At a glance
- Work with people your age to build classrooms and other buildings at a nursery school to give disadvantaged people the infrastructure they need.
- You’ll work in a group under supervision, with local builders and Projects Abroad staff there to guide you.
- Learn more about Maasai culture and see the wildlife at a beautiful national park.
- Download a sample itinerary for this project.
Is building volunteer work in Tanzania for teenagers right for me?
This project is ideal for you if you want to help disadvantaged communities by using your own two hands. It’s also great if you want to make a physical difference in a short period of time. You need to be prepared to get your hands dirty, and have lots of fun in the process!
You don’t need previous experience to join. A local builder will guide you and supervise all the work you do. However, you do need to have plenty of energy and enthusiasm, as physical labour can sometimes be challenging.
This is a great way to add practical experience to your CV, and demonstrate your commitment to helping others. You’ll also develop your planning and teamwork skills. These skills will be useful for any future career you choose.
Travelling abroad for the first time? This is the perfect project for you if you want support and guidance. Our staff will be on hand to help you at all times, and you will live and work with a group of young people your age.
This High School Special runs for two weeks in the summer over fixed dates. It has a set itinerary filled with cultural and social activities, an exciting weekend trip, and plenty of volunteer work to keep you busy.
What will I do on this project?
You’ll work with a group of teenagers your age to build classrooms and other infrastructure for children from a Maasai community. Here are some of the tasks you’ll get involved with:
- Work alongside an experienced builder with volunteers your age
- Mix cement, dig foundations, construct walls, or install a roof
- Give a fresh coat of paint to completed classrooms
- Explore Tanzania and learn about the Maasai
Your work will focus on these three areas:
Work with a builder and other volunteers
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of teaming up with other people to build a classroom for children who really need it. As you work together, you can celebrate your progress, help each other through challenges, and enjoy the reward of knowing you’re contributing to children’s education.
A professional builder will oversee your project work, so you’ll have plenty of support and guidance. He’ll teach you construction techniques that are easy to master so that you can participate fully in the building process.
Help with building, plastering, and painting
The exact building work you do will depend on the progress of classrooms and school buildings when you arrive. If you arrive as a new building is being constructed, you can dig foundations and put up walls. If you’re continuing the work of previous volunteers, you’ll install a roof, plaster walls, or paint walls.
Each part of the building process is important. The work you do will help create safe spaces where children can learn and play.
Explore Tanzania
It’s not all work and no play! Our team in Tanzania have put together an itinerary designed to make the most of your time there. Aside from volunteer work, you’ll do things like a traditional drumming and dance class and a Swahili lesson. Our staff will also take you on an exciting safari over the weekend.
Where you work in Tanzania
Arusha
Your building work will be based in a Maasai community near Arusha. Arusha is a city in northern Tanzania filled with buzzing restaurants and vibrant markets, and surrounded by lush, green scenery.
The community where you work is less developed than what you’re used to. It’s surrounded by the African savannah, making it the perfect place to connect with nature. You’ll help with adding infrastructure to our nursery school, like new classrooms and a staff room for teachers.
What are the aims and impact of this project?
The aim of this project is to build important infrastructure in a rural Maasai community. By working as a team and collectively using your skills and energy, you’ll help build classrooms and other school buildings.
The school where you work was started and is fully funded by Projects Abroad. The young children in this community previously had no formal preschool system in place. If classes were taught, they were held in a damaged church building. The building work you do will give children a safe place to learn, and will help prepare them for primary school.
In the process, you’ll expand your own horizons, meet new people, and hone valuable skills.
Join this volunteer Building Project for high school students and contribute to children’s education.
Measuring our impact
Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.
We produce an annual High School Specials Impact Report, which documents some of these achievements. Find out more about the impact of these projects, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Arusha. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Tanzania and have a truly unique experience.
We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your programme fee includes three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have all the extra support you need as a young person travelling abroad. Our Projects Abroad staff are there for you 24 hours a day during the week and over weekends to provide constant support and guidance. Our staff also make sure you feel comfortable and safe at your placement and accommodation. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
Meet the team
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