Give a Heart To Africa

My experience is unique because I started teaching at GHTA in 2018, five months after I graduated from the program in 2017 I was scared because I thought I was not going to do well with the teaching but I met a lot of volunteers from different countries so we worked together and I gained the confidence from them and from myself.

Before joining the program, I was dependant but thanks to the organisation that saw a potential in me and build me up to become the teacher that I'm right now, this made me capable of taking care of my family where I'm depended on them at first.

The program at Give a Heart to Africa is very structured. In November 60 students are interviewed and chosen for the one year program that begins in January. Students are divided into three groups. They rotate through a Business Class one day, English Class the next then two days in Vocational. As volunteers we assist the teachers. Each volunteer brings their own personal touch to the classes. The first 4 to 6 months in vocational are sewing, after that it is bead jewelry making, tie dye, cake making and decoration, soap making type things. I helped in Sewing. Classes are M-T 9am to 1pm. Fridays are a home visit to a student. I loved those visits! The students are all women, ages 20 to idk maybe 45. Strong beautiful women. The home the volunteers live in is part of the school. It’s very comfortable, modern bathrooms. Dinner is provided five nights a week. There are lots of good restaurants around, reasonably priced. The staff were super helpful. Zuwena accompanied me into town, to the bank, shopping in the markets for food and fabric. Some volunteers feel okay going into town on their own. You can walk or take a bijagi (other areas call it a tuk tuk). I wanted a local person with me. The level of hand holding depends on the individual. On weekends the volunteers I was with did trips together, a day safari in Arusha National Park, Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Tour, Kilimanjaro National Park, Rau Forest Reserve to mention a few. If you have time I would suggest tacking a safari and / or a trip to Zanzibar on the front or end of your volunteer time. I would recommend this volunteer program with my whole heart. I loved being part of it and interacting with such wonderful Tanzania people. The teachers at the school are all former students. Just an absolutely wonderful experience.

I spent three months teaching students Business Studies at GHTA in the summer of 2024. I found the experience rewarding and inspirational. The women who attended the school were totally motivated to learn and take part in both classroom and practical studies. Teaching took place four mornings a week, and on Friday, volunteers, accompanied by permanent staff, visited students in their homes, giving us an insight into their culture and the challenges faced by the students. All the staff were supportive and kind in helping volunteers settle into the school. I would thoroughly recommend this volunteering experience to anyone, young and old, singles and couples.

I just got back from six weeks at GHTA. Though I've traveled widely in the past, and lived for extended periods of time in other cultures, this experience was one of the highlights of my life so far.
I had managed to get to age 70 without visiting Africa, and I wanted to fill that gap in a way that felt meaningful to me, rather than just go as another traveler hoping to see giraffes and lions. My brother had a special relationship to Tanzania, so the minute I saw the GHTA website I knew it was exactly the kind of place that I was looking for, and in the country I most wanted to experience firsthand.
It turned out to be a wonderful choice. The students are, and I say this without the slightest bit of exaggeration, truly amazing. They come from so little, and yet show up every day beautiful and radiating goodwill. They will embrace your presence with joy, curiosity, gratitude, and enthusiasm.
The organization uses every penny of your volunteer money to further the program. The lodging is comfortable and safe. The staff could not be more caring and supportive. There is always someone around to answer any question you might have, to help you with any problem you might run into. And as an extra, it is no small luxury to have Zuwena cooking a delicious meal for you every night!

I highly recommend GHTA. I have just returned from volunteering Jan/Feb 2024 and am planning to return. GHTA is a lovely non-profit , where every cent is aimed at empowering women in Tanzania. Access to education in Tanzania is a problem that GHTA solves for 50 women each year.
As a volunteer, I felt safe and supported and was able to experience full immersion into Tanzanian culture. The guest house is very comfortable, with an unexpected bonus of hot showers! The Tanzanian staff are all dedicated and fun and quick to embrace newcomers with a warm welcome.
The students are motivated and hard-working. It quickly becomes clear that access to education has the potential to truly enrich their lives. Teaching is made easy by a well-developed curriculum and collaboration with the Tanzanian translators.
Traveling around Moshi is easy. The town is a 20 minute walk away, and inexpensive TukTuks are abundant. Free wi-fi is available in a sweet little coffee shop/ wine bar….. but worry not as data is really inexpensive to buy. If you run into any health problems, the nearby clinic, open 24 hrs, is impressive.
The weekly visit to student’s homes is an incredible experience. It provides an important understanding of their lived reality, and serves to deepen our relationships with the students.
Traveling on weekends is readily accessible, and the opportunities to explore Tanzania are many. The people of Tanzania are kind and warm and very welcoming to non-Tanzanian people.
I have volunteered in many places, but am most impressed by my experience with GHTA.