ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS

ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS

Considering the fact that hotels and guesthouses can be expensive for volunteers especially those wanting to stay for longer periods, we work on program where we place our volunteers in a home stay where they live  with a local family or a volunteer house with other volunteers(please note that spaces in the volunteer house are very limited and can only accommodate 16 to 18 people) the volunteer house is big, western style house with 5 bedrooms(all shared accommodations with bunk beds)it has 2 bathroom with western style toilets and occasional hot waters for showers. The houses also include one double bedroom, and this room is generally reserved for married couples. The house is safe and secure, with a security guard and a large gate. In the volunteer house, there is a cook who cooks the meals for the volunteers. While we ask for accommodation preference prior to arrival, it is very important for volunteers to realize that spaces in the house are limited and cannot be guaranteed at all.

For the home stays, we give that family money from your fee for support, food and board. It is exciting to stay with a family;that way you will learn the Tanzanian way of life, meet local people, eat local food and engage in local customs and traditions. Living is a basic but all the home stays have electricity and running water and accommodate volunteers in SAFE and SECURE homes(some rural home stays may not have electricity or running water during times of drought). All home stays have been inspected by us local staff and chosen because of their safety and security.

 Do not worry about staying in a home stay-we would not place you somewhere that is unsafe. Most volunteers here love their home stays and feel that they get a more authentic Tanzanian experience by staying there.

 Sometimes the power and water go out due to some technical problems. But this is for both the volunteer house and the home stays. In this event, we always make sure that we provide bucket water for bath and toiletries. Volunteer can expect to share a room with one or two other volunteers. While bedding provided it is recommended that volunteers bring their own sleeping bag and mosquito nets for any trips away. Home stays are located in the town of Mbeya and in the villages and surrounding country side Mbeya.some home stays may be a 10-20 minute drive(by daladala from the city center). Regardless of the tribe or culture your family is or from, they will be sure to give you a good Tanzanian treat and meals will be relatively varied. Bottled water is readily available n Tanzania and volunteers should budget approximately US$5 per week for this (1.5 liters per day). Breakfasts generally consist of Chai(tea),toasts,cereal,fruit and maandazi(deep fried dough).

 A typical lunch can include meat and vegetables with rice,sandwiches and fruit while dinner usually sees traditional food such as ugali,chapatti,boga and irio accompany the meat and vegetables. Breakfast is taken in the morning,then,lunch,which is served at about 1pm (or you can take a packed lunch if you wish to eat at your project)and then dinner/supper served at 6 or 7pm. If you have special eating needs, please let us know ahead of time so that we can make arrangements for you. However, we need to stress the point that you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home. we will do our best to see that you are well taken care of, but also as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible.