Pre departure

We hope the following information is helpful for you and gives you an idea of the things you need to think about before coming out to visit us.

Visa

There are TWO visa’s that you need if you want to volunteer in Tanzania. A tourist visa will allow you in the country to undertake tourist activities and a Volunteer visa will allow you to undertake volunteering.

The Tourist Visa  You can obtain in advance from the Tanzania High Commission and you will need to compete the VISA APPLICATION  FORM or you can get it on arrival in Tanzania for the cost of $50 (CASH). (There will be queues on arrival)

In order to get the VOLUNTEERING VISA we need to apply in advance for you, for this you must submit to us, at least 6 weeks prior to departure, the following:-

1. A copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
2. A photocopy of your passport (photo page and inside of front cover page).
3. A copy of your academic or professional certificates as mentioned in your CV.
4. 6 passport sized photos.
5. Signed copy of our volunteer agreement.
6. $200 CASH

We will provide:

1. Certificate of registration.
2. Covering letter.
3. LTT’s organisation constitution.

This is the system put in place by the Tanzania Immigration Department and LTT have no control over this process.

It is not possible to volunteer without a volunteer visa. A tourist visa alone does not permit you to volunteer.

Failure to have the correct visa is met with a fine of $400 or a prison sentence.

Immigration form on arrival

When you arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport you will need to complete an immigration form.

Here you tell them you are a TOURIST and you provide the following address as where you are staying

Kahembe Guest House. P.O Box 366, Babati, Manyara

I would highly recommend that as many of you as possible get out of the plane early, complete the forms and get in this queue as it might take an hour if you are not fast!

Money

You will need to bring money with you money.

No drinks, water, tips or any other items are included in your package.

Money can be changed in Arusha (you get a better rate for larger bills). There is an ATM in Babati but it is erratic.

The Tanzanian currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh) To get the current exchange rate pleas go to

There are normally two prices for things, the local price and the Mzungu (white person) price. When you are in a big city it is hard to avoid Mzungu price but at other times you ought not accept it.

Water   1200Tsh

Soft drink  500Tsh

Beer  1500Tsh

Theft can occur anywhere in the world, so when travelling with all your wealth, it is advised that the majority of your funds are kept in a money belt that is hidden from view and a small amount of money is held in a day wallet. If you are mugged, you ought to offer no resistance and hand over the day wallet. All acts of mugging or violence against a person must be reported immediately.

Large belt wallets worn outside your clothing, which I understand are called fanny packs in the US are not recommended. Whilst the name will amuse the Brits, they simply advertise where all your wealth is.

Tipping

While tipping is not expected in Babati’s bars and restaurants, it is expected for drivers and guides. The amount is at your discretion

Haggling

If you want to purchase souvenirs then will be offered the highest price to start with. Only an amateur accepts that price. The vendor will normally, as a very minimum, have doubled the price. But remember that this person is poor and is relying on the sale of this good for his/her living. You ought to think of what you want to pay for it and agree that price rather than haggle to the lowest possible price. Always be gracious when haggling and enjoy the sport. Never get angry. Remember you can always haggle a price and tell them to keep the change.

Luggage

At the airport you may be asked to show the ticket for your luggage, this ought to be kept close to hand. The weather may rain a very little bit, but wrapping your clothes inside plastic bags before departure is always a good precaution. Each bag ought to be clearly labelled so that they can be identified. We advise that you bring a day bag that is large enough to meet your needs so that when necessary you can travel fast. There will be times when you leave your rucksack in storage

Travelling on planes

You are not permitted to carry fluids, deodorants, tooth paste, creams, gels, matches, penknives, scissors, or any other objects that have the potential to cause fire, or harm in your hand luggage. This is strictly adhered to in Heathrow. Shoes and jackets will need to be removed when going through check in and procedures.

Travelling in the bush

There are no toilets in the bush, please make use of toilets when they are available. It is recommend to always take some toilet paper. When walking in the bush you will want to dig a hole if you need to defecate. A small trowel might assist you. For added privacy we would suggest you buy a local wrap around cloth.

Accommodation

The majority of your stay will be based at people’s homes where you will be the guests. You will be expected to join in conversations and make a contribution to the evening. The more effort you put into participating, the more you will get out of the experience. You will be sharing the space with the householders and privacy is an alien concept. I recommend that you bring an inflatable pillow. Most of the accommodation will NOT have mosquito nets and as malaria is always a concern you are advised to bring a self standing net and repellent.

In most areas water is at a premium (5-20 km walk) and so please use it sparingly.

When in Babati you will be staying at a guest house with a western style toilet, shower and a bed with mosquito net.

Laundry

Everyone will be responsible for washing their own clothes. There are buckets and taps available for this at the Kahembe Guest House. I would recommend that close consideration be given to the environmentally friendliness of the washing powder that you bring.

Food

Tanzania is not famed for its cuisine. Here you eat to live. However there is a lot of very tasty food but one has to be prepared to try new things. (Buying your own supply of chilli sauce and tomato sauce from Babati is recommended for those who enjoy a kick in their food). Please try and get involved in food preparation and cooking process.

Water

It is not recommended that you drink the tap water without first treating it. Using iodine tablets and other water purifying agents will help reduce the need for endless bottles of water. It is recommended that you drink at least 4 litres a day to avoid dehydration.

Coke, Pepsi, Fanta and other soft drinks are available from the Guest house or the local shops, Please return all bottles to where you got them from

Alcohol

Livingstone Tanzania Trust does not prohibit drinking but expects each individual to drink in a responsible manner.

Illegal Drugs

The Livingstone Tanzania Trust does not permit any visitor to take, pass on or sell any illegal drugs. Such an act will result in immediate expulsion from the trip with no refund. Taking drugs is illegal in Tanzania and can lead to imprisonment. You really do not want to see a Tanzanian prison.

Weather

The weather will be hot and suitable steps ought to be taken to protect your skin from burning and steps taken to prevent dehydration. Wearing a hat during the day is advisable. At night it may get cold and a wearing a light weight fleece is advisable. There is a possibility that the light rains might arrive. Late November/December/January is the normal time, but weather is less predictable. A light weight poncho type coat or pac-a-mac is advisable.

Health

Consideration needs to be given to: Cholera, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, B & C, HIV, Malaria, Meningococcal Meningitis, Onchocerciasis (River Blindness); Polio, Rabies. Bilharzia, TB, Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), Typhoid, Yellow fever, Diarrhoea, Amoebic dysentery, heat stroke, insect bites and snake bites.

It is recommended that you visit your local doctor before you leave to get the most up to date information and immunisations. Please bring with you a full medical kit including needles, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea tablets, re-hydration sachets, plasters, bandages, clean wipes, mosquito repellent and “bite ease”.  Malaria is a big concern and I recommend that everyone takes malaria pills advised them by the Doctor, and I would recommend that these are taken by all at breakfast, so everyone can remind everyone else! Mosquito repellent is also recommended, as are long trousers and long sleeved shirts in the evening. The bedrooms all have window nets.

HIV is a major concern in all of Africa. We strongly recommend that no one engage in any sexual activity with members of the local community who prefer unprotected sex.

Caution

Tanzania has a large number of animals that can kill a person and so suitable precautions must be made. Whilst most of these animals will live in the National Parks this is not always the case. Bull elephants have been known to roam in forest at the top of the escarpment, and the escarpment can hide a variety of mischievous animals. Trips out of the village without a guide are therefore not recommended

Snakebites are very serious and whilst every effort if taken to keep snakes away from the village, they can and do get in. To prevent problems: -

• ALL luggage bags ought to be closed and locked when not in use.
• No rocks should be moved without prior inspection
• Paths should be followed rather that walking through the shrubs
• All toilets must be carefully inspected prior to use
• All shoes must be emptied before being put on each morning

Personal Security

We recommend that whilst in Arusha you act with caution. During the day there will be hustlers and pickpockets. Mostly they will operate around the bus station and the markets. Just be aware and cautious. It is not recommended that you walk the streets after dark.

Babati is a safer town and walking around before 10.00 pm is fine.

Games

It is always good to have a packet of cards or other game to amuse yourself and others during quiet moments. If anyone can do magic tricks that always breaks the ice with the community

Time

In Africa very few people are in a hurry and people are very relaxed about time. Things tend to happen when they are ready so all watches ought to be left behind. Similarly there will be time when there is a lot of waiting to do. Mostly at airports, I suggest that you bring a good book that will last the duration. Any books you want to leave can be left at Joas’s guesthouse for other travellers. Tanzanian use the Swahili way of telling the time with the first hours of the day being 7.00am and this can cause some confusion.

Gifts

Taking gifts is a very kind thing, but please consider a few points first. There are a large number of children and other community members and how are you going to select who to give a gift to and who not to. Gifts for the school ought to be given to the head teacher. In Babati there is a sad culture of asking tourists for money, this has developed because in the past individuals have passed out money or gifts and this has created the illusion that white people are so wealthy that they just give things away. This leads to white people becoming a target for thieves and bandits. We positively discourage this type of activity. Anyone who asks us for money we say No, give me money and they look shocked

Internet

There is an Internet cafe in Babati. The quality is variable and can be frustratingly slow at times

Personal possessions

It is recommended that expensive items be left at home as they may attract unwanted attention.

All clothes ought to be prepared to get dirty.

A travel clock ought to be the only time piece

The community are used to digital cameras and enjoy seeing themselves in the screen.

Ipods and other MP3 players ought also be left behind as they will detract from the experience, isolate you in your group and prevent you from fully participating. Computer games, personalised DVD players etc. ought to be left at home

Gas and Lesbian Travellers

From an official point of view, homosexuality is illegal in Tanzania, incurring penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment. While prosecutions rarely occur, discretion is advise as gay sexual relationships are culturally taboo, and public displays of affection are frowned upon.

Health and Safety

Your health and safety are of primary importance. To live in a safe manner is a shared responsibility where we must be responsible for our actions and the actions of others. Your job is to participate in the process of risk assessment and responsible living. You must NEVER undertake an activity where you feel you are putting yourself or others at risk. For every action there is a reaction and we must all consider the possible reactions to what we are doing.

Kit list

Water bottle	Medical kit	Reading Book
Sun screen	Sun hat	Pack of cards
Money belt	Sun glasses and/or safety goggles	Travel plug/adaptor
Good walking shoes	Camera	Insect repellent
Travel Towel Diary	Travel vaccination certificates if travelling from outside EU.	Photocopy of passport cover, inside page and visa page

Travel Insurance

LTT are not responsible for you or your possessions. You are travelling as an independent person and so ought to take out suitable insurance to cover your travels.

The work

The work we will be doing will be physically demanding and will require a good degree of fitness. We will be working in the heat of the day and it is important that you protect yourself from heat exhaustion and dehydration

Language

We encourage all visitors to learn some words of Swahili and we provide classes to assist in that process. Being able to greet local people in their own language is very important and shows them respect and will help build up friendships.

Many people will say “yes” to you but may not understand what you saying. They do not want to look ignorant. This can cause some confusion. Please be patient and explain things using simple terms. English is a 3^rd or 4^th language for many of the community.

Whenever entering a home, one must always ask permission. The traditional request before entering is calling out Hodi a few times. If you are welcome the answer Karibu will follow.

Greeting each other is an important part of culture and may go on for some time.

Jambo	Hello
Habari za asubuhi	Good morning
Habari za mchana	Good afternoon
Nzuri	Good
Salaama	Peaceful
Wewe jina lako nani?	What is your name?
Jina langu ni ….	My name is…
Asante (sana)	Thank you (very much)
Baridi	Cold