Zanzibar Teaching Assistant

Get a glimpse of real life on the beautiful island of Zanzibar and make a tangible difference in the community. You will help teach English and get creative with arts and fun activities for school children.

Program Highlights:

Gain practical experience in teaching English.
Provide educational enrichment and reduce the chances of children dropping out of school.
Make learning more fun by organizing educational games.
Immerse yourself in the myriad of cultures that make up Zanzibar.
During the weekends’ you can join a safari tour or enjoy amazing beaches nearby.

Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):

Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ). You will be picked up at the airport and taken to your new home in Stone Town. Take the time to get settled and meet other volunteers.

Day 1, Monday: You will join our orientation day to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and local culture.

Days 1-4, Tuesday-Friday: Begin your meaningful volunteer work on our teaching enrichment programs. After breakfast at 8:30 AM , the coordinator will take you to your designated placement via local public transport. At 1 PM volunteers, all meet back at the volunteer house for lunch and spend the afternoon preparing lessons and exploring the city.

Days 5-6, Saturday-Sunday: Your weekends are free to explore Zanzibar and Tanzania.

Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow a similar schedule of volunteering Monday-Friday and having Saturday-Sunday off. Departures are on a Saturday.

Location of the Project: Chukwani, Zanzibar

Project length: Min 2 weeks – Max 8 weeks

Arrival Airport: Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)

Volunteer Work: Teaching

Age: 25-70

Number of Volunteers: Up to 20 international volunteers

What’s Included

Accommodations: Shared accommodation at the project base

Food: Three meals on weekdays and two on weekends

Airport Transfers: Included on arrival day

Orientation: Orientation day is on Monday to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and local culture

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (approx. $50 USD), travel health insurance, personal expenses

Location

Zanzibar is more than just spices and beaches; it’s a unique blend of cultures shaped by Swahili, Persian, Arab, Indian, and European influences. Stone Town, the largest city on the island, reflects this diversity with its 18th-century architecture and cultural heritage. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, it is a fascinating hub of history and tradition.

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, consisting of two main islands, Unguja and Pemba, along with smaller islets. After the 1964 revolution, Zanzibar joined Tanganyika to form Tanzania but retained its own government to manage non-union affairs, like health services.

The volunteer house is in Chukwani, a suburb on the west side of Zanzibar, south of Mbweni, and near Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. It’s conveniently close to Stone Town, offering easy access to the island’s cultural and historical landmarks. Chukwani provides a quieter, local experience compared to the busier tourist areas.

The nearest beach is Buyu Beach, about a 30-minute walk away. It’s known for its calm waters and beautiful scenery, making it a great place for relaxation and swimming.

Volunteer Work

Our volunteer program partners with various primary, secondary, and high schools located in and around Stone Town. These schools need teaching support in a variety of areas, including English, Math, and Science.

As a volunteer, you will prepare lessons and assist local educators in teaching basic English by exchanging songs and playing educational games. You will support children through activities like handicrafts, sports, drawing, coloring, and writing. Higher-level education programs in mathematics and science are available as well.

Our teaching program supports the education of children aged 5 to 14 years old (grade 1 – 7). The school operates between the hours of 8 AM until 3 PM in the afternoon. Volunteers will engage with students 4-5 hours per day between class sessions and after school.

Aims & Objectives

Improve the children’s English skills and widen their cultural interactions
Provide you with a teaching assistant experience, an invaluable life skill!
Assist the teaching staff with extra hands

Daily Schedule from Monday to Friday:

Breakfast
Assisting Teachers and Students at the school
Lunch break
Free time or afterschool programs
Lesson Planning for next day
Dinner

Holidays: Regular teaching classes do not take place during school holidays. Additionally, volunteer work is not scheduled on national holidays, including Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, and Labor Day, which may impact short-term placement bookings. However, volunteers are welcome to participate in local celebrations during these periods. After registering, you will receive a detailed file with the holiday dates for the Zanzibar Teaching program.

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: No Wi-Fi is available at the accommodation. You can purchase a local sim card nearby.

Laundry icon Laundry: Laundry facilities are located nearby for an extra fee

Accommodations icon Accommodations: You will stay in a traditional and comfortable guesthouse in Chukwani, a suburb on the west side of Zanzibar, not far from Stone Town. With multiple bedrooms, communal bathrooms, a kitchen and one sitting room — suitable for enjoying the company of your fellow participants. Please note that all rooms are of single gender with 4-8 people per room. You will easily find a few small local stores that sell snacks, drinks and any basic supplies you might need during your stay. Nearby, there are ATM’s, banks, shops, a local pharmacy, etc.

Food icon Food: The program includes 3 meals on weekdays and 2 on weekends. We will provide local meals that are typical of Zanzibari culture at the accommodation.

Requirements

Recommended age of 25 plus. The program carefully vets mature young adults aged 18 plus to make sure they meet the requirements.
Online Visa before arrival, around $50
Police clearance form
Good English level (some previous teaching experience will be helpful, but is not essential)
Travel medical insurance is mandatory to enter the country

Tanzania – Zanzibar Teaching Assistant

Fast Facts

Location

Volunteer Work

Living Arrangements

Requirements

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