In-Country Training and the Salvation Army Hostel

The first week in Tanzania is spent undergoing a four or five day training course to prepare you for living and volunteering in the country.

The training will help you get up to speed on some basic Kiswahili, which will help you interact with the locals in your village in Singida. You are also learn about Tanzanian culture, hopefully ensuring you do not unintentionally offend anyone! This time is also a fantastic way to beging bonding with your fellow volunteers and make some life-long friends.

The training course is run by KIU Training Services. We have worked with KIU for many years and feedback from volunteers regarding the training week is that it is both fun and thorough. KIU have trained many thousands of people and organisations over the past 15 years including VSO, Peace Corps, GDS, CIDA and MSF.

All courses start at 8am on the first Monday of your programme.

Volunteers travel to Singida on the second day (Tuesday), accompanied by their KIU Tutors. The group will then continue their training in Singida town. Volunteers usually travel to the villages hosting the current projects on the Saturday.

 

Lessons with a KIU Tutor at the Salvation Army Compound in Dar es Salaam.

The accommodation at the Salvation Army compound is basic but is clean and secure.

Visitors stay in small chalets, which all have en-suite toilets and showers (though the water pressure might not be good enough to reach the shower head....). Bedding and mosquito nets are supplied (though nets might not be in very good condition so take tape for temporary repairs).

Each chalet accommodates up to 3 people

 

Accommodation at the Salvation Army Compund in Dar es Salaam.

Typical Chalets at the Salvation Army Compound.

The classrooms, KIU office and dining room are all within 100 metres of the chalets, inside the same compund.

Also in the compound are the headquarters and officer training school for the Salvation Army in Tanzania, a school for disabled children and a vocational training centre for disabled adults.

Right behind the Salvation Army Compound is the new national football stadium. There is not as much money in playing football in Tanzania as in many other parts of the world so it is not unusual to meet players from major local teams (and even the national squad) staying at the Salvation Army Compound.

The Salvation Army Compound is on Kilwa Road, about a 10 minute Dalla Dalla (minibus) ride from the city centre.

KIU staff will show volunteers how to get into the City Centre and take them to local palces of interest.

When you have finished volunteering, you may want to stay at the Salvation Army Compound if you are passing through Dar es Salaam during your travel time, and KIU (info at swahilicourses.com) will usually help with making bookings (NOTE: the cost of accommodation or bookings AFTER VOLUNTEERING is not included in the programme fee so you will have to pay for this yourself). KIU can also meet family or friends at the airport coming out to travel with you and arrange their onward travel to meet you in Arusha.