ROTH is currently looking for volunteers both in Canada and abroad to join us on site in Arusha, Tanzania for the construction of the Maasai Women's Education Centre .  Should you or anyone you know be interested in participating in this important project please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  You can also download a volunteer information package which provides you with information on all of the requirements needed for travel as well as what will be expected of you as a volunteer.

Information Form

Volunteer Waiver

Medical Form

Volunteer Checklist

Background Information
Maasai communities are commonly marginalized from mainstream education and health services. A lack of resources and access to information means Maasai communities often remain under-developed and at a disadvantage compared to other Tanzanian communities.  Mothers are often left without any access to important health services for themselves or for their newborn child.  Often required to marry between the ages of 12 and 15 years old, Maasai girls are often deprived of a formal education.  As part of the marriage agreement, the groom is required to pay a dowry to the bride’s parents.  As a result, women are often denied educational and property rights.   In partnership with MWEDO (Maasai Womens Education and Development Organisation), ROTH’s next project hopes to address these issues through the construction of the “Maasai Womens Education Centre”.  Volunteering on this project will require you to participate in the physical process of constructing the Centre.   We hope to accommodate over 100 girls in our first year of operation.  The Centre will provide the girls with room and board as well as a secondary education.  The centre will also provide adult literacy classes for Maasai Women. 

Volunteering
Volunteering is one of the best ways to get to know a different part of the world.  By working alongside members of the community, you will have the opportunity to learn about what life is like for many people in this area.  Though we strongly encourage others to join us on our projects, it is important to remember that ROTH is NOT a volunteer agency.  Our priority remains to build the “Maasai Women’s Education Centre’ within a set (and very tight) period of time.  For this reason, volunteers are responsible for organizing their own activities outside of the project. 
We expect all volunteers to be independent, honest, and courteous individuals.  Please remember that if selected, you are considered to be a ROTH representative and we expect you to be respectful of Tanzanian culture at all times.  ROTH will not tolerate ANY disrespect towards other individuals. 

To apply to come to Arusha, Tanzania (Summer 2010) please complete the volunteer form and attached waiver and send it to the following address before April 20th, 2009:

ROTH- Volunteering
CP 843 Succ. Place d’Armes
Montreal, Quebec
H2Y 3J2

If we have not received the waiver form before your departure, you will not be permitted on the “Maasai Womens Education Centre” construction site upon your arrival in Arusha. 

ROTH does not charge volunteers any administrative fees for volunteering on any of their projects however; we do encourage volunteers to help with the fundraising aspect of the project.  We recommend collecting donations from your family and friends and deciding yourself where their donations will be spent upon your arrival in Tanzania.  For example, in the past, volunteers have raised money to purchase desks, books, land or even entire stages of the project such as fundraising for a classroom. 
Donations can also be in the form of books, clothing, medicine, and/or school supplies.  ROTH will gladly issue you a letter confirming that any extra luggage is for donation but you should be sure to confirm with your airline that such a thing is permitted.  Should someone prefer to make a monetary donation, cheques made out to ROTH are greatly appreciated and can be sent to the aforementioned address.

ROTH Partners in the Project
Each of our projects involves partnering with a local NGO ensuring the longevity and proper monitoring of the project once we have left the premises.  We are extremely excited to be partnering with MWEDO for this project and we know you will enjoy getting to know them as much as we have ☺

MWEDO – Maasai Women Education and Development Organisation
Since its foundation in 2000, MWEDO has been working closely with various Maasai communities within the districts of Monduli, Longido, Simanjiro and Kiteto in Tanzania.  They boast a membership of over 3,000 women to whom they are committed to giving a voice.  As such, they have enrolled more than 250 girls in secondary schools and colleges, and 1600 women in literacy classes.  They have also trained over 2,850 women and men in maternal health and HIV/AIDS education.  All of their projects take into consideration helping Maasai tribal leaders find ways to preserve their traditions while also balancing the education needs of the women and children for the modern world and advocating for their basic human rights. 

Accommodations and the Volunteer Life
Accomodations will be arranged prior to your arrival in Arusha. Volunteers will be living together for the duration of the project.  ROTH will be responsible for finding a safe and convenient home for volunteers during their stay. Our accomodation will most likely be in the region of Njeri about 20 minutes outside of Arusha Town.
Once a week you and another volunteer will be required to make dinner for the rest of the volunteers.  The remainder of your evenings is yours to do what you wish!  We travel to the site every morning and every evening together more than like through the use of a Matatu (A sort of Tanzanian Public Transport.. you’ll see when you get there).  We work Monday to Friday with the occasional Saturday if we are behind schedule.  Typically, volunteers use the weekend to travel to other parts of the country or go on safari. 
Rent and groceries are split evenly amongst volunteers present that week therefore the price of Room & Board can vary from week to week however,  in past projects this amount has very rarely exceeded 100.00USD per week.  The rule of thumb is that if you are there for 4 days or more that week you pay for a full week.  A stay of 3 days or less results in a half week pay. 
   
Dates

As of now, volunteers are welcome to come for any period of time from June 7th 2010 to August 5th 2010.  Given the current economic climate and the problem this poses for fundraising it has yet to be decided whether we will commence the project on May 3rd or June 7th.  We may take the month of May to conduct a couple of extra fundraising initiatives prior to departure.  Either way, June and July are scheduled to be a very busy couple of months! 
There is a limited amount of volunteers that can be present at any one time so please advise us as soon as possible when you intend to be in Arusha.

Traveling

Volunteers are responsible for organizing and purchasing their own airfare.  The closest and most convenient airport is the Kilimanjaro International Airport located 60km (about 40 minutes) from Arusha.  There is also a National Airport in Arusha accessible through Dar Es Salaam.  ROTH will organize transport from the airport to Arusha at the expense of the volunteer (approximately $50.00USD).  Upon exiting the plane look for a name card with both your name and ROTH written on it. 
    Tickets can cost anywhere from 2200.00USD to 1300.00USD so shop wisely!  A great site is www.kayak.com which does multiple searches through the major search engines at once.  Wednesdays tend to be a cheap day of the week to travel.  Ethiopian Airlines, Northwest and British Airways also do great deals sometimes.  We are currently working with a couple of travel agencies in the province of Quebec to try and get a better deal for our volunteers.  As soon as we have identified a suitable, reliable, and inexpensive agency we will advise you!  Stay tuned…

Visa

A valid passport is required to visit Tanzania. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. You are required to show your passport when entering or exiting the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba.

For US, Canadian, UK and Irish passport holders the visa can be obtained as you exit the plane at a booth located next to customs for a flat fee of $50.00USD for non US-Citizens and $100.00USD for US Citizens.  Make sure you have EXACT change in the form of USD bills printed on or after the year 2006.  A single-entry tourist visa is valid for 90 days after entry into the country.  Also, all those traveling through customs must provide a Yellow Fever- Proof of Immunization Card.  Your nurse or doctor at the travel clinic where you have received your Yellow Fever vaccine should give this to you. 

SHOULD YOU NOT WANT TO RELY ON OBTAINING YOUR VISA THROUGH THE BORDER PATROL AT THE AIRPORT YOU MAY ALSO OBTAIN YOUR VISA IN ADVANCE AS DESCRIBED BELOW

   
Canadian Passport Holders
Although visas are available upon arrival, Canadians can obtain visas prior to arrival in Tanzania. When you arrive, ensure immigration officials validate your visa by stamping your passport or writing any required information into it. A tourist visa is valid for three months from the date of issue, and the duration of a stay cannot exceed three months. Moreover, some visas are valid for a period shorter than three months.
Should you decide to arrange your visa prior to arrival in Tanzania this can be arranged through the Tanzanian High Commission in Ottawa and is usually processed within 5 working days. 

The Tanzania High Commission
Visa Department
50 Range Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 8J4
Tel: 613 232 1509 Ext. 2

A fee of 75.00CDN for a single-entry visa is required which is valid for 90 days.  Exact cash or money orders (payable to the Tanzania High Commission) is to be sent in with your application.  They do not accept personal cheques nor certified cheques.  Double entry and multiple entry visas are also available for 120.00CDN and 150.00CDN respectively. 
With your application you will need to submit one RECENT high-resolution passport photo (5cm x 5cm or 2” x 2”).  Photo booth photos are accepted but make sure they are taken on a light background. 
Volunteers in Tanzania are required to provide an OFFICIAL invitation letter from Tanzania complete with letterhead & signature.  Though this is possible, it makes for a lot of hassle for MWEDO.  As such, we strongly suggest you request a visa for the purpose of TOURISM. 
Be sure to provide a return courier envelope when submitting your visa request.  All the information including the visa request form is available at 
http://www.tzrepottawa.ca/pages/visa_application.htm

American Passport Holders
Although visas are available upon arrival, Americans can obtain visas prior to arrival in Tanzania. When you arrive, ensure immigration officials validate your visa by stamping your passport or writing any required information into it. A tourist visa is valid for six-twelve months from the date of issue, and the duration of a stay cannot exceed twelve months.
Should you decide to arrange your visa prior to arrival in Tanzania this can be arranged through the Embassy of Tanzania in Washington DC. 

Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania
2139 R Street, NW,
Washington DC, 20008
TEL: 202-884-1080/ 202-939-6125
FAX: 202-797-7408

A fee of 100.00USD is required for both a six-month single entry and a twelve month multiple entry. Payment is accepted in form of money order (payable to Tanzania Embassy) or cash (walk-ins only).  You will be required to provide proof of travel plans (e.g. Travel Itinerary, ticket, etc.) to and from Tanzania.  Also you may be obligated to provide proof of having sufficient funds to maintain the applicant while in Tanzania. This can be done via bank statements, employer letter or pay stubs.
Also with your application you will have to submit two RECENT passport photos. 
Volunteers in Tanzania are required to provide an OFFICIAL invitation letter from Tanzania complete with letterhead & signature.  Though this is possible, it makes for a lot of hassle for MWEDO.  As such, we strongly suggest you request a visa for the purpose of TOURISM.
Be sure to provide a return courier envelope when submitting your visa request.  All the information including the visa request form is available at
http://www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org/tzevisa.html
   
Telephone
The international access code for Tanzania is +255 for Emergency Services please dial 112

To call the US or Canada from Tanzania:
•    00- Tanzania exit code; must be dialed first for all international calls made from Tanzania
•    Dial relevant country code (e.g. 1 for the Canada or US, 44 for the UK).
•    Area code – 514 for Montreal, 206 for Seattle
•    Phone number – 7 digits
•    Tanzania to US or  Canada international dialing format:  00 + 1 + 514 + ???????

To call Tanzania from the United States or Canada:
•    011 – US/Canada exit code; must be dialed first for all international calls made from the USA or Canada
•    255 - country code for Tanzania
•    Area code - 2 digit area codes  (Arusha’s area code is 27)
•    Phone number - 7 digits
•    US to Tanzania international dialing format: 011 + 255 + 27 + ??? ????

Making calls within Tanzania to a mobile phone
•    Dial "0 & (telephone number)" or "+255 & (telephone number)"

Making calls within Tanzania to a landline
•    Dial "0 & (city code) & (telephone number)" or "+255 & (city code) & (telephone number)"

Prior to your departure, you will be provided with contact numbers to give to family and friends so that they can reach you while you are in Tanzania.  If you intend to use your cell phone while you are in Tanzania, you will need to contact your service provider prior to travel in order to make the appropriate arrangements.

The best way to contact ROTH while we are in Tanzania is by emailing Frederqiue – This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Frederique will also be in Tanzania prior to the commencement of the construction and will provide you with a mobile number where we can be reached as it becomes available. 

Electricity
Electrical current is 230V/50Hz.  This is the same as an Indian or UK plug.  We strongly recommend bringing an adaptor with you in order to re-charge cell phones and cameras while you are in Arusha.

Language
English and Kiswahili are the official languages, but many other dialects are spoken. Most Tanzanians learn their local tribal language first. Then, in primary school, they learn Kiswahili. When they go to secondary school, they are taught English.  English is mainly only spoken in major tourist centers and hotels.

Climate
Tanzania's weather varies from humid and hot in low lying areas, such as Dar es Salaam, to hot during the day and cool at night in Arusha. There are no discernible seasons, such as winter and summer -- only the dry and wet seasons. Tanzania has two rainy seasons: The short rains from late-October to late-December, a.k.a. the Mango Rains, and the long rains from March to May.
WIth the project in and around May, June, July and August it is important to note that this coincides with the tail-end of the long rainy season and the weather is at its best at this time of year -- bearable during the day and cool in the evening. It is important to bring warm clothes for the evenings as the weather can get a bit chilly. 
This is not necessarily the best time of year for safaris, as water is plentiful in the parks and animals are not forced to congregate in a few locations to rehydrate, as they do in the middle of the dry season right after Christmas.

Budget
The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSH/=).  For the most current exchange rate you can consult http://www.xe.com/ucc/.  We strongly recommend ordering some TSH from your bank before your departure so that you have some cash for when you arrive in Tanzania.  Please not however that USD are also readily accepted.  It is very important to note that all USD bank notes must have been printed in the year 2006 or later.   Also, you will get a better exchange rate if you exchange large bills (i.e. 50USD notes) rather than smaller bills (i.e. 20USD notes).  
Volunteers should budget about USD100.00-150.00 per week.  This includes the cost of accommodations, food, as well as the little extras.  It is always better to budget too much rather than not enough money. You will most likely want to budget a little more if you decide to travel within Tanzania.  Safaris and Mt Kilimanjaro Ascents will definitely run up the bill but are highly worth experiencing.  We are in the process of partnering with a couple of groups onsite to offer you the best price possible.
We strongly advise to let your bank know when you will be traveling to Tanzania.  This is to prevent them from freezing your account in the presence of suspicious transactions (i.e. cash withdrawals from Arusha).  You may also want to consult your bank and inquire about fees for international transactions.  We also strongly suggest that you make photocopies of your passport, traveler’s cheques, itinerary, and immunization records, or any other important documents you may be traveling with.  You should leave a photocopy at home (preferably with your emergency contact) and take another one with you in case you lose or have any of the above stolen.   
Bring a combination of cash and ATM/Credit cards. It is usually easiest to exchange money by making a withdrawal from an ATM machine. Star network ATM cards usually do not work in Tanzania, but all other major ATM networks do work.  ATM machines are readily available in Arusha.  You can also exchange money at banks or the currency exchange at the airport. Traveler’s cheques are the most difficult type of money to cash, in fact banks only cash Traveler’s cheques they issue.  A backup ATM card is ALWAYS a good idea.  A second card can be ordered from your bank in advance and kept safely with your passport during your stay in Arusha.

Illnesses and Vaccines
Please notify your doctor that you plan to travel to Tanzania at least 2 months before your departure. You will most likely be referred to a Travel Clinic, where you will receive the most up to date information on vaccines and anti-malarials. We highly suggest that you take all precautions necessary with vaccinations and anti-malarials.  For those of you living in the Montreal region, we have partnered with a health clinic to offer you the vaccines necessary for travel AT COST.  If you are interested in availing of this please contact Frederique via email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
The number one cause of travelers’ illness in Tanzania is water and food-borne bacteria.  For this reason it may be wise to bring Bismuth (i.e. Pepto-Bismol), Loperamide HCl (i.e. Imodium), and/or Antacid tablets.  Your doctor may also want to prescribe you an antibiotic (i.e. Cipro) in case of more serious gastro-intestinal complications.  Disinfectant gels are also a good idea because you may not always be able to wash your hands before eating.  Keep in mind that many products are readily available in Arusha so please don’t bring a lifetime supply.  Likewise, iodine tablets may be a good idea if you are ever left to question the cleanliness of a particular water source.  We also strongly recommend that you travel with your own set of sterile needles.  These can be obtained from your physician along with a prescription permitting you to have them in your possession.   
Currently the Centre for Disease Control advises travelers to protect themselves, as needed, against the following diseases:

Routine    
Recommended if you are not up-to-date with routine shots such as, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, poliovirus vaccine, etc.

Yellow Fever    
Vaccination recommendation for travelers to Tanzania: For all travelers ≥9 months of age. The city of Dar es Salaam has a lower risk of transmission than rural areas. Tanzania requires travelers arriving from countries where yellow fever is present to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. Vaccination should be given 10 days before travel and at 10 year intervals if there is on-going risk.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)   
Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in countries with an intermediate or high level of hepatitis A virus infection where exposure might occur through food or water. Cases of travel-related hepatitis A can also occur in travelers to developing countries with "standard" tourist itineraries, accommodations, and food consumption behaviors.

Hepatitis B    
Recommended for all unvaccinated persons traveling to or working in countries with intermediate to high levels of endemic HBV transmission especially those who might be exposed to blood or body fluids, have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment (e.g., for an accident).

Typhoid    
Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in East Africa, especially if visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives where exposure might occur through food or water.

Rabies    
Recommended for travelers spending a lot of time outdoors, especially in rural areas, involved in activities such as bicycling, camping, or hiking. Also recommended for travelers with significant occupational risks (such as veterinarians), for long-term travelers and expatriates living in areas with a significant risk of exposure, and for travelers involved in any activities that might bring them into direct contact with bats, carnivores, and other mammals. Children are considered at higher risk because they tend to play with animals, may receive more severe bites, or may not report bites.

Malaria
You need discuss with your doctor the best ways for you to avoid getting sick with malaria. Ways to prevent malaria include the following:

•    Taking a prescription antimalarial drug
•    Using insect repellent and wearing long pants and sleeves to prevent mosquito bites
•    Sleeping in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms or using bednets

All of the following antimalarial drugs are equal options for preventing malaria in Tanzania: Atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. For information that can help you and your doctor decide which of these drugs would be best for you, please see Drugs to Prevent Malaria on the CDC website. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/control_prevention/drugs.htm

Note: Chloroquine is NOT an effective antimalarial drug in Tanzania and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region.

Security
ROTH does its best to insure the safety of all volunteers. Due to the levels of extreme poverty, many neighbourhoods around Arusha may be dangerous for tourists to visit.  In particular, volunteers should avoid going into the Kijenge, Unga Limited or Sanawari neighbourhoods. By African standards, Tanzania remains a relatively safe destination. However, like in many impoverished countries, caution should always be exercised in tourist areas, such as Arusha, Stone Town (Zanzibar), and Dar es Salaam.  We recommend getting a flat money pouch that can be worn under your clothes (around $10.00 and available at most outdoor sporting stores).  Be smart, avoid going places alone, and always let someone know where you are going. 
Please leave any expensive or meaningful items such as jewelry at home.  Likewise, please be careful about when and where you decide to use cameras and other electronic devices.  Most people will not mind being photographed but please be polite and ALWAYS ask permission before taking someone’s photograph.  Note that if you photograph certain people (i.e. a Maasai while on safari) they do expect to be paid in exchange.  Avoid protests and political rallies. 
Remember to bring culturally appropriate clothing.  Women need to remember that tank-tops, shorts, and short skirts are not appropriate and may attract unwanted attention so please dress modestly.   This is especially tru if you are traveling to areas such as Zanzibar which is predominantly Muslim.  Please don’t wear anything that may be considered provocative or offensive. 
If you decide to go into the city during evening hours please use common sense.  Avoid walking around by yourself at night, we will provide you with the names and numbers of reliable taxi drivers upon arrival in Arusha.  The safest way to travel is by taxi with a driver you know, especially when it's dark out (late night or early morning).

Travel Insurance
It is important to make sure you have adequate health insurance coverage abroad.  Check your policy at home to see what kind of coverage it provides for medical services abroad.  Many policies require you to pay up front and then get reimbursed when you return home.  Be sure to bring along your insurance card with you on your trip, as well as any claim forms you may need.
Be sure you have coverage for medical evacuation, in the rare case that you would have to be flown back to your home country for medical treatment, and for repatriation of remains. Also, check to be sure that your policy covers any continuing treatment you may need for newly acquired medical conditions after you return home.   
Theft is common in Tanzania. Be sure that your insurance will cover the cost of anything that is stolen. Most of the time, you will need to file a police report in order to receive any sort of compensation from your insurance company.  See below for a list of potential travel insurance options.

International Student Insurance
http://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com

Multi National Underwriters
https://www.mnui.com

STA Travel
http://www.statravel.com
1-877-777-8717


Embassies and Consulates

CANADA
   
Embassy of Tanzania in Canada
50 Range Road
Ottawa, Ontario KIN 8J4, Canada
City: Ottawa
Phone: (613) 232 1500 /232-1509
Fax: (613) 232 5184
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

UNITED STATES

Embassy of The United Republic of Tanzania in United States of America
2139 R Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
United States
City: Washington, D.C.
Phone: +1 (202) 939 6125/7
+1 (202) 884 1080
Fax: +1 (202) 797 7408
Web Site: http://www.tanzaniaembassy-us.org
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9AM - 5PM

   
TANZANIA

High Commission of Canada in Dar Es Salaam,
38 Mirambo St., Garden Ave.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
City: Dar es Salaam
Phone: (011 255 22) 216 3300
Fax: (011 255 22) 211 6897
Web Site: http://www.daressalaam.gc.ca
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania     
686 Old Bagamoyo Road,
Msasani, P.O. Box 9123
City: Dar es Salaam
Phone: 255-22-266-8001
Fax: 255-22-266-8238 or 8373
Web Site: http://tanzania.usembassy.gov

Useful Websites

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=286000#il

Maasai Women Education and Development Organisation

http://www.maasaiwomentanzania.org/support.htm

WikiTravel

http://wikitravel.org/en/Tanzania