Medical Volunteering in Tanzania

Use and develop your medical training and skills, whilst helping Tanzanians in real need

Successfully sending volunteers abroad for 10 years

Volunteer as a Medic in Tanzania

Put your skills to good use in a hard-pressed clinic of hospital

As a medical volunteer in Tanzania you will be working in a local clinic or hospital supported by Agape, helping to lessen the burden on the stretched resources of the medical service. These facilities are often stretched to breaking point and in desperate need of additional help. This is where you come in!

What will I be doing?

Your work will depend on your experience level, and you must have some medical experience in order to take part. We very much welcome medical and nursing students, especially as part of elective programmes, as you will have the opportunity to put into practice the skills you've learnt whilst helping those in real need.

You will spend the first few days shadowing a local doctor and learning about local techniques and common diseases. Once you feel comfortable you will have the opportunity to begin performing some basic procedures under supervision. General responsibilities for medical volunteers include taking rounds, prescribing and distributing medicines, dressing wounds, and assisting with births.

Medical volunteers will often also help out with medical outreach projects we undertake in the local community and beyond. Your skills are what make these endeavours possible, and this is often the highlight of a medical programme.

If you'd like to find out more about volunteering in a clinic or hospital in Tanzania, apply now to hear from our specialist trip adviser.

Typical Week

Volunteers are generally expected to work at their placement five days a week. Weekday mornings will start with breakfast with other volunteers at our volunteer house, before you head to your hospital or clinic for around 9am. Mornings will often start with consultation with local staff members to discuss the needs of the day, and you may be asked to help out with a wide range of activities. At around 12pm you’ll get a break for lunch, which you can take with other volunteers and local staff.

You will generally finish your placement at around 5pm, though this will depend on the opening times of your placement. When you finish you’ll get a chance to unwind with other volunteers and local team members over dinner, and we often organise games and activities of our own in the evenings. Weekends are also your own but there are always plenty of extra Adventures to do in Tanzania!

Living With Agape

Tanzanian volunteers stay in our lovely volunteer hostel in the city of Arusha. It's a comfortable and fun place to live same and you'll generally be staying in a same-sex dormitory. Bed linen is provided but you please bring your own towel. The hostel has hot showers, WiFi, and plenty of communal space for you to share with other volunteers.

Breakfast and dinner will be provided for you as part of your programme fee. Breakfast will normally be bread, butter, jam, tea, coffee, fruit, eggs or pancakes. Dinners will be a mixture of western and African meals, so expect things like rice, beans, mixed vegetables, chapatis, curry and stewed meat. You are encouraged to try out the local vendors and stalls near your placement for lunch; they provide food very cheaply and you will be promoting Agape’s support for the community, as well as having the opportunity to sample local cooking. Alternatively, you can make your own lunch with food from the local supermarket.

Optional Extras

Agape Volunteers offers several excursions for volunteers in Tanzania, including overnight safaris on the Serengeti and a weekend visiting the beautiful Moshi Waterfalls and Chemka Hot Springs. We also offer a week long trip to climb Africa's highest peak - Mount Kilimanjaro - including all transportation and an experienced guide. To find out more about the trips on offer, apply now to be put in touch with our Tanzania trip adviser.

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The Application Process

1: Start Your Application

Once you have chosen where you would like to volunteer and you will need to fill in some basic details about yourself as well about the programme you wish to participate in, so that we can get back to you with the relevant information.
2: Your Own Trip Advisor

Your own personal trip adviser should contact you within 48 hours after submitting your application. They will be responsible for your entire booking, including: answering any questions you have, helping you to source flights and giving you important safety.
3: Select Adventures

Your trip advisor will provide you an adventures guide for the country you will be volunteering in. This includes some extra trips you can take on top of your volunteering; these vary from safaris, weekends at beach resorts to a hike up Kilimanjaro!
4: Pay and Depart

Your trip advisor will talk you through how to pay your programme fee and for any extra trips. Shortly before your departure we will be in contact to give you some information about airport pick ups and safety procedures, from there you are all set for your African adventure.