COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is the currency in Tanzania?
The currency is Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh). US $1 = 1033 Tsh.
Notes are issued as TSh10,000; 5000; 1000; 500; 200 and 100. Coins are issued as TSh100; 50; 20; 10, 5 and 1.

Should I take traveller's cheques, credit cards, or cash?
We highly recommend you take cash or traveller's cheques in USD. Exchange houses are available to change your travellers cheques.
We recommend that you don’t take credit cards.

How much money should I take?
We recommend you take approximately USD $500.00. This does not mean you will need this amount of money. Volunteers usually just purchase souvenirs for family and friends and the rest are for emergency purposes only.
We recommend that you carry a small supply of cash in U.S. Dollars for use in airports and at borders.
In Arusha, there are several forex bureaus that will change American funds.

Where can I get a find a travel clinics?
To find a travel clinic in your area, please consult your local yellow pages, or visit Health Canada’s Population and Public Health Branch website for information about clinics across Canada: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/travel/clinic_e.html.

If you live in Toronto or in the surrounding area, there are a number of travel clinics to choose from. Below are just a few:

Albany Medical Clinic 200 Danforth Avenue, Toronto (Danforth & Broadview) (416) 461-9471 Travel Medicine Centre 700 Bay Street, Toronto (Bay & Gerard) (416) 340-8222 Welcare (Mondays only) 1366 Yonge Street, Toronto (Yonge & St. Clair) (416) 962-2273 Travel & Immunization Clinic 2000 Credit Valley Road, Mississauga (905) 828-6000 The Travel Clinic 3292 Bayview Avenue, North York (416) 221-7990

What is the temperature in July?
Winter is from June to October. Since we go in July we are going during the winter months, so be ready for a dry and cold winter. Temperatures in Arusha average around 10-20°C (50- 68°F). Also note that it gets very cold in the Ngorongoro Crater during the winter months.

What language do they speak?
Swahili (Kiswahili) is the official language, with English as the primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education. Arabic is also spoken. 67% of the population over the age of 15 can read and write Swahili, English or Arabic.

What type of food should I expect?

• Stew meals
• Lots of meat (chicken legs, beef stew)
• Vegetable dishes. e.g., lentil, and also beadn dishes
• Lots of fruit
• Rice, bread
• Peanut butter
• Lots of selection of juices
• sometimes we go to Arusha and eat at a restaurant there (very cheap meals)

Where do you eat during the community-service work?
We eat in our house.

During the safari, where do we go to the bathroom?
The safari leaders set up a portable toilet inside a tent. Toilet paper is provided.

How do we wash our clothes?
You will have to hand wash your clothes, however, you can hire someone to wash it for you. The cost depends on the load. There is no set fee. Volunteers pay between $5 - $10 CAD.
Note: Please pack detergent

Do we need to take donations?
Donations are not mandatory or required, however, volunteers often like to bring donations over to help the community. In the past, the following have been much appreciated:

• Clothing for school-age children
• School supplies (pen, crayons, makers etc)
• Skipping ropes
• Frisbees
• Finger paint
• Stickers
• Bubbles
• Balls (soccer, tennis, beach volley balls)

Anything else you may think of is welcome.