What is housing like?

Included in the volunteer fee, volunteers have the option of staying with a host family—a Tanzanian family that is known to the founders of Macao as trustworthy and safe hosts. All host families will provide a private room. However outside of Arusha homestays have little or no access to electricity or running water. Toilets are usually long drop latrines. The host family will provide breakfast and dinner each day. You may eat out at your own expense as well. A homestay is one way to learn about daily life in a new country. There are also affordable guest houses in and around Arusha that Macao can recommend; volunteers may stay in a guest house at their own expense. If you have any special needs or requests, please notify us and we will do our best to accommodate you. Some guests with special needs may need to stay in Arusha town as facilities and infrastructure in Loliondo are extremely limited.

What can I do in my free time?

Arusha has many useful amenities such as internet cafes, restaurants with a variety of cuisines, exercise facilities, supermarkets and pharmacies. There are also a number of tour operators who can assist you with your further travels. There are also flights and buses from Arusha to Zanzibar and other points of interest in East Africa.

Can Seniors or families participate in this program?

Retirees with the time to travel and the desire to give something back can join to make a difference and truly experience another country and culture. Our program is also welcoming to families, but children must be 16 or older and accompanied by at least one adult. Seniors and families will be based in Arusha. If they wish to visit the project in Ngorongoro, they must arrange their own private transport.

What happens in case of an emergency?

In case of an emergency you can contact the Macao office. Internet is very accessible in Arusha, Tanzania and you will have regular contact with your friends and family through email while in Arusha, though not when in Ngorongoro district. If it happens that the volunteer is sick then the arrangement will be made for him or her to be taken to the high-quality hospital. Emergency evacuation insurance is required for all MACAO participants in the very unlikely case of a serious emergency. This covers the cost of transportation should it be necessary to move you to a medical facility elsewhere in Tanzania, or back home. Volunteers should purchase emergency evacuation insurance before arriving in Tanzania.

Why pay to volunteer?

Many people ask why they have to pay to volunteer. Macao uses the money raised from volunteer fees to cover administrative costs, food supplies and other project costs to serve people in need. Also, while individuals may be able to travel for less, MACAO provides the entrance and reception into Ngorongoro and Arusha, the entrance into a community and exposure to a culture that one could not receive if traveling solo in these countries. Through the long-term relationships that MACAO has established with communities, schools, and health facilities, volunteers gain a unique perspective on the culture and life of Tanzanians.

When you are ready to apply, you can access the form here.