Mental Health Internship

location
3 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Gain valuable skills in a developing country
  • Immerse in exotic African culture
  • Contribute to a vital mental health program - one of the only in the country
  • Savor an unforgettable African Safari
  • Build lasting friendships in our volunteer house and Hostel


Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

Intern in Mental Health work in developing countries, through Arushas only treatment centre. Ideal for psychology and social work students.

Our Mental Health Clinic volunteer program in Arusha, just 15 minutes from the White House hostel is with the main Hospital here in Arusha. Founded to address the critical need for mental health services, our clinic is a beacon of support in the community. The dedicated team, comprising ...

About the program

Our Mental Health Clinic volunteer program in Arusha, just 15 minutes from the White House hostel is with the main Hospital here in Arusha. Founded to address the critical need for mental health services, our clinic is a beacon of support in the community. The dedicated team, comprising psychiatric-trained nurses, counselors, psychotherapists, social workers, and a mental health practitioner, delivers vital psychological and psychiatric services.

The clinic tackles a wide array of issues, from anxiety and depression to substance abuse, marriage problems, psychosomatic illnesses, trauma, stress-related problems, sexuality, sexual abuse, and parenting concerns. Through clinical assessment, counseling, and therapy sessions, clients are educated on psychological issues and equipped with individual tools for coping.

Beyond individual care, our clinic actively engages in community initiatives, hosting support groups for parents and caregivers of schizophrenic children, conducting fieldwork to raise awareness about child abuse, and using radio exposure to address violence against women.

This placement offers a unique opportunity for psychology students and social workers to intern or volunteer, gaining hands-on experience in a diverse and impactful setting. Due to the nature of the work, volunteers should have prior experience in psychology or social work education.

As a volunteer, you'll become an integral part of the team. Depending on your experience and preferences, you may participate in clinical assessment and counseling on-site, engage in social work initiatives, and contribute to ongoing discussions about client treatment plans. Professional supervision ensures a supportive environment, and you'll gain a profound fieldwork experience, navigating cultural nuances distinct from Western contexts. Enrich your skills, make a difference, and experience a transformative journey in mental health support.


Typical day

You will start at 8 AM with the group meeting discussing the plan for the day. The group will delegate the work of today and you as a students will be given assignments or a mentor to follow. Typically the day will end around 1 or 2 for the students with another meeting evaluating the day's tasks ...

Typical day

You will start at 8 AM with the group meeting discussing the plan for the day. The group will delegate the work of today and you as a students will be given assignments or a mentor to follow. Typically the day will end around 1 or 2 for the students with another meeting evaluating the day's tasks and preparing for the coming day.

In order to get properly into the rhythms of the work in this organization, we require the volunteers to stay minimum 3 weeks. A part of your program fees will go to the organization as salary for the time, the mentors will spend supervising the students to ensure the quality of the stay.


Free-time activities

Discover the best of Arusha with an array of free-time activities, from thrilling African safaris to day trips and afternoon adventures. As Tanzania stands among the world's top safari destinations, seize the opportunity during your placement. At the White House, we offer several budget and group ...

Free-time activities

Discover the best of Arusha with an array of free-time activities, from thrilling African safaris to day trips and afternoon adventures. As Tanzania stands among the world's top safari destinations, seize the opportunity during your placement. At the White House, we offer several budget and group joining Safari Tours, fitting to your volunteer schedule and preferred parks (Arusha National Park, Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorogoro Crater).

For nature enthusiasts, embark on hikes up Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, and we can guide you through the planning process, suggesting routes and durations.

If day trips are more your style, choose from an array of activities: hike to Mt. Meru waterfall, visit authentic Masai villages, swim in natural hot springs, explore man-made underground caves, or tour banana plantations. All these options can be easily arranged upon your arrival at the White House.

Afternoons off work offer a variety of options. Cool down in a hotel swimming pool, available to outsiders for a small fee, or paddle around Lake Duluti in a rented canoe surrounded by birds and monkeys. In case of rain, explore Arusha's Museum of Nature and Wildlife or visit the Cultural Heritage Center, a gallery with diverse shops. Enhance your downtime with these enriching experiences in Arusha.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Education Requirements

at University level

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

CV with picture and Certificate of qualification or education enrollment documents

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Experience with medical and clinical work will be an advantage.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 02:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Boresha Maisha Projects

Fees include:
  • Voluntary Work in Tanzania
  • Work permit in Tanzania
  • Project fees
  • Single or shared room with full board during entire stay
  • Assistance from a local coordinator
  • Orientation on your first day
  • Airport pick up
Fees do not include:
  • Any personal expenses, soft drinks, bottled water
  • Any entrance fee during sightseeing and traveling
  • Insurance
  • Tourist visa fee
  • Immunization
  • Plane tickets

Airport Pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport

We provide our volunteers with airport pick-up - from both Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha Domestic Airport. Just provide us with your arrival detail - date, exact time, flight number - and we will make sure our driver is waiting outside for you with a sign of your name and a big smile.

Accommodation

During your stay you will be accommodated in the coziest and most friendly hostel in Arusha, The White House of Tanzania. Upon your arrival, you will meet our staff as well as the Mboje family, who runs and manages Fursa Projects Tanzania as well as the hostel. The family also lives on site once in Arusha, and there is therefore always staff around. 

The hostel is a newly renovated big house located in an area of Arusha called Njiro. It is approximately 15 minutes drive fromt the center of the city, but within 10 minutes walking from the house you will find a big compound called Njiro Complex. Here you will find ATMs, various restaurants, gym, cinema, supermarket and much more. From here, it is very easy to either find a taxi or to catch the local mini-buses - dalla-dalla's - and get to the center of Arusha. 

All the rooms in the hostel are spacious and clean with their own private ensuite-bathrooms with hot shower. We have no single rooms, and as a volunteer you will most likely share a room with other volunteers and travelers. However, we find that this makes the experience much richer for the volunteers, as they get to know their fellow house-mates that much better. 

The hostel have various common-areas both indoor and outdoor, where guests and volunteers relax and enjoy their evenings after a day full of adventure - either at their placements or on different trips. As mentioned in the section below, all three meals are included in your accommodation price and all guests and staff enjoy dinner together every night. This is usually a time of day, where guests and volunteers will share experiences and get new inspiration for activities for their days off. 

Included in your accommodation price, you will also find a good functioning WIFI at all times, so you can easily communicate with your friends and family at home.

Food & Beverages

The two daily meals included in your accommodation price is prepared from fresh groceries everyday and served to our guests at the given mealtimes. Our chefs are Tanzanian, which means that the meals usually consists of local dishes. The breakfast consists of toasted bread with a side of eggs and fruits, while the lunch and dinner are usually either a side of rice, potatoes or pasta served with maharage (beans), choroko (lentils), mboga mboga (vegetable stew), makande (beans and maize) or either beef or chicken prepared in various ways.

In case of any allergies or intolerance or other special needs, feel free to let us know and we will try our best to come up with an alternative for you. As said earlier, all these meals are included in the price but our guests are free to leave the house and go out for dinner whenever - all we ask is that you let us know to prevent unnecessary food wastage. 

​In the White House we have a small bar that sells cold water, soda and beer for affordable prices. Drinks ARE NOT included in the accommodation fee, ONLY meals.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Kilimanjaro. We assist you to find cheap flights to Tanzania. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Tanzania provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Tanzania you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Tanzania. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

As hospital are open at all times, this project can be joined throughout the year. The hospital is in great need of assistance, which is why your work at this placement can begin at anytime that fits you. We will recommend that you arrive to Tanzania by the end of the week so that you have the weekend to settle in and get comfortable in the house and area before beginning your work the following Monday.
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

3 weeks (min. stay) 716€
4 weeks 954€
5 weeks 1,193€
9 weeks 2,147€
17 weeks 4,056€
50 weeks (max. stay) 11,930€
Average fees 239€/week

Program fees

239€ per week 3 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

3 - 50 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Boresha Maisha Projects during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Boresha Maisha Projects

Perfect 4.6 rating (31 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2014

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Lucy

Spoken languages: English, Swahili

About the project

Boresha Maisha Projects seek to provide communities with education about sustainable solutions to their problems through the work of experienced volunteers.

Meet your organization

We wish to create possibilities for communities and individuals to grow and develop in order to create a better future. We seek to provide communities with education about sustainable solutions to their problems instead of fast and easy solutions. How do we plan to do that? By continues education provides by experienced individuals with knowledge and specific education to a certain field. And this is where we need you!

Dealing with the challenges of today requires problem-solvers who bring different perspectives and are willing to take risks. We are searching for strong individuals, who wish to bring their knowledge and education and pass it on to communities and work places in Arusha, Tanzania. We believe that this education and sharing of knowledge is the way to solve many of the problems, the developing countries in the 21st century are facing. But we need you to help us with it.

Boresha Maisha Project emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the community. Having seen the bad effects of "voluntourism" many of the volunteering platforms create, we wished to find more sustainable projects, where the impacts will last and not just be forgotten with the next arriving volunteers. We wish to create platforms specifically for volunteers with the appropriate skills and this way ensure that the volunteers will be in surroundings where they feel safe and have an expertise. Look through our projects and see if we have one, that fits you. They get updated regularly, so don't worry if you don't find the one, you were looking for.  

Established in 2017, we’re an organization driven by progressive ideas and bold actions. Help us break the circle of "voluntourism" and projects who are ruining communities and families instead of keeping them together.

31 reviews · rating4.6

Stine Knudsen rating5

2023 at Mental Health Internship

I volunteered at the crisiscenter and helped the socialworker. I learned so much about the organisation, the women and about myself. I would recommend this ...
Lena Brandstätter rating5

2024 at Childcare, Sports and Teaching Support

I was working at the preschool for six weeks and this time completely changed my outlook on life! I bonded with the kids so quickly and was able to give them a safe environment to play, learn and make mistakes. Sadly, it was very difficult to communicate with the teachers, as they barely spoke any ...
Megan Tatham rating5

2024 at Animal Welfare and Rescue

Amazing opportunity to help animals and gain invaluable experience.I loved volunteering here so much! Dr Evarest is amazing! He's a great man that cares deeply for all animals and people. This volunteering is like no other animal rescue as it's really hands on, not just feeding and cleaning like ...
Floo Vander Meeren rating5

2024 at Medical Work & Support

My stay at the hostel was great. The girls who work there and the owners are very friendly and social. My volunteering program was at Kitogani District Hospital where I would assist the doctors where they needed me. The people at the hospital were very welcoming and because it is a local hospital ...
Marylou Palanque rating4.8

2024 at Childcare, Sports and Teaching Support

It was the best experience I've ever had. I really enjoyed the mission with the children at the school. The accommodation and room is correct, the breakfast and evening meal are good too. The staff are very friendly. The accommodation is also well located in Paje. I really enjoyed this experience ...
Eunice rating4.6

2024 at Medical Work & Support

Incredible and very enriching experience personally and professionally. Good level of English required to make the most of the experience. Excellent team support and flexibility. For what could be improved: not really a welcome upon arrival at accommodation and lack of concrete information ...

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Contact Lucy
  Very high response rate
English, Swahili

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