The first time stepping foot into Africa, was the beautiful country of Tanzania. I have no idea why I chose Tanzania but I thank my lucky stars that I did. It is a country that offers so much, whether it is a safari, camping in the wilderness with lions and hyena's keeping you awake until the early hours of the morning, or the tallest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro that takes your fancy and let's not forget a quick flight to Zanzibar to experience some of best beaches in the world, where the ocean water is almost warmer than the pool. It truly is an incredible country. Yet what really holds a special place in my heart, is the people. Never will you find such generous, loving people than you will in Tanzania. I was volunteering just outside of Arusha, in a town called Usa River, where poverty is rife but the kindness and love is ever-present. Once I traveled approximately an hour and twenty minutes on the dala from Arusha, I would then walk about twenty minutes through this town, Usa River. I think the saying, 'the less you have, the happier you are,' holds to be very true particularly with my experience here in Usa River. This community has very little, living in huts that trap the heat, with dirt floors, never did I feel so much warmth, walking through the village to my school where I was greeted by all the locals passing by with "Mambo or Hapari", children I had never met before would run up and take my hand and walk with me through the streets, like I was their best friend.
The school I volunteered at had 56 children, ranging from three to seven year olds. Again, the love and gratitude they show to you is overwhelming, as soon as you walk into to school you are greeted with a huge bear hug from at least 7 different children. I must say personal space was not known here, but nor would I want it to be because these beautiful children have so much love to give.
You may be teaching and helping these children learn the basics of English, but without a doubt you will come away from this experience learning a lot more than what you've taught. Just the simplicity of immersing yourself into this lifestyle, you will observe and learn so much about this culture, it's pole pole lifestyle and generosity and tolerance it embodies.
Asante sane, Tanzania! I'm so very grateful for the time I have spent here.

My time in Africa was unforgettable. Hands down, it was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. To the heart warming people, to the support and people I met; I truly believe that I came back a different person. I loved working with the children everyday, and seeing how such the 'little' things in life, make that much of a difference. Getting to know their names, personalities and stories made my whole trip worth while. I also had the gratifying opportunity to meet friendly locals and build long lasting relationships with my fellow volunteers in my home.

IVHQ was an amazing organization that made me feel at Ease, friendly and very professional. From the emails and updates on my trip prior to my departure, to when I touched down in Africa, I always felt safe and taken care of. My communal "Twiga" home away from home was always kept clean, had food and was completely safe! The Mommas at the homes were incredible, with endless stories to always keep you engaged.

I loved meeting new people, getting to know the culture in Tanzania and connecting with adults & kids. It truly was an inspiring visit, and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a break from work or life or who wants to give back. It was quite the humbling adventure and I would go back in a heart beat! Thank you so much IVHQ for all that you did for me, I will be back next year! #hakunamatata #asante #naukependa #IVHQ

- Yuki

When I arrived in Tanzania I was unsure of what to expect. I was very nervous, as this was my first time overseas. When I arrived the local staff was incredibly helpful supportive and ready to help me feel comfortable and succeed in Tanzania. My first day at placement , I was again nervous, but the support of the fellow volunteers as well as the local staff eased my worries. My time in Tanzania was beyond words. When people ask me how was your trip I honestly am at a loss for words on how to respond. I know that I made a difference in the lives of the women who rely on IV HQ and TVE, however it's beyond true when they say you get more than you give. Tanzania showed me a side of people that I've never experienced before. The amount of kindness and love that I felt was overwhelming. I will forever be grateful for the lessons Tanzania taught me and for the beautiful people I met there. They will forever be a part of me and will definitely influence my life forever. Asante sana

Going to tanzania with IVHQ I had the chance to meet a bunch of amazing people, at my house, at my placement, doing activities, in the streets, everywhere. I met people that made the biggest impact in my life. Not only we would go at the orphanage during the day, but we had the chance to go hang out with street kids at night with the IVHQ staff connections. We learned about their everyday life, got to know them and helped them as simply as buying them and talking to them. Kelvin, one of these guys litteraly changed my life by my way to see things. They don't have an easy life and we already knew that. But seing it with your own eyes, realising that you could help him long term simply by doing one less thing back home. I had to. A friend and I brought him to the hospital after he got burned by oil sleeping in the street, and after seing him in his hospital bed there were no way he would go back sleeping in the streets.
I didn't meet Kelvin through the program, but the program helped me being comfortable enough in this country to want to help more, to make me see how much these people deserve it.

The summer I volunteered will forever be one that I will keep close to heart. Deciding to open myself to adventure and to the world, I signed myself up with IVHQ to volunteer in Tanzania, Africa for three weeks. For six months, I was slowly counting down the days with hopeful anticipation to what awaited for me to experience across the globe. Once I had finally arrived and started to work in the orphanage, I felt so happy and blessed to be able to help and give back to the community. At my placement, I would play with the children aged between four to six and teach alongside the teacher with basic english and arithmetics. The children were so happy even though they had so little and consequently, they became my teachers. They had taught me a valuable life lesson : happiness is not found in the material world, but through your experiences with the world around you.

Tanzania will change you.
Tanzania will push your limits.
Tanzania will help you grow.
I have hundreds of stories but Im going to narrow it down to just a few moments that were worth the trip.
Day 1 I gave the teacher enough rice and beans for a month and she fed all her students and she found their starving parents from down the street. Back home I would of spent that money on one sit down dinner.

Day 8 One child had shoes 3 sizes to small I took 5 dollars and bought her her first new pair of shoes. She had the biggest smile Ive ever seen.

Day 15 Ususally only 3 of 28 kids have food to eat at lunch. We brought in chocolate. best day ever for those 6-8 year old beauties.

Every beginning is tough. I headed for Tanzania with time on hand, an open mind, a craving for new experiences and a desire to contribute where I can.

I could tell you about my time as a volunteer teacher for a third grade class at an orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania; I could talk about my majestic journey on safari in the Serengeti; or I could tell the tale of how I struggled to haul my arse (excuse my french) up Mt Kilimanjaro for 6 days. But you would probably find similar stories from others. I'm going to talk about the unique experience I made being part of the volunteer house, Twiga house (Swahili for giraffe) in Arusha.

When I first got to the Twiga house, everyone was sick with food poisoning and a water-born parasite known as Amebas, lying spread across the living room watching 50 shades of grey. Yes, I know. It was a pretty picture. I was one of only 4 boys in the house and for me that was great, since there was about 13 girls there. Oh yeah.

After settling in to the house in the following days, everyone started to recover and gain some spirit. What I noticed straight away, was that this group was very much like a family and the dynamics were very open with individuals from all over the world. I started to bond with the group. A girl caught my eye and we hit it off from the start, despite her spending most of her days sick, crying on the toilet from sheer desperation and sickness. Oh yeah.

The next few weeks, as I fell in love with the country of Tanzania the individuals in the house and a young girl, I began to change my views on life and what matters most to me. The longer I removed myself from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life back home, the more I felt free from the shackles of western society. I began to believe in people making a difference. Seeing kids smile even though they have absolutely nothing to hold onto in their lives gave me a sense of hope. It not only changed my perspectives but opened me up to grow as an individual.

Having spent nine weeks in Tanzania, I left with no money in my pocket, my mind blown from the unique experience, a growing thirst for further travel and a one-way plane ticket to my new girlfriend in Canada, whom I met in Tanzania. Oh yeah, you guessed it. That sick girl who spent our first three days on the toilet. She's a keeper.

While taking the Dala to my volunteer placement, The Charity School, I was looking out the window to see something that would summarize Tanzania in a nut-shell. I saw a man running to help a women and her young child carry their bags/groceries. Every one in Tanzania was happy, smiling, and would go out of their way to say hello. The atmosphere, the culture, is one that emphasizes togetherness, collective, and sharing.