The Team
Read About Our Experienced & Amazing Team Below
Tizia
Founder
Tizia founded Viva Tanzania in 2015. She lives in Tanzania since almost a decade and came to Tanzania herself as a volunteer in 2010 after she graduated from school.
Since then she spent countless hours exploring this beautiful country, became a mother of three wonderful children and furthermore graduated as a yoga teacher in 2023.
She is your first contact person, who answers emails, talks to you on the phone and give you all information about your volunteering or internship with us. Furthermore she is happy to plan safaris and trips with you.
In her free-time she loves to spend time with her dogs and cats that were rescues from the Mbwa Wa Africa Project, travel, do sports and yoga and is always up for a chat with her volunteers and guests.
Rama
Assistant Manager
Rama is our Manager. He is your first point of contact if you require any help, support, or advice during your stay. He will welcome you to our villa and show you around. He is an Arusha native and is happy to answer all your questions about Arusha, life in Tanzania, day trips, safaris, and mountain climbs. He also teaches the weekly Swahili classes, free of charge for volunteers!
Junior
Driver
Junior is our trusty driver. He will be the first person you meet at the airport upon arrival if you arrange for airport pickup. He speaks English and Swahili. Junior will be more than happy to show you around Arusha! He knows the town and surrounding very well and he's happy to answer any and all questions you may have. He is also part of our maintenance team!
Eliphasi
Gardener
Eliphasi, our green-thumb guru and passionate gardener. With a deep love for nature and a keen eye, Eliphasi transforms outdoor spaces into lush havens of beauty and tranquility. Trust him to cultivate your vision and bring your garden dreams to life.
Cliff
Marketing & Communication Manager
Cliff is our Marketing & Communications Manager. He is your first point of contact if you require any help, support, or advice during your stay. He will welcome you to our villa and show you around. He is an Arusha native and is happy to answer all your questions about Arusha, life in Tanzania, day trips, safaris, and mountain climbs. He also teaches the weekly Swahili classes, free of charge for volunteers!
Sarah
Chef
Do enjoy our fresh and delicious food? Give a big thanks to Sarah, she wakes up early in the morning ensuring you will be served a fresh and hot breakfast. In the evening he cooks delicious local Tanzanian and western food. If you have a tasty recipe to share, she will appreciate it! In his free time, Sarah loves to create and listen to music.
Gertrud
Masseuse
Meet Gertrud, your dedicated spa therapist committed to nurturing your well-being. With expert hands and a warm smile, Gertrud makes sure you refresh your body and calm your mind. Relax and unwind as Gertrud guides you through a journey of blissful rejuvenation.
Mama Denis, Pendo, and Elinipa
Housekeeping Mamas
Meet Mama Denis, Pendo, and Elinipa, together they form the backbone of our housekeeping team, each bringing their unique skills and unwavering dedication to ensuring every inch of our premises sparkles with cleanliness. Their skills combined creates an atmosphere of unparalleled freshness and tranquility. Their commitment ensures that guests feel welcomed and cared forand unwind in maintained by these dedicated guardians of cleanliness.
Amiri & David
Guards
Amiri and David, our stalwart protectors, standing watch with unwavering commitment and a sharp eye for detail. With years of experience in security, they safeguard our premises with diligence and determination, ensuring the safety and well-being of all who enter. From patrolling the grounds to monitoring surveillance, Amiri and David's presence provides a reassuring sense of security, creating a safe environment for everyone to enjoy.
Rama
Bar Manager
There is no Villa Viva party at our Sunset Bar without Rama. He is the best when it comes to mixing drinks and preparing Cocktails. It's always fun to be around him! He also takes care of the weekly movie nights.
Read our
Testimonials
“My partner and I spent 2 weeks in Arusha and with Viva Tanzania. Firstly, I’d like to highlight that the trip would never have been able to go ahead if it wasn’t for the help and support of Tizia during the planning process. We got in touch with Tizia on Facebook about 3 months before, as the volunteer programme that she offered seemed perfect for our preferences. From the word go she was always happy to help with planning and recommending things to do! On arrival to the hostel we felt warmly welcomed by not only the team but also by all of the other guests. The house felt very safe and was very spacious and homely, we especially loved the outside sitting area, where everyone would gather in the evenings to socialise and chat about their day. The food at the hostel was delicious and freshly cooked each night, and the monthly menu gave us the opportunity to taste Tanzanian food as well as other world-wide dishes. The staff were always happy to help with recommending other places to eat or get food if necessary.”
Bethan, 26
United Kingdom
Let's Start Your Adventure
Book your place now
Are you interested in our projects? Fill out the registration form and we will start planning your stay.
Start your volunteering experience in Tanzania and get the lifetime experience!