The following document provides information about the terms and conditions to participate in Viva Tanzania programs as a volunteer or an intern. Hereinafter volunteers or interns are called “participants”. Everyone above 18 years of age, who is mentally and physically able, can participate in our programs. Minors need a written declaration of consent from their parents. A maximum age limit does not exist.
1.Registration and payment of registration and program fee
After participants chose a project, their registration is considered binding upon filling in the registration form on our website. Within a maximum of three working days the registration will be confirmed by Viva Tanzania. After the confirmation, the registration fee has to be paid within one week via PayPal. By confirming the application and by paying the registration fee the participant and Viva Tanzania enter into a contract which does not require any further written form. After we receive the payment, we will provide the participant with our two handbooks which have a lot of information about their stay in Arusha with Viva Tanzania. No later than six weeks prior to arrival the program fee, depending on the program duration, must be paid via PayPal. Different methods of payment for the program fee, like paying by installments or paying cash on arrival are possible according to prior agreement. If a participant books a placement on short notice (less than six weeks prior to arrival) all fees are due within one week.
2. Registration and Program Fees
The registration fee is 200 Euro.
The program fee is 150 Euro per week in a dorm in the volunteer house or with a host family.
If accommodation is in a single room in the volunteer house, the charge is 200 Euro per week.
The fees do not include flights, visas, insurance, vaccinations and other personal expenses.
3.Use of fees
The registration fee includes:
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pre-arrival support through email, WhatsApp, telephone and video calls
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advice and guidance about the projects
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pick up at the airport or bus station on your arrival
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drop off at the airport or a bus station when you leave
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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
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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
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a 50 Euro project donation*
*We donate a quarter of the registration fee to our Viva Tanzania Volunteer’s fund. This fund is used to help the projects we work with when they have extra expenses they cannot afford. For example, medical and veterinary costs, utility bills, salaries, and paint.
The program fee includes:
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accommodation in our hostel or with a host family
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breakfast and dinner seven days a week, (lunch is included in some projects – see the project descriptions for more information)
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24-hour support from our volunteer coordinators who speak English
4.Changes in prices
Viva Tanzania has no influence on price changes by third parties; these have to be paid by the participants, after proof provided by Viva Tanzania. Viva Tanzania reserves the right to raise prices and fees in cases such as increased food prices or utilities. This is subject to prior notice and will not be applied retroactively to already booked services.
5.Cancellation by the participant / not used service
If a participant decides to cancel the trip prior to arrival or while in Tanzania there is no right of reimbursement.
6.Cancellation by Viva Tanzania
Viva Tanzania reserves the right to dismiss participants who do not follow the rules set by Viva Tanzania and/or Tanzanian law. In this case there is no entitlement to a reimbursement of fees already paid.
7.Project intermediation
The project placement will be arranged taking into consideration the wishes and ideas of participants as well as the ability and demand of volunteers/interns. Participants need to know that sometimes the projects may receive volunteers and interns from other sources. Therefore, in exceptional cases it can happen that the desired project is not available. In this case Viva Tanzania will propose an appropriate and equivalent replacement project.
Otherwise, a project change is only permitted if justified, upon agreement with Viva Tanzania. Participants will have the opportunity, if discussed in advance, to participate in more than one project.
8.Office hours and reachability
Office hours are from 9am until 8pm. During this time there will always be one of our Viva Tanzania staff members in the hostel. Apart from being present in the hostel Viva Tanzania staff members are available via telephone, and will come to the hostel or a host family any time they are needed.
9.Accommodation and board
We offer different types of accommodation. Depending on their wishes, participants are accommodated in our hostel or with a host family. In the hostel we offer shared rooms, with a maximum of six people. We try to separate the rooms by gender but cannot always guarantee this. If accommodation in a single room (at a surcharge) is desired, please let us know in the registration form.
Viva Tanzania provides breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is a buffet consisting of vegetables, pancakes, fruits and daily specialities. Dinner is mostly typical Tanzanian, but we also cook international food from time to time.
We expect the participants to observe the conditions laid down by Viva Tanzania. This includes to keep the hostel clean and tidy, to wash their own dishes, and sometimes to help with the cooking. Bed linen is provided and can be changed upon request, participants need to bring their own towels.
10. Security in the accommodations
The volunteer hostel is located in Sakina, a safe neighborhood in Arusha. The hostel has a secure two-meter-high wall, two guard dogs, a daytime watchman and a night guard, to ensure safety. We also offer safes for storing your valuable belongings. All of our host families are also located in safe neighborhoods. And the participant’s private room at the host family house can be locked so that your valuables can be safely stored there.
Nevertheless, Viva Tanzania assumes no liability for any lost or stolen items from the hostel or the host families house.
11. Insurance
Viva Tanzania highly recommends all participants take insurance for their time in Tanzania. There are different types of insurance for health, travel, luggage, etc. Please check with your local insurance company which insurance policies are appropriate for you. Viva Tanzania cannot be held responsible for accidents, lost or stolen items or any other incident while in Tanzania.
12. Act of nature beyond control / Force Majeure
If a participant cannot travel to Tanzania and participate in the booked program due to:
– acts of nature beyond control
– force majeure such as wars, riots, closed borders, epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters (fire, floods, earthquakes, storms)
– or other unforeseeable reasons which neither the participant nor Viva Tanzania can influence
the participant is not entitled to any reimbursement of payment already made.
However, the participant can make use of fees that have already been paid at a later date. In that case a voucher will be provided.
13. Disclaimer/Limitation of liability
Participants travel to Tanzania at their own risk. They are responsible for their own insurance and well-being. We advise all participants to contact their local doctor and a specialist in tropical diseases prior to traveling.
Viva Tanzania can only be held responsible for service directly booked through us like accommodation, board, on-site support and the intermediation of projects. In case of any disagreement Viva Tanzania will take care of an appropriate indemnification in the sense of service. Participants are not entitled to any financial refund. Viva Tanzania always strives to ensure that participants and partner projects are satisfied. All claims for compensation must be made on site, claims made afterwards cannot be accepted and taken into account.
Further information can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions and in the handbooks.
Tanzanian law applies.
Terms and conditions are valid till further notice.
Last update: April 2021