Arusha, Tanzania
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Make a Difference Through Our Volunteer Programmes

Join Gilys Volunteers Tanzania and be part of meaningful change across various community development programmes. Click on each programme to learn more.

Community Outreach & Women's Empowerment

About the Programme

Our Community Outreach & Women's Empowerment Initiative in Arusha, Tanzania is a powerful programme designed to support women, children, and vulnerable families living in underserved communities. We work with groups facing social and economic challenges such as single mothers, widows, schoolgirls, and rural families who have limited access to education, health information, counseling, and skills development opportunities.

Programme Focus Areas

Women & Community Education
  • Women's health and reproductive education
  • Pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare awareness
  • HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention
  • Family planning and menstrual health
  • Human rights, gender equality, and protection laws
  • Personal development and life skills
  • Environmental awareness and climate change education
Workshops & Skills Development
  • Entrepreneurship and business training
  • Financial literacy and income generation
  • Soap making and handicrafts
  • Sewing reusable menstrual pads
  • Baking and small business production
  • Nutrition and healthy cooking
  • Tree planting and environmental conservation
  • Sports, games, and mental health activities
  • Self-defense and safety awareness
  • Basic first aid training
Community Outreach Activities
  • Field visits to rural villages and schools
  • Support for women's groups and health centers
  • Educational campaigns and awareness programs
  • Counseling and mentorship sessions
  • Sponsorship and school support initiatives

Your Role as a Volunteer

  • Facilitate workshops and training sessions
  • Support community outreach activities
  • Assist in women empowerment programs
  • Teach entrepreneurship and life skills
  • Participate in field visits and awareness campaigns

The Impact You Will Make

  • Increased access to education and awareness
  • Economic empowerment for women through skills training
  • Improved menstrual health and school attendance for girls
  • Stronger and more informed communities
  • Reduced social stigma and increased gender equality
Programme Schedule

Community outreach activities take place 2 days per week (Thursday and Friday).

Volunteers can participate as:

  • Part-time support alongside another project
  • Full-time outreach volunteers with preparation and fieldwork

Spontaneous participation is also possible for volunteers already on site.

Apply Now

English Teaching Program

About the Programme

Volunteering as an English teacher in Tanzania is a meaningful opportunity to support children in developing one of the most important skills for their future—communication. Through regular interaction with English-speaking volunteers, students become more confident in speaking, listening, and understanding the language, which is essential for both education and future job opportunities.

This programme is based in Arusha and gives volunteers the chance to make a real difference while also gaining valuable personal experience, leadership skills, and cultural understanding.

Background of the Programme

Tanzania has made great progress in ensuring that most children have access to primary education. However, this success has also brought challenges, especially in terms of overcrowded classrooms and limited teaching resources. In many schools, one teacher may be responsible for a large number of students, making it difficult to provide individual support.

In addition, traditional teaching approaches often focus more on memorization than understanding. This is particularly noticeable in English learning, where students may be able to repeat words but struggle to use them in real-life situations. Since English becomes the main language of instruction in higher levels of education, this can create difficulties later on.

What You Will Do

  • Assisting with English lessons
  • Encouraging students to practice speaking and listening
  • Leading simple activities such as games, songs, and group work
  • Helping students build confidence in using English
  • Supporting classroom management alongside local teachers

Placement

Volunteers are placed at Joylistic Pre and Primary School, located in Arusha. The school provides education to children from early years up to primary level, typically between the ages of 3 and 14.

Who Can Join

  • A positive attitude
  • Willingness to learn and adapt
  • Creativity and initiative
  • Passion for working with children

No previous teaching experience is required.

Free Time

The programme runs from Monday to Friday, giving you weekends free to relax or explore. Many volunteers use this time to experience Tanzania's unique attractions, including safaris, cultural visits, and local tours around Arusha.

Apply Now

Nutrition & Community Assistance

About the Programme

This programme is proudly run by Gilys Volunteers Tanzania, a community-based organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable children through healthcare, education, and nutrition initiatives.

Our Nutrition & Community Assistance in Tanzania is designed to give passionate volunteers the opportunity to work closely with local communities and health providers in Arusha, while contributing to meaningful and sustainable impact.

Who Will Volunteers Work With?

  • Local healthcare workers and community health officers
  • Staff and coordinators from Gilys Volunteers Tanzania
  • Mothers, children, and vulnerable families
  • Local schools and early childhood centers

The Challenge

Malnutrition remains one of the biggest challenges affecting children and mothers in Tanzania:

  • High rates of child stunting and undernutrition
  • Iron deficiency among pregnant women
  • Limited access to nutrition education in rural communities

Your Role as a Volunteer

  • Support community health and nutrition programs
  • Assist in identifying and monitoring malnutrition cases
  • Help educate families about nutrition, hygiene, and healthy lifestyles
  • Participate in outreach and community awareness campaigns
  • Work alongside local staff and gain practical experience

What Volunteers Can Expect From Us

  • Full support from our local team
  • Orientation upon arrival
  • Safe and meaningful placements
  • A friendly and welcoming environment
  • Guidance throughout your stay
Important Information

Volunteers can expect:

  • Comfortable shared accommodation
  • Daily meals (breakfast & dinner)
  • Wi-Fi and hot showers
  • 24/7 security
  • A friendly environment with other international volunteers
Apply Now

Counseling & Psychosocial Support

About the Programme

At Gilys Volunteers Tanzania, we believe in restoring hope, dignity, and emotional well-being through compassionate, community-centered care and support.

We are seeking passionate and dedicated volunteers to become part of a transformative mission of healing, empowerment, and positive community impact in Tanzania.

Your Role May Include

  • Offering emotional and social support to children, youth, women, and families
  • Assisting in community outreach and awareness programs
  • Supporting children through mentorship, education support, and safe learning spaces
  • Participating in women empowerment activities and life skills programs
  • Contributing to mental health awareness and stigma reduction initiatives
  • Supporting daycare and preschool activities for vulnerable children
  • Helping organize sports, creative learning, and community development activities

We Welcome Students and Professionals In

  • Psychology and Mental Health
  • Counseling and Social Work
  • Education and Teaching
  • Childcare and Special Needs Support
  • Community Development
  • Nursing and Public Health
  • Youth Empowerment and Women Empowerment

Volunteers May Support Through

  • Emotional and psychosocial support
  • Individual mentoring and counseling support
  • Educational activities and classroom assistance
  • Daycare and preschool support
  • Community outreach programs
  • Women and youth empowerment initiatives
  • Sports and recreational activities
  • Basic assessments and referrals where necessary
  • Organizing workshops and awareness campaigns
Apply Now

Girls' Menstrual Health Education

About the Programme

Many girls in Tanzania face significant challenges in accessing education due to menstrual poverty, limited reproductive health knowledge, social stigma, and lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. These barriers often cause girls to miss school during their menstrual cycles, affecting their academic performance, confidence, and future opportunities.

Programme Goals

The Girls Empowerment & Menstrual Health Volunteer Programme aims to support adolescent girls through:

  • Menstrual health education
  • Life skills development
  • Mentorship and community awareness activities

Activities May Include

  • Assisting with menstrual health and hygiene education
  • Helping organize girls' empowerment events
  • Participating in sanitary pad distribution programs
  • Supporting life skills training
  • Promoting gender equality through community outreach activities

Community Engagement

The programme also encourages community engagement by involving:

  • Boys
  • Parents
  • Teachers
  • Local leaders

This helps reduce stigma surrounding menstruation and support girls' education.

Location

The project is based in Arusha, Tanzania, a vibrant city surrounded by beautiful landscapes, cultural experiences, and access to some of Tanzania's most famous national parks.

Apply Now

Elderly Care & Community Support

About the Programme

The Elderly Care & Community Support Initiative is a community-based programme designed to improve the wellbeing, dignity, and quality of life of senior citizens living in vulnerable situations within Arusha, Tanzania.

Challenges Facing the Elderly

  • Loneliness
  • Limited family support
  • Poverty
  • Difficulties accessing social services

Your Role

  • Visiting elderly community members
  • Spending time talking and listening to their life experiences
  • Assisting with light household tasks
  • Helping organize social activities
  • Participating in community outreach programs
  • Assisting with health awareness campaigns
  • Helping with recreational activities and intergenerational events

Who We Welcome

  • Compassionate and patient individuals
  • Those who are respectful and willing to engage with different backgrounds
  • People with a positive attitude and willingness to learn

Previous experience in social work, healthcare, psychology, or community development is helpful but not required.

Apply Now

Construction & Renovation

About the Programme

Are you ready to make a real difference while getting your hands involved in meaningful work? Join our Construction and Renovation for Community Impact Programme in Arusha, Tanzania and become part of a project that is transforming lives every day.

The Impact You Will Make

Your work will directly improve the environment where children and the community live and learn. You will support:

  • A daycare center serving over 80 vulnerable children
  • Early childhood education classrooms
  • Volunteer accommodation facilities
  • Community spaces for youth and women programs

What to Expect

Your daily tasks may include:

  • Brick laying and basic construction support
  • Painting classrooms and buildings
  • Plastering and wall finishing
  • Repairing windows, doors and furniture
  • Assisting with simple plumbing and maintenance
  • Cleaning and preparing work areas

Who You Will Work With

  • Local builders and skilled fundis
  • Project staff and coordinators
  • Other international volunteers
  • Members of the local community

What to Bring

  • Comfortable work clothes
  • Closed shoes suitable for construction work
  • Personal toiletries
  • Gloves (if possible)
  • Any useful tools or materials (though not required)
Apply Now

Vocational Training & Sports Development

About the Programme

As a volunteer with Gilys Volunteers Tanzania in our Community Vocational Training Center & Sports Development Programme, you will have the rewarding opportunity to support youth and vulnerable community members through both practical vocational education and sports-based youth empowerment activities.

The programme focuses on building confidence, discipline, teamwork, and future employment opportunities through hands-on learning and active engagement.

Vocational Departments

ICT and Computer Training
  • Computer basics and typing skills
  • Internet use and digital literacy
  • Microsoft Office programs
Tailoring and Sewing
  • Sewing techniques
  • Fabric cutting and clothing design
  • Machine operation
Domestic Electrical Installation
  • Basic wiring and safety practices
  • Home electrical repairs
Cooking and Catering
  • Food preparation and hygiene
  • Nutrition and baking
  • Culinary skills
Hairdressing & Beauty
  • Hairstyling and braiding
  • Hair treatment and salon management

Sports Component

Volunteers help organize and facilitate:

  • Football
  • Netball
  • Athletics
  • Recreational activities

Life Skills Sessions

  • Communication and self-confidence
  • Teamwork and problem-solving
  • Leadership and entrepreneurship
  • Stress management and career development
Apply Now
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