Our story
Volunteer in Tanzania began with one unexpected connection, one volunteer and a shared vision.
In 2012, 20-year-old Dutch traveller Leonie Stoffer arrived in Tanzania with no idea it would change the course of her life. During her travels, she met Tarloch, a Tanzanian born and raised in the country who was working in the wildlife and tourism industry at the time. Together they recognised an opportunity to create something different: volunteer experiences that were locally managed, community-led, and built on genuine relationships.
The first international partnership came through one of Tarloch's connections in Germany, creating the opportunity to welcome volunteers to Tanzania. Combining Tarloch's local knowledge, leadership, and relationships with Leonie's international perspective and shared vision, they travelled throughout Arusha by piki piki (motorbike), meeting local community organisations, building partnerships, and preparing volunteer accommodation.
A year later, in 2013, Volunteer in Tanzania officially began.
It all started with a small two-bedroom house, one gardener, and a single volunteer from Switzerland named Roberto (pictured). From those humble beginnings, word slowly spread. One house became two, then three. More volunteers arrived, new community partnerships were formed, and the organisation steadily expanded across Mainland Tanzania before growing into Zanzibar, where it has since become a major part of Volunteer in Tanzania's work.
As Co-Founder and Country Director, Tarloch has led the organisation's growth on the ground, overseeing operations and the expansion of volunteer experiences across both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Leonie now leads volunteer recruitment and relationships with universities and international booking partners from the Netherlands.
Today, Volunteer in Tanzania has welcomed more than 3,100 volunteers from around the world and works alongside a growing network of trusted local community organisations across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Although much has changed since those early days, the vision remains the same: to build genuine relationships, strengthen locally led organisations, and create volunteer experiences where communities and volunteers learn from one another.
Our vision
Our vision is to become Tanzania's leading organisation delivering ethical, locally managed volunteer experiences and internships.
As we continue to grow, we'll strengthen our network of local community partners, universities, and international booking partners while remaining true to what has always defined Volunteer in Tanzania: genuine cultural exchange, personal support, and meaningful experiences that create lasting value for both communities and volunteers.
Interested in partnering with us?
Whether you're a university, volunteer agency, school, or international organisation looking to send volunteers or interns to Tanzania, we'd love to explore how we can work together to deliver meaningful, locally managed volunteer experiences.
Why choose Volunteer in Tanzania?
Locally Managed
Our teams live and work across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, providing genuine local knowledge, trusted relationships, and support from arrival to departure.
Community Partnerships
Every volunteer placement supports a trusted local organisation already creating positive change. We work alongside communities, strengthening the work that's already happening.
Comfortable Living
Feel at home with safe volunteer accommodation, reliable Wi-Fi, hot showers, welcoming communal spaces, and comfortable places to relax after each day.
Personal Support
From visas and airport transfers to placements, wellbeing, and day-to-day questions, our multilingual team is always just a phone call away.
Beyond the Placement
Experience Tanzania through Swahili lessons, cooking classes, cultural workshops, local festivals, beach clean-ups, weekend adventures, and everyday moments with the people who call this place home.
The past four weeks have been incredible. Volunteer in Tanzania and the amazing people connected to the organisation made my experience even more special. I loved working with the children at the school and had the chance to see the beauty of Tanzania. It’s true what they say — people make the place. A huge thank you to my fellow volunteers, Sia, Miriam, Prisca, Lembrice, and everyone else who made this experience unforgettable. This has been my best experience yet.