How do I apply to be a
volunteer?
To apply to the volunteer program, applicants must
apply online.
Please fill out and
submit the form here. After you apply, we will
confirm that the form was received and then notify you
within two weeks whether you have been accepted. When
you submit your travel details to us, we will consider
you confirmed and make arrangements to welcome you to
Arusha town. For information about fees, please read the
"Volunteers" page.
Do you offer any seniors
programs?
Yes. Retirees with the time to travel and the desire
to give something back join to make a difference and
truly experience another country and culture.
Do you offer any family
programs?
Yes. Welcome with your family travel and the desire
to give something back.
What kind
of housing do you provide?
Included in the volunteer fee, volunteers have the
option of staying with a host family - a Tanzanian
family that is known to the founders of MACAO as
trustworthy and safe hosts. All host family houses have
electricity and access to water, and they have a private
room where you can stay. Toilets can be either "squat"
style or other styles. The host family will provide
breakfast and dinner, and lunch will be prepared for you
in the field. You may eat out at your own expense as
well. The home stay is a great way to really learn about
daily life in another country and be part of the
community. There are also many affordable guest houses
in and around Arusha that MACAO can recommend;
volunteers may stay in a guest house at their own
expense. If you have any special need or requests,
please notify us and we will do our best to accommodate
you.
Will I
have any free time?
Of course! Arusha is a large, laid-back town right on
a national park. It is a comfortable place with grocery
stores, plenty of internet cafes, and a thriving local
nightlife. Arusha is a great site for exploring the
Serengeti, Ngorongoro National Park, the Tanzanian tea,
Lake Manyara, and the shoreline towns of Lake Easy,
Natron, and is only a few hours away from Arusha. There
is frequent transportation to Arusha and the rest of
Tanzania, and several travel agencies are based in town
that can help you plan the rest of your trip. MACAO can
help you make your plans for further travels.
What happens in case of an
emergency?
In case of an emergency you can contact the MACAO
office. Internet is very accessible in Arusha, Tanzania
and regular contact with your friends and family can
also take place through postal mail. If it happens that
the volunteer is sick then the arrangement will be made
for him or her to be taken to a high-quality hospital.
Emergency evacuation insurance is required for all MACAO
participants and is essential in the very unlikely case
of a dire emergency. This covers the cost of
transportation should it be medically necessary to move
you to a medical facility in Tanzania, or back home.
Can special dietary
requirements be accommodated?
Yes, many volunteer participants have had special
dietary needs. Host families can accommodate
vegetarians, as well as other participants with dietary
needs. If you have dietary restrictions, please notify
MACAO when applying and an appropriate host family will
be assigned to you.
After the Short-Term Trip,
can I extend my service?
Many participants feel that they are just getting
into the swing of things as their short-term project is
ending, and wish that they had signed up to stay for a
longer period of time than originally intended. It is
possible to extend a short-term trip for extra days,
weeks, months. MACAO charges a per-day fee for time
added on a trip, but this detail must be worked out
before the participant leaves for the program. Longer
trips are usually more rewarding for the participant and
we at MACAO feel that the more time you are able to
devote to your program, the greater impact you will have
on the local community. We welcome you to participate as
long as you are able and willing.
However, we need to know before you leave how long
you are going for. This determines your fee and
projected placement, etc. We try to be as flexible as
possible, but we have no secure way of receiving a
payment from you and setting up an extra project on time
if you decide you want to stay longer while already on
the program. So please let us know how long you will be
participating when you sign up.
While on the Long-Term Trip,
will I have time to travel?
Your weekends will be free so that you will have time
to tour the beautiful surroundings, explore area market
days and visit nearby villages. While on your short-term
trip, you will also go on the MACAO safari! Optional
longer weekends (three to four days) may be planned for
those long-term participants who would like to travel at
their own expense. If you wish to do more extensive
traveling, do so before or after the program.
Note: For tax purposes, the IRS will only approve a
portion of your expenses as a deduction if you
participate in a significant amount of travel while you
are away. Consult with your tax advisor.
Can MACAO help me find low
airfare?
The staff in the MACAO headquarters is available to
provide as much information as possible in regards to
securing reasonably priced tickets. We can recommend a
few discount travel agencies that can help you find
relatively inexpensive airfare. Additionally, we can
advise you on different tactics that can help in
lowering the fare. Of course you are welcome to look
around yourself also, but our agents are usually pretty
good at searching for reasonable fares. You then have
the option of purchasing the ticket or finding one on
your own.
Why pay to volunteer?
Many people ask why they have to pay to volunteer.
MACAO uses the money raised from volunteer fees to cover
administrative costs, food supplies and other project
costs to serve people in need. Also, while individuals
may be able to travel for less, MACAO provides the
entrance and reception into Ngorongoro and Arusha, the
entrance into a community and exposure to a culture that
one could not receive if traveling alone in these
countries. Through the long-term relationships that
MACAO has established with communities, schools, and
health facilities, volunteers gain a unique perspective
on the culture and life of Tanzanians.
What type of pre-trip
orientation is provided?
Upon signing up for a project, volunteers receive an
orientation manual with information on the country and
program, along with a reading list, packing list, and
other heath and travel tips. An on-site orientation
conducted by the organization coordinators will continue
the orientation process.
Will I be able to join the
program with a friend or family member?
Yes. We encourage participants to come with a friend
or spouse. In fact, if a participant refers a friend or
family member, he or she will receive a discount of 5%
of the second participant's fees. Discount applies for
each additional referral, so the more friends you bring,
the cheaper your program becomes! (Participants referred
must start projects on the same date for the discount to
apply, but may work on different projects.) Please
contact us for large group discounts (8 or more people). |
