We co-operate with various medical service providers in northern Tanzania. We will work with you to identify the best placement based on your wishes, previous experience and qualifications.
You can choose between various hospitals in and around Arusha or support our community outreach programme in the form of medical outreach - providing medical service to rural and impoverished groups. A combination of two placements is also possible, depending on the length of your stay.
One of our hospitals is a medical facility
located in the center of Arusha which is run by the church. Specializations include paediatrics and
obstetrics, tuberculosis and malaria testing and treatment, HIV / AIDS
counseling as well as diagnosis and therapy as part of the US support program,
ophthalmology and a broad-based surgical clinic. It is a full-service hospital and especially suitable for pre-medicals who would like to shadow the local medical professionals and gain a broad insight into medical day-to-day life in Tanzania. Our volunteers especially love to engage in the pediatric ward.
The clinic works almost exclusively with donations. While the dental, eye and HIV clinic was originally sponsored, more is needed to further build different clinic. The clinic has a new pediatric ward and an isolation ward upstairs. Further stations are in planning. Patient fees are moderate, but pregnant women, children and the elderly often receive free benefits. There is also a physiotherapy ward.
It is also possible to work in a public hospital, mainly for volunteers with existing experience/qualifications. Volunteers are given a lot of responsibility, which makes the placement very valuable, but can also be a strain on their mental health. The medical standard in public hospitals in Tanzania is very low, there is a lack of basic equipment and often also a lack of sufficient qualifications among the medical staff. Whilst you can have a big impact, you can also quickly reach your limits here and should therefore carefully consider your choice beforehand.
You may also choose to work in a large private hospital, although you should have completed at least half of your medical studies or already have a qualification. The private hospital offers a comparatively high medical standard and treats patients from all walks of life. It is particularly interesting for doctors and nurses who wish to gain an intensive insight and professional exchange with their local colleagues.
Finally, the STEP Africa team also carries out its own community outreach, which is based on the experience and qualifications of our volunteers on site. We are very happy when medical volunteers want to support our programme and we can adapt the plan accordingly. In medical outreach, you will travel with our outreach coordinator to remote villages on a daily basis to conduct medical awareness sessions, health checks and vaccination campaigns. The target groups are primarily women and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Requirements
In general, it is a bonus if volunteers have
already gained some medical experience or are already qualified. However,
motivated volunteers who wish to study or start a medical education (nurse,
midwife, EMT, etc.) and have no prior knowledge are also most welcome to spend an
internship at one of the medical facilities. We issue all relevant certificates to have the internship recognized by your university or training facility (e.g. as a nursing internship) in your home country!
Please note: As a volunteer you need to bring your own work clothes. We will give you detailed information on what you will need to bring.
Donations
Hospitals generally have a high demand for medical donations. Unfortunately, the administrative burden of importing medical donations is very high and the hospitals are not always able to obtain an import permit for donations. We therefore advise volunteers to only bring equipment for their own needs (clothing, disinfectant, gloves, masks) and to purchase donations locally if they wish. This includes medical equipment, hospital furniture, laboratory equipment, etc. The wish lists of our hospitals are constantly adapting to demand, which is why it is better to enquire about this on-site if you are planning to start a donation campaign.
Please also note that our hospitals charge a so-called mandatory donation of $50 / week, which is not included in our fees. This donation is paid directly to the hospital and goes towards the running costs of the clinics (covering staff salaries and utility costs). This donation can also be raised as part of a fundraising campaign and goes in full towards the running of the hospitals.
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Further important Information:
Preparation
Preparing for a volunteering assignment abroad isn't always a simple task as there is a lot to keep in mind. Our team will be there for you along the way. We have our own STEP Africa Volunteer Area. Once you apply and we confirm your application you will get online access to this area where you find a detailed preparation handbook as well as many further updates & information and the contacts of other volunteers traveling at the same time as you. In case of any questions you will always be able to reach us via E-Mail or Phone / WhatsApp.
On the Ground Support and Emergency Availability
The whole STEP Africa Team is on the ground in Tanzania. We are like an extended family and you will always be able to talk to us in case of any problems, questions or if you simply want to have a chat. We are there for you! Of course we are available 24/7 in case of any emergency.
Vaccinations/ Medical Care in Tanzania
We recommend that you consult your trusted travel doctor for individual advice on travel vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis. There aren't any mandatory vaccinations for entering Tanzania and the risk of contracting malaria is considered very low in Arusha due to the altitude. If you plan a trip to the island of Zanzibar, you will need to get a yellow fever shot as it is mandatory there. Arusha has some good private medical facilities, so in case you fall ill you will be in safe hands.
Booking of Flights and Insurances
Booking your flights and respective travel insurance is not included in our fees and will be your own responsibility. This however is an advantage for you, as you will be able to scan for the best and most affordable offers from your home country or country of residence. Of course we are always happy to help and offer advice in case you are unsure what is the best solution for you. Our arrival day is Thursday and our departure day is Wednesday. Please take this into account when booking your flights.
Visa
In order to volunteer in Tanzania you will need a Visa for Humanitarian and Charity Activities which costs $100 for US-citizens and $50 for citizens of all other countries. This visa is valid for 3 months. Those planning to stay for up to 6 months will need a visa extension which costs $300 ($250 for non US-citizens respectively)
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We are STEP Africa – Exchange for Change, a Tanzanian volunteer organization that was founded in German-Tanzanian cooperation in 2014. We organize and supervise meaningful and ethical volunteer placements and internships in Arusha, Northern Tanzania. Till date we have hosted over 1000 interns and volunteers from all over the world.
With our programs we aim to contribute towards international understanding and give our participants intercultural and global ability to act. With the support of our participants we are committed to worthy projects and initiatives in Tanzania. We believe that working together in intercultural teams by exchanging ideas and viewpoints will let everyone involved, Organizations such as volunteers and interns, benefit in the long run.
Our team combines relevant qualifications and many years of experience in project coordination, volunteer mediation and social work in Tanzania and abroad. Our supervisors are available as contact persons on site at any time for our volunteers and projects. We offer our volunteers the opportunity to use their knowledge in Tanzania to get involved in meaningful projects and to gain valuable professional experience in different fields such as Social Work, Women’s Rights, Primary Schools, Daycare Center, Health Care and Animal Welfare.
We firmly believe in the power of change through intercultural exchange. With our programs we promote and demand equal rights and cultural tolerance. We place our volunteers exclusively in projects in which they can gain valuable experience for their future. Our volunteers do not replace local employees. Volunteers are assistants who offer support to local staff and, for example, perform tasks for which there is otherwise too little time. It is important to us that we only place our volunteers in projects that share our values towards international volunteering.
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