Ivhq was a great program. I stayed in a volunteer house with about 20 other people. It was great to meet people from other countries around the world. My daily activities included waking up in the morning and taking a dala to my orphanage placement. I helped serve porridge and played with the kids. I also helped some with the teaching. My afternoon/evening activities included going into town for restaurants and wifi.

I went alone and was really nervous to fly by myself for the first time and meeting everyone already there in the volunteer house, but I had nothing to worry about. The staff, cooks and other volunteers were amazing and I formed some great friendships till this day. I enjoyed experiencing the local culture, meeting new people, trying new things, picking up some Swahili and enjoyed every single second of my placement. I loved the balance between independence and the comfort of feeling like you were part of a big family.
My days at the orphanage consisted of some teaching, marking, playing with the kids at break, reading and doing some smaller group activities and also helping to prepare lunch. Spending time with the kids was amazing, getting to know them individually was priceless.
Downside-I didn't spend enough time there!! That's why I'm going back again in a few months! Nakupenda Mtanzania!

I'll start by writting that I really enjoy my stay in Tanzania. It was maybe one of best experiences I've ever had.

At first it was hard because I had to help in a school for blind children and with no experience at all I thought I would have been so hard. But as days gone by I felt more and more confident with the whole situation. The teachers really hepl us, first they thought us braile so that we could communicate with the children. SO, it was definatelly a different and amazing experience. Although some days seems like we weren't doing anything (because the lenguage barrier and them being blind was difficult) after month has gone by we were really connected with the children. Really amazing.

The staff was amazing, they helped us since day 1 when they pick us up at the airpodrt. They helped us with the papers and accomodations and pretty much everything. We could always relly on them when we had troubles and they move to make our stay as confortable as possible. I didn't really expect a nice bed and meals, but even though I was in the countryside with a family I stay in a ¡nice house with 8 other volunteers and there was always food for us, so I never worry about that.

There were some fears about staying in Arusha but I really felt safe all the time eventhough me and other volunteer had to travel for an hour and a half to get to the school. The local people were always vey nice, sometimes they bother you trying to sell you stuff but once you go passs that I think the city otself is very safe (if you take the proper precautions of course).

Bottom line is you should definatelly try volunteering here.

From the moment that IVHQ's partner in Tanzania (TVE)came to pick me up, I knew it was going to be a good program. The airline brought us to the wrong airport (eek!) but they drove 45 minutes across the city to get me anyways. I felt well supported during my stay, always very safe. I never had any problems, but I felt as if someone would be there to support me if I ever did. A person from IVHQ was there checking in on the program while I was there, that made me feel really good knowing that they keep in contact with all their sites. It was so much fun, and a life changing experience as well- a combination of tourism, travel, volunteer that went as it did because of the quality of the program and staff. I would recommend this program to everyone from those who are seasoned travelers to those who have never left home. You will feel right at home either way.

This progam was the most exciting and rewarding time of my life. I couldnt of asked for a better placement not to mention the suport from the IVHQ staff. I not only leaned alot about the Arusha community but i also learned so much about myself. The biggest highlight would be how amazing and smart the kids are. They are the most beautiful little creatures i have ever met. Cant wait to get back over there again and catch up with everyone :)

Hands down the most important experience of my life. It is difficult to verbalize, but living and teaching in Tanzania is life changing. The people are incredible and although the slow-paced life takes some getting used to, it has a charm to it. The program is a great way to not only immerse yourself in the culture and community (whether through a homestay or at the volunteer house) but also a wonderful way to meet other young people who have similar interests as you from all over the world. There are also tons of people to travel with on weekend trips, safaris, longer vacations to Zanzibar, or to show you around town when you are new. The people and children you work with and for will capture your heart as well. I went to Africa knowing nobody, and left 3 months later feeling like I was leaving home and leaving family. It is a country that has lots of love to give and the people can use all of the help and support they can get - totally worth your time, money, and effort. There is nowhere else in the world I want to go more than I want to go back to Tanzania.

I went to Tanzania with IVHQ in 2010 and had an amazing time! I worked in an orphanage for 6 weeks and then a school for 6 weeks. Both were very welcoming atmospheres and I loved working there. I still get updates from volunteers that are back there now. The people I lived with, people I worked with, and the locals I met there were all very friendly. I loved volunteering with IVHQ so I'm going again. Hopefully I'll see you all there!

The school jumped onto the fact that my sister and I were bilingual in French and English. They immediately set up an extra class that began 1/2 an hour before the school usually started to ensure the children learned some French.
Once we were done leading the French class, we would teach other classes such as Math and English. During their break time, we organize run sports and activities for them.
Sometimes I felt like us being there was allowing the teachers to be lazy because they would often just sit in the office doing nothing as we taught. When I go back, I plan on working in the orphanage schools as it seemed the volunteers who worked there found it much more rewarding as they found they were making a difference.
I still thoroughly enjoyed it though, and our work was worthwhile.