Many of you have asked about our next trip to Tanzania, which we’re planning for this summer provided that we can recruit several of you to come along. Having now been four times, I can assure you that it’s a truly life-changing experience, so I really hope you can join us. Besides, we have so much work to do! Here’s just a sampling of the types of activities volunteers can expect to participate in during their stay in Tanzania:

• Classroom participation & instruction
• Library setup & reading instruction
• Social Media instruction for teachers & students
• Blogging & documentary storytelling
• Film & photography instruction for teachers & students
• Fundraising Performance preparation & local marketing
• Marketing Epic Change products in local tourist hotels & markets

This voluntourism trip is a rare opportunity to learn about an incredible culture while contributing to it. The estimates below include accommodations, airport transfers in Tanzania, $25,000 in emergency medical insurance, $500,000 in emergency medical transportation insurance and a contribution to Shepherds Jr. School as compensation for the time and effort our hosts will provide in accommodating our visit.

Budget accommodations will be provided at the Arusha Resort Center, where we stayed during our last visit. They offer hot showers, electricity that usually works and a location near town center that’s hard to beat. Deluxe accommodations are offered not far away at the Impala Hotel; a nice, comfortable hotel that is set in a very safe atmosphere that offers some of the best dining in Arusha. Additionally, there’s a gift shop and an internet cafe – albeit expensive – that’s open late inside the hotel.

For most volunteers, we recommend the 2-BR apartment option because it offers spacious accommodations including a living room where volunteers socialize and, most importantly, a kitchen where you can prepare your own meals. We choose this option ourselves because, even though it’s far from luxurious, it offers so many of the comforts of home. More luxurious accommodations that are very near the school are available by request too.

In addition to learning about Tanzania through your participation in at least 25 hours of volunteer service per week, we also would love for you to explore this amazing country further by participating in one or more optional excursions where you can learn more about the Maasai people, go on a wildlife safari in the Serengeti or even climb the highest mountain on the continent of Africa. Optional excursions include:

The very authentic Maasai cultural safari is offered by Kitumusote, a Tanzanian NGO dedicated to ensuring sustainability of the Maasai people’s way of life. The Kiliminjaro climb and the luxury safari will be planned through iExplore. The budget camping safari will be offered by a local outlet in consultation with Mama Lucy. We have personally worked with each of these operators and assure that these experiences are not to be missed, although they may challenge your comfort zone.

Meals: Food is not provided in the cost of the trip. The cost of restaurant food is significantly lower than we are used to – a safe bet is $25 per day (not including bar drinks) for lunch, dinner and snacks. The 2-BR apartment also has a full-sized kitchen with a microwave, mini-fridge, oven, hot plates, pots & pans and silverware for making home-cooked meals.

Airfare: Participants are responsible for booking their own flights into Kilimanjaro (JRO) airport. As an estimate, NYC or DC to JRO with one stop is less than $2,300, and as cheap as $1,800 with more stops or a longer layover. Do not book your flight until your trip has been confirmed. If we book together, we may be able to arrange a group discount. Flights into neighboring Kenya (Nairobi – NBO) tend to be cheaper but would require a short flight or long bus ride to arrive into Kilimanjaro. If you choose to fly into NBO, you’ll have to arrange your own transport to JRO – be aware that most international flights arriving into Nairobi come in after the last bus to Arusha has departed meaning you would have to overnight in Nairobi. We can definitely assist you with finding the best airfare and itinerary for your trip.

Funding your trip: All costs are estimates until time of final payment & booking. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due by 4/1/10. 50% of the remaining balance is due by 5/1/10, and the full balance of your trip cost is due by 6/1/10. All payments are non-refundable. You’re welcome to fundraise to pay for some or all of your trip. Please contact us directly so that we can provide you with support for your fundraising efforts.

A few final notes:

• Participants are responsible for all airfare, passport & visa fees, required immunizations, anti-malarial medication, trip interruption/cancellation insurance, as well as food & spending money in Tanzania.
• Shared accommodation rates are dependent upon our ability to identify roommates.
• The 2-BR apartment requires a full month’s payment regardless of whether or not it is booked for fewer weeks.
• The required minimum stay is two weeks. If you plan on staying only 2 weeks, you will be expected to come for the final 2 weeks of July from 7/18 – 7/31.
• Optional excursions are subject to minimum participation.
• An end-of-term school fundraising performance is expected to occur on 7/30.
• Participants assume all risks and liability associated with travel, and will be expected to abide by rules and regulations published by Epic Change.
• Be flexible. While you may specify your preference of volunteer activities, your assistance may be required on many tasks, including but not limited to the list above.
• Each participant will be required to contribute at least 1 blog entry per week throughout his/her stay in Tanzania.

If you’d like to participate, download and complete the trip application and submit it by 4/1/2010. Questions? Contact Avi Kaplan at avi@epicchange.org or at 202-495-1464. To confirm your trip, an application and a $500 non-refundable deposit is required by 4/1/10. You can make this payment online or by check.

We hope you’re as excited as we are. Mama Lucy and nearly 400 smiling children just can’t wait to see you!