Mental health program

Why Tanzania?

Tanzania is a bright, beautiful country to visit; the people are warm and gracious. Tanzania is multicultural and has hundreds of various tribes and ethnicities, the most famous being the proud nomadic Maasai tribe. Rich in culture and stunning to see, it really is an exciting part of Africa to visit. That is why thousands of travelers pass through every year. Its capital Dar Es Salaam sits on a breathtaking coastline, an hour from paradise island of Zanzibar. In the north, Arusha sits under the shadows of the great Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Tanzania is home to many famous Safari parks and game reserves where people from all over the world come to visit the spectacular wildlife.

Where will you stay?

You will stay at our Amani Hostel or volunteer house, is an award winning bed and breakfast, one of the highest rated and reviewed guesthouses in Arusha. We provide safe, clean and comfortable accommodation, comfortable bedding, excellent breakfast and dinner and housekeeping. This will be a quiet and friendly neighborhood only 15 minutes from the main hustle and bustle of town. You will have wifi, hot showers, 24 hour gated security, a domestic/cook (who will happily do your laundry for a small fee) and a coordinator who will ensure you settle in quickly and comfortably into your new town. This is a shared home where you will be staying with other volunteers and guests from across the world, so you will never be on your own in your new environment. The house is impeccably clean, well kept, modern and spacious.

How will you get around?

For your placement, you will travel like a local and walk or take public transport. You will need to set a small budget aside for this (around $1 per day by local minibuses, 4 to 5 days per week). It is important you are prepared and comfortable to travel around town; this is a demanding role that requires dedication.

To get around town you will have the choice of local taxis (we have contacts of affordable, trusted drivers) who can get you around town or you can use the famous ‘dala dala’ mini buses that most Tanzanians use to travel locally every day. Some people adapt very fast and choose to walk around; it is safe to do so however like with any new environment we strongly advise you to be aware of pickpockets and thieves. Always be safe and ask your coordinator before going anywhere new to you.

CLINICAL PRACTICE FEE.

$50 usd per week. This is a payment all medical volunteers in Tanzania must make (Ministry of Health, Tanzania). 

Where do my fees go?

Most of your fees are spent locally. Fees ensure you have above standard accommodation, that you have a personal coordinator picking you up at the airport, orientating you and you have a coordinator day to day and your program is planned and facilitated specifically for you, to match your skills and get you to provide the very best to those that need you. 

Do any fees go directly to the projects?

Yes they do. Although we don’t necessarily think that making financial contributions solve the complex issues faced by deprived areas, we do make a charitable donation on your behalf to your project placement. This is not mandatory. We do this as we know how challenging it can be for our partners to host, supervise and very often teach volunteers. We want our partners to know they are valued and respected for their time as best we can.

Is Africa safe for me to travel alone? Do I need to be with other volunteers?

Regardless of whether you’re volunteering on a clinical mission, you’re still a tourist. Forward planning is key to protecting yourself from risk as you would anywhere in the world. As a group or a solo traveller from abroad, you will attract attention but, you will also have a great support system in your volunteer coordinators, fellow travelers/volunteers and supervisors. It’s important to try and be conscientious of your new surroundings and respect and follow local customs as much as possible and insure yourself from any possible risks. 

Africa is a large continent with every country varying greatly in local culture, customs, rules and regulations. Research your destination as much as possible and ask as many questions as possible. We would never place you at risk or in harm’s way, however it is important you take ownership of your journey and behave responsibly. 

Internships/Elective placements are possible for students of medicine, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy and social work. They shadow a professional of their area of interest and are given small tasks to perform under supervision.

 These include:

 * Participation in the morning report
* Participation in new admissions
* Daily ward rounds
* Drug management
* Participation in group counseling (3 times per week for drug addicts, which are around 30% of the patients), done by the social workers
* Participation in one-to-one counseling (fourth times per week done by clinical officers)
* Participation in group counseling for patients with schizophrenia/psychosis (Saturdays)
* Assisting at the outpatients’ clinic at 3-different  big government hospital (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday with nursing officers)
* Working with patients at occupational therapy activities from Monday to friday

 Typical day

Your typical day will usually begin very early, beginning with a ward round of doctors assessments and receiving a handover of your patients. You will support your supervising colleagues with care of your patients that need to be treated. You will either observe or assist in managing the care and needs of those patients for the day. Your day can be either very hectic and extremely challenging or slow and very quiet. You will need to be motivated, resilient and work well in a team in order to get the best out of your experience. 

What will your schedule look like?
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Report to placement
12:00-13:00 Lunch Break
15:00-4pm Placement ends

The rest of the day will be yours to relax and enjoy what the town has to offer you!