I love that Volunteering Solutions partners with local NGOs in the volunteering locations. It's important because no one knows about their own country more than locals. Everything was organized and easy to navigate. The price is fair given what's offered. I also appreciate their information packet. This is extremely helpful for first time volunteers, and helped me contact the right people when I had a hiccup in my own trip. Everyone has been kind and helpful throughout the entire process, from welcoming me, checking in during my trip, and follow up ftwr my volunteering was completed. Overall, the experience was absolutely wonderful!

I’m a med student and I was in the Mnazi Mmoja hospital in Stone Town (Zanzibar) for a medical volunteering program.
Everything is amazing, from the support that you will receive before starting this experience to the things that you will do during the program. So I really recommend this! You’ll get to know a different reality, you will make friends with other volunteers, you can also help in the hospital, and you will remember this for the rest of your life. Everybody can do this, even if you don’t have medical knowledge, for me it’s better to have at least some basics to be able to help them, but you can also just watch and learn.

I worked in the program "Procide Health Care to Locals" in Arusha for one week. The mornings I spent at Mt. Meru Hospital and helped the dentists with their work. In the afternoon we had some leisure time to do and see other things. One day for example we could go to an orphanage amd teach the children about brushing teeth. I really had the best time during my stay in Tanzania. The people were all really friendly and supportive, both from the organisation and the locals. I would recommend volunteering in Arusha to everybody who is looking for a great adventure!

"My time in Arusha, Tanzania has been an experience that I did not deserve. If I were to describe my experience in one word, I can say that "amazing" is an understatement. >From the first day, I fell in love with the culture and environment in Arusha. I was warmly welcomed by the Matolo family, Mr. Charles, Abraham and felt at home. I was treated as a member of their family. Originally, I was supposed to volunteer in the summer, however, due to the pandemic, I rescheduled for the holidays instead. That was the best decision I've ever made. The atmosphere during the holidays is very lively, warm, and welcoming. I connected with every individual that I've met--from the house staff to my coworkers, and fellow volunteers at St.Elizabeth Catholic Hospital. At the hospital, I volunteered in the surgical ward and there is no word that suffices to demonstrate my experience. I have observed a copious amount of procedures, but my most favorite was a pediatric, orthopedic broken wrist repair. I have made so many connections with the nurses, physicians, and surgeons at the hospital. The staff there are extremely kind and loving. It's beautiful to see every worker working together as a team--which ultimately is the essence of what medicine is. Lastly, though I only stayed in Arusha, I can tell from the snippet of what I've seen, that Tanzania is a beautiful country. The weekends were one of my most favorite parts of my time in Tanzania. I visited the Tarangire National Park, Kikuletwa Hot Springs, the Maasai Village, and many more. I am more than thankful to the Volunteering Solutions team. Mr. Sahil has been more than helpful in assisting me to prepare for my trip to Tanzania. Thank you so much Volunteering Solutions for making this goal of mine an accomplished reality and acquired blessing. God bless!"

There is a disconnect between what this program promises and what it offers. The best parts were our host mother, who was very sweet and the driver who picked us up. My wife and I are medical professionals (doctor and nurse) and expected to be working in a hospital where we could be of significant use. While the program is advertised for medical professionals with all experiences the majority of volunteers at the hospital were medical students from Germany and Denmark who seemed to be very bored as they did not have much to do. It is a money making program for the hospital (which is understandable as it is government run and relies on donations for supplies) as every volunteer has to pay the hospital to work there. But the hospital does not offer much for the students. In fact my wife and I spent most of our week helping to teach the medical students (who were very grateful we showed up) and taking charge with patient care to the extent we could given the language barrier. Rounds and teaching are very haphazard and by 12pm there is not much do do. Also volunteering solutions never gave our information to the hospital and so there was a delay in us even getting started on Monday. I think they mostly let it slide once they found out we were actual medical staff and not students (which they kept saying is rare for them). If you are a medical professional I would not recommend this program. If you are a student, your mileage will vary but it did not seem the students there were very happy with their experience.

This program is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. When I first arrived, it was the middle of the night, and the hostel seemed questionable, but as I adjusted to my African family, I grew to love the staff and the place like home. It’s Africa, so yes...sometimes things were a little slow to happen, and yes...sometimes I encountered struggles that I’ve never had to face in the past, but that is all part of the experience. The challenges that I overcame with my fellow volunteers just made our bond so much stronger. The cooks put their heart and soul into their food even though they are there sun up to sun down cooking. The house mamas...or sisters, care for the volunteers as if they are family, and the night guards are like dad’s looking out for their kids.♥️ Dinner time was one of my favorites times, as some of the staff would stay after to play games with the volunteers. It made for such a light, happy atmosphere. I did the medical program for 5 months, and I did an orphanage/women’s center for the last month. St. Elizabeth hospital was life changing. I worked with Dr. Quaker for a few months in the pediatric ward before switching wards, and I learned SO MUCH from that women...not just medical information, but she also taught me about the tribes in the area and their traditions and beliefs and how it correlates with the health of the child. The cases I experienced here were like nothing I would ever experience at home. Some were definitely “heavy,” but that is a challenge every healthcare provider will have to eventually face. The orphanage and women’s center were also amazing. I was at Enjevai Orphanage and Faraja Women’s center. Both the kids and the young moms were such a joy to work with. Despite their circumstances, they came each day with smiling faces. It really puts life into perspective. Overall, I think anyone looking to volunteer with an open mind should book it in Arusha, Tanzania. Don’t go there expecting to improve how they do things, but instead, learn from them and how they survive with limited resources. I promise...you won’t want to leave.💛 It’s home away from home.

Traveling to Tanzania was a life changing experience. I have had few experiences in my life that have been as fulfilling as the volunteer work I did here, and I would not change a thing about my experience. The community is engaging and the citizens are friendly and outgoing. The area is filled with opportunities to immerse yourself in an unforgettable culture. I can confidently say that I made some lifelong friends during my stay. I highly recommend this trip to anyone and everyone!

my experience in Arusha has been awesome. I have enjoyed a lot with all the volunteers, staff, and local people. i will always recomend this program, although i think that it is a bit expensive.
Also the extra activities during the weekend were amazing, and the location was too good.
the work at the hospital Levelosi was wonderful, because we could learn a lot and also do many kinds of different things.
At Arusha i met a lot of people and also did some incredible plans: with some friends we did an Spanish omelette at a local tanzanite home. Also we went party with some medical students of Arusha,(with whom i am still in contact). Despite the fact that i worked at the hospital, i visited an orphanage: flowers orphanage, and that was an unforgettable experience. The way the children looked at you, the way they laughed without material things... it was fantastic.
The volunteers became my second family, and the local people was amazing.

Everything has been perfect. I wish i could come back, because it has been one of the most wonderful experiences in my whole life. Thank you a lot!!