About your trip
Volunteering in Kahama
Connection & Collaboration
We will begin our trip in Tanzania. Once we arrive in Kahama, we will start our project work right away. During the weeks volunteering in Kahama, we will be working on Phase 3 of building the community center. More details to come on Phase 3. Students will receive 50+ volunteer hours for this project. Kahama is hard work. Students will be demolishing existing walls, mixing cement and laying bricks. We will have a couple of swim days, a visit to the village and to the orphanage.
Kahama offers an incredible experience that goes beyond the hard work of building a community center. It allows you to immerse yourself in a fun and kind culture. Becoming a part of this community is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have!
You will have the option to trade one of the volunteer weeks for an excursion week in historic Egypt.
Egypt: Our excursion week to Egypt will be focused on delving into Egyptian culture and history. We will spend a day riding camels at the famous pyramids in Giza, snap photos by the Sphinx, visit the famous museums and eat amazing food. We will also travel to Luxor to visit the exquisite sites including Karnak, Valley of the Kings and Hatchepsut Temple. We will have a blast with a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor. We will then take some time to cool off in Hurghada; famous for their beautiful beaches.
What's included
Airfare
Round trip airfare from specified cities in the US.
Lodging
Lodging in Kahama and Egypt if excursion week is added
Food
Local meals will be provided on all project days. Participants will be responsible for some meals during excursion week.
Volunteer Projects
ALl volunteer projects we engage in asks for a fee for participation. The participation fee is included in the price of the trip.
Excursions
Planned excursions in Egypt if the week is added to the trip
Transportation
Included is transportation to and from the airport, to our project sites and excursions as well as transport from Tanzania to Egypt.
Luggage Information
We ask that students travel with a backpack if going to Egypt. Also prepare to bring a second suitcase for donation items.
What's not included
Visas
American passport holder are charged a $100 visa fee for Tanzania and $25 for Egypt.
Food while in Airports
While we are traveling, students will provide their own food while traveling through the airports.
Layover Extras
In the event there is a long layover some students opt for a hotel stay, accommodations and other activities are not included in the price.
Souvenirs
Food/Snacks/Beverages
Food is not provided while at the airports and on some excursion days. Meals at restaurants. Snacks. Beverages
SIM cards/Data Plans
Laundry
Changes to schedule
Any flight or schedule changes are not included in the price of the program
Unplanned activities
City Fees
Kahama asks us to donate $50 per participant to assist with their refugee fund.
Day 1-2
Depart US to Tanzania
This is our travel day from the US to Dar es Salaam and then a bus ride to Kahama.
Day 3-23
Volunteer at the Community Center in Kahama
Our projects will begin the next day we arrive in Kahama. A typical schedule would be a tour of the community and the center, project planning and going into town and picking up supplies. Subsequent days would be spent on construction of the community center. We typically work 5-6 hours a day. Because of the labor intensiveness of the project, we will have two full days off a week and will add in time at the pool once a week. We will take a day off and visit the village and a day to visit the orphanage. We do try to blend in team building activities and have fun while also working hard.
Day 17
Flight to Egypt for those on excursion week
Day 18-24
Excursion week in Egypt
We are going to put a lot into our week in Egypt.
Day 1 - Arrive. in Egypt - eat local food
Day 2 - Ride camels through the Giza complex, visit the sphinx and the museum
Day 3 - Head to Luxor; visit the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Hatseputs tomb.
Day 4 - 1/2 day in Luxor for an early morning hot air balloon ride and sunset boat trip
Day 5 - Depart for Hurghada; spend the afternoon at the beach
Day 6 - Free 1/2 day in Hurghada and and journey back to Cairo.
Day 7 - Free 1/2 day in Cairo and depart
Day 24
Flight to US
Dorm Life in Kahama
Info
The dorms are nicely situated and perfect for volunteer groups. They are about a two minute walk to the community center and houses 16 people. The dorm itself is comprised of four dorm rooms, each sleeping 4 people. There are shared bathrooms, a mini kitchen, dining area and a loft for chilling. There is also a large attached play room with a ping pong table, darts, craft area, punching bag, yoga space, snack shack, flat screen TV and cozy seating.