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IHP Volunteer Information
Come to Tanzania!
IHP has several ways for you to plug in and volunteer your time, whether that includes coming to Tanzania to provide medical care, administrative support, or construction muscles, or providing community outreach by hosting an event or fundraiser in your hometown where IHP can share their story with new people. Below you'll find the relevant information for all volunteers that want to make the trip to Tanzania.
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Visas
Tourist Visas cost $100 (USD) and may be paid upon entering the country at the airport.
Another option is going to https://visa.immigration.go.tz/start
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Tanzanian Embassy website is https://tanzaniaembassy-us.org/
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Travel to and from our Projects:
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The Hospital at Zuzu and the St. John's University School of Nursing
Dar es Salaam can be reached in less than 30 hours from the US and 14 hours from Europe by flying into the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. From there it takes 14 hours to drive from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma. There are flights and train service available to Dodoma.
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Room and Board:
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The Hospital at Zuzu
In Zuzu, room and board will be arranged for by Paula. $40 (USD) covers the cost of room and full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) per day.
Laundry is available for about $5 (USD) per week.
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Culture and Must-knows:
For those of you who have never traveled to an emerging country, you will find it a life-changing experience. There is a condition known as "Tanzaphilia" characterized by "once you have been there, you will always return". Most Tanzanians speak several languages: Swahili, English, and their mother tongue. Whether you are here for a long or short time, it is important to at least learn common greetings.
In Tanzania, greetings are very important, and before business is started, it is always expected to exchange greetings and to inquire about the state of things at home and work. There are small handbooks which will help you acquire basic greetings and words. Your local bookstore or Amazon will prove the best source for finding information on East-African Culture and common Swahili phrases.
Appropriate Attire:
Tanzanian culture suggests dressing modestly for everyday attire while out in the community. For women, we suggest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Men should wear pants as only children typically wear shorts.
While in the game parks, shorts and sportswear are appropriate.
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Seasons:
Tanzania enjoys four seasons each year: long rains (usually starting in March), long dry season (June-November), short rains (November), and the short dry season. These seasons are not always predictable and famine often occurs if the rains are not adequate or long enough to plant and harvest. Tanzania looks dramatically different in the rainy seasons and the dry seasons. Travel is adventuresome in the rainy season, but it is rewarding to see the green landscape and wildflowers. Travel is easier in the dry season, but the landscape is dry and dusty.
Emergency Contact Number:
If there is an emergency and your family or friends need to contact you while you're in Tanzania, they should try Sele's cell phone number at:
011 255 767 141 777
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Volunteer Application:
We are truly blessed to have such a strong demand to volunteer. Since we have limited accommodations and openings, we are asking anyone wanting to volunteer with IHP-US-TZ to submit a volunteer application. This will allow us to best match skills, needs, and availability of our volunteers.
The link to the application can be found here:
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When you've filled it out, just attach it in an email to Paula.
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Attention all Doctors and Nurses
Doctors and nurses must be authorized to practice. Details can be obtained by contacting Paula 6 months prior to your travel.
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TRAVELING TO TANZANIA
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AIRPORT:
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport is located in Dar es Salaam. This is the international airport which is closest. Fly into Dar es Salaam and we’ll pick you up or arrange transport for you.
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For details regarding transport, contact Paula at paula@ihptz.org. It is about an 8 hour drive from Dar es Salaam. There may be local flights.
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VACCINATIONS:
Yellow Fever is no longer required unless you come from somewhere where it is endemic or spend more than 12 hours in Kenya before arriving in Tanzania.
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We recommend that you check with the CDC website for whatever may be recommended at any certain time.
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Your local county Health Department will also have information.
For international travel vaccines go to www.cdc.gov/travel
or download TravWell from your Apple or Android phone.
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Required:
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An up-to-date Tetanus shot
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Hepatitis A and B (note that Hep. B shots are given 30 days apart. Make sure you have scheduled the second one before you start your travels.)
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Have a booster for your MMR (unless you've had the diseases mumps, measles, rubella)
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Immunization for chickenpox (unless you've had the disease) as we do have frequent cases of chickenpox
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DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) shot if you haven't already had one
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Polio booster, if you have not had one for ten years
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Yellow Fever is required, especially if you’ve flown in through Kenya.*** See Above
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Malaria prophylaxis; check with your personal physician for the best choice for you.
Optional:
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check with the CDC as to their requirements (not always the same as recommendations). Typhoid vaccination, either the injection or the new oral.
CLOTHING:
Because the area is heavily Muslim, it is very important to dress modestly and not offend the people around us. Women should bring at least one well-below the knee skirt to wear to church or other “dress up” occasions. Tight slacks or jeans are inappropriate, as are short tops exposing the belly. Shoulders and knees are covered for both men and women except when guys are playing sports. Long dresses are perfect for girls and women. Cargo pants and a shirt are common among boys and men. Consider bringing a raincoat if you’re here between October and March!
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If you are in the game parks, shorts and sportswear are acceptable. However, if you are in towns or upcountry, modest clothing is necessary.
In Dar es Salaam, the dress is more westernized and relaxed, but short shorts are never appropriate, anywhere.
Medical people can work in scrubs in the clinic, but please, not in town. Closed-toed shoes must be worn in the clinic, but sandals or tennis shoes are acceptable elsewhere.
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THINGS TO BRING:
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Flashlight and batteries are a must for moving about outside after dark and inside during power outages
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High percent DEET insect repellent
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Sting or itch stop
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Personal needs, especially feminine products
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Photocopies of passport, credit cards, etc.
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Swahili dictionary or phrasebook
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Lonely Planet or other Tanzania guide books
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Sunscreen/sunblock >SPF 30
THINGS TO SEE & DO:
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 nightlife, 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.
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SAFARI
There are tour companies that can assist you in scheduling a safari. 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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Click on this Link to Connect with Vesna -
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STAY PROTECTED
In addition to the prophylaxis provided by the shots and oral drugs listed above you should:
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Drink only bottled or boiled water including when you brush your teeth.
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Follow the instructions for handling dishes, showers, etc.
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Always use a high Deet insect repellent when outside, especially at dusk and/ or on safari in the tsetse fly areas. They are vicious and painful!
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Do not walk barefoot outside.
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Close doors and non-screened windows at dusk to keep the bugs out.
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Follow instructions posted for cleaning fruit and vegetables even before you peel them for eating.