Volunteer at Tabasamu Project and Organic Farm-Nkoaranga, Tanzania.
Arusha
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)
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🌱 What You’ll Learn
• Organic banana and coffee farming (Planting and harvesting)
• Composting and soil management
• Sustainable food production
• Tanzanian rural life and culture
• Basic Swahili language skills
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🏡 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 (example gluten and vegetarian)
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🤝 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.
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🛡️ 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.
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✈️ 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
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🌄 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.
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💚 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.
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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
David
Member since 2023
Languages spoken:
English, Swahili
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 3 days
Arusha
Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA)
Reviews
Ninon
France
•
January 2026
Staying with David and his family has been a wonderful experience, better than I could’ve ever hoped for.
The work is never too much, and was diverse, useful to the farm.
The living conditions were great: my room that I sometimes shared with another girl was perfect, with working bathroom. The food was always correct, I was always full.
Finally, the best part of my experience was the family. I felt so welcome by David, his amazing wife Stella, and the rest of the very big family. I felt very included in all their activities, playing with the kids or being invited to a traditional birthday ! They even helped arranging everything I wished for: from braiding my hair or tailoring a dress for me, to bringing me on coffee tour or other expeditions. To note that David is a tour guide and therefore helped to arrange a 4 days safari for me: truly a highlight of my trip and something I will never forget.
Finally, David and everyone, asante sana for the wonderful 4 weeks.
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Siljan
Germany
•
January 2026
My stay at David’s Farm was my first woofing experience, and it was truly wonderful.
Working in agriculture was a lot of fun. David’s older sons supported the farm work, which was really cool to see. We worked with banana plants, fed the cows, loosened the soil, planted new bananas, and milked the cows. I even learned how to milk a cow for the first time.
The children were very nice and funny, and they made the farm stay especially fun in the afternoons when the work was finished. We also went on nature walks together, which I really enjoyed.
The room was very clean and big for a woofing room, and the food was delicious. I even learned a little Swahili during my stay.
Thank you so much, David, and thank you to your whole farm and family. My first woofing stay with you was very special. Asante sana!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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