First-time Volunteer

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Permalink Reply by thisAdventure on August 21, 2008 at 1:36am

Hey Michelle!

I just got back from Tanzania and though I stayed in Moshi, I think i can offer a bit of advice. I also had never been to Africa and was super excited but kind of nervous about it. Once you get there, you will realize you were nervous for nothing! The Home-Base staff is amazing and you will be well taken care of - esp. when it comes to food.

A lot of the people I knew from Karanga would go to Moshi town after placement cut for the first two weeks you are extremley busy so you might not spend as much time there in the beginning. I spent my free-time walking around Moshi, buying fabric and eating at a few amazing restaurants (Indo-Italiano, Cafe Chez!) Some of the volunteers took advantage of the nightlife at places like Glacier and Mzungu Bar but I never really went for it so I can't say too much about it. Just be sure to be home by 11pm.

As for weekend excursions...there is way too much to do! There are the Hot Springs, the one-day tours (Hippo boat, biking, kayaking...), Week-end safaris, Arusha trips, Day Kilimanjaro Hikes, and of course, good ol' Zanzibar...Many of us also opted to visit orphanages during our free time which was great fun. You can also spend time planning an amazing fund-raiser, the community really appreciates it.

What to avoid...taking pictures in town, for sure. Try to dress like a local and be friendly! Say hello to people (Hujambo!) and dont be afraid to engage, the people are amazing. Don't drink any water outside of the HomeBase or not from a water bottle. Don't get drinks with ice or buy that tasty street vendor corn. Don't take offense to being called an 'mzungu' or foreigner or to being stared at. Honestly, I didn't encounter a single problem and I sure made a fair amount of mistakes.

Use your doxycylcine or Malrone! Don't forget it and use Deet repellent!

It's an amazing experience and you'll love it. I hope that helps somewhat but let me know if you have further questions!

Jenn
CCS Tanzania 2008

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Permalink Reply by elsie on December 27, 2008 at 5:54pm

u will enjoy it---i have never been to Kilimanjaro, TZ but have been to TZ----Arusha, Serengeti, etc....as a tourist....I am going back to where you will be going July 2009!

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Permalink Reply by Theresa Taylor on December 28, 2008 at 10:27pm

definitely try to plan a weekend safari to Ngoronogro Crater and Lake Manyara, there are lots of safari companies and it should cost you around 300-350 dollars for the weekend and your food etc. is included in that cost
Don't be afraid to wander around the community, talk to all of the people you meet, make friends.
There are a few internet cafes and yeah definitely try the Indo Italiano restaurant if you are craving some western style food. Chipotes were my favorite food and you can get them really cheap at the little restaurants.
The Glacier Inn has an outdoor bar area with live bands etc. and it is pretty fun to go to. There was a fire pit and lots of people hanging around.
The night club in Mosh is called La Liga...it was pretty fun and probably worth going to just as a bonding experience with my other house mates. I'm not a big night club person but I definitely had an amazing time, and we booked a room at the Kindoroko hotel that was right in town because it was a Friday night and we didn't plan to make it home for curfew at 11.
But um yeah...just explore, have fun, have an open mind.
Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Jacci Schlegel on June 18, 2009 at 3:29pm

thisAdventure said:

Hey Michelle!

I just got back from Tanzania and though I stayed in Moshi, I think i can offer a bit of advice. I also had never been to Africa and was super excited but kind of nervous about it. Once you get there, you will realize you were nervous for nothing! The Home-Base staff is amazing and you will be well taken care of - esp. when it comes to food.

A lot of the people I knew from Karanga would go to Moshi town after placement cut for the first two weeks you are extremley busy so you might not spend as much time there in the beginning. I spent my free-time walking around Moshi, buying fabric and eating at a few amazing restaurants (Indo-Italiano, Cafe Chez!) Some of the volunteers took advantage of the nightlife at places like Glacier and Mzungu Bar but I never really went for it so I can't say too much about it. Just be sure to be home by 11pm.

As for weekend excursions...there is way too much to do! There are the Hot Springs, the one-day tours (Hippo boat, biking, kayaking...), Week-end safaris, Arusha trips, Day Kilimanjaro Hikes, and of course, good ol' Zanzibar...Many of us also opted to visit orphanages during our free time which was great fun. You can also spend time planning an amazing fund-raiser, the community really appreciates it.

What to avoid...taking pictures in town, for sure. Try to dress like a local and be friendly! Say hello to people (Hujambo!) and dont be afraid to engage, the people are amazing. Don't drink any water outside of the HomeBase or not from a water bottle. Don't get drinks with ice or buy that tasty street vendor corn. Don't take offense to being called an 'mzungu' or foreigner or to being stared at. Honestly, I didn't encounter a single problem and I sure made a fair amount of mistakes.

Use your doxycylcine or Malrone! Don't forget it and use Deet repellent!

It's an amazing experience and you'll love it. I hope that helps somewhat but let me know if you have further questions!

Jenn
CCS Tanzania 2008

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Permalink Reply by Jacci Schlegel on June 18, 2009 at 3:29pm

Hi wondering if you went to africa. i have a million questions. thanks

Jacci Schlegel said:

thisAdventure said:

Hey Michelle!

I just got back from Tanzania and though I stayed in Moshi, I think i can offer a bit of advice. I also had never been to Africa and was super excited but kind of nervous about it. Once you get there, you will realize you were nervous for nothing! The Home-Base staff is amazing and you will be well taken care of - esp. when it comes to food.

A lot of the people I knew from Karanga would go to Moshi town after placement cut for the first two weeks you are extremley busy so you might not spend as much time there in the beginning. I spent my free-time walking around Moshi, buying fabric and eating at a few amazing restaurants (Indo-Italiano, Cafe Chez!) Some of the volunteers took advantage of the nightlife at places like Glacier and Mzungu Bar but I never really went for it so I can't say too much about it. Just be sure to be home by 11pm.

As for weekend excursions...there is way too much to do! There are the Hot Springs, the one-day tours (Hippo boat, biking, kayaking...), Week-end safaris, Arusha trips, Day Kilimanjaro Hikes, and of course, good ol' Zanzibar...Many of us also opted to visit orphanages during our free time which was great fun. You can also spend time planning an amazing fund-raiser, the community really appreciates it.

What to avoid...taking pictures in town, for sure. Try to dress like a local and be friendly! Say hello to people (Hujambo!) and dont be afraid to engage, the people are amazing. Don't drink any water outside of the HomeBase or not from a water bottle. Don't get drinks with ice or buy that tasty street vendor corn. Don't take offense to being called an 'mzungu' or foreigner or to being stared at. Honestly, I didn't encounter a single problem and I sure made a fair amount of mistakes.

Use your doxycylcine or Malrone! Don't forget it and use Deet repellent!

It's an amazing experience and you'll love it. I hope that helps somewhat but let me know if you have further questions!

Jenn
CCS Tanzania 2008

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Rusnak on June 21, 2009 at 4:31pm

Everything mentioned below is right. you will have an amazing time. I just got back as a first time volunteer and it was great.

One thing I would like to add...when walking the streets and people try to sell you things don't say "maybe later". They remember your face. I had a guy somehow find me everyday in in town and ask me to buy riduclously overpriced bakik's. he gave me a sob story that he was a starving artist and he was relying on my $ to eat. Everyday i had to tell him that i wasn't interested and everyday he reminded me that the first day i told him "maybe later". He held onto those words. When he saw me in the street he would foolow me for blocks almost getting hit by cars to try to sell the batik's. If i went into a shop he would wait outside for me. don't fall for "rafiki price" or "goody price" because it's not the best deal for you. spend wisely. this guy made me feel really crappy about myself for not buying his stuff and helping him out even though i was there as a volunteer helping others.

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Permalink Reply by sienna saillen on July 6, 2009 at 5:02pm

hi! im looking to volunteer in kilimanjaro for about the same amount of time and im super nervous! im kind of wondering the same exact things :)

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Permalink Reply by Adam Lococo on July 10, 2009 at 10:23am

Im volunteering in kilimanjaro in october and have heard about of alot of amazing weekend trips you can plan within the country! I looked into alot of places and Kilimanjaro definatly seemed like one of the better choices

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Permalink Reply by Danielle Farrell on July 26, 2009 at 6:32am

Michelle im also a first time volunteer who will be in Kilimanjaro from the 7th of November until the 19th December :)

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