Volunteer at Tabasamu Project and Organic Farm-Nkoaranga, Tanzania.

Arusha

6 reviews • Updated 13 days ago

About the Project Tabasamu Project and School is a community-based initiative supporting underprivileged children, widows, and vulnerable families in Nkoaranga village. For over 10 years, we have provided food, education, medical care, psychological support, and long-term mentorship. To ensure sustainability, we operate an organic farm that supplies food for the children and volunteers while offering hands-on learning in banana and coffee farming. Nkoaranga is found in Arusha northern Tanzania at the base of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro, it is about 1400 m above the see level near Arusha town. The pre dominant climate is highland climate with mild to cool temperature due to its altitude. The population is about 10,229 people according to Tanzania census of 2022. The Idea Behind WWOOFing & Organic Farming Sustaining daily food supplies for children and community members became financially demanding. To ensure long-term sustainability, we chose to invest in organic farming, producing food for both the project and the volunteers. Nkoaranga village is predominantly agricultural. Most households farm for subsistence and income, supported by a tropical highland climate ideal for both seasonal and permanent crops. 🌾 What You’ll Do Farm Activities • Plant banana and coffee seedlings • Apply organic cattle manure • Weed, prune, and maintain crops • Plant maize and beans • Harvest seasonal produce • Prepare fields and clean farm tools Community & School Support • Teach or assist in classrooms • Help children with homework • Support small construction or painting projects • Light domestic chores after main activities ⏱ Working hours: ~5 hours per day (flexible) ________________________________________ 🌱 What You’ll Learn • Organic banana and coffee farming • Composting and soil management • Sustainable food production • Tanzanian rural life and culture • Basic Swahili language skills ________________________________________ 🏡 Accommodation & Meals • Private or shared room • Running water and clean toilets • Spacious storage • Strong 24/7 Wi-Fi • Three meals per day, featuring local Tanzanian dishes • Dietary needs (including gluten sensitivity) are respected ________________________________________ 🤝 Community Life & Culture You will be encouraged to fully immerse yourself in village life. Tanzanians are warm and friendly, and greetings are important. When someone says “Mambo”, you can reply “Poa” (I’m fine). Casual and modest clothing is appropriate. Most locals are Christian and attend church on Sundays. Attendance is optional but culturally enriching. Please note: smelling food out of curiosity is considered impolite in local culture. ________________________________________ 🛡️ Safety Nkoaranga is a safe and peaceful village, but general awareness is advised. • Lock your room when away • Keep valuables secure • Be cautious with motorcycle taxis (boda boda); choose responsible riders • Most road accidents in Tanzania are linked to reckless motorcycle riding We are always available to guide and support you. ________________________________________ ✈️ Arrival & Practical Info • Airport pickup/drop-off from Kilimanjaro International Airport (small fuel contribution appreciated) • Assistance with local SIM card purchase and currency exchange • Orientation upon arrival, including a farm and orientation of our sorroundings ________________________________________ 🌄 Free Time & Exploration Weekends and public holidays are free for: • Hiking, and outdoor activities. • Visiting Maasai villages or do your own stuffs like laundry or getting time to visit Village ________________________________________ 🦁 Safari Opportunities (Optional) • Serengeti National Park • Ngorongoro Crater • Tarangire National Park • Mount Kilimanjaro & Mount Meru • Zanzibar. ________________________________________ 💚 Who We’re Looking For • Open-minded and respectful volunteers • Interest in farming, community work, or teaching • Willingness to learn and share skills • Positive attitude and cultural curiosity. We are looking foward to see you in Tanzania.

Learning opportunities

Vegetable farming

Poultry farming

Cattle farming

Sheep or goat farming

Raising of other farm animals

Dairy farming

Forestry

Seed saving or production

Vegetable or fruit preservation

Bakery

Methods or systems

Animal drafting

Permaculture

Host type

Production farm

Certified organic

5 Hectares | 12.4 Acres

Accommodation

4+ WWOOFers

Bedroom

Campsite

Children accepted

Pets accepted

Meals

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Vegan

Length of stay

1 day (local)

Weekend

Less than a week

1-2 weeks

3-4 weeks

Over a month

David

Member since 2023

Languages spoken: English, Swahili

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Response rate: 100% Response time: typically within 1 day

MapLibre | Protomaps | © OpenStreetMap

Arusha

Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA)

Reviews

Jennifer

Italy • January 2026

Persone disponibili, accoglienti e molto piacevoli da avere attorno. Fin da subito mi sono sentita parte della numerosa famiglia e questo ha per me un valore unico. Il luogo è molto bello, immerso in un contesto rilassante e naturale. Il lavoro richiesto è generalmente leggero, durante la mia permanenza le mansioni svolte sono state poche e ripetitive. Il lavoro di solito non superava le 3 ore. Personalmente mi sarei aspettata un’organizzazione del lavoro che permettesse di rendersi maggiormente utili e imparare cose nuove. Tutto sommato, una bella esperienza, che consiglio soprattutto a chi cerca un ambiente familiare e rilassato.

Rachel

United States • December 2025

Could not ask for a better WWOOFing experience! I spent about a month on the farm. David and his family are very kind and take very good care of their volunteers. They have been working with international volunteer for many years. The food was good and I was given my own room and bathroom. I was never overworked. This was my first experience WWOOFing and it was a very postive one. Had a lot of good discussions with the family. They made me feel a part of their family in the short time I was there. I hope to come back and visit soon!

Emilie

Denmark • August 2025

I had the absolute pleasure of WWOOFing with David and his family, and I can honestly say it was one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of our travels. David was helpful, warm, welcoming, and genuinely invested in creating a space where volunteers feel valued. He was very helpful in picking us up by the airport, arranging tours and dropping us at the hostel we were staying in later. David is not only an exceptional host but a truly compassionate human being, dedicated to serving his community, the environment and creating a better future for others, especially children. What makes David’s place so special is the incredible work he does beyond the farm. Alongside his agricultural efforts, he and his wife run an orphanage and childcare, dedicated to improve lives of underprivileged children. Being part of this environment was humbling and inspiring. If you're looking for a WWOOF experience that combines hands-on work with a powerful social mission, I can recommend David. Thank you, David, for everything you do. The world needs more people like you.

Marielena

Austria • May 2025

Dear David, thank you so much for your kind hospitality! I have enjoyed to stay with you and your family. Special thanks also to Vicky, who cooked very well! I just can recommend, to stay with David and his family. Especially David is interested in the culture of other countries and he wants, that you see something of Tanzania. For me he organised two Safaris, which were wonderful Experiences.

Bryan

United States • January 2025

My first Wwoofing experience and this was a great start to my experience. David and his family/neighbors made me feel welcomed from the day I arrived and enjoyed my entire stay at David's farm. It was stated that work would be 5 hours but most of my work was done between 1 1/2 hours-3 hours depending on the tasks. I did work such as digging holes as well as moving manure before planting banana leaves, moving cow leaves into a shack nearby, organizing soil for future planting of lettuce. It was my first time doing farming projects and I regretted not doing more days of volunteering here. David also went above and beyond to show me his city as well as his school/house building projects as well as helping me plan trips for the safari as well as return trip which made my stay there easier. David is an excellent host and would recommend anyone interested in volunteering in Tanzania to consider him as your host.

Juan Antonio

Spain • October 2023

How to express my experience at Nkoarang Farm in a few words? Difficult, but I'll try, David is an incredible host, at all times he has been attentive to me, checking if I was tired or if I was doing the work well. In the mornings there are many activities on the farm..caring for animals, harvesting corn, planting banana trees, picking coffee, etc... Then in the afternoon, boys and girls came from school so you can enjoy their company or take a walk in wonderful environment. All of this accompanied by laughter, good times and delicious food has made my stay at David's house one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.

Reply from David

Juan or Uncle John ( His Tanzania name) spent 8 days in Nkoaranga organic farm and truly Juan, is an amazing creature. He was very open minded and versatile in African village settings. His love to all people was an immeasurable and we all like his strength and amazing abilities in manual activities. He helped us to plant banana trees and shelling out the corn. Juan was very flexible and ready to almost every thing,eg food and Changing of schedules. Saying that, i have no reservations in recommending him to your farm for the future.