Opportunity for international volunteers: St Jude’s SASA Program (Dec 2026)

Status Actively recruiting
Role type Unpaid volunteer
Application Deadline

Skills, Action, Service and Adventure await!

Thanks to the overwhelming response we had for volunteering opportunities, we are launching a second program from 28 November to 12 December 2026 – and we are looking for volunteers to help us deliver it.

This new (and hopefully annual) program will accommodate more volunteers as we have seen how much generosity and commitment exists amongst our supporter base. This second volunteer opportunity will be loosely based on the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and offered to our Form 3 students, who are approximately 17 years old. We are calling it the SASA Program — SASA (a Swahili word for now)stands for the four key components of Skills, Action, Service and Adventure. It requires a 15 hour contribution supporting students in at least on of the areas above. 

Position Details
Skills, Action, Service and Adventure await! Thanks to the overwhelming response we had for volunteering opportunities, we are launching a second program in 2026 – and we are looking for volunteers to help us deliver it.
What's included by St Jude's
  • Free accommodation and airport transfers from either Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airports
  • A Team Leader and school team to support you with planning and teaching
  • An unforgettable experience with eager to learn students and fellow volunteers
  • The chance to share in genuine Tanzanian school and community experiences that most visitors never get to be part of
What you would need to cover
  • Return flights to Tanzania
  • Tanzanian Business Visa (US$250)
  • Three meals per day at the school for US$25 per day
  • Personal medical and insurance costs
  • Cost of some optional visitor activities
What skills are we looking for?

There will be over 200 students in total, and you will work with them in small groups. We are seeking volunteers who are able to teach and have expertise in at least one SASA area — skills, sport, service, or adventure. Volunteers should be reasonably fit, happy to participate in the broader program, and ideally willing to join the overnight hiking and camping adventure as well.

St Jude's is located in Arusha, a town that serves as the gateway to popular East African national parks and game reserves such as Ngorongoro Crater, the vast plains of Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and Arusha National Park. It is also near Mt. Kilimanjaro—the largest free-standing mountain in the world. You'll have the opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty of Africa before or after your volunteer period at the school.

How to apply to volunteer

If you would like to be considered as a volunteer for next December, please email Gemma.s@schoolofstjude.co.tz by 30 January 2026 with:

  • A detailed cover letter explaining how you can either teach or assist with coordinating at least one of the SASA categories below and why you would be a good fit:
    • 15 hours teaching a skill
    • 15 hours coaching a sport
    • 15 hours helping to coordinate a service project
    • Help with organising the overnight adventure
  • Ideally, a copy of your CV
  • Any other relevant experience or attributes that would help you contribute to the wider program

How to Apply:

Think you’d make a great mentor? Please send your CV and a letter about why you would be a great mentor and how many alumni you can mentor per week to Neema

Applications are always open, there are two Incubators a year, culminating in the pitching competition. Suitable applicants will be invited to a quick video call with the program team.

Tanzanian and International applicants are invited to apply.