At a glance
- Work with local lawyers to prepare real legal cases
- Empower women to defend their rights
- Actively campaign while building skills for your future law career
- Live with other teenagers in the vibrant city of Arusha
- Download an itinerary for this project
Is Law & Human Rights in Tanzania right for me?
If you’re aged 15 to 18 with an interest in justice, then this Law & Human Rights High School Special is for you. Working with local lawyers, you’ll gain unbeatable experience to help you stand out in a competitive law career.
You’ll live with other teenagers in Arusha, a busy city surrounded by stunning scenery. Your role will be to campaign on some of East Africa’s most pressing issues: illiteracy, domestic violence, and the treatment of young people caught up in crime.
Preparing legal cases, conducting interviews, and attending court, you’ll gain real-world experience. You’ll be actively involved in improving rights in Tanzania. The knowledge and experience you gain will be invaluable.
We’ve partnered with TAWLA (the Tanzania Women Lawyers Association) to ensure this is a worthwhile experience. If you’re an ambitious student looking for the highest level of legal experience while helping vulnerable people, then look no further.
This internship runs on fixed dates during the school holidays – perfect for high school students. You’ll follow a set itinerary that helps you get the most from your time protecting human rights in Tanzania.
What will I do as a teenage Law & Human Rights intern in Tanzania?
As a Law & Human Rights intern in Tanzania, you will:
Prepare presentations and conduct interviews
This is a hands-on project, so prepare to get involved from the start. With the help of TAWLA and Projects Abroad staff, you’ll work on presentations on a chosen legal topic. This is a chance to increase your understanding and spread awareness to others.
You’ll present to schools, women in their homes, and a juvenile detention center.
You’ll also conduct interviews to help you get to know the people at the heart of legal cases. By meeting women and children caught up in the justice system, you’ll come to understand the human side of human rights.
These interviews will inform your work as you campaign for the rights of vulnerable people in Tanzania.
Write reports and legal opinion pieces
Within your first few days as a law intern in Arusha, you’ll be handed real case files. These will form the basis of reports and opinion pieces you will write. Your written work will help bring attention to these cases. You’ll play a key role in helping the public get to grips with the importance of human rights.
There is also a strong educational component to this project. You’ll learn about a range of topics from organic farming to the colonial history of Tanzania. This will inform your opinions and give you a well-rounded view of a culture different from your own.
Attend court hearings
If you want to work in law, it’s important to be exposed to legal systems. That’s why we’ll arrange court visits where you can observe legal disputes in real time.
The hearings you observe will depend on what cases are ongoing at the time of your visit. Whatever is being discussed, you’ll have a front-row seat to how courts, lawyers, and judges operate. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by both victims and defendants.
Where in Tanzania will I work?
Arusha
You’ll be based in Arusha, a city in Tanzania at the foot of Mount Meru. Home to over 500,000 people, it has a buzzing city centre with colourful markets. The outskirts are less developed, with dirt roads and older buildings.
You’ll do your office work, like research and report writing, at the Projects Abroad Human Rights Office (PAHRO). The office is well-equipped and our staff are there to answer your questions.
You’ll also do fieldwork in local communities. These areas will usually be more remote and rural. People here often lack access to legal advice.
We’ve partnered with TAWLA, a local women’s organisation. A lot of your time will be spent working with them. You’ll also have the opportunity to work in a juvenile detention centre.
What are the aims and impact of this project?
We have long-term goals for all interns completing a Law & Human Rights Project.
We aim to:
- Eradicate illiteracy in legal issues faced by women in the community
- Empower women to fight against abuse and stand up for their rights
- Create a better community with no abuse or violence
Of course, you won’t achieve all these goals alone. However, your impact will help us on our way to creating a society that is safe for women and children.
You’ll help empower women to protect themselves from harm. Your work will spread valuable ideas like respect and equality. This helps lower discrimination while increasing mental and physical wellbeing.
By engaging in the training we offer, you’ll become a confident global citizen. You’ll have the tools needed to help spread respect for human rights.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.
We produce an annual High School Specials Impact Report, which documents some of these achievements. Find out more about the impact of these projects, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay: You’ll be immersed in Tanzanian culture while living in a guesthouse or with a host family in Arusha. Your host will share their way of life while learning about yours. We believe this offers the most authentic experience.
We’ll place you close to your project, making it an easy commute. If you do need to take public transport, local staff will show you how to do this during your induction.
Comfort level: Your accommodation will be modest, but it’ll have everything you need to feel comfortable and safe.
We can’t guarantee you’ll have wifi or hot showers. Many local people don’t either, so embrace their way of life.
Who you’ll live with: We’ll try to ensure you share your room with another High School Special volunteer or intern. By staying with someone your age, you’ll be able to share this incredible experience.
They could come from anywhere in the world, giving you another opportunity to learn about a different culture.
Learn more about our accommodation.
Food
Daily meals: Three meals a day and clean drinking water are included in the fee. Your host will prepare authentic home-cooked meals. Local staff will take you to some of Arusha’s best restaurants.
Dietary requirements: Everyone’s diet is different and we cater to as many as possible. In Tanzania, we can provide vegetarian, vegan, and halal food. We’ll discuss your needs during the booking process to ensure you eat well during your trip.
Tanzanian cuisine: Escape your culinary comfort zone in Tanzania and embrace the incredible dishes on offer. This may include mshikaki (marinated meat skewers), chipsi mayai (chips and eggs), maandazi (fried doughnuts), and biryani (spiced rice).
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
This placement is fully researched, safety audited, and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector
Our accreditations
