Supporting you on every step of your volunteering journey

At The Small Things, we wholeheartedly believe that volunteering at the Nkoaranga Orphanage and Pilot House is an incredible and life-changing experience. At the same time, we are aware that the prospect of travelling to a foreign country can seem a little daunting and scary at first. We get this. It's only natural to be nervous!

We understand the anxieties volunteers may experience beforehand, so we do everything in our power to support our volunteers at every step of their journey with us: from answering initial questions and making them feel confident before leaving their home country, to helping them to quickly settle in and feel part of our Nkoaranga Family once they arrive. Our Introduction to Volunteering Guide provides everyone with comprehensive information after securing a placement with us. Best of all, we provide in country support in the form of our lovely volunteer-coordinator. After all, volunteers are integral to our work, so we want our volunteers to feel valued, safe and happy!

Considerations regarding the Ebola virus

We are aware that the recent Ebola virus crisis in West Africa may be worrying people who are considering volunteering in Africa, and seek to reassure everyone that the safety of our volunteers is our top priority.  This is a serious issue, and we have done our research to help you feel comfortable. First, take a look at the following map to see just how far we are, physically, from Ebola - farther than London or Rio de Janiero! 

Map reproduced from SafariBookings.com and the Washington Post

• The Foreign Travel Advice for Tanzania does not consider traveling to Tanzania an Ebola risk (read more here). 
• 'The FCO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] is not aware of any cases  [of the Ebola virus] in Tanzania' and does not consider it a risk (read more here).
• Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete, has announced that Tanzania has intensified anti-Ebola measures (read more here).
• Tanzania has very low levels of inter-Africa travel, and there are zero flights directly between affected areas and Tanzania. 
• In response to concerns of the virus spreading to Kenya (which borders Tanzania), the Kenyan government has taken the step of closing its borders to travellers from West African countries affected by the growing Ebola outbreak (read more here).

Our board and in-country volunteer-coordinator will continue to monitor and follow the advice of the World Health Organization, to ensure that prospective and current volunteers remain well informed and safe.

In addition, if you have any questions about volunteering with us (honestly, ask us about anything and everything, we love hearing from you!), please email us at volunteers@thesmallthings.org, and we will be delighted to respond!

Just want to have a browse? Check out our volunteering website!

In seeking to reassure you about the low risk of volunteering in Tanzania, East Africa, we in no way wish to draw attention away from the courage and dedication shown by those who are engaged in the aid response in West African countries.  We have huge respect for these individuals and the work they are doing.