What should I bring to wear?

It is cooler than you may think.  We are at 1370 meters elevation, about 4768 feet.  The average temperature year-round is 70 F.  You may want to bring a light jacket and at night a quilt or blanket feels good. 

Women should bring at least one skirt to wear to church or more “dress up” occasions.  Tight slacks or jeans are inappropriate.  Bare middles would be shocking.  Shoulders and knees are covered for both men and women except when guys are playing sports.  I usually wear longish dresses.  Denny wears cargo pants and a shirt. 

Medical people can work in scrubs.

We wear sandals most of the time, or tennis shoes. 

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What is the temperature like?

We are at 4768 ft. elevation and our temperature is between 64 and 85 year-round.  There is a wet season and a dry season.  Wet season is usually October or November until the middle of April.  However, climatic changes are affecting rainfall and the weather is less predictable.

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How can I get money (Tanzania shillings) in Mwanza?

There are ATM machines in Mwanza.  You use your ATM card and put in the amount of Tanzania shillings you want up to 400,000.00 per transaction. The exchange rate in 2010 is about 1300 Tsh/ $1.00 USD.  Your ATM card should have the "PLUS" and or the "INTERLINK" symbols on the back of the card to ensure it will work.  Some cards without these symbols have not worked.  Check with your bank about the cost of an international transaction.

If you bring cash it must be in bills newer than 2002 or they will not be exchanged for Tanzanian shillings.  The exchange rate for 50s and 100s is better than smaller bills.  Carry money safely under your clothing or in a money belt when your travel.

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Can I buy things with a credit card or traveler’s checks?

Credit cards are okay for ATM use, but Mwanza is a cash economy.  You can probably use them for some of the safari/tourist places.  Travelers checks cannot be cashed anywhere in Mwanza.  Credit cards have limited usage here.  Check with your bank regarding charges for cash advances.

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How much cash do I need to bring with me and what will I need money for?

The United Nations recommends that their people carry about $400.00 with them in a foreign country to cover unforeseen emergencies.

You will also need money to buy gifts, water, soda and food, going out to dinner, helping us with fuel for transportation, internet (1500 Tsh per hour), postage, telephone, etc. 

If you go on safari these expenses should be made clear in advance by your safari company.  We will be happy to recommend companies with whom we’ve had experience, if you’d like.

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How do I pay for my room and board?

For larger groups we ask that you pay in advance by sending a check for the amount owed to IHP US-TZ, c/o Joyce Zemel, 1811 S 39th St. #36, Mesa, AZ 85206.  Please clearly mark on the memo line that this is for room and board and which days and which group.

For individuals or small groups we prefer they pay while they are in Mwanza directly to Paula either in USD or T-shillings every Friday.

The cost for bed and full board, (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) is about $20.00 per day.  However, the cost of food is rising rapidly and we may need to increase that slightly to $25.00 per day for full board.  For now for larger groups we’re using the VETA hostel that is next door to our compound.  The rate there is 10,000 Tsh per person per day for B & B. Meals are available at Lucy’s for $5.00 (6,000 Tsh. Each).  Some people will buy groceries and cook for themselves if they are staying in one of the guest houses.  We try to accommodate shopping needs for our guests by having them ride into town with us to buy groceries when we go.

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What are the housing accommodations like?

We have two guest houses, one has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, living, dining, and kitchen with plumbing (however, we do not flush every time, and because the plumbing is delicate, we do not put paper in it).  There are hot water showers.  The other guest house has three bedrooms and one bathroom which has hot water.  Our house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms and there are two bathrooms with hot showers.  Mosquito nets are on all beds.

Bringing a pillow is a great idea not only for sleeping, but for sitting on if you’re going on safari, or will ride across the game parks. It is bumpy.  We appreciate any linens/towels/washcloths/pillows, etc. you’d like to leave as a donation.

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Will I be able to do laundry there?

You can wash out anything you want, but if it’s the rainy season, it may not get dry right away.  We do have ladies here happy to do your laundry for you at the cost of about $5.00 per week.  Please mark everything with a black marker with your name.  All laundry is done by hand in cold water.  Please bundle it up once a week or so in your sheet and give it to Lucy for one of the laundry ladies.

Please note, everything is line dried, so don't plan on having anything washed that you don't want other people to see.

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What are my meal options and with whom will I eat?

Basically food costs are about $5.00 (6,000 Tsh) a meal for lunch and dinner.  Many volunteers eat at the hostel for one or more meals, and eat with Denny and Paula for breakfast.  The B & B for the guest houses is $10.00 (13,000 Tsh) per night and that includes breakfast at Paula’s.

If you stay at the VETA hostel, you will eat with your group there for breakfast and then at Lucy’s for lunch and dinner.

If you stay at a guest house you can choose to cook for yourself or do communal cooking and eating and cleaning up at Paula's house.  Bed and breakfast (self serve) is $10.00 (USD) (13,000 Tsh) per day.  Bed and breakfast.  Lucy can fix your suppers at $5.00/meal (6,000 Tsh) or you can grocery shop and fix your own.  There are also local restaurants in the village you can go to for dinner.  Any combination of the above options are acceptable.

It’s a good idea to bring your own favorite snack foods. There is not a 7-11 on the corner.

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What kind of food is served?

Paula is an American and tends to do American style cooking for the breakfasts. The guests in the guest house have been known to have hamburgers, spaghetti, etc. Soup is fixed frequently. Because we are near Lake Victoria, fresh fish is available in the market and we have it frequently. We also fix chicken from time to time, but it’s a bit of a production as when you buy it, it’s still alive. Each of the houses has a stove and refrigerator. At the grocery store in town you can buy frozen chicken, hot dogs, sausages, beef and pork. Vegetables and fruit are sold in open markets.

At Lucy’s, the food served will depend somewhat on what’s in season, but it will include soup, ugali (maise – corn – that is ground up and cooked in water to a thick mashed potato consistency), rice, noodles, cooked cabbage, meat, chicken, fish, and whatever vegetables and fruits that are in season, such as pineapple, avocados, tangerines, bananas, oranges, carrots, green peppers, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, etc.

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If I have special dietary needs can they be accommodated?

Denny is allergic to onions.  Paula is allergic to beef, pork, lamb, goat, shrimp, sunflower seeds and pepper.  Mary Ellen has celiac disease and can’t eat gluten.  We understand allergies and special needs, and we’ve learned to work around them.  When we have a group of people cooking here, there is plenty of “give and take” with menus and a variety of foods so no one seems to ever go hungry.

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Are my expenses tax deductible in the U.S.?

Check with your own tax person.

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What kind of work do you need volunteers to do?

We need medical professionals, of course, but we also need people who know how to build or are “handy”.  We need building professionals, i.e. tradesmen and women, but we also welcome those who come along “to fetch and carry.”  There is always sorting to be done in Central Supply.  There is always work for willing hands.  Most people are able to see what needs to be done or are clued in during orientation and take possession of a particular project or to just lend a hand doing those things that need doing in the houses, dishes, etc.  We do not have a staff person designated to direct volunteers.

All medical people must be licensed by the Medical or Nursing Boards of Tanzania.  Please go to our application page to download the forms.  The process takes about six (6) weeks so please allow plenty of time.  If even one form is not completed, or one paper not there or not properly notarized, the whole process stops.

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What training/expertise are you looking for?

In the medical field, at this point we are an outpatient clinic.  We can do some “lumps and bumps” type surgeries and small procedures but our O.R. is not staffed full time yet.  We do have a medical laboratory that we’re attempting to equip.  We have a small O.R. and teams have done major surgeries by bringing their own staff plus hiring some extra help here with enough advanced notice.

There are opportunities for teachers to work in the different schools run by the diocese.  Artists can decorate the walls.  Computer people can teach us at a very basic level.  Electricians can wire, plumbers can figure out some of the crazy water systems here.   Painters can paint and paint and paint and paint, engineers can help us with building designs and construction techniques.  Gofers and flunkies are highly valued.

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Do you have any restrictions on who can volunteer?

We do not want to take responsibility for children under 16 years of age, and then only those accompanied by a parent.  For groups having individuals who are ages 18 to 20 we expect responsible adults to chaperone them.

It is important for people to be in good health.  Life is more strenuous here than in the U.S. and people need to be able to get around and in and out of safari vehicles, etc.  If you have a chronic back problem, for instance, it would be a good idea to check with your physician to see if you could withstand the travel on our rough roads.

You can stay either short or long-term, depending on your schedule and what you plan to do while you’re here.

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Will I have any free time/days off?

Yes, your volunteer schedule is up to you. However, we have very limited transport available for “going to town for shopping, etc.” and your shopping would have to be worked into the errands needing to be run that day by our staff. If you want to go into town for a special trip on your own, then we’d expect you to pay the fuel and driver. Fuel was about $6.15/gallon in 2010. It takes about 20 minutes driving time to get from the clinic compound to downtown Mwanza.

The clinic is in operation 5 ½ days a week.  On Sundays, you can go to church at the chapel here on the grounds, or you can go into town to any of the churches there.  There are nice restaurants in Mwanza to go to after church, if desired.  Restaurant meals run $10 to $15.

The Sukuma Cultural Center is about 14 Km from the compound and is an interesting afternoon visit and features dancers/singers.  We can arrange for that with some advanced notice.  It’s about $10.00 per person.

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Is the environment calm or chaotic?

As a whole the country is at peace.  However the environment at Nyakato is busy and filled with a lot of activities and people working and playing hard.  If it's just peace and quiet you are looking for, you may want to reconsider coming.  There are activities all the time, work needing to be done, and people everywhere.  You need to be able to cope with that kind of excitement.

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What is there to see and do in the area?

You can go walking with a partner.  You can play games with the local youth, they’re very welcoming, i.e. soccer and basketball.

As far as night life, it’s not much of an option for visitors.  We don’t have transport available at night and taxis do not run after 9:00 P.M.

The Sukuma Cultural Center is about 14 Km from the compound and is an interesting afternoon visit and features dancers/singers.  We can arrange for that with some advanced notice.  It’s about $10.00 per person.

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Do I need to speak Swahili? Do Tanzanians speak English?

The clinic staff speaks English.  Most Tanzanians speak a little English.  You do not have to speak Swahili but a few words, especially greetings, are nice.  For medical people we can e-mail you a “cheat sheet” with medical terms in English and Swahili to acquaint you a little with them before you come.

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How do I get Mwanza?

To get to Mwanza, depending on which airline you choose, we recommend that you come into JRO which is Kilimanjaro International Airport, half way between Arusha and Moshi.  Most international flights come in the late evening, so you stay the night at the Kia Lodge which is five minutes from the airport and has a complimentary shuttle, then fly out in the morning to Mwanza.  We can have a local travel agent make these reservations for you once you have your international flight booked.  If you come into Nairobi, you’ll also probably have to spend the night and then fly the next day.  There are direct flights to Mwanza four times per week, otherwise you go through Kilimanjaro airport and on to Mwanza.  If you fly into Dar es Salaam we ask that you book a flight that arrives in the early morning so that you can schedule your flight to Mwanza for the same day.  Accommodation is not easy or inexpensive in Dar es Salaam.  It is best to just wait at the airport for your connecting flight to Mwanza.

One problem may be transport of luggage.  Your international flight may allow two bags of 50 pounds each plus a carry-on.  Precision has much lower luggage allowances, so figure one checked bag and a small carry on.  If you bring more luggage, there are other options for bringing it over i.e. when your safari company comes to pick you up, they can bring the extra bag at that time.   Sometimes Vesna of Pure-Afro Travels can get an allowance for some extra poundage on Precision, but it depends on how full the plane is and it may still cost you extra.

When you know the booking for your flight to Mwanza, you'll let us know by e-mail and we will be at the airport to meet you.

It is best to do your safari travel after you leave Mwanza.  Or, if you're staying with us for awhile, you can take some time during the middle of your stay to go on Safari.  If you're going to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro you should absolutely do that at the end of your trip rather than the beginning.  Just being with us at our somewhat higher elevation for awhile will help with altitude adjustment a little.

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I’d like to go on safari while I’m there. How can I arrange that?

There are tour companies that can assist you.  We recommend Pure-Afro Travels at info@pure-afro.com.  There are several levels of travel and what you want to spend is up to you.  Vesna is the queen of detail and follow-up and we feel confident in having our guests in her care.

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What shots do I need?

We recommend that you check with the CDC website for whatever may be recommended at any certain time.

For sure you will need:

     An up-to-date Tetanus shot

     Hepatitis A and B

     Have a booster for your MMR (unless you've had the diseases mumps, measles, rubella)

     Immunization for chicken pox (unless you've had the disease) as we do have frequent cases of chicken pox

     DPT (Diphtheria, Pertusis, Tetanus) shot if you haven't already had one

     Polio booster; if you have not had one for ten years

Optional:  check with the CDC as to their requirements (not always the same as recommendations).

     Typhoid vaccination, either the injection or the new oral

     Yellow Fever

ESSENTIAL:  Malaria prophylaxis; Check with your personal physician for the best choice for you.

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How can I sign up for your newsletter?

If you’d like to receive our e-mail updates, please send Paula a note at: paula@ihptz.org and shell put you on the list.

We print a newsletter every so often and if you’d like to be on the list, please let us know. Our contact information is on the Contact page of this Web site.

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If there's an emergency while I'm in Tanzania, how can my family or friend contact me?

If there is an emergency and your family or friends need to contact you while you're in Tanzania, they should try Paula's cell phone number at: 011 255 784 749 320.

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Are you affiliated with a church? How?

International Health Partners, U.S. is a 501c3 non-profit corporation registered with the State of Minnesota. International Health Partners, TZ is a registered NGO (Non-Governmental Organization).

At Nyakato, we work with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, East of Lake Victoria Diocese.  The health care facility is on land owned by the church.  However, the clinic treats anyone who comes to the door regardless of religion or beliefs.  We are here to serve the people of Tanzania.

The ELCT/ELVD Nyakato Health Center is managed by the Clinic Officer, Dr. Bonaventura, and the nurse manager, Mirriam.  It is THEIR clinic to run. Visiting medical professionals are here to assist them, not to force them to do things the “American way, or the Austrian, Australian, German, Irish, British way”.  (We have visiting medical professionals from all over the world.)  They welcome suggestions, but please be aware it is THEIR clinic, not ours and not yours.  Suggestions may be integrated within the clinic, but it is a process.  We are here to assist them to give the best medical care possible under the circumstances.

In Dodoma, our nursing school is part of St. John’s University, an Anglican institution.

In Dar es Salaam, the pediatric AIDS hospital will be an NGO.

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Do cell phones work there?

Yes.  However, we use pre-paid phones here with cards you buy to put money into the phone.  Some U.S. cell phones work out here but I have no idea of the costs.  You must check with your cell phone plan.  A cell phone here costs about $30.00 on up.  We do have good coverage here in Mwanza.  For some cell phones, especially European ones, just buying a Tanzanian sim card will do.

Do not use your cell phone next to the open window in the car because someone may grab it.

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Are there any special instructions for medical teams visiting IHP-TZ?

Yes, there are special instructions for medical teams.  They are available on the Volunteer page and listed below.

1. All teams need to turn in their authorization documents together with the date they are coming, and they should be Fed Exed to Mary Ellen Kitundu, 966 Haile Selassie Street, Dar es Salaam with the phone number 0755665740.

2. Doctors also need an original letter from their medical board stating they are in good standing. No longer will internet downloads be acceptable. Given time this is usually not too difficult. We have even had a doctor get one of these letters within 3 hours. Someone from some country has faked the internet download, so we are all paying the price! To review doctors requirements: a. application form (get from website,) b. notarized picture page of passport, c. two passport pictures with your name written on the back and notarized, d. CV, e. notarized current license, and f.a letter of good standing from your medical board. If your diploma is in another language, i.e. Latin, it HAS to be translated.

3. Nurses who are seeking temporary documentation need only fill in the application form, notarized nursing license, notarized nursing diploma and passport picture. Mary Ellen pays their fee and they can reimburse the fee to her when they come. DO NOT send money through the mail. Two applicants have lost all their documents because someone figured out there was cash in the envelope. There is a new address for the nursing council, but if you send everything to MEK, there is no problem. Mary Ellen also has to write an introductory letter in order for the process to begin.

4. If doctors come as part of a team, the fee for all the medical is $50. A team can be a doctor and a couple of nurses, many doctors, or a husband and wife. If you come alone, the fee is $300. We pay this and you pay it back. DO NOT SEND MONEY THROUGH THE MAIL.

5. Please allow time to process everything. A month would be a blessing. People go on vacation or to seminars or are ill, and we cannot control this. Also sometimes we have electrical outages, many national holidays, and non-functioning email. It gets very stressful if MEK has to get the authorization a couple of hours before she gets on the plane.

6. If you are bringing drugs or medical equipment, it must be run through the Tanzania Food and Drug Administration (TFDA). This is because some people are dumping expired drugs and terrible equipment into the country. Give me at least 2 weeks to process these. The TFDA is 1 hour of rough nail biting heavy traffic driving from my house, and it takes at least 3 trips to process one request. Then the request has to be mail expressed to the airport and scanned and mailed to you so you can come into the country without hassle.

7. To review: drugs should be in a table form with the following headings: name of drug, Quantity, Manufacturer, batch number, expiry date (must be more than 6 months)and value. We also need a letter stating that the drugs are a bona fide drug (on letterhead of some kind). They also require another "invoice paper" which has the following information on it: 1. country of origin, 2. name of donor 3. date and flight number if hand carried and by whom hand carried, 4, total value, 5, some kind of "invoice number"...make one up like 2010-123. All this is entered into a computer program and if one thing is missing, the process stopped. All this can be emailed to mkitundu@gmail.com.

8. Equipment must have 1) Invoice paper as described in #7, 2) Bona fide gift letter, 3) In table form: country of origin, name and manufacturer of equipment or supplies, 4) expiry date if applicable, 5) value, 6) invoice number and document if purchased.

OK, lots of paperwork, but if everyone follows the rules and spends a little time on these issues, it pays off in the end. If you don't have it, there is lots of trouble at the airport. We have made it known that IHP-TZ does not pay bribes and once a bribe is paid, it makes lots of trouble for groups and volunteers that follow.

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