Volunteering, Traveling or staying with us in the Hostel are other ways you can help us and our kids. These are the options you can choose:
Volunteer in Arusha (Tanzania)
We offer a volunteer internship in our orphanage, as well as volunteer projects in hospitals and schools.
Accomodation in our Hostel in Arusha (Tanzania)
We are offering accommodation for volunteers. We offer these rooms, regardless of whether you want to work in our project or in another project.
Travel in Tanzania
Traveling with us will help our community. With this cooperation our orphanage is also supported as well as our hostel does.
What volunteers say…
My work at the orphanage – Between tears and shining eyes
Jennifer Reich – Spring 2025
Even as a child, I dreamed of traveling to Africa and working with children. I wanted to know what life was like «on the other side of the world.» As I got closer to achieving my dream, I researched various projects, but negative feedback made me doubt it. Then an employee at Münsterlingen Hospital drew my attention to the Enjivai Orphanage in Tanzania. A conversation with Rita Strasser, the president of the association, quickly won me over – her honesty and transparency made me feel good.
Once I arrived in Africa, I was able to get to know the children, the staff, and their daily routine. The children arrived at the orphanage between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m. The morning began with breakfast and brushing their teeth, followed by lessons in English, math, geography, singing, and drawing. Once a week, there was also religious education, children’s yoga, and a short hike. Hygiene was very important: The children had to wash their hands before and after meals, and their teeth were always brushed afterwards.
The children immediately welcomed me into their community. After my first day at the orphanage, they ran up to me and hugged me – this closeness was unfamiliar to me at first, but soon I looked forward to it every day. Every now and then, locals invited me to eat. I found it difficult to accept the food, as some didn’t have enough for their families – yet they even wanted to buy me a Coke.
On my free afternoons, I explored the area, visited the market, took public transportation, or tried new things, such as a visit to the hairdresser. I was particularly impressed by a tour of a public hospital, which showed me how many of our worries are actually just small things.
Over time, I felt more and more like a part of the community and was welcomed everywhere. I realized that things like appearance, language, or clothing don’t matter in life.
On my last day at the orphanage, the children sang for me – I had to hold back my tears. I wished each and every one of them the best possible future, but when I tried to say it, «my heart broke.»
My stay in Tanzania showed me that the most important things in life are good relationships, health, education, and opportunities. I am grateful for this impressive, beautiful, but also sad experience – and now appreciate even more having grown up in Switzerland.