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TEACHING AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Quick Facts

Zanzibar

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport

Every Second Monday

10 days - 12 weeks

Impact: Teaching

$2195 – $5395
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Live the tropical island dream while volunteering with children, teaching English, and using your skills to contribute to community development on the island of Zanzibar in Tanzania. Due to its beauty and appeal, this region is dependent on income from tourism, with many tourists flocking to this stunning island each year. As such, many local people rely on jobs in the tourism sector; in hotels, lodges, restaurants, and tour companies. Yet, Tanzania’s national level of English proficiency is very low and many adults struggle to access these types of jobs due to their poor literacy rate and inability to interact with tourists.

As a volunteer, you’ll be integral in helping local people find employment. You’ll have the opportunity to teach at local schools, women’s groups, and at the African Impact Education Centre that offers free English lessons to adults.

Read more about Volunteering as a Teacher in Zanzibar.

Project Highlights

Teach children, young adults, and women within the local community

Create interactive educational games and sports activities for nursery school children to help promote positive early childhood development

Assist in developing educational facilities to help improve the learning environment for children in the community

Get even closer to the people and culture of Zanzibar by learning some Swahili, the local language

Empower the women of Kizimkazi by working together on education, health, and income-generating projects

Live in a small beach community on Unguja, the main island of Zanzibar

Experience unforgettable island adventures such as swimming with dolphins, going on sunset cruises in a traditional Dhow, and going on a tour of a tropical spice farm

The Destination

accommodation n zanzibar

Zanzibar is a tropical paradise, an island just off the coast of Tanzania that is rich in culture, history, and also home to some of the most beautiful coastlines in Eastern Africa. When you think of crystal, turquoise oceans and endless white sandy beaches, Zanzibar is it. The bustling city of Stone Town is where you will fly into and the area itself is a hub of activity, with traders selling spices, fruits and fish caught fresh that day on every street corner, while also boasting the impressive title of a World Heritage Site. You will be based in the picturesque fishing village of Jambiani on the South-East coast of the island, around 1.5 hours from Stone Town and the airport. It has the most beautiful coastline and is renowned for its warm turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and is a hotspot for water sports and activities. Whether you are exploring the area or life beneath the waves, Zanzibar is the perfect location to ‘get off the grid’, while making long-lasting and sustainable change.

Your home away from home in Zanzibar is located in the South of Jambiani and is a short walk to the beach, where you’ll be able to look out over the warm Indian ocean. The gated and secure accommodation has all the amenities you’ll need like beautiful shared communal spaces and a pool! You’ll be sharing a dorm room with other volunteers and we provide daily housekeeping for your comfort. Each room sleeps 4-6 people and has an ensuite bathroom. There are 7 rooms in total. Each dorm room has secure lock boxes to store valuables and we have a safe on site.

We have our very own local chef that will prepare 3 fresh meals for you each day, including weekends. Zanzibar is a melting pot of cultures and flavours. It has one of the richest and most diverse culinary scenes in all of Africa – shaped by centuries of trading and migration. Being by the ocean, the seafood is incredibly fresh and tasty, but there are also plenty of other options for those that don’t eat seafood. A few local favourites include: Zanzibar pizza (this is no ordinary pizza, think of it more like a savoury crepe), biryani and pilau, mishkaki (meat skewers) and mandazi (Swahili doughnuts). We can cater for most dietary needs, but please let us know in advance if you have any food allergies or specific dietary requirements.

There is free WiFi available at the volunteer accommodation, but the connection is slow and volunteers often choose to use WiFi at nearby cafes or restaurants.

Kizimkazi, Zanzibar lies 9m above sea level and has a tropical climate. The summers are much rainier than the winters in Kizimkazi. The best time to visit Zanzibar is from January to March and June to December when the temperature is warm and there is limited rainfall. The highest average temperature in Kizimkazi is 30°C in March and the lowest is 27°C in June.

Project Impact Areas

tefl-practical-teaching-internship-zanzibar

TEACH KIDS AT NURSERIES AND SCHOOLS

Education is the foundation of everything we do. With full support from our team, you will promote positive early childhood development by teaching children in the local community – both a nursery schools and after school clubs. You will work alongside local teachers each morning to provide fun interactive classes to nursery school children, helping them prepare for primary school. You can expect to teach basic English vocabulary, handwriting and teamwork skills, as well as basic motor skills, and arts and crafts. Class sizes can be big which makes your assistance incredibly valuable as children can be given more one-on-one guidance and attention during their lessons.

tefl-practical-teaching-internship-zanzibar

TEACH ENGLISH TO ADULTS

Tourism is considered to be the sector with the highest job potential in Zanzibar, which is why we teach English to young adults in the area, in the hope that this will improve their skill-set and make them more employable. As part of our education program and with the help of donations from previous volunteers, we recently built an outdoor education center where we offer free English lessons to adults. You will get involved in teaching at all levels, from complete beginners through to advanced English speakers. These classes have become so popular that students travel all the way from mainland Tanzania to attend classes. You will play a big part in empowering the community by teaching these classes that help locals expand their English abilities, and ultimately, their chances of finding jobs and improving their lives.

tefl-practical-teaching-internship-zanzibar

WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT

As a volunteer in Zanzibar, you will strengthen and promote women’s empowerment in the village. You will spend time with the Kanga Ladies – a women’s group who are empowering themselves by making mkeka mats (traditional Tanzanian mats) out of recycled material they sell for an income. We believe in a holistic approach to education and equal opportunities, and therefore teaching and supporting all ages and genders.

Recent Reviews

“My experience here in Zanzibar has been hard work on the land, eco-bricking, and a lot of teaching and prepping, but I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute of it. You go through everything here with other volunteers, which allows to make friends from all over the world. But the best part of this, are the local people you meet. Everybody is extremely welcoming; you can’t go around the village without being greeted and welcomed. The people here are so nice, you feel right at home!”
Nora Daoudi, BelgiumTeaching & Community Support - Zanzibar
“I have just got back from the best month of my life, and that is not an exaggeration! At first, I was thinking of only spending 2 weeks in Jambiani, but I am SO glad I booked 4 weeks instead. Jambiani is absolutely beautiful and everyone is SO friendly and SO genuine. After a month of life literally ON the beach, you really get to know the people, (both the adults and the children) and the village as though it is home. It is so strange returning to the western world; I don’t know what to do with myself. Not once did I feel unsafe, unhappy, or bored, it was paradise, and the trip of a lifetime. Thank you so much African Impact!”
Hannah Cheater, UKTeaching & Community Support - Zanzibar
“This is my first volunteer experience abroad and I can say for certain that it was the best experience of my life. The project, the people, the students, the community, my expectations are blown away.”
Erin - Canada Teaching & Community Support - Zanzibar
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Frequently Asked Questions

At African Impact, it’s our mission to provide the best international volunteer programs in Africa that create tangible, measurable, and sustainable impacts in local communities. While our award-winning volunteer projects are not free, we absolutely believe they are a life-changing experience for volunteers and local communities alike.

Our fees allow us to provide various unique benefits for our volunteers and ensure that the impacts made in communities are sustainable and measurable. Please scroll down to learn more about what our project fees cover.

When it comes to volunteer experiences, we believe that wealth is not always a monetary measure. The richness of cultural exchanges with locals, the memories that come with epic adventures, and the deep relationships formed; all of these incredible experiences enrich your time as a volunteer and transform you into a better friend, a better neighbour, and a true global citizen. As such, while none of our volunteer teaching English abroad programs are paid, we are confident they will leave you, the volunteer, wealthy in the things in life that matter most.

We believe volunteering should be an experience accessible to all, and as such, don’t require previous teaching or volunteer experience to join this project.

All volunteers applying for our Teaching and Community Support project must adhere to our Child Protection Policy, which strictly outlines the policies in place to protect African children on all our Community Development projects. This policy dictates that any volunteer joining one of our teaching projects must complete a criminal background check before joining us in Africa. You can read more about our Child Protection Policy in the About Us section.

Absolutely! We are always looking for eager volunteers to join our teaching English abroad programs. The more volunteers we have, the more support we can provide to local teachers, and in turn, the more we can extend the reach of education in local communities. Every volunteer counts, so we are always excited to welcome any interested individuals.

We offer volunteer teaching projects in South Africa, Zanzibar, Zambia, and Kenya. Click each country to learn more about the projects we provide in those destinations.

Other Activities

If you want to make the most of the warm waters, join the ‘must- do’ boat trip to Prison Island for snorkelling, beach lounging and petting giant tortoises. Or Enjoy a Safari Blue Tour: You’ll spend a full day of dhow & ngalaw boat sailing, snorkelling and swimming in a lagoon, the tour includes fresh fruit, seafood buffet lunch, and return transport. If you fancy exploring more of the island  you can visit Zanzibar’s first national park. It is one of the last remaining sanctuaries in the world to see red-colobus monkeys! 

Zanzibar was an important trading port for spices and fresh produce back in the 19th century. This bit of its history has left it with the sweetest pineapple in the world and the nickname “Spice Islands of Africa. If you’re an avocado lover, you’re in for a real treat – the avocados in Zanzibar are huge!

A local guide will show you around the farm and introduce you to some of the island’s beloved spices and fruits. You will see coffee and vanilla in its purest form and learn about traditional Zanzibari remedies using cinnamon and cloves. You will also get to taste many of the things you find.

What better place than the Indian Ocean to learn how to scuba dive? Take advantage of Zanzibar’s crystal clear waters and get qualified with a PADI Open Water course and dive some of Zanzibar’s colourful coral reefs that are teeming with marine life. And if you already know how, we can help arrange a dive or two for you. 

We highly recommend visiting Stone Town on the west of the island. It offers a unique insight into the history and culture of Zanzibar. With a mix of European, African, Asian and Arabic culture, it’s an eye-opening place to spend the afternoon exploring the narrow alleyways, old architecture or just sipping a cold drink on a roof-top terrace bar as the sun slowly goes down.

Apply Now

Once you have submitted your application, a Destination Specialist will be in-touch to discuss the project with you.

Step 1
Select your Start Date
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STEP 2

Select your Duration
10 days $2195
2 weeks $2395
3 weeks $2695
4 weeks $2995
5 weeks $3295
6 weeks $3595
7 weeks $3895
8 weeks $4195
9 weeks $4495
10 weeks $4795
11 weeks $5095
12 weeks $5395

Project Fee Includes

  • Accommodation throughout your stay
  • 3 delicious meals a day cooked by chefs from the local community (weekdays only)
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off (within allocated times)
  • Daily transport to and from project
  • 24/7 support from experienced international and local staff
  • Full orientation to ensure you contribute responsibly
  • Project equipment and resources

Project Fee Excludes

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa-related costs
  • Weekend trips or tours not on the itinerary
  • Snacks, soft drinks, gifts or souvenirs
  • Mandatory contribution of US$25 that is donated to the African Impact Sustainability Fund
Apply Now