Our Philosophy

Adventure Aid Misssion Statement:

To bring together people who have skills, knowledge and energy with sustainable community programs and projects and offer them a true ecotourism, "green tourism", experience in the surrounding area.

• Our volunteer projects must provide a real benefit to both the community and the volunteer. No fluff, feel good projects that have no real benefit to the community.
• We will put you into projects where you are qualified, not just place a warm body into a position that does not match the volunteer's abilities.
• We use existing local services whenever possible.
• We will give you comfortable living quarters with single or double occupancy in mostly self contained bedrooms.
• We integrate you into the community, not isolate you. Most volunteers have come into the country wanting to learn about a different culture, not to be herded around isolated from the community. When we feel a situation is not safe however, we will provide that layer of protection.
• You are here to do a job. You are expected to dress professionally, prepare yourself daily for your projects. We put the projects first and expect that you will do the same.
• We want you to be able to grow professionally. We will empower you so you can leave with experience and references that can help you in the future.

About Us

Adventure Aid is a U.S. based non profit organization with 501[c]3 status. We work with two Tanzanian non government organizations (NGOs); Tanzania Educational Advancement Through Export Marketing (TEATEM) and Kilimanjaro Hope Organization (KIHO). TEATEM is an NGO dedicated to improvement of education in Tanzania. We are located in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region and are registered to operate in any part of the mainland (Tanganyika). Our government registration number is #3048.You can visit http://www.teatem.org to learn details. TEATEM works closely with Kilimanjaro Hope Organization kilimanjarohopeorganization.weebly.com, an NGO (registration #4043) helping the development of rural villages in the Same (pronounced sah-MEH) District of Kilimanjaro Region in Northern Tanzania. We offer volunteering opportunites with both organizations and Adventure Aid accepts donations for either organization on their behalf.

TEATEM also works closely with LAMA Educational Trust Fund (LETF), which runs Lake Babati Secondary School in Babati, Manyara Region of Tanzania. They are raising money to relocate the school to a more suitable land. In addition, LETF has plans to add a primary school and a teachers college on the new land.If you wish to make a donation, you can through Adventure Aid by going to our Donations section and clicking on LETF. They are in big need of donors for the purchase of the land as it is a race against the rising cost of compensating the landowners. You can learn more about LETF at www.letf-tz.org. They also are looking for volunteer teachers and will provide housing for long term volunteers who are qualified.

Adventure Aid has also begun a partnership with a Columbian conservation NGO, Fundacion Ecologica Las Mellizas [FELM]. Adventure Aid has agreed to accept donations on behalf of FELM. Through Adventure Aid's 501[c]3 status, donations to any of these organizations are tax deductable for U.S. citizens*. When donating, go to the donations section of this website. Be sure to choose the specific donation button for the organization you are choosing. Volunteering through Adventure Aid is also tax deductable for U.S. citizens*. In addition, we offer the convenience of payment by check, bank card or credit card through PayPal.

We want to assure you that we are committed to projects where you can make a real difference. We use existing local services whenever possible. All proceeds go into funding our Non Government Organization's (NGO) educational projects. TEATEM has both Tanzanians and an American in our organization. There are times when an American perspective is needed and there are definitely times when things are better handled by Tanzanians. TEATEM's NGO membership consists of dedicated education and medical professionals, not a safari company using token volunteering as guise for selling safaris.

Our regular services offer great support during your stay, offering advice on how to do the best in your projects and offering understanding of the culture. We are hands on but yet give you enough freedom to a degree that we feel is safe. In addition, we also offer another service for those who want a very independent travel experience but yet want some help during the first few days in the country. We point you in the right direction to find your project and housing, giving you a cultural orientation and after that you take it from there. To learn more about this options, look under Housing > Minimal Supervison Option. We also offer discounted services for groups travelling together. Please contact us and we can determine a cost for your group.

*Adventure Aid has received advice from an accountant specializing in NGOs concerning this issue but assumes no responsibility for your tax deduction decision. We recommend that you consult your own accountant for his advice on this matter.

Tanzania Travel Tips

Since our projects are in diverse areas, there are some variations in what is needed for your trip. We will be happy to give you specifics once you decide on which area you would like to volunteer. We don't mind answering your questions, so feel free to write us. Here is the starter list of what to expect:

Tanzania Map

Entering Tanzania

Visas

Language

Health

Electricity

Money

Communications

Attire/ clothing

Weather

Food & Beverages

Religion

Safety

Education

We have a full range of education projects from nursery schools through secondary schools and vocational training centers. Projects are available in Moshi (population 150,000), Babati (population 30,000) and are also in demand in rural villages. Teaching students in a secondary school is difficult and possibly counterproductive for short term volunteering (less than 3 months) but there is use for short term volunteers at these schools working on improving the English speaking skills of the teaching staff. Working with individual students on all subjects on short term basis is also benefitial. By law, secondary schools are taught in English and the textbooks are in English. This is not the case in public primary schools where Swahili is used. Volunteering in primary schools is done along side the local teacher. Large class sizes in primary schools make having a volunteer a big help. Since the teachers must prepare the students to be able to learn in English by the end of their primary education, aiding both the students and the teachers in knowing good English is vital. Inside of Moshi, there is also a need for teaching basic computer skills (typing, MS Office, internet basics, etc) to secondary school teachers and to students at vocational schools. In Moshi urban locations, we have found that our volunteers prefer to get out in their free time and have lunches on their own. In rural areas, where there are not as many options, we provide all meals in the quoted price. Volunteering less than one month will only be available in Moshi urban schools.

Visit our projects photo gallery here

Medical

We have medical volunteering opportunities available in both Moshi urban and rural village locations. These projects are available for certified doctors, nurses and therapists. You will be working along side a translator but at times may be left to make decisions independently. Since it takes awhile to learn what is available locally and how the medical system works in Tanzania, minimum volunteering time of three month is requested for these projects. To learn more specifics, please contact us.

Visit our projects photo gallery here

Women's Projects

Office help is needed for NGOs with focuses on women's health and women's empowerment. These are Moshi urban based projects but may include trips into rural areas, some quite remote. Volunteers should have excellent computer and writing skills. The main focus for the volunteer is on fundraising, website updating and publicity. A minimum stay of two months is required. Other projects that are with women's groups are incorporated under our education programs, teaching English and computer skills.
Visit our projects photo gallery here

Environmental Projects

• We have a need for someone with beekeping experience to help teach modern techniques in a rural setting.
• We have a need for someone who can help educate farmers on how to improve their productivity. This is in a rural mountain setting where farming is done by hand and techniques such as land terracing are not yet widely utilized.

Visit our projects photo gallery here

Other Projects

We have a few miscellaneous projects. If you have ideas for other special areas that you would like to volunteer, contact us and we can see if we can match you up with an organization. Among what is available is:

• Experienced people in the hospitality industry are needed at a vocational training center teaching hotel management, restaurant and catering services.
• Experiencd web designers and marketing experts are needed to help local companies market their services. Web designers possess good html, javascript and jquery skills. The ability to design websites similar to this one is a good guideline of what is needed. Volunteers capable of creating PR materials such as videos (for Youtube, etc.) and blogs are helpful but must have their own equipment.
• Sport and Game coaches are needed at Moshi urban secondary schools. Soccer, netball and conditioning coaches are the most desired.

Visit our projects photo gallery here

Lodging

Comfortable, safe lodging with either single or double occupancy will be provided. Included:

• Airport pickup from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO airport code) or Moshi bus station pickup
• Either single or double occupancy ensuite room with electricity and hot showers
• Bedding and mosquito netting
• Breakfast and dinners (lunches also provided for projects outside of Moshi Urban District) - make sure that special diet requests are listed on the application form
• Transportation to and from projects (in some rural projects, this may not be possible)
• Airport dropoff at end of the trip (Kilimanjaro International Airport only)

To view our lodging picture gallery, click here

House Rules

While we realize that you are on a semi holiday, you are also in a foreign culture to perform a job. We expect the following:

• Your project takes priority - we expect that you will be prepared for your daily tasks
• You stay respectful of your fellow volunteers and in country staff this includes keeping noise down late at night
• The volunteer house is for paying volunteers only - sorry no invitiations of charming strangers into the house, this can be a security risk. If a friend or family member is coming into the country to visit you, or you are bringing a non volunteering family member, contact us for housing arrangements and costs.
• Dress must be appropriate for your projects - Tanzania's culture is quite more conservative than European or North American standards. See travel tips for details
• Some housing may insist on no alchohol on the premises for religous reasons - see project list for details

Safaris & Mountain Climbs

We are not a safari company, but we realize that your decision whether to volunteer in Tanzania may be dependent on free time activities. Tanzania does offer fantastic opportunites to explore many wonderful national parks and is home to over 120 different tribes. The Kilimanjaro Region, where most of our projects are located, is perfectly situated to go on safaris ranging anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks in length (before or after your project placement is strongly recommended for longer trips). In many of the project locations, you will wake up staring at the snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro. The mountain can be climbed without any technical equipment aor techniques and takes approximately 5 - 8 days. The clothing and equipment that you do need for a climb can be rented locally. You are free to choose any tour company that you wish for your freetime travel. We have heard consistantly good feedback from clients using Hotsun Safaris and we feel comfortable recommending them to our volunteers. They have a solid reputation for customer service and reasonable prices.

*IRS rules consider overseas volunteering similar to business travel. To be tax deductible, the primary reason for your travel is to be a volunteer [i.e. >50% of your time excluding weekends]. If you work as a volunteer for 2 weeks, all of your expenses in the middle weekend for tourism are also deductible. If you volunteer for 3 weeks, working 2 weeks on a project and take a week to tour and return to work for an additional week, you can deduct 3 of the 7 days of your touring expenses. Adventure Aid has received advice from an accountant specializing in NGO's concerning this issue but assumes no responsibility for your tax deduction decision. We recommend that you consult your own accountant for his advice on this matter.

Visit our leisure time photo gallery here

Day Trips

There are many opportunities for weekend getaways, visiting banana and coffee plantations, scenic waterfalls, tribal visits, horseback riding, bicycle trips, etc. Projects Tanzania is not in the tour business but we can hook you up with the right people. These trips do not need much advance notice to arrange. Just let us know how we can help. You will also find Moshi a great town for relaxation. For rural projects, time off will be arranged periodically so you can travel to Moshi for a break and a more urban setting. You will also find that as you become aquainted with your Tanzanian co-workers that the culture is very friendly. You will most certainly be invited out for social events.

Visit our free time photo gallery here

Donate

Adventure Aid serves a donation portal for three registered NGOs (Non Government Organizations). Adventure Aid will forward 100% of the donations to the projects. A receipt will be issued, allowing U.S. donors tax credit through Adventure Aid's 501[c]3 status. Click on the NGOs belfow for a brief project description and a PayPal donation link.

Tanzania Educational Advancement Through Export Marketing (TEATEM)

TEATEM is collecting donations to be used in two areas:

1. The establishment of a computer training centre for school teachers to learn basic computer skills in Moshi, Kilimanaro Region of Tanzania. In addition to aiding teacher's lesson planning, record keeping and the use of the internet as an additional educational resource, computer skills are not yet taught to students in public schools but in the near future it will be added and current teachers should be in a position to pass on thier skills to students.
2. Sponsoring of school fees for secondary school students who have been accepted into public secondary schools.

To learn more about TEATEM visit www.teatem.org. To donate to TEATEM, click here:

For non-monetary donations, please contact us. A tax receipt will be issued for these types of donations as well.

Lama Educational Trust Fund (LETF)

Based in the Manyara Region of Tanzania, LETF is raising funds to purchase land for their existing secondary school and for the creation of a primary school and a teachers college. To learn more, visit www.letf-tz.org. To donate to their cause, click here:

Kilimanjaro Hope Organization (KIHO)

Based in Same (pronounced SAH-meh) in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania, KIHO is in the process of raising funds to create an orphanage in the village of Igoma in Same District. To learn more about KIHO, visit their website: http://kilimanjarohopeorganization.weebly.com To donate to KIHO, click here:

Fundacion Ecologica Las Mellizas [FELM] based in Armenia, Quind�o, Colombia.

Agua Clara � Valle Lindo Private Nature Reserve for the protection of Fuertes Parrot in the central Andes of Colombia
Fuertes parrot is the most endangered parrot in Colombia. The Fundacion Ecologica Las Mellizas [FELM] is a non profit organization that is working to set up a nature reserve of 471 hectares for the protection of the only known breeding area of this bird. Your donation will go to the acquisition of the land and to improving accommodations for visitors. Money raised from visitors will help pay for environmental programs and the educational and training of the local population. For full details of the project, click here. To donate to FELM, click here:

Application Procedure

To apply, we will need the following:

• Complete the Application Form - found on line here
• CV with two references this may be uploaded with the on line application form
• A non refundable deposit of $100, payable by clicking of the PayPal button on the application form page

A background check may be preformed before approval. It is advised not to purchase air tickets until you receive your approval packet. Once approved, your spot will be held for ten days. Your deposit of 25% must be received by us within this time frame to keep your spot reserved. Payment procedures will be sent with your approval notice. We are not set up to accept credit card payments. Upon or before arrival, payment balance is due. Trip postponements can be rescheduled anytime within one year. Payment will be at the then current fee. If cancellations are necessary more than 30 days in advance: Any amount paid minus a $300 fee will be refunded or you may choose to apply your entire payment towards a future date. Postponements made more than 30 days prior to scheduled arrival will not incure a fee. The deposit will be held as payment for the rescheduled date. If cancellations are necessary less than 30 days in advance: Any amount paid minus a $700 fee will be refunded or you may choose to apply your payment (less $350 to offset our preparation expenses) towards a future date. After arrival, we cannot make refunds of payments made in cases of early departure. We recommend travel insurance as a precaution against emergencies.

Get in touch

A form should be appearing below. Another option is to contact us by email at: info@adventureaid.org

Cultural Learning

In your free time, we have some options to include some unique learning. These courses are not part of the general package and are not part of Projects Tanzania. They are a good way to enrich your time in the country. All courses are taught around your schedule. Cultural learning courses include:

• Swahili Language - Included in your trip is a primer in Swahili language. For a more thorough learning, you may sign up for addtional classes. For Moshi based projects, the long course is taught through Kibo College of Tourism & Hotel Mangement around your schedule. Upon competion of 60 hours of successful classroom training, a certificate will be issued from Kibo College.
• Wood Carving - You may sign up for a hands on course in learning traditional woodcarving from talented local craftsmen.
• Tradtional Drumming - Learn traditional drumming from native artists.
• Tradtional Cooking - Learn to make local dishes and learn both traditional techniques and modern techniques of preparation.

Costs effective 1 Jan, 2012

Special Offer --- Lake Babati Secondary School is offering free housing for long term qualified volunteers! The volunteers cost obligation would only be for orientation before arriving in Babati (see minimal supervison option)

• Kilimanjaro International Airport pick up and drop off *
• Cultural & Language Orientation *
• Accommodations * - see Lodging section for details
• Breakfasts & Dinners * see Lodging section for details
• Transportation to and from projects * - see Volunteer Projects for details
• In Country Support Team *
• Certificate and letter of reccommendation upon successful completion of project
• * These are tax deductable items for U.S. citizens

• Airfare to Kilimanjaro International Airport*
• Vaccinations*
• Trip Insurance*
• Lunches* - some locations lunch will be included - see project details
• freetime activities*
• Class C permit* - required for volunteering - currently $550 (or $200 + tourist visa for under 8 weeks volunteering).
* These are tax deductable items for U.S. citizens (some restrictions apply regarding deductability of freetime activites)

• A non refundable deposit of $100 is due with the application fee
• Upon approving your application, an invoice will be e-mailed to you. A 25% deposit must be recieved within 10 days to hold your reservation. The balance will be due 30 days before arrival unless arrangements have been made to complete final payment upon arrival in Tanzania. Payments prior to departure may be made through PayPal or check. Payments inside of Tanzania are cash only.
• If cancellations are necessary more than 30 days in advance: Any amount paid minus a $300 fee will be refunded or you may choose to apply your entire payment towards a future date.
• If cancellations are necessary less than 30 days in advance: Any amount paid minus a $700 fee will be refunded or you may choose to apply your payment (less $350 to offset our preparation expenses) towards a future date.
• After arrival, we cannot make refunds of payments made in cases of early departure. We recommend travel insurance as a precaution against emergencies.
• Adventure Aid is a 501[c]3 Nonprofit Organization [NPO] with tax exempt status in the U.S. What this means for U.S. citizens is that all your expenses for the volunteer work [R&B, materials and supplies, land travel etc.] are tax deductible as well as a portion of your airfare. Adventure Aid will make all the arrangements and a single payment to the organization will all be tax deductible. Adventure Aid will provide you with a log and guidelines to use to determine what portion of your other expenses are tax deductible. Adventure Aid has received advice from an accountant specializing in NGO's concerning this issue but assumes no responsibility for your tax deduction decision. We recommend that you consult your own accountant for his advice on this matter.
• Since there are fees included in our pricing associated with credit/bank card processing fees and the transfer of funds into Tanzania, we will offer a discount if you choose to make payments directly to TEATEM NGO in Tanzania (no tax deduction is possible with this option however). Contact us for further information.
• Book with a friend, family member or group and receive a discount. Contact us for details.

Minimal Supervision Option

Adventure Aid recognises that some people prefer a more independant experience. We have a program that is a good option, taking care of you for the first few days of your arrival while you adjust and are able to make your own arrangements. What this program offers is:

• Kilimanjaro International Airport pickup
• First four nights housing
• First four days breakfasts and dinners
• Moshi walking tour, basic cultural, language and safety orientation
• Advice, suggestions and help in negotiation of lodging prices
• List of volunteer opportunities

Cost for this option is $400. A discount is offered for two or more people traveling together. Please contact us for details.