL before your arrival, as this will greatly improve your ability to teach English. Volunteers are asked to respect local culture, religious celebrations and dress appropriately. If you have good English skills and a passion to teach then this project is for you. You will be asked to send your CV/resume before being accepted onto this project.

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The Location

The island of Zanzibar, just off the Tanzanian coast, is where our projects are based. This archipelago is famous for amazing powder white beaches with crystal clear waters and a lush tropical inland. Zanzibar is famous for its spice plantations, with which it was a hub of trade between Asia, Africa and the West. At the heart of Zanzibar Town is the old Stone Town, with its labyrinthine alleyways and fascinating architecture. Jambiani, where you will spend most of your time as a volunteer, is a village located on the southern part of Zanzibar’s beautiful and quiet east coast. About an hour’s drive from Stone Town of Zanzibar, Jambiani is a long village stretched along the coastline, with stunning and long white-sand beaches where it will seem like you can walk forever. Here you will find a community operating at a leisurely pace amidst the sunny, tropical climate. You will witness incredible sunrises and enjoy the warm waters, but more importantly gain a deep insight into life on the island and an array of experiences you will treasure for a long time.

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