Tanzania - Volunteer Business Internships and Work-Experience Placements

Projects Abroad works with a local charity on a unique and effective microfinance program in Arusha. As part of this project, you will help entrepreneurs and small businesses in Tanzania gain access to financing, but the project goes beyond just financial support. On this project you will also help business people improve and grow their business model.

Volunteers should have completed a university degree before joining this project, however, no specific business qualifications are required, although of course, any business knowledge you do have will be put to good use.

Working with a local partner organisation, you will help direct funding and support into a wide variety of local, sustainable enterprises. One of the most successful organisations that volunteers have worked with is a small yoghurt cooperative. The coop, run by women from a small rural village, produces probiotic yogurts which are particularly helpful for HIV sufferers undergoing treatment.

Business opportunities with Projects Abroad in Tanzania

On a daily basis you will be involved in tasks like reading through business plans, developing marketing strategies, managing loan accounts and canvassing for new ventures that need just a little support and investment to grow into something much more. If there is an area in which you would like to focus in particular then it is important to let our local staff know.

Through this project you will gain a unique insight into the process of developing small businesses in a foreign country and how micro-credit can help disadvantaged communities. You will spend time in a completely new environment, learning about a different culture and way of life. It will be a rewarding as well as a challenging experience.

The Business project runs all year round so you can join at any time, however, volunteers do need to commit for at least two months. We also recommend that you take a Swahili Language Course while you are volunteering on the project – unless you already have some background in the language.