Volunteers: What to expect from Tanzania

Tanzanians are arguable some of the friendliest people in the world. When you arrive in Tanzania you can expect to be warmly welcomed by its locals. That means do not expect to blend in! You will rarely walk down the street without being greeted by every person you pass. This is one of the greatest aspects of Tanzanian culture, but it can take some getting used to!

Safety

Arusha, where WIA’s home office is located, can be hectic at times. It is the major town in the area and is home to many street peddlers due to its draw for tourists going on safari. It is good to be aware of your surroundings when walking around town, as you would in any major town or city, and always keep your belongings in mind. Although Arusha is relatively safe, it is important to practice precautions such as not walking around town at night unless you are in a large group. Never cross the bridge leading east out of town from the clock tower at night because many robberies have been reported there. Always carry a copy of your passport, resident permit and any other important documents with you, however, do not carry the originals. Be aware that some of the people that may befriend you in Arusha do not intend to be your friend. They may try to accompany you somewhere and then try to steal from you. Stealing in Tanzania is a serious offence. If you have something stolen and you make a scene it is possible that nearby onlookers could catch the thief, beat them up and maybe even kill them. Keep that in mind if you do have something stolen. Also, be aware of phony safari companies that prey on tourists offering trips at extremely low prices. If you plan on going on safari during your stay in Tanzania, book with a reputable company.

Transportation

Getting around Arusha and its surrounding areas is very easy. The dala-dala is a popular choice for locals as it only costs 200 tsh to get around town and slightly more to go farther away. Generally, you can flag the dala down anywhere along its route and get off wherever you need to by telling the conductor. However, do not expect your ride to be comfortable, as you may be crammed into a minibus that seats about 16 people but is carrying more than 20. You also may be sitting next to a sack of crops or a couple of chickens. It is all part of the real Tanzanian experience! If the dala does not appeal to you, it is always possible to take a taxi. Taxis should always be utilized at night. Tanzanian taxis do not contain meters so you have to haggle with the driver before you get in the taxi. Most people can tell you how much a taxi should cost to get from one point to another around town. If you are a female, it is better to take a taxi in a group, and get dropped off first if possible. When arriving home, have the taxi driver take you right to the gate and wait until you get inside. There are also motorbikes and bicycle taxis that can be utilized cheaper than a taxi, however, there is no guarantee of their safety!

Money

Tanzanian shillings are used everywhere in Tanzania, even Zanzibar. You can exchange money at any bank or bureau de changes in town near clock tower. There are also several banks in town where you can use your VISA or Mastercard to withdraw money. Arusha is a relatively inexpensive town, if you plan on utilizing it as a Tanzanian would. Eating at a Tanzanian restaurant can cost as little as 2000 tsh (about $1.50 USD), however a typical meal is usually around 4000-5000 tsh (about $2.50 - $3.50 USD). Some Tanzanian restaurants also try to charge tourists more, as they don’t have menus with set prices, so it can be a good idea to ask a Tanzanian to come or to tell you what the prices should be. If you choose to eat at tourist restaurants, you will pay tourist prices, which are anywhere from 8000tsh to 25000tsh (about $5.00 - $15.00 USD). Also, if you are on a budget, the dala-dala is the best method of transport (next to walking). If you plan on buying souvenirs in Tanzania you MUST HAGGLE! Peddlers, especially in market areas tend to charge tourists at least twice as much as something should cost. Generally, buying anything, including food at the market, will be much easier if you know some Swahili or you have a Tanzanian with you. Most places, even dukas (stores), do not have price tags on their items.

Language

In Tanzania, the most widely spoken language is Swahili. If you venture out to villages, however, you may find people who do not even know Swahili because they have not been to school. Because of its many different tribes, there are many different tribal languages in Tanzania. We do not expect you to know all of these languages, or even Swahili fluently. However, it does help to make an effort to learn some Swahili. You will be living as a Tanzanian would, so it is good to know some of their language, especially greetings. Greetings in Tanzania are immensely important! Sometimes greeting a single person can last for 5-10 minutes. Sometimes this can seem comical to an outsider, but remember Tanzanians take their greetings very seriously and use them as a sign of respect. Take note and try to learn as many as you can because that will allow you to fit in much easier. It is also important to remember that respect for elders is an intricate part of Tanzanian culture. You will learn proper greetings as well as other important phrases during your Swahili lessons at orientation. Many Tanzanians at least speak a little bit of English as they learn it through primary and secondary school, however, they may not be confident enough to use it with you. It is important to speak slowly and annunciate when speaking English to a Tanzanian especially because they are used to British accents.

Cultural Issues

Tanzania is a developing country and many of its population remain very poor. For this reason, many of its people see westerners (wazungu) as having lots of money. Expect to be asked for money during your stay, but remember you are already here to aid Tanzania and its people and you worked very hard to get the money to be able to do that. Do not feel ashamed to not give money to people who ask. People also tend to listen and respond better to “wazungu” and they are more likely to take you seriously. Furthermore, volunteers are seen as international experts by Tanzanians, so you are expected to act accordingly. Remember that your behavior reflects your country as well as us at WIA so you must respect Tanzanian culture.

Although alcohol is not prohibited, we expect that it will not get in the way of your responsibilities as a WIA volunteer. In fact, there are many exciting nightlife destinations in Arusha and often they are a great way to meet other volunteers as well as Tanzanians. Drug use is strictly prohibited and will result in expulsion from the volunteer program. (Note that marijuana use is illegal in Tanzania and can result in being sent to jail.)

In Tanzanian culture, males and females are not typically friends. This can be frustrating for westerners because it can be difficult to maintain relationships with the opposite gender. However, many educated Tanzanians do understand what it means to just be friends with someone of the opposite gender, but be aware of this when meeting Tanzanians and trying to make friends. When inviting a Tanzanian out, state whether you intend for them to pay or not. Otherwise, it is assumed that you will pay. Relationships of a sexual nature with counterparts are not acceptable. We discourage relationships with Tanzanians but they are not prohibited. If a relationship does not develop slowly, you will be viewed poorly culturally, so it is not a good idea to bring that person home.

Remember that your homestay is your new family. You need to treat them with respect and remember that they have agreed to host you. It is usually not acceptable to come home late at night, have someone spend the night or invite someone over without asking first. However, it is good to talk to your homestay about these things because they vary between families. You will be living like a Tanzanian so do not expect that your family will have a western toilet or a shower. You will most likely live with a family that utilizes bucket baths (with hot water) and uses a porcelain bowl in the floor for the toilet. Volunteers often find the homestay to be the best part of their stay in Tanzania so try to be open to new things! It is possible to make other arrangements for housing, but usually those options are more expensive and less rewarding.

Tanzania is a relatively conservative country. For this reason we expect that you dress appropriately at all times. Remember you are representing WIA, so present yourself in a professional way. Skirts or shorts should be at least knee length if not longer. Pants and jeans are acceptable but should not be ripped. Low cut shirts or shirts with profanity are not acceptable.

Probably the most difficult thing to get used to for most volunteers is the Tanzanian concept of time. Tanzanians do not take time very seriously and tend to be very late or not even show up. Life in Tanzania is much more laid back then in western countries. What you may be used to is foreign here, so you will have to adjust to the Tanzanian way of life. It can be very relaxing once you get used to it, and is yet another example of the true Tanzanian experience.

Health

Tanzania is probably very different from your home country. It may take a week or two to adjust to the new food and bacteria. It is completely normal to have stomach issues during this period. We would like you to stay as healthy as possible during your stay so here are a few tips to remain healthy: • Never use tap water (even for brushing your teeth) – boil it first or buy SEALED bottled water • Avoid raw, unpeeled fruits and vegetables especially during the first week or two • Avoid eating dairy products as most are not pasteurized and may not have been stored properly (the electricity goes out frequently so things are not always fresh) • Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating as many foods are shared and eaten without utensils and you will be expected to shake many hands over the course of the day (it is customary for Tanzanians to wash their hands at least with water before they eat) • If you eat at local restaurants, pick places that are busy and well known for being clean and sanitary

If you do get sick, as many travelers do, there are good medical services in town and most ailments are easy to treat.