This document provides an overview of key information about volunteering in Tanzania. It discusses Tanzania's climate and weather, noting warm temperatures year-round. It also outlines the country's population, capital, ethnic groups, languages, religions, government, and economic challenges. The document emphasizes that volunteering can help boost Tanzania's social and economic development. It encourages potential volunteers to learn about Tanzanian culture and history during their time there through organized cultural activities.

1.
VOLUNTEER IN TANZANIA, WHAT
YOU NEED TO KNOW
VOLUNTEER IN TANZANIA

3. With such a perfect location, perched on the edge of the African continent, and facing the
Indian Ocean, Tanzania’s weather and climate leaves nothing to be desired. Warm and
sunny days are followed by cool and balmy nights, and whether you choose to volunteer in
Tanzania, going for a safari on the Serengeti plains or enjoying the tropical beaches of
Zanzibar, the temperatures are always welcoming and gentle.
Location: Situated in East Africa just south of the equator, mainland Tanzania lies between
the area of the great lakes—Victoria, Tanganyika, and Malawi (Niassa)—and the Indian
Ocean. It contains a total area of 945,087 sq km (364,900 sq mi), including 59,050 sq km
(22,799 sq mi) of inland water.
Comparatively, the area occupied by Tanzania is slightly larger than twice the size of the
state of California. It is bounded on the North by Uganda and Kenya, on the East by the
Indian Ocean, on the South by Mozambique and Malawi, on the South West by Zambia,
and on the West by Zaire (DRC), Burundi, and Rwanda, with a total boundary length of
4,826 km (2,999 mi), of which 1,424 km (885 mi) is coastline. Tanzania claims part of Lake
Nyasa (Malawi), although its internationally recognized boundary is the eastern shore.
Population: 50,000,000 inhabitants
Capital city: Located in the heartland of Tanzania, Dodoma is the nation’s new official
political capital and the seat of government in the country. However Dar-es-salaam
remains the economical capital, with Arusha the tourist capital.

4. If you wish to volunteer in Tanzania, go for safari or climb Kilimanjaro then Arusha is
the place to be. KIVOLEX abroad volunteers situated in Arusha and being of the
leading volunteer abroad organization in Tanzania offers the best volunteer in
Tanzania programs than any other organization. For reliable, engaging and amazing
volunteer in Tanzania programs please visit KIVOLEX abroad volunteers while in
Arusha or take a look at their website www.abroadvolunteers.com we also advice
you to take your time and visit Tanzania tourist board to learn more in regards to
trips, tours and adventures in Tanzania.
Ethnic Groups: Mainland-native Africans constitute 99% of the total population.
About 120 peoples have been categorized into 5 ethnic groups distinguishable by
their physical characteristics and languages.
Approximately 95% of Tanzanians may be roughly classified as Bantu, a
comparatively recent blend mainly of Hamitic and Negroid stocks. Tribes range in
membership from only a few thousand to the Sukuma tribe, which numbers more
than 2 million. Other major tribes include the Nyamwezi, Makonde, Haya, and
Chagga. The Luo, east of Lake Victoria, are the only people of Nilotic origin; the
Masai of the northern highlands are Nilo-Hamites. A very small number of Bushmen-
like people are scattered throughout northern Tanzania, where small tribes of
Cushitic origin also live. The inhabitants of Zanzibar and Pemba are chiefly
descendants of mainland Africans or are of mixed African and Arab extraction. The
remaining 1% of the populace is made up of non-Africans, including Arabs, Asians,
and Europeans.

5. Languages: The official languages of Tanzania are English and Kiswahili. However, some 120
languages are spoken within the borders of Tanzania. The large majority of these (ca. 100) are
Bantu languages. The others belong to the language families Afro-Asiatic, Nilo-Saharan and
(controversially) also Khoesan.
A small number are unclassified. Immigrant languages from Europe and Asia can also be found.
To volunteer in Tanzania you only need an intermediate level of English, However before your
arrival in Tanzania for your volunteer program KIVOEX abroad volunteers will take you through a
short Swahili language course.
Religion: Christianity and Islam are the predominant religions of Tanzania. About 40-45% of the
population practice Christianity, about 35-40% practice Islam. The rest of the population
adheres to traditional beliefs, most of which centre around ancestor worship and nature-based
animism. Most Christians live on the mainland, where missionary stations and schools reach
deep into the continent. Islam is the major religion of the coastal areas but is also practiced
further inland along the old caravan routes.
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write; total population: 69.4%
Government Type: The United Republic of Tanzania is a unitary republic composed of 26 mikoa
(regions). The current head of state is President John Pombe Magufuli, elected in 2015. The
name Tanzania is a portmanteau of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The two states united in 1964 to
form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which later the same year was renamed
the United Republic of Tanzania. However if you wish to volunteer in Tanzania, that is both
mainland and Zanzibar you will need two different visas the one for mainland and the other one
for Zanzibar. KIVOLEX abroad volunteers team will help you through the process of obtaining a
Zanzibar Visa once you are in the mainland. Volunteers should know if they wish to volunteer in
Tanzanian in our mainland destination of Arusha then no second visa is needed. To learn more

6. Currency: The official unit of currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), divided into 100 cents. The
tourism industry prices everything in US Dollars and they are the preferred unit of currency.
Economic Overview: Tanzania is in the bottom ten percent of the world’s economies in terms of
per capita income. The economy depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for more than
40% of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force. Topography and
climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry
traditionally featured the processing of agricultural products and light consumer goods. The
World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania’s out-of-
date economic infrastructure and to alleviate poverty.
Long-term growth through 2005 featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial
increase in output of minerals led by gold. Recent banking reforms have helped increase
private-sector growth and investment. Continued donor assistance and solid macroeconomic
policies supported a positive growth rate, despite the world recession. International volunteers
who volunteer in Tanzania have been in one way or the other a great contributor to the social-
economic development of Tanzania. A country with Tanzania’s status socially and economically
needs a lot of help from well-wisher and people with the desire to help and share their skills to
the needy communities of Tanzania. That’s why KIVOLEX abroad volunteers and other agencies
have been working very hard to bring as many volunteers as possible to Tanzania to help boost
the government efforts of bringing about change.

7. Climate
Tanzania lies so close to the equator that seasonal variations in temperature are not
extreme. The elevation in the north is such that it doesn’t ever get too hot. While the
weather is best between June and September, don’t plan on seeing any animals in the
Serengeti – they will have migrated to Kenya. September-March is a good time to go, but
avoid April and May, when the weather is at its rainiest. As you approach the top of
Kilimanjaro, temperatures can be well below freezing year-round, especially at night.
Many of the northern wildlife reserves are about 10 degrees F/5 degrees C cooler year-
round than elsewhere. Take along a heavy sweater and a windbreaker or jacket. If you
are planning to volunteer in Tanzania especially in Arusha, the Tanzania’s tourist capital,
we advice to do it in between may and October were the weather is very conducive.
Owing to the country’s widely varying topography, Tanzania’s climate displays great
range of regional differences.

8. Culture
Tanzania culture is quite rich and has contributed a lot in the development and advancement of
the country. The diversity of Tanzania culture appeals to a large number of people coming from
distant areas across the globe. The various forms of Tanzania culture are language, painting,
sculpture, national anthem, popular dance music and art.
The most important contribution towards the culture of Tanzania has been done by the
language. More than 100 languages are spoken in this country. After the independence, the
government of the country found it very difficult to administer. So it introduced Swahili
language as the official language. The literature of Tanzania is no less enriched. Some eminent
writers of Tanzanian literature are Shafi Adam Shafi, Chachage Seith Chachage, Amandina
Lihamba, Edwin Semzaba,Penina Muhando Mlama and Euphrase Kezilahabi. ―Mungu Ibariki
Afrika is the national Anthem of Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The national Anthem‖
helps in strengthening the unity among the people so that they can usher in an era of all round
national development.
Makonde sculpture is quite famous in Tanzania and a few noted Tanzanian painters are Stephen
Ndebalema, Elias Jengo and Mohammad Raza. Among the painting styles, Tingatinga painting
deserves a
mention. Bongoflava has represented the new genre of music in the country. Various music
bands like Ottu and Sikinde are also very popular. Volunteer in Tanzania and the same time get
to learn new cultures and history. Our KIVOLEX abroad volunteers team will arrange for you
perfect culture learning and experiencing program that will leave you thinking of coming back to
Tanzania.

10. Volunteer in Tanzania Society and People
In many rural areas of Tanzania, tribal customs advocate a gender division of labor: women and
girls take care of the household chores, small children, and livestock, and plant and weed the
agricultural fields. Men prepare land for cultivation, care for large livestock, market produce,
and make the important financial and political decisions for the family. As girls and women
throughout the country have gained access to more formal education, however, they are
challenging the customary division of labor. Similarly, where conditions of extreme poverty
obligate male heads of households to migrate in search of work, women in these communities
have taken over some of the hard physical labor. In many modern households in Tanzania, wives
and husbands are challenging and questioning one another’s changing roles. The disruptive
effects of alcohol abuse, AIDS, and materialism have also placed great strains on relationships
within and among families.
The basic family structure is extended, although the pressures of development have led
increasingly to nuclear family units, particularly in urban areas. In most cases, the man is the
supreme head of the household in all major decisions. A wife earns respect through her children
and, indeed, is not considered to be a fully mature woman until she has given birth to a healthy
child. In most ethnic groups, she is recognized by her eldest child’s name and called, for
example, “Mama Kyaruzi,” after her eldest child of the same name. Children eat separately,
often with their mothers.

11. The market economy has placed significant pressure on the stability of the
domestic unit and the extended family. Educated, wealthy family members are
often called upon to provide resources to other
family members for their education and general welfare. In many areas deaths due
to AIDS have placed additional strain on the extended family.
As you volunteer in Tanzania, it is a perfect opportunity for you to meet new
people and create friendship that will last forever. It is also an opportunity for
those looking for an investment opportunity. Tanzania being a developing country
has millions of business opportunities and investment ideas you can take
advantage of. Volunteering in Tanzania gives you an opportunity to meet prospect
business partners, just let the KIVOLEX abroad volunteer team learn of your needs
and we will connect you. See what other have
benefited www.abroadvolunteers.com

13. History
In the 19th century Europeans began to explore inland Tanzania. In the 1840s two Germans,
Johann Ludwig Krapf and Johannes Rebmann reached Mount Kilimanjaro. In 1857 two Britons,
Richard Burton and John Speke reached Lake Tanganyika. In the 1860s missionaries arrived in
Tanzania.
Then in 1885 the Germans began taking over the region. The Germans were led by Karl Peters.
He formed a company called the German East Africa Company (Deutsch-Ostafrikanische
Gesellschaft). Peters persuaded African chiefs to make treaties with his company. Legally Peters
acted independently of the German government. Nevertheless his government approved his
actions.
Meanwhile the British had taken control of the island of Zanzibar. In 1890 Britain and Germany
signed a treaty dividing the area between them. Britain took Zanzibar and Germany took
mainland Tanzania. Then in January 1891 the German government took direct control of
Tanzania.
However from the start the Germans faced resistance in Tanzania. The first uprising was the
Abushiri revolt of 1888. The people on the coast of Tanzania resented German interference and
they rose in revolt led by a man named Abushiri bin Salim al-Harth. However the Germans
eventually crushed the revolt.
From 1891 to 1898 the Germans fought a war with a people called the Hehe. Eventually the
Hehe were defeated and their leader, Mkwawa, killed himself.
In 1905-07 came the Maji Maji rebellion. Africans were forced to work on cotton plantations
and eventually southern Tanzania rose in rebellion. The rebellion was crushed after the
Germans adopted a ‘scorched earth’ policy. At least 100,000 people died both as a result of the
fighting and as a result of starvation.

14. Between 1909 and 1913 250 tonnes of dinosaur bones were discovered at Tendaguru, north of
Lindi. The bones were shipped to a museum in Berlin.
In 1914 came the First World War. In Tanzania a small German force was led by Colonel Paul von
Lettow-Vorbeck. He was a very able man. When a British force landed at Tanga in November
1914 it was
defeated and fled leaving many weapons in German hands. The British invaded again in 1916
but they were unable to defeat the Germans.
However by 1917 the Germans in Tanzania were running out of food and ammunition so they
turned to guerrilla warfare. They continued to fight until Germany itself surrendered in
November 1918.
After the war Tanzania was handed over to the British. It was called Tanganyika. In 1925 Sir
Donald Cameron became the first governor. In 1926 a legislative council met.
Under British rule Tanzania exported cash crops like cotton. Much was grown on European
owned plantations. However some was also grown by Africans.
Meanwhile the Africans began to organise themselves. In 1929 they formed the African
Association in Dar Es Salaam.
Yet in Tanzania the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s were fairly uneventful. However things began to
change rapidly in the 1950s.
In 1953 Julius Nyerere was elected president of the Tanganyika African Association. In 1954 it
was renamed the Tanzania African National Union. It campaigned for independence with the
slogan Freedom and Unity (Uhuu na Umoja). The National Union participated in elections for
the legislative council in 1958 and 1959. However two-thirds of the seats were reserved for non-
Africans.

15. In 1960 that restriction was removed and in an election TANU won almost all the seats. The
move to independence was now unstoppable and Tanzania became independent on 9
December 1961 with Nyerere as prime minister. On 9 December 1962 Tanzania became a
republic and Nyerere became president.
Unfortunately in 1967 Nyerere adopted a policy of socialism. He made the Arusha declaration in
which he outlined his vision of a socialist Tanzania. However in Tanzania, as in other countries,
socialism proved to be a complete failure.
The cornerstone of that policy was called Ujamaa (family hood). Nyerere planned to create huge
collective farms. The people were encouraged to move into large villages in which food and
other goods would be produced collectively for the whole community.
However the policy proved disastrous for Tanzania. Agricultural production slumped and the
Tanzanian economy was wrecked.
Furthermore by 1973 only about 20% of the population had moved to Ujamaa villages. So
Nyerere forced people to move and by 1977 about 80% of the population had been resettled.
Meanwhile in 1975 Tanzania became a one-party state.
At that time Uganda was ruled by the tyrant Idi Amin. In October 1978 Amin invaded the Kagera
region on Tanzania. In January 1979 a Tanzanian force counterattacked and rapidly overran
Uganda. The Tanzanians withdrew in 1981.
Meanwhile Nyerere was re-elected president in 1980. However the Tanzanian economy was in
tatters and corruption was endemic. Furthermore Tanzania sank heavily into debt. International
donors demanded reform in return for help but Nyerere was unwilling to change his policies. So
in 1985 he resigned.

16. He was replaced by Ali Hassan Mwinyi. He spent the next 10 years trying to repair the
economy of Tanzania. Mwiyini privatised business and tried to purge corruption. He also
encouraged foreign investment. As a result the Tanzanian economy began to grow steadily.
In 1992 Tanzania became a multi-party democracy and in 1995 Benjamin Mkapa became
president.
In 2005 Jakaya Kikwete was elected president. Today Tanzania is still very poor. However the
government is making strenuous efforts to reduce poverty. In 2001 school fees were
abolished and as a result attendance at school greatly increased.
Tanzania is an overwhelmingly agricultural society and many of its people are subsistence
farmers. There are also plantations in Tanzania, which grow tea and coffee, tobacco, cotton
and cashew nuts. Tanzania also has considerable mineral resources.
Along the coast of Tanzania fishing is important. Tanzania also has great potential for tourism.
It has several national parks with animals like lions, leopards, crocodiles, giraffes and
hippopotamus.

18. Official Holidays
01 Jan – New Year’s Day.
12 Jan – Zanzibar Revolution Day. 26 Feb – Birth of the Prophet.
2 Apr – Good Friday.
5 Apr – Easter Monday. 26 Apr – Union Day.
1 May – International Labour Day. 7 Jul – Saba Saba (Industry’s
Day). 8 Aug – Nane Nane (Farmer’s Day). 11 Aug – Eid al-Fitr
(Ramadan).
14 Oct – Nyerere Day.
16 Nov – 17 Nov Eid al-Adha.
9 Dec – Independence and Republic Day. 25 Dec – Christmas Day.
26 Dec – Boxing Day.
Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and
the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes
Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be
disrupted slightly, especially along the coast and on the islands. Zanzibar and Pemba are fairly
conservative and during this time it is considered highly impolite to eat, drink or smoke in public
during daylight hours. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-
Kebir (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

19. Volunteer in Tanzania Food and Drink
Tanzanian food is, on the whole, unsubtle but tasty and filling. If there’s one dish that could be
described as quintessentially Tanzanian, indeed East African, it would be nyama choma – plain
and simple grilled meat. If the restaurant is any good they’ll add some sauces – often curry and
usually fiery – to accompany your meat and the whole lot will usually come with rice, chips,
plantains or the ubiquitous ugali. This is a stodgy cornmeal or cassava mush. Usually served in a
single cricket-ball sized lump that you can pick up with your fork in one go, ugali has the
consistency of plasticine and gives the impression
of being not so much cooked as congealed. A bit bland, it nevertheless performs a vital role as a
plate- filler, and acts as a soothing balm when eating some of the country’s more thermogenic
curries.
With the indigenous cuisine catering for carnivores, the country’s significant Indian minority has
cornered the market for vegetarian fare. Indian restaurants abound in Dar, Moshi, Arusha and
Nairobi, catering mainly for the budget end of the market though the cuisine at a top-notch
Indian restaurant in Tanzania is amongst the best served outside Britain or India. Volunteer in
Tanzania program also gives you a unique experience of enjoying some of the most delicious
food in Africa, enjoy the costal and mainland traditional dishes that you will want to go and try
cook when you go back home. Decide to come and volunteer in Tanzania for the experience of a
life time, see what we at KIVOLEX abroad volunteers offer at www.abroadvolunteers.com