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- Experience the local culture in East Africa by living and working in Tanzania for four weeks, and in Kenya for two weeks.
- Work in several areas, ranging from protecting endangered giraffes to empowering disadvantaged women.
- Participate in community development and learn basic Maasai vocabulary and phrases for cultural enrichment.
How does the East Africa Gap Semester Program work?
The Gap Semester in East Africa functions as a standalone trip, or you can easily link it to other Gap Semester programmes to have a fuller gap year experience.
The East Africa program covers two locations: Kenya and Tanzania.
Volunteers start by flying out to Kenya, and you’ll have orientation before starting work at the Soysambu Conservancy for two weeks. Here, the focus is on giraffe and lion conservation, and participating in some local community initiatives. Over the weekend, you’ll visit two stunning national parks filled with African wildlife.
From Kenya, you’ll travel to Tanzania in a private bus arranged by us. You’ll then join two projects of your choice, for two weeks each. You can choose from the following projects:
- Education
- Human Rights/Women’s Empowerment
- Medicine
- Microfinance
In addition to your projects, you’ll also enjoy cultural enrichment through a basic Maasai Language Course and be involved in a community development project. Over the weekends, you’ll do a safari and visit local markets.
What work will I do on my projects?
Kenya:
- 2 weeks Giraffe and Lion Conservation at Soysambu Conservancy
- Visit national parks and join cultural activities
Tanzania:
- 2 weeks with a project of your choice
- Weekend Safari
- 2 weeks with another project of your choice
- Learn about Maasai culture
We explain more about these projects and what they involve below. We can facilitate internships during your Gap Semester if you need to fulfill requirements for school; you just need to let us know.
In Tanzania and Kenya, you can:
Lion & Giraffe Conservation in Kenya
Experience the ultimate African adventure by living and working in the heart of the savannah at Soysambu Conservancy. You’ll get hands-on experience and learn from expert conservationists, while doing things like:
- Research endangered species and monitor local populations
- Set camera traps
- Raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment
- Remove invasive plant species
- Maintain natural water holes for the animals
You can read more about the project here.
Medicine in Tanzania
Our Medical Project aims to improve access to healthcare services for underprivileged communities. As a volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside medical professionals at a hospital in Arusha, observing local doctors and gaining valuable experience.
In addition to your hospital work, you'll also participate in community healthcare outreach. These outreaches involve educational workshops that raise awareness about non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, and provide basic health screenings and medicine to local residents.
You will also attend medical-based educational workshops which will provide you with the opportunity to learn about local healthcare challenges, the specific diseases that impact the region, and the cultural context in which healthcare is delivered.
Women’s Empowerment and Human Rights in Tanzania
Gender equality is a critical issue worldwide, and we’re working to bridge the gap between genders in Tanzania. Our Women’s Empowerment Project targets specific, marginalized groups, and everything we do for them is centered around building a sustainable future. With us, you can do things like:
- Run skills development classes for local women
- Teach kids in schools and people in the community about gender equality
- Raise awareness about issues that hold women back, including poverty, illiteracy, and ill-health
If you're interested in legal work, we also empower women through our Human Rights Project. You’ll focus on actively protecting women’s and children’s rights in Tanzania, through tasks such as:
- Writing pleas
- Researching cases
- Giving human rights presentations
- Tackling injustices and helping with issues of land, inheritance, and probate law
Read more about Women’s Empowerment and Human Rights in Tanzania.
Microfinance in Tanzania
The main goal of this project is to support female entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities on their journey to achieve financial independence. Projects Abroad provide an interest-free loan to kick-start a small business, and you assist with:
- Provide general business advice and teach basic numeracy and literacy if needed
- Do home visits and interviews with prospective beneficiaries
- Develop business plans and marketing strategies
- Manage loan accounts
You can read more about this project here.
Support Education in Tanzania
In Tanzania, we’re supporting education in rural areas by making sure young students can access English classes. We’re also focused on improving literacy, and making sure that students learn in safe, clean environments.
As a volunteer teacher, you’ll:
- Plan and run English classes
- Work with teachers to prepare exciting practical lessons
- Assist with extracurricular activities such as music, sport, art, and drama
Where will I work?
Arusha
Arusha is a city nestled at the foot of Mount Meru. It’s home to over 400,000 people and has a mix of high-rise buildings and less modern developments. With our volunteer opportunities in Arusha, Tanzania, you’ll have exposure to many different aspects of life in Tanzania.
During your free time, you can enjoy the buzzing city centre. Visit local markets and buy souvenirs like Batik artworks, or try out the local cuisine. There are nearby wildlife reserves which give you the chance to connect with Africa’s amazing nature during safaris. You’ll even have the chance to learn more about the Maasai tribe while visiting a traditional village.
Soysambu
During your time in Kenya, you’ll be based at the Soysambu Conservancy.
The conservancy is located in the heart of the ancient, beautiful Great Rift Valley in Nakuru County. Soysambu is on the Kenya Wildlife Service’s list of endangered ecosystems. This is why we need volunteers to support the work of local conservationists in Kenya, and this particular wildlife conservation effort is the perfect opportunity.
Vi mäter resultatet av vårt arbete varje år
Vi arbetar mot långsiktigt mål med årliga delmål. Varje volontär och praktikant som deltar på ett av våra projekt hjälper oss att nå dessa långsiktiga mål. På så sätt kan även de som volontärarbetar eller praktiserar en kortare tid göra verklig skillnad. Varje person bygger på arbetet som tidigare volontärer och praktikanter gjort. Varje år utvärderar vi resultatet av vårt arbete. Du kan hitta en sammanställning av vad vi uppnått under året i vår Global Impact Report.
För mer information om vilken insats våra volontärer, praktikanter och personal gjort under året, läs vår senaste rapport.
Mat och boende
Du kommer bo hos en värdfamilj i Arusha. Din värdfamilj kommer välkomna dig som en familjemedlem till deras hem. De kommer lära dig mer om deras traditioner och den lokala kulturen. Vi tror att det här är det bästa sättet att verkligen lära känna kulturen i ett nytt land. Du kommer få en unik upplevelse av Tanzania.
Vi försöker alltid placera dig så att du bor med en annan Projects Abroad volontär eller praktikant. Ditt rum kommer vara enkelt men bekvämt, rent och säkert.
Din projektavgift inkluderar tre måltider om dagen.
Läs mer om våra boenden.
Säkerhet och personalstöd
Din säkerhet är vår första prioritet. Vi har många processer och system på plats för att se till att du har all hjälp och support som du behöver. För oss är det viktigt att du ska känna dig trygg när du reser med oss. Vår egen Projects Abroad personal finns tillgänglig för hjälp och stöd 24h om dygnet. De kommer se till att du trivs i ditt boende och känner dig hemma på din projektplacering. Om du skulle stöta på något problem, finns vår personal alltid där för att hjälpa dig.
Läs mer om support och säkerhet.
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