• All your personal medication and medical prescription, Insect repellent (can also be bought here in Arusha, Tanzania)
• Stomach medicines for both diarrhoea and constipation, Sun cream (can also be bought here in Arusha, Tanzania)
• Hat to protect you from sun and also clothes with long sleeves and long trousers to protect against mosquitoes
• Comfortable shoes and during the rainy season, shoes that can be used in mud
• Take a mobile phone with you. If possible you can take some old one which you don’t use any more at home.
• Kyosei gives you a local Wi-Fi router connection for free to use during your trip.
• Flashlight or headlight (can also be bought here in Arusha, Tanzania).
• Check requirements of dressing in your placement from your placement´s presentation.
• AC power plugs and sockets used in Tanzania are British type G, BS 1363 and the voltage is 220240 volts. If your electric devices don’t fit to this kind of plugs you will need to take an adapter with you.

If you are travelling from afar and have some space in your luggage or ready to carry an extra luggage for us or you live in Arusha and would like to donate ! – Here are some items that we ALWAYS need, All other goods including stationery, uniforms and other support based supplies;-

• School Bags (small back pack type) and Clothing for young males and females (small /medium sizes)
• White Board Pens or Refillable Whiteboard Markers and Refilling Inks.
• Sports Shoes (Trainers) and Black School Shoes,Sports Jerseys for the students, Balls.
• Flash Drives (USB), Printing Papers, Long Extension Cable, UPS Battery Backup.
• Art Materials (Acrylic / Poster Paint, Brushes, Glue, Craft Goods, Felt.
• Educational DVDs / Appropriate Fictional / Movie DVDs and Scientific Calculators.
• Dictionaries (English-English) or English Story Textbooks
• Text Books for Library, Notebooks (All School Subjects and General Knowledge)
• Laptops, Computers for Kyosei’s Students, Tablets or iPad, Watches (in working order), Unlocked Mobile Phones (in working order please as expensive to repair!
• Menstrual Cups, Reusable Pads or Decathlon Towels.
• Pens, Toys, Crayons or Kids’ Motivate Games or Cards for Learning, Pencils, Rubbers and Color Paintings.
• Any Useful Building Materials.

Please If you would like to donate or have any questions, Contact us info@kyoseifoundation.com

• All the most common medicines e.g. painkillers, plasters etc. are available to purchase (can also be bought here in Arusha, Tanzania).
• Products such as shampoos, lotions, toothpaste, laundry powder can also be bought (can also be bought here in Arusha, Tanzania)
• Bed sheets, mosquito nets and towels are included in all the rooms (can also be bought here in Arusha, Tanzania).

First Day: On the first day of the volunteering placement, you will be escorted to the project by our local staff and introduced to the staff at the centre you will be working with.

Weekdays: A typical day would be as follows from Monday – Friday:

07:30 AM Breakfast at the volunteer house compound.

08:00 AM Volunteers leave home and travel to work placements. Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at.

14:00 – 15:00 Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel home, prepare for the next day or do some shopping and sightseeing.

20:30  Dinner at the volunteer house compound together.

Weekends: be free and we would like to organise some trips during the Saturday or Sunday

• You should prepare yourself for a culture perhaps very different from what you are used to. There are often power cuts and problems with the Internet but not at large, only sometimes please.
• The practices at your workplace may also differ from the ones in western countries and things are not always done the way you may be used to. The best way to cope with the differences is to come with an open mind.
• Remember that you are coming to visit and learn local culture and life, not coming to bring your own habits. NB: When you come with open mind, when you ask, when you wonder and when you look around you will get unforgettable experience from Tanzania and from Tanzanian culture.
• Tanzanian power outlets use 220-240V, 50Hz. If you are traveling from a country with a voltage less than 220V should check whether or not their electronic devices have a dual voltage power supply. If not, you may need to purchase a converter before leaving.
• Generally speaking, most electronics (smart phones, digital cameras, tablets, and computers) work on a dual voltage basis. Electrical appliances such as razors and hair dryers do not.

• That’s a question we actually can’t answer because that depends on your personal spending habits. However, we want to give you some highlights about prices for your planning: Local meals start from 2,500 – 5,000 Tsh and if you are looking for Western food around 15,000 Tsh.
• A beer cost between 2,500 and 5,000 Tsh and cocktails start from 10,000 Tsh. Fabrics for the tailor start from 12,000 Tsh and tailor made clothes start from 10,000 Tsh. Souvenirs can be found from 3,000 Tsh onwards.

• Some foreigner think that, is Tanzania or Arusha city safe place? Yes however you should be careful of travelling in both cities in Tanzania and be suspicious of strangers offerings, tours and special deals.
• Just be cautions with your properties especially money, smartphone, cameras because we don’t say no criminals but evenhanded in case be careful and not expose all your properties especially money in the public or negotiation places at the markets.
• Tanzania is one of the safest countries in East Africa, but you never can be too careful when you’re on the road. While safari areas are generally very safe, the country is no stranger to criminal activity. Like any other country in the world, there is always some risk of theft.

• If you get sick, our organization will make sure you get to the hospital. There are doctors in Arusha town that are capable of treating stomach problems, common infections etc. In case of more severe illnesses there is a good hospital in Arusha, about 40 minutes away from volunteer house.
• We do recommend you to take a travel insurance that covers illnesses as well as your flight home if suitable treatment is not available in Tanzania.

• Arusha offers diverse shopping experiences, including curio shops near the clock tower known for quality souvenirs at competitive prices. Popular items like Makonde carvings, Tingatinga paintings, and batiks are available.
• Local markets such as Kilombero Market and Soko Kuu offer a variety of goods, while bargaining is recommended at stalls for flexible pricing.
• Vitenge fabrics, a staple in Tanzanian fashion, are affordable at any market across the country.

There are numerous  transport that are inexpensive to use here in Arusha starting from;

• • Daladala/Minibuses  and Bajaji/Tuktuk from our organization/Kyosei School Project to Arusha Town City is 700TSZ to 1,000TSZ approximately 0.3 – 0.5 €, the popular word to use if you want to get off or drop off say (Shusha)  the daladala/ Bajaji  will stop and you get off.
  • Bodaboda/Motorbike, when you want to use from our centre/volunteer house to town then you can use this means of transport which will not exceed 2,000TSZ – 5,000TSZ approximately 0.5 – 1.5 €, you may sometimes use on weekends or evenings and mostly we will get you in touch with the motorbike driver that we trust in order to avoid inconvenience with untruthful drivers.
  • Taxi you may prefer to Arusha Town City is from our school or living compound at an appropriate price and should not exceed 10,000TSZ  – 15,000TSZ and if you don’t mind we can get in you in touch with driver trustworthy who knows our school, town, restaurants and carry in minded that Tanzania have no digital transportation system and we all use public or private transport. Taxi cars also exists here in Arusha approximately one hour drive you’ll pay approximately (25 – 35 USD).
  • Foot, Arusha Town City is a big city, so you can’t do everything on foot. But there are places, such as the City Centre, where it is recommended to explore on foot, because you’ll see more hidden spots of beauty and wonder. It’s also recommended to take a local guide with you who will show you around the first time(s) you explore the city centre. Google maps is your best friend when you’ll get lost !

• Our volunteer programs at Kyosei include accommodation and all three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner per day, but weekends are not mandatory as you may go outing or visit and explore the country’s beauties with our project coordinator for some assistance and guidance around the country on weekends). – To sustain our operations and ensure your comfort, we kindly ask for a minimum contribution of $63 USD per week, equivalent to €57 (euros) per week, inclusive of all essentials expenses like bed linens, mosquito nets, and towels (volunteers may bring their own).
• Bathroom facilities provide running water for basic needs but lack hot water. Communal cooking is encouraged, and volunteers can opt for laundry services in town or wash clothes manually on-site. Drinking water safety is emphasized, recommending bottled or filtered water.

• “Absolutely! Visiting Kyosei Foundation before your safari tour or Kilimanjaro trekking is a great way to see firsthand the impact of our programs. You can also explore how you can support our efforts through donations or volunteering. For more details or special requests, please contact us via email at info@kyoseifoundation.org or message us on WhatsApp at +255757564014.”

• Yes, Kyosei Foundation is a not-for-profit charity that makes sure there are no middle men involved between our foundation and its vision. We actively seek corporate sponsorships and partnerships to collaborate on supporting its programs and initiatives. For details, contact info@kyoseifoundation.com.

• Your donation to Kyosei invests directly in the education and future of Tanzanian children and youth. With your generosity, we can build sustainable school projects including new classrooms, computer labs, libraries, School kitchen and sanitary facilities, while providing impactful educational materials. Every contribution ensures a meaningful difference in their lives. Please If you would like to donate or have any questions, Contact us info@kyoseifoundation.com

• In order to create more transparency, the host and program contributions do not include a donation. Kyosei Foundation expressly welcomes participants to raise donations for our projects and programs before, during, or after their stay in Arusha, as all projects are also dependent on the financial help of friends and supporters (there is no state funding for non-profit organizations in Tanzania).
• Among other things, crowdfunding projects run by our volunteers are usually highly successful, and it is fun to be able to use the donations directly. However, a fundraising campaign is not mandatory for participation in the program.

• We don’t receive any funding from the government, local authorities, or businesses. Because even a non-profit organization in Tanzania is recognized by the tax office, it has to pay money for permits, registration, and certain services, but we often depend on gifts and support from people like you who want to help vulnerable children and youths in Africa and continue our work as well as run our projects.
• The regular supporters provide us with a stable source of funds to carry out long-term work and keep projects running that are vital for those who need them but may not be funded by local authorities.

• First impressions, Tanzania has a robust culture, full of life and flavor! Perhaps one of the most important aspects of Tanzanian culture is our “greetings.”  The way you greet others will definitely impact someone’s first impression of you. It is important to take the time to learn basic phrases in Swahili such as “Hello,” (Habari = Salama), (Mambo =  Poa), (Vipi = Safi ) “How are you,” and “How is your day.”
• You might hear people say phrases like “this is Africa” or “no hurry in Africa.” HAKUNA MATATA, Below you’ll find a few useful Swahili phrases to get you started.

Karibu: Welcome, Habari/Hujambo: Hello, Habari?/Habari yako?: How are you?

Nzuri: Good. Standard reply to how are you, Samahani: Sorry.

Asante: Thank you, Chakula: Food, Rafiki: Friend, Hapana: No, Ndio: Yes.

There is no truly bad time to visit Tanzania; the optimum months depend on which parts of the country you plan to visit and your main interests.

1. Long rains start (April to May) and average temperature is (72 – 81°F
2. Short rains start (November to December) and average temperature (81– 86°F)
3. Long dry starts (June to October) and average temperature (70 – 81°F)
4. Short dry starts (January to March) and average temperature 84°F or 29°
There is no truly bad time to visit Tanzania; the optimum months depend on which parts of the country you plan to visit and your main interests.

• • Yes as you volunteer with us, you will have your free time and weekends available to explore more of your host country and our local team will be happy to provide recommendations for tours or trips that you can take.
  • Trip is the most authentic way to experience a country through living and working with local people, we understand that many of our volunteers wish to visit and experience sites like regular travellers too.

You can review more about culture tours and day trips for you to explore and have unforgettable experience in Tanzania.

• • • Tipping is customary in Tanzania, and is very much a part of the incomes of many people in the hospitality and tourism industry.
    • As a general rule of thumb, tipping for satisfactory service should be as follows:
    1. Safari and Kilimanjaro climbing guides: $ 10 – $ 20 per person per day.
    2. Cooks, Porters, Caddies etc: $ 5 – $15 per person per day.
    3. Local guides $ 5 per person per day.

• • • Absolutely yes, you will obtain a Certificate of Volunteering after completing your volunteer program, which reflects the date and duration of your volunteer program.
    • This certificate can be a valuable addition to your resume as many employers recognise that volunteer travel is beneficial for personal and professional development, as well as cross cultural competence.
    • We can provide you with a letter of reference at the completion of your trip, upon request. we are often happy to act as referees for past volunteers as well.

• • • We value your hard work and your honest feedback. We hope you enjoyed the time you spent in Tanzania with us. Without your hard work and the support of our volunteers, our projects wouldn’t be able to thrive, grow, have an impact, and become a true dream. So we say, Asante Sana, Ashee Olengi!
    • As well as the assistance you give us, we hope to give you memories that you will cherish forever and experiences that will help shape your future.
    • If you feel like your experience with Kyosei Foundation was worthwhile, we would appreciate it if you could leave a review of our volunteer program on one or more of the websites below. By leaving a review, you will inspire and encourage others to join us as volunteers, which helps us keep our projects going and continue to help children and disadvantaged groups in Tanzania.
    • You can also help us out by telling all of your friends and family about your experience and encouraging them to visit, like, or follow us on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram to keep in touch. We hope to see you again soon!

Dear Friends and Future Volunteers,

We hope these tips continue to be helpful for you!

If you have any questions or need further clarification, don’t hesitate to reach out. For more details or special requests, please contact us via email at info@kyoseifoundation.org or message us on WhatsApp at +255 757 564 014.

Embarking on this journey with us is a transformative experience. You’ll gain unforgettable memories and valuable personal and professional growth. By joining us, you’ll return home enriched and inspired, having made a lasting impact.

We look forward to welcoming you into our team and our family. We hope to hear from you soon!

Warm regards,
The Kyosei Foundation Team