Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Population: 184,292
Land Area: 990 km²
Languages: Swahili and English
Currency: Tanzanian shilling
About This Location
Located on the Eastern coast of Africa, Tanzania is incredible – with a diverse geography that includes Africa’s highest mountain (Kilimanjaro), Serengeti National Park, and a gorgeous coastline. If you’re looking to volunteer abroad in Tanzania, MEDLIFE Kilimanjaro offers essential medicine, education, and development to underserved communities.
Why VOLUNTEER ABROAD IN KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA?
Over one-third of all households in Tanzania live in poverty, on $1.00 a day or less, with children and rural populations disproportionately affected by this hardship. As the economy relies primarily on agriculture, approximately 75% of the population lives in rural areas, often without access to basic infrastructure or clean water.
According to UNICEF in Tanzania, “Malnutrition — most prevalent in young children from poorest or rural households — is the single biggest contributor to child mortality, with malaria, anemia, pneumonia, diarrhea, HIV and AIDS also being key causes.” The average age in Tanzania is 18, yet young people are often excluded from the decision-making processes that directly affect them. Young people also have the highest rate of new HIV infections and poor knowledge of family planning.
Although abolishing primary school fees has increased primary school attendance to 94%, there has been no corresponding increase in teachers, infrastructure, or resources.
Because of these issues, MEDLIFE focuses on improving education in this region through a partnership with the Mailisita Foundation. The foundation runs an education center for orphans, funded by the income from an adjacent guest house, the Stella Maris Lodge. Students who visit the country will learn about rural poverty and the development challenges in Africa.
Highlights of the trip:
- Explore various inspiring and impactful service learning trip options available year-round, including classic, nursing, high school, physician assistants, engineering & architecture, and more!
- Airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals (mon-fri), and 24/7 in-country support.
- Free medical insurance is included.
- Comfortable dormitory-style rooms during your stay.
- Enhance your adventure with exciting add-ons!
Please Keep In Mind:
MEDLIFE values the diversity of our volunteers, including those who identify as LGBTI. We recognize that the current conditions in Tanzania may pose potential risks for LGBTI individuals. Each volunteer must consider these factors when participating in trips to this location. To assist in making an informed decision, we provide the following resources.
Government Resources:
- LGBTI Travel (US State Department)
- Tanzania Travel Advisory (US State Department)
- Tanzania Travel Advisory (gc.ca)
- Resources for LGBTQ+ students abroad (NAFSA)
How You Can Help
Mobile Clinics
MEDLIFE tackles critical health issues in these communities through mobile clinics, preventative health education workshops, and patient follow-up. However, our efforts rely on dedicated individuals like you, who choose to volunteer on Service Learning Trips (SLT), making our work possible.
These are the stations in which you would participate during mobile clinics in Kilimanjaro:
- Triage
- General Medicine
- Toothbrushing
- Education
- Pharmacy
Development Projects
Discover the development projects you could participate in while volunteering in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. These projects are collaboratively designed and developed with the community to address their needs, resulting in meaningful and sustainable impact and empowered communities.
- Home Renovations
- School Renovations
- and more!
To learn more about our volunteer opportunities in Tanzania, download our brochure!
MEDLIFE Kilimanjaro SAFETY
When you sign up for a Service Learning Trip in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, you are automatically registered for medical emergency insurance for the duration of your trip. Visit our travel safe page or email us at [email protected] to learn more.
Explore & Support: Enhance Your SLT Adventure
A trip to Peru would be incomplete without witnessing the majesty of Machu Picchu and experiencing the spectacular rolling sand dunes of Ica. Our optional add-ons let you dive deeper into your SLT destination, supporting MEDLIFE communities sustainably along the way.