from 760€

Brilliant 4.7rating (24)

Urban Farming & Sustainability

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Highlights

  • Experience a life changing cultural journey to Africa.
  • Gain perspective of how developing nations keep their cultures alive in our modern fast changing world.
  • Become more passionate about social development and gain a sense of community!
  • Make memories you will never forget with people from all over the world sharing your experience with you.
  • See some of the most incredible nature scenes in the world including world heritage site Ngorongoro Crater

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Volunteer to work in this amazing inner city farm encouraging sustainable living and rebalance of the eco system and learn sustainable and cultural ways of farming.

About the project

The project is set in an inner city farm that is using sustainable ways to run their farm to create greater harmony with the natural ecosystem. The farm also produces dairy organic products and organic food processing to sustain and keep the farm running. The owner is a second ...

About the program

About the project

The project is set in an inner city farm that is using sustainable ways to run their farm to create greater harmony with the natural ecosystem. The farm also produces dairy organic products and organic food processing to sustain and keep the farm running. The owner is a second generation farmer whose father is well known and respected in the local community and passed on his legacy to his son. The owner is certified in food processing and has been continuously driving great ways to run an urban city farm in the local community. 

Our interns are invited to join the farm to get a glimpse into how the local culture has influenced modern farming techniques, nutrition and how learning about sustainability works directly in hand with the local cultural techniques that have been used for decades.

What they do: 

  • The farm has a small plot growing herbs, fruit and vegetables indigenous to the local land

  • They keep cows and free range chickens which provide organic milk and eggs

  • The cows are well looked after with regular veterinary checks and consultations

  • The milk is used to produce incredible dairy products processed right no the farm and sold locally, creating single source food products

  • The farm has it’s own grey water filtration system and natural water provision 

  • The owner is constantly looking for ways to harness natural resources and teach sustainable farming methods to his community

Criteria:

  • 18 years old +

  • For student interns: 2nd year + Undergraduate University Student: 

Educational background for student interns:

  • Agriculture, Nutrition, Food Technology, Environmental Studies, Ecology, Sustainability, Permaculture, Geography, International Development and other related fields.

For experienced interns: 6 months + experience for professional candidates from related professional backgrounds

  • Background: Agriculture, farming and related fields.

  • Skilled Trade workers willing to teach: Farming, agriculture, ecology, permaculture, sustainable agriculture methodology and methods.

  • The project owner is open to welcoming none vocational volunteers without the above educaiton.

Minimum duration: 4 weeks

Times of the year it would be unavailable :

  • None

Soft skills:

  • Self direction when situations appear unclear/unambiguous

  • Entering environments where local customs, safety awareness and local regulations should respected

  • Acceptance and understanding of strong cultural differences

  • Situations or scenarios that can feel overwhelming or unmanageable

  • Lack of basic resources; funding, equipment and additional staffing

  • Working in rural settings with no modern conveniences

  • Long distance travel (risk assessed as: safe)

The Problem

Most developing countries have rapid growth within main cities (urbanisation) which creates crowded, densely populated neighbourhoods and informal settlements with little infrastructure. This is true of Arusha Tanzania also. Urbanisation is mostly driven by people wanting to find better opportunities for work in the city and escape poverty. This creates a heavy reliance on manufactured, unhealthy and heavily processed foods and/or food not naturally available or normally eaten as a cultural staple. There has been increased prevalence in non communicable diseases directly related to these lifestyle factors such as diabetes mellitus II, high cholesterol, obesity, gastroenteritis and more.

Tanzania has a huge agricultural population, approximately 60% of the population living in rural areas reliant on agriculture and natural resources for their livelihoods. The famous nomadic Maasai tribe, who are mostly pastoral farmers, are known to be the indigenous natural custodians of many of the farmlands. Farming itself is facing many hardships with a series of droughts, land encroachment and widespread disputes over land ownership. Increased urbanisation is also leading to loss of generations of cultural practices that created a harmonious balance between rural settlements and the ecosystem.


The Farm

The farm is set in the heart of a low income community in the inner city of Arusha. Both father and son owners of the farm are well known and loved member of the community who are known for their love and dedication to farming and dairy produce. The farm holds several cows and chickens, both of which produce organic milk and eggs and uses ecological systems of natural origins and resources for sustainability, including it’s groundwater system. 


The farm also has a fit for purpose kitchen where the owner processes his cheeses, yoghurts and other organic dairy products.


The Program

  • Join the daily farm activities maintaining the environment and upkeep of the grounds. 

  • Learn to process delicious and nutritious organic food products 

  • Help to maintain the health and safety of the beloved cows and chickens; feeding, watering and maintaining a comfortable environment for the animals.

  • Help with the fruit and vegetable planting and maintenance

  • Help maintain the grey water filtration and groundwater system used on the farm

  • Exchange knowledge and ideas on sustainable ecological practices, nutrition and farming.


Training and supporting the staff: 

  • Experienced with professional backgrounds, interns are welcome to provide development training, introducing exciting new methods and support to upskill the project team.

How will you get around?

Please note this project is only 7 mins walk from Siret Hostel, however some travel may be required if you are based at Siret Sakina Hostel. It is a community safe to travel by foot, however there should be caution and reasoning used for night time travel, theft of small items and situational awareness at all times. You will also receive orientation before you begin.

You will also need to budget for your own lunch or make a small contribution to join the lunch prepared on site. 

Important VISA & Permit Information

You will be required to pay for a VISA work assignment. Please note this is a legal requirement and your responsibility. Please enquire for more details.




Typical day

Your day can be either very hectic and extremely challenging or slow and very quiet. You will need to be motivated, resilient and work well in a team in order to get the best out of your experience. 

You should be open to a fluid schedule with some changing activities depending on the plan for ...

Typical day

Your day can be either very hectic and extremely challenging or slow and very quiet. You will need to be motivated, resilient and work well in a team in order to get the best out of your experience. 

You should be open to a fluid schedule with some changing activities depending on the plan for that week, therefore you should be flexible. 

You should be open to a working style or working culture that is not the same as your work culture back home. Some people prefer a much more laid back and open style of work that allows for change or flexibility when there are issues i.e powercuts, waiting for resources or equipment etc.

What will your schedule look like?
  • 07:00: Breakfast
  • 08:00: Arrive at work placement
  • 12:00-13:00: Lunch Break
  • 15:00: Placement ends

The rest of the day will be yours to relax and enjoy what the town has to offer you!


Free-time activities

Arusha provides an array of activities to get involved in during your free time. Explore the numerous walking trails, enjoy the large amount of cafe's bistro's and local food in town and many more places to relax. There is a vibrant community life in Arusha, whether you want to enjoy a quiet meal, ...

Free-time activities

Arusha provides an array of activities to get involved in during your free time. Explore the numerous walking trails, enjoy the large amount of cafe's bistro's and local food in town and many more places to relax. There is a vibrant community life in Arusha, whether you want to enjoy a quiet meal, watch outdoor cinema or go dancing. 

Siret Trip Adventures provide a unique opportunity for our special volunteers to experience more of Africa's beauty. Take a scenic weekend walking tour of the lush rolling foothills of Mt Meru or a breathtaking day trips to some the world's most admired national reserves. Arusha is packed with opportunity to experience unique and unforgettable outdoor adventures. 

What else is there to do?

There are endless possibilities. Most volunteers rave about climbing Kilimanjaro. This usually takes about a week, so ensure you organise this with us before you arrive. Take advantage of this amazing tourist treasure.

Hot springs

  • An oasis in the middle of a barren landscape. The hot springs are truly magnificent. This can be organised as a day trip at any time. 

The Waterfalls

  • Another hot favourite. Hiking across lush vegetation to the spectacular waterfalls.

Safari

  • Ah yes, what Tanzania is world famous for. Safari is once in a lifetime adventure that is unique to the Africa experience. Unforgettable and jaw dropping landscapes is what is promised. This will need you to sacrifice some days, so please ensure you organise this long in advance. 

Tour packages, Safari's and cultural experiences are all available. 


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

Will be collected during preparation stage.

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Agriculture, Nutrition, Food Technology, Environmental Studies, Ecology, Sustainability, Permaculture, Geography, International Development and other related fields are very desirable.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 15:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Siret Volunteers

  • Volunteer placement facilitation-full program scheduling 
  • Placement supervision
  • Pre-arrival support & preparation of your project/work placement
  • Airport pick up and drop off
  • Orientation (usually begins on a Monday
  • Accommodation Room & Board (Breakfast & Dinner)
  • Housekeeping
  • Free Wifi
  • Daily in-person availability of coordinators
  • Donation to your project
  • EXCLUDES:

    • VISA and PERMIT fees

    Airport Pickup at Arusha Airport

    PICK UP POINTS:
    Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA)
    Arusha Airport (ARK)
    Arusha Bus station

    Accommodation

    Our volunteers stay in a newly refurbished volunteer house with modern amenities for a comfortable guest house experience.
    • Conveniently located in town
    • Housekeeping daily
    • Hot showers
    • WiFi
    • Beautiful spacious grounds 
    • Gated security with electric fencing 
    • Overnight security guard

    Private double bedrooms available on request.

    Food & Beverages

    Breakfast and Dinner (Dinner Monday to Friday)

    • Continental breakfast with, eggs, toast, variety of fruit! Coffee & Tea.
    • Dinner Mondays to Fridays. Kitchen facilities available at weekends.
    • We have a filtered water water dispenser to save on buying bottled water and make sure you keep hydrated with clean and safe water!

    And of course the kitchen is yours to use! We have a fabulous chef who can guide you to local supermarkets if you want to buy your own personal food and snacks!

    During orientation you will be shown tasty and affordable places to get lunch during your work day. You will have a good variety of local and western food places. There are amazing cafe's, bistro's and affordable western restaurants to enjoy a burger, salad, seafood etc!

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Arusha Airport (ARK) in Arusha. We assist you to find cheap flights to Tanzania. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Tanzania provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Tanzania you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Tanzania. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    • Aim to arrive on a Saturday or Sunday
    • Placement begins on the first Monday of each week 
    • Placement is still available during public holidays

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    4 weeks (min. stay) 760€
    6 weeks 1,111€
    8 weeks 1,482€
    10 weeks 1,852€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 2,222€
    Average fees 187€/week

    Program fees

    187€ per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    4 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Siret Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Siret Volunteers

    Brilliant 4.7 rating (24 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2019

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Good response rate

    Coordinated by

    Pearl

    Spoken languages: English

    About the project

    Siret Volunteers aims to connect volunteers to meaningful projects. We offer volunteering in orphanages, education, community and hospitals.

    Meet your organization

    Who we are

    Siret Volunteers is a volunteer organisation based in Arusha Tanzania, aiming to bring people together to help disadvantaged people in the local community find better opportunities. Through working together in social projects, the aim is to uplift impoverished parts of the community through meaningful projects and share the beautiful culture of Tanzania through meaningful travel.

    What we do

    Siret Volunteer place motivated and enthusiastic volunteers from different parts of the world in projects that they are most passionate about. We are excited to introduce our vibrant and diverse culture to people from across the world. 

    Our Projects

    Most of Siret Volunteer's projects are placed in and around Arusha region, Tanzania. 

    Our Mission

    Our vision is to bring people from different cultures together with the aim to uplift less fortunate people within out community. We want to show the power of diversity, sharing and caring for one another can make a big difference in people's lives. 

    Who we look for

    We are open to all types of volunteers to simply bring their passion for making a difference, enthusiasm for travel and open minded attitude to work on our projects. Everyone, whether they have specific skill or not, has something to contribute.

    Why Siret Volunteers

    With huge amount of travel and volunteer organisation experience, Siret Volunteer is run by people who know and care about community projects and meaningful travel. Our founding director has 10+ years in safari, tourism and climbing experience and has many years working with volunteers in Arusha as coordinator. He is welcoming, warm and very proud to share his culture with you."

    24 reviews · rating4.7

    Noémie and Samuel rating5

    2024 at Children's Center Assistant

    Bonjour Pearl, j’espère que tout vas bien, nous sommes bien arrivé à zanzibar et c’est le cœur lourd que nous vous avons quitté… nous tenions à vous faire un retour de notre investissement à l’orphelinat. Nous avons ramener de France un maximum d’affaire scolaire pour les enfants, ...
    I applied for the woman empowerment project and had the chance to work with Maasai Girls rescue house and empowerment organization. I mainly worked with the rescue center but also had chances to do some outreaches. I actually enjoy my time spent in Arusha, it’s better than what I expected ...
    Fabienne Klein rating4.2

    2024 at Baby Care & Early Years Development Worker

    My volunteer work was a wonderful and exciting adventure. Of curse, at the beginning it was really difficult und challenging but with the great support of Siret Volunteers (Pearl, Scolla, Anna, Mariam, Asha, Kombo and Emmanuel) and the other lovely volunteers from the hostel you quickly got used to ...
    Noémie VAISSE rating3.6

    2024 at Children's Center Assistant

    Nous avons passé 4 semaines avec siret pour une mission dans un orphelinat, la maison d’accueil dès volontaire est presque luxueuse a coter des conditions de vie des locaux, le personnel de maison est très à l’écoute (surtout meryam), nous avons apporté le plus de notre temps et de nos ...
    The Maasai girls rescue house is run by a NGO called HIMD. As far as I’m aware, Siret allocates different volunteers to various NGO’s, and this is one of them. The rescue house provides the girls a place of safety as well as an opportunity to further their education. However, this is very ...
    Eve Murphy rating5

    2023 at Children's Special Needs Support

    Had an amazing experience with siret volunteers volunteering in a special needs classroom in Arusha. The hostel/food/support and most importantly the kids and teacher in the school were amazing! The kids were so great-full for any attention and it was extremely heart warming. Would love to come back ...

    Location


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