1. In Brief

Your Frontier teaching project begins with a thrilling journey high above the turquoise Indian Ocean, as you fly to Mafia Island – the most beautiful of Tanzania's Spice Islands, where tranquil white sand beaches, friendly villagers, and world-class scuba diving sites combine to make this a true tropical paradise.

Your teaching assignment will integrate you into your host community as a welcome new member. You'll help teach students basic English and depending on the need, other subjects of your choosing, and you'll have ample opportunity to play sports and games with them, put on plays and concerts, and do other fun activities.

Tanzania, though beautiful and welcoming, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Access to basic education is scarce and many people in rural areas rely on subsistence farming to sustain a living. This is your chance to change the lives of those around you for the better and leave a legacy that will last for decades to come.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• Immerse yourself in true Tanzanian culture
• Earn your TEFL certificate for free!
• Make lifelong friends

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

• Up to date CV
• Criminal background check (DBS)

FAST FACTS

WHAT'S INCLUDED

QUALIFICATIONS

A variety of qualifications are available on many of our projects. For example, BTEC certificates and diplomas on our Group conservation projects and TEFL certificates and BTECs on most of our teaching projects. You may also be able to gain a CoPE to support your university application. For more information on these qualifications, please see the qualifications section of our website or ask your volunteer advisor.

2. The project

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?

Teaching in Tanzania

Tanzania's sophisticated education system was severely affected in the 1980s by economic difficulties, and the literacy and school attendance rates have since plummeted. Government programmes are in place to have all primary school-aged children in school, particularly girls, to address the poor attendance rate. In addition, only 5% of secondary school-aged children currently attend school.

You could be working at a variety of institutions, interacting with students of all ages, teaching basic conversational English. Lots of people will be keen to learn English and practise speaking with you. To teach, you will need to be patient, flexible, a confident communicator and able to use your initiative and imagination.

Learning a few basics in Swahili will help you a lot but don’t worry, – you will have plenty of opportunities to learn when you get here! Lessons will be fun and interactive, developing the students' confidence and conversational skills.

Other Teaching Activities

Students will be interested in life where you come from. You may be able to get involved teaching other activities such as sports, music or science, if you are interested and have the relevant skills; this will obviously depend upon the students' needs. There may also be the possibility of linking up with our marine conservation programme to arrange collaborations for environmental education.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

Whilst on your placement you will work with the local primary school in Utende. Duties will include teaching English and potentially other subjects, depending on need and experience. You will usually have your own class for English lessons and may also be required to assist other teachers in class as well. Outside of the formal school hours, teaching volunteers are encouraged to arrange extracurricular activities such as sports and games and lead environmental education days in conjunction with the Frontier marine conservation project.

During the holidays, volunteers have an excellent opportunity to really make a difference by holding holiday classes, particularly in English, and working with the Frontier marine project to implement community environmental education and workshops.Please consider school holiday dates when booking your placement so be sure to ask one of our recruitment advisors for further information.

Although their lives may seem difficult, the local children are extremely cheerful and friendly and will be eager to learn, as well as finding out more about you and where you come from. After a busy and rewarding week of teaching you will have a well deserved weekend break. You can spend time relaxing on the stunning beach close to camp, visit Chole island and see historic ruins and swim in the blue lagoon or pop into Kilindoni to get some tasty treats.

Sample Itinerary*

*This itinerary should only be considered as an example of the kind of activities and timescales to expect.  Actual itineraries may vary depending on the season and the requirements of the project.

3. What to expect

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?

We can arrange an airport pick up for you at Dar es Salaam Airport and local private driver will escort you to a local hostel where you can spend your first night relaxing and recovering from your journey, these costs are extra and you can pay $76/$60 directly. The following day you will return you to the airport in time for your internal flight on the eight seater light aircraft to Mafia Island, please ensure you book your flight well in advance. Once on Mafia Island you will be met by Frontier staff at the airport on Mafia and transferred by vehicle to the marine conservation project camp site at Utende. You will have an introductory period, which will allow you to settle into life on Mafia Island, meet with teachers, and plan lessons and timetables.

If you are travelling independently, you may wish to make your own internal arrangements, if so we will provide you with detailed instructions on how to reach the Mafia Island camp.

It is possible to reach Mafia by ferry but sailing times can be very unpredictable, the journey might be rough and it can be tricky with no knowledge of Swahili. If you choose to travel by road and ferry you need to transfer to the port town of Nyamasati, 90 km south of Dar from where you can catch the ferry (approximately a 6-hour trip) to the town of Kilindoni on the western side of Mafia Island. Once on the island you will be met by the Frontier marine field staff, either at the small harbour town of Kilondoni or at the airport on Mafia and transferred by boat or vehicle to the project camp site.

WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?

Check out our Camp Tour video! 

During the project you'll live on a basic camp alongside the marine project volunteers at Utende, within Mafia Island Marine Park. We aim to provide you with a unique and memorable living experience. The Frontier marine camp was constructed by local craftsmen and Frontier field staff, using traditional building techniques, from locally sourced, environmentally friendly building supplies. You may even have a chance to try out some of these construction techniques for yourself while living on camp.

The camp, which is situated in a clearing in a coconut plantation, was designed to blend in with the surroundings. Camp life is very simple, unsophisticated and fun. You will be staying in communal bandas, huts made from makuti (woven palm leaves), poles and mud, sleeping on beds constructed from wooden poles, washing from a bucket, using the infamous long drop toilet and cooking over a charcoal stove. So prepare for the basic, unencumbered lifestyle!

As well as teaching and working within the local community you will also help with daily camp maintenance, taking turns to cook, tidy and clean the camp, collect water, and help with a variety of other essential camp duties.

WHAT WILL I BE EATING?

Camp food is simple and nutritious and consists largely of rice, beans, and vegetables, all of which are purchased locally in order to help support the local economy. Luxuries such as chocolate, biscuits, peanut butter and drinking chocolate are available in Kilindoni but tend to be expensive as they are imported from the mainland, so make sure you stock up before heading to the field! Part of your role on camp will be to help with the cooking, so get your cookbooks out now and start practicing!

Modern conveniences

Mafia Island

• Boat rental
• Fishing
• Hostels / hotels
• Internet available at local bars
• Post office
• Souvenir shops
• Traditional markets
• Western style restaurants

Kilindoni - 20-30 minute Tuk Tuk ride away at own cost

• Grocery Stores
• Medical clinic
• Phone shops
• Traditional markets

Dar es Salaam - 45 minute flight at own cost

• 24 hour supermarkets
• Banks / ATMs; National Microfinance Bank, Standard Chartered, Barclays, National Bank of Commerce, Stanbic
• Bars / clubs
• Bureau de Change
• Cinema
• Dentist/li>
• Department store
• Hairdresser
• Hospital
• Hostels / hotels
• International Embassies and Consulates
• Internet cafes
• Local style restaurants
• Mobile phone shops
• Pay phones
• Pharmacy
• Traditional markets
• Western style restaurants
• Western Union

4. The reviews

5. Gallery

6. Extras

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Frontier-Tanzania camp is fun and in your spare time you'll have opportunities to swim and snorkel, play football against the unbeatable local side or try out beach volleyball. Alternatively you may enjoy a traditional Saturday night themed camp party, play poker, chess or backgammon or join in a camp quiz night. After a long hard day you may prefer to relax with a drink and sway in the camp hammock, or sit and chat to your new friends, under a sky lit up by millions of stars.

Tanzania offers a massive range of adventure and cultural activities for you to enjoy after your Frontier project. Visit game reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and forest reserves. Experience a traditional African safari and game drive, visit the exotic island of Zanzibar, climb Kilimanjaro, snorkel or learn to scuba dive by taking a PADI dive course. We encourage you to book these extra activities direct with local providers thereby making more of a contribution to the local economy.

dive courses commence monthly starting on the first monday of the month

• Single Day Snorkelling $19
• Single Day Dive $48
• Double Dive $95
• 4-dive package $190
• 10-dive package $380

COURSES*

• Discover Scuba Diving $76
• Open Water Dive Course $760
• Advanced Open Water $627
• Medic First Aid $190
• Rescue Diver $570
• Dive Master $1,140

*Medical certificate is mandatory for participation in dive courses

RENTAL EQUIPMENT (Prices per day)

• Jacket/BCD $10
• Regs $10
• Wetsuit $10
• Mask/Snorkel $6
• Fins $6

Modern conveniences

Mafia Island

• Boat rental
• Fishing
• Hostels / hotels
• Internet available at local bars
• Post office
• Souvenir shops
• Traditional markets
• Western style restaurants

Kilindoni - 20-30 minute Tuk Tuk ride away at own cost

• Grocery Stores
• Medical clinic
• Phone shops
• Traditional markets

Dar es Salaam - 45 minute flight at own cost

• 24 hour supermarkets
• Banks / ATMs; National Microfinance Bank, Standard Chartered, Barclays, National Bank of Commerce, Stanbic
• Bars / clubs
• Bureau de Change
• Cinema
• Dentist/li>
• Department store
• Hairdresser
• Hospital
• Hostels / hotels
• International Embassies and Consulates
• Internet cafes
• Local style restaurants
• Mobile phone shops
• Pay phones
• Pharmacy
• Traditional markets
• Western style restaurants
• Western Union

7. Dates and Costs

COSTS

DEPARTURE DATES

First and Third Monday of the month. 

Alternative dates available on request.

Shorter durations available - click here

School Holidays 2017

3rd April 2017 - 15th April 2017

26th May 2017 - 25th June 2017 

During school holidays a modified program will run with one to one coaching, educational workshops and extracurricular activities.

Please be aware that these dates may be subject to change at short notice.

Please note there will also be a number of public holidays and unannounced holidays throughout the year.

DURATION

4 weeks and longer

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Before you go

• Pre-departure support
• Travel & medical advice & documentation
• Equipment advice
• Discounted medical kit
• Free Frontier t-shirt
• UK residential briefing weekend including food, accommodation and training (extra cost applies)

In-country

• Food on camp
• Accommodation on camp
• Lodge style upgrades available
• Airport pick-up on Mafia Island
• Transfer on Mafia Island
• In-transit first night hostel accommodation, airport pick up in Dar es Salaam and taxi to airport for internal transfer can be booked for $76/$60
• Local orientation
• Project training
• 24-hour in-country and international HQ emergency support and back-up

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Flights

Flights are not included in our trip costs. However, we have partnered with an experienced and professional team of travel experts to help our volunteers find the best flight deals for their trips with us. This travel specialist operates in the tailor-made, long haul multi-stop travel market, arranging complex airfares and transfers for independent travellers. They provide expertise, security and a vast product range along with a Travel Butler service which is a single point of contact and support whilst you are overseas.

We recommend that you obtain a quote using the following contact details rather than book online, as our partner will offer you the most competitive fares. To receive your quote or to seek any advice for your flights, please contact our dedicated team of travel experts on 0800 082 9994 (or +44 800 082 9994 outside the UK) or email frontier@flightcentre.co.uk .

Visas

For fast, efficient and up-to-date visa advice please contact our recommended visa consultancy partner:

• For UK residents  -  Click Here
• For US residents  - Click Here

Insurance

You'll need to buy appropriate travel insurance covering your participation on the project. You won't be able to go without the right travel insurance so double check to avoid disappointment. Please make sure that you're covered for the whole duration of your trip – from the day you leave the UK to the day you return. It's also best to get your travel insurance at the same time as paying the deposit for your project. Depending on your policy, this will cover you for any unexpected cancellations.

Your insurance should include the following:

• Medical cover, including medical emergencies and medical evacuations (up to USD$3,000,000 / GBP£2,000,000);
• Personal liability (up to USD$1,500,000 / GBP£1,000,000);
• Cancellation and curtailment of your trip (up to the value of your project contribution).

If you are going to be scuba diving you should get coverage for scuba diving up to 30m, including hyperbaric therapy treatment (unlimited). You should consider obtaining insurance to cover you for any additional activities which you plan to do during, before, or after your Frontier project. We recommend that you obtain cover for your baggage and personal effects.

LEGAL STATEMENT
Frontier Partner Projects and Frontier group projects are run in partnership with in-country NGOs, small community based organisations, local research institutes, academic organisations and conservation agencies. Project descriptions and information are supplied directly by our partners or field staff and are accurate at time of publishing.

We aim to keep information up to date and accurate, however, the nature of our projects and in particular the fact that they are constantly evolving and developing in response to changing needs means that project activities, travel schedules, tour itineraries and daily timetables can change overnight and without notice.

8. How to apply

To apply for this placement, click on "Apply Now" below. Fill in the short application form and one of our advisers will then call you back to answer any questions and make sure this is the perfect placement for you. Applying doesn't cost a penny and you won't pay anything until you're completely happy and you're ready to reserve your place.