Volunteer in Tanzania: Make a Difference with The Destiny Foundation
Empower Children with Disabilities in Tanzania
The Destiny Foundation is dedicated to transforming the lives of children with mental and physical disabilities in Tanzania. Founded in 2017 by an experienced special needs educator, the foundation provides a safe and nurturing environment for 20 resident children, with outreach programs supporting up to 120 more. Volunteers play a vital role, assisting with daily care, physiotherapy, and community education. No prior experience is needed – just compassion and a willingness to help. By joining this program, you’ll contribute to creating a more inclusive future for these children while gaining a life-changing experience.
A Life-Changing Volunteer Opportunity
The Destiny Foundation offers a unique volunteer opportunity to support children with disabilities in Tanzania. As part of this volunteer in Africa program, you’ll work alongside a dedicated team of therapists, social workers, and educators to deliver essential care, including physiotherapy, speech therapy, and life skills training. Volunteers are key in providing love and care, helping with physical therapy, playing with the children, assisting with reading and writing, and preparing meals. The outreach program extends beyond the center, with home visits to educate families on proper care techniques. Through this volunteer education program, you’ll help to combat stigma and discrimination against children with disabilities, empowering families and communities with knowledge and understanding. Volunteers also have the chance to explore beautiful Tanzania during their free time, making this an enriching and immersive experience.
By participating, you’ll join an international education and youth empowerment volunteer program that not only addresses healthcare but also promotes community awareness, social inclusion, and education.
Your Impact as a Volunteer: Supporting Children with Disabilities in Tanzania
Assist with Physiotherapy and Daily Care
As a childcare volunteer in Africa, you’ll work closely with skilled therapists to help children improve their physical capabilities. From providing supervised physiotherapy sessions to assisting with daily care tasks like feeding , dressing, and basic mobility, your role will be crucial in ensuring the children receive the essential support they need. No medical experience is required, just a willingness to learn and contribute. By joining this volunteer healthcare and education clinic, you’ll make a tangible difference in their health, well-being, and future.
Engage in Educational Activities
You’ll contribute to the children’s cognitive development by assisting with reading, writing, and interactive play. Volunteers help organize lessons and fun activities tailored to each child’s unique abilities. Whether you have a background in education, or healthcare, or neither, your efforts in this volunteer education program will create a more inclusive learning environment, helping to build the children’s confidence and social skills. This role allows you to leave a lasting positive impact on their future.
Support the Outreach Program in the Community
This volunteer program extends beyond the walls of the center. As part of Destiny Foundation’s outreach, you’ll visit local families, helping to provide care and education for children who can’t attend the center. You’ll be accompanied by a team of professionals to ensure the highest level of care is given. This role also includes educating parents and raising community awareness about the rights and needs of disabled children, making your work as a volunteer even more valuable as you contribute to breaking down cultural barriers and erasing stigma.
Program details and requirements
The Destiny Foundation volunteer program offers a flexible, impactful way to help children with disabilities in Tanzania. You can volunteer for as little as two weeks or up to six months, starting any day of the week. No prior experience is required, everyone is welcome! Patience and empathy are key for this volunteer opportunity. As a volunteer, you’ll assist with physiotherapy, educational activities, caregiving, and community outreach. Work hours are generally from 9 am to 1 pm, Monday to Friday, with the option to extend or work on weekends. Accommodation and meals are provided at our nearby hostel. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, one of our drivers will pick you up and bring you to our hostel. The following day, you will receive a thorough orientation and we will help you settle in. The project site is 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) away, with local transport options like walking, minibuses, or tuk-tuks making your commute easy.
- Duration: 2 weeks to 6 months, start any day of the week.
- Requirements: No experience needed, however key qualities such as patience and empathy are needed.
- Roles and Responsibilities:
- Assist with physiotherapy and physical care
- Participate in educational activities (reading, writing, playing)
- Support the outreach program by visiting families
- Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 1 pm (optional afternoons and weekends).
- Logistics:
- Accommodation and 2 meals per day are included
- Pickup from Kilimanjaro International Airport
- 2-kilometer commute to the project with easy local transport options
The Impact You Will Make On These Kids
Volunteering with the Destiny Foundation makes a profound difference in the lives of children with mental and physical disabilities, who often lack access to essential care. Your time and effort provide them with crucial physical and emotional support, helping improve mobility, communication, and overall quality of life.
For families in the outreach program, your support empowers parents with knowledge, enabling them to better care for their children. By raising community awareness, you help reduce stigma and discrimination, creating a more inclusive environment for disabled children.
Every contribution you make helps these children thrive, fostering a sense of belonging and possibility that has a lasting impact on both the children and their families.
Hear from other volunteers!
Emily, USA
“Volunteering at the Destiny Foundation was an incredibly rewarding experience. Although I started out feeling unsure due to the language barrier, the teachers gradually involved me more, and I began to connect with the students as I learned more Swahili. The children appreciated my presence, and the teachers encouraged me every step of the way, celebrating each bit of progress. It was an experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone and left a lasting impact. Outside of volunteering, Viva Tanzania provided excellent support, and the hostel made it easy to meet other volunteers and feel at home.”
Ce Wang, China
“Spent a month with the kids in pre school, What I saw and heard will have huge impact of changing the way I think. Viva Tanzania is great, not only the volunteer experience, it is very safe and you will be surprise that all people in the organization is so kind and great. 100% recommend!”
Jule, Germany
“I will never forget my time with Viva Tanzania! At first, I felt very insecure at the Special Needs Primary School in Arusha because I didn’t understand or speak Swahili, making it hard to communicate with the teachers and students. But over the weeks, the teachers involved me more in school life, and as I picked up more vocabulary, I connected better with the children, who appreciated my presence. The teachers were grateful for every bit of help I could offer. Outside of volunteering, the hostel made it easy to meet others, and the support from Tini and Tizia made me feel like more than just a visitor, after a short time, I felt like a friend.”
What's Included?
- Pre-arrival support through email, WhatsApp, telephone, and video calls
- Advice and guidance about the projects
- Pick up at the airport or bus station on your arrival
- Drop off at the airport or a bus station when you leave
- An orientation tour in Arusha personalized to your individual needs, including help buying a local SIM card, guidance on how to use public transport, and lunch
- On the first day of your project, our volunteer coordinator will come with you to show you which public transport to take and make sure you settle in well at your project
- Accommodation in our hostel. Dormitories or private rooms.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week
- 24/7 support from our volunteer coordinators who speak English and German
- Additional free time activities, such as safaris and treks, can be organized by the hostel for an additional cost
Frequently Asked Questions
There are two airports near Arusha, Kilimanjaro (JRO) and Arusha (ARK). Kilimanjaro is an international airport, and Arusha is a domestic airport. You can often find cheaper flights to JRO, so that should be your first choice. We will pick you up at any time, day or night, so please choose the flight that suits you best.
To volunteer in Tanzania you will need an Ordinary visa for the purposes of humanitarian and charity activities. Most countries can easily obtain the visa on arrival at the airport. It costs $US50 ($US100 for American citizens), is valid for three months and can be renewed once. If you plan to stay longer than six months you need to apply for a Resident Permit.
Our house has a secure two-meter-high wall, a daytime watchman, a night guard and our guard dogs. Arusha is generally safe but it is best to take a taxi in the evenings rather than walking. When you arrive we will give you all the tips you need to know on how to stay safe.
We welcome anybody who is open to new cultures, and who wants to contribute to meaningful projects in Tanzania. Work experience in the chosen field is welcome but is usually not a requirement. If a project has specific requirements they will be listed on the project page. A basic knowledge of English, and the willingness to learn some Swahili words are necessary.
