Welcome to the Volunteer Africa website

Volunteer Africa is unlike other volunteering organisations. We are run by a team of committed returned volunteers with the dual aims of enabling people to make a difference to the lives of rural Africans and to raise funds for our partner NGOs. Volunteer Africa does not spend any money on paid advertising and our operating costs are minimal meaning that the money you pay to participate is spent in Africa enabling community development.

Volunteers participate in our programmes from all over the world including Denmark, Brazil, Mexico, Ireland, Canada, US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Volunteers come from all walks of life and ages.

For details on how to apply for programmes in Tanzania in 2010 and 2011 check out the "Volunteering with Volunteer Africa" of this site. Applications are welcome from throughout the world.

Two week departure NOW available 9th August 2010

NOW RECRUITING FOR 2010 and 2011

Our Programme

Volunteers and Funds in Kimbwe Village, Singida

Rural Development Programme in Singida with HAPA

Apply now for May thru Oct 2010

Go to the "Volunteering with VolunteerAfrica" of this site for more information on our programmes.

Supporting Development

A significant proportion of the money that volunteers pay to VolunteerAfrica is used to support our development partners in Tanzania. The exact proportion of your fee that we will use in this way is difficult to predict. However we can tell you that in 2009 we donated £31,160 (approx US$50,000) to Development organisations working in Tanzania. This was almost half our total income and does not include the money that we spent in Tanzania running the volunteer programme. Below is an example of how money was spent in 2009.
You can find out more about how we use your money here.

VolunteerAfrica Expenditure for 2009

Other Services on this Site Include:

Information on Volunteering in General and a directory of other organisation in the "Volunteering - General" section. Volunteers selected to take part in our Programme have additional resources in the "Volunteer Zone".

For other general information and feedback from past volunteers see our Forum / Bulletin Board

About Tanzania

Around 38 million people live in Tanzania, including 1 million on the islands of Zanzibar. Population growth is about 3% a year. (Source = Tanzania National Projections, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) , 2006).
In 2001, 36% of people lived below the national poverty line. (Source = Household Budget Survey report, NBS , 2002)
The average national income (GNI) per person is US$340 (compared to US$34,000 in the UK). (Source = World Development Indicators, World Bank 2006 ).
Economic growth has been strong since 2000 with annual GDP increases of between 5% and 7% each year. (Source = Poverty and Human Development Report, Government of Tanzania, 2005 )
Tanzania had its last elections in December 2005 and they were declared 'free and fair'.
Primary school enrolment is high with 96% of children enrolled. (Source = Basic Statistics in Education, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, 2006)
More than 1 in 10 children dies before their fifth birthday, although this rate has fallen by a quarter in the last five years. (Source = Demographic and Health Survey, NBS, 2005)
For every 1,000 births almost 6 women die in child birth. Tanzania has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Africa. (Source = Demographic and Health Survey, NBS, 2005)
Just over 1 million adults aged 15 to 59 (7%) are infected with HIV. (Source = HIV/AIDS survey, NBS, 2005)
Only half the rural population has access to an improved water source. (Source = Poverty and Human Development Report, Government of Tanzania, 2005 )

SCAM ALERT

It has been brought to our attention that a person calling themselves Rev Sola Thomas is requesting money and affiliating himself to our Charity. This is not the case. Please note Volunteer Africa has no connections to a Rev S Thomas. Nor do we request money to be sent to him.

Latest News

	Friends & Family rates! Bring a friend or family member and you'll get 10% off the total fee for the pair of you! In the past we have had uni friends, married couples, dad's and sons, aunts and neices! Please click here for programme details.
	Know before you go A wealth of information for anyone planning a trip overseas. more info

Feedback From Recent Volunteers

We're all having a great time out here, I'm so glad I chose to come with this organisation, it feels really worthwhile and such a great learning experience.
Joshua Lewis, Surrey, UK

I have been thinking for a couple days on how I could try to summarize my time in Tanzania, and there is just so much. I have a hard time getting my keyboard to express all I need to say. It was simply the most life-changing experience of my life. I have never felt so inspired, so free to experience all that this world can give and take.
Jennifer Bruursema, Colorado, USA

It was truely an amazing experience and I feel very fortunate that I could be a part of it. Thank you again for all your help in preparing for departure and for giving me the opportunity to go.
Douglas Murray, Nova Scotia, Canada

Thank you so much for this opportunity, I learnt a lot about myself and fulfilled a dream.
Peter Larter, Melbourne, Australia

Thank you for the most amazing summer. I've gained more good friends, more good memories, and more good experience than I could have imagined a few months ago. Wouldn't change it for the world.
Jonathan Higgs, Cheshire, UK

I had a great time in Tanzania. Thanks for all of your help.
William Girardo, Washington DC, USA

Just want to say a big thank you for the opportunity you gave me, it was an amazing experience and one that I will never forget.
Gary Wilson, Leicestershire, England

I just wanted to let you that I had, hands down, the best, most incredible enlightening and wonderful time in Tanzania. It changed my life, truly. I consider myself incredibly fortunate for having the opportunity to experience all that I did.
Anna Wirth, Texas, USA

I cannot begin to explain what a fantastic time I had in Singida especially the people in the village and am sure I've made some lifelong friends both from the village and with other volunteers.
David Bacon, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Just want to thank you for the amazing opportunity that VA has given me in the last few months. I can't really commend you guys more, There is really nothing that I would change about the whole trip.
David Hutchinson, Ontario, Canada

Thank you for the best 3 months of my life!
Sally Orwin, Derbyshire, England

It certainly does not feel like a whole year ago we were in Tanzania climbing Kilimanjaro and having the best time I have ever had in my life.
Natasha Leith, Co Leith, Ireland

I did have an amazing time and am thankful for the opportunity that Volunteer Africa and HAPA has provided.
Keely McKinzie, Los Angeles, USA

I had such an awesome time in Singida. It was so great to be there...I had the best time ever and I would love to work more with Volunteer Africa in the future
May Britt Kristensen, Oslo, Norway

I had a fantastic time, would recommend it to anyone, and travelling afterwards was great fun.
Alec Pattinson, Northumberland, England