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You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
Get Ready to Go!
Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
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Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
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Want to use your passion for sports to create a lasting impact? Our Sports Program in Zanzibar is your chance to inspire local youth, boost confidence, and promote healthy lifestyles through physical activity and teamwork.
In many Zanzibari communities, schools and youth centres lack resources, equipment, and structured sports activities. Your role as a volunteer is to fill that gap—offering coaching, motivation, and mentorship that helps young people develop their physical skills, discipline, and self-esteem.
You’ll work with children and teenagers of varying skill levels, introducing them to football, netball, volleyball, running, and more. Whether you’re leading warm-ups, refereeing a match, or designing inclusive drills, your creativity and energy will bring new opportunities for youth engagement and empowerment.
This program is about more than just sport—it’s about showing kids they matter, helping them grow, and connecting communities through movement.
By volunteering on our Sports Program in Zanzibar, you will:
• Coach and mentor children and teens through football, volleyball, and other sports
• Promote teamwork, discipline, and confidence through physical activity
• Help develop structured routines and training sessions for local youth clubs and schools
• Encourage inclusion, participation, and positive role modelling
• Build strong community connections through shared love for sport
• Inspire young people to lead healthy, active lives—on and off the pitchWhat to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Sports Teacher Volunteer
As a sports volunteer, each day is packed with energy, enthusiasm, and rewarding connection with local youth. While your schedule can vary depending on weather, school timetables, and community events, here’s what a typical day might look like:
7:30 AM – Breakfast & Prep
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at the volunteer house and prepare your gear for the day—think cones, balls, water bottles, and a solid playlist to boost motivation.9:00 AM – Morning Training Session
Head to a nearby school or local field to lead warm-ups and training drills. You might work with a small group or run full games, helping students improve their skills in football, volleyball, or other sports depending on interest and resources.11:00 AM – Mentoring & Games
Spend time with the kids off the field too—talking about discipline, teamwork, and self-belief. Many look up to volunteers as role models and friends, not just coaches.1:00 PM – Lunch & Relaxation
Return to the guesthouse or enjoy a local meal. Midday is your time to relax, explore, or connect with fellow volunteers.2:30 PM – Community Sports Club or Youth Group Sessions
In the afternoons, you may work with older youth groups or community clubs—running longer games, helping organise local tournaments, or simply keeping the momentum going with fitness sessions and strategy coaching.4:30 PM – Wrap-Up & Free Time
Cool down with a team stretch, chat with the kids, and head back home. Evenings are yours to enjoy the beach, explore local culture, or join a group dinner with volunteers.Your Impact as a Volunteer
Through the Sports Program in Zanzibar, your influence goes far beyond the playing field. Sports are a powerful tool for community development—and your presence helps channel that power into real, lasting change.
You’ll give local children access to structured, engaging physical activity in a setting that’s both fun and safe. Many youth in Zanzibar have limited opportunities to engage in team sports, and your coaching introduces not just fitness and fun, but also discipline, communication, and leadership.
Your guidance helps build self-confidence, reduce school drop-out rates, and encourage healthy habits. More importantly, you serve as a mentor and role model—someone who believes in them and pushes them to be their best. For kids in under-resourced communities, that kind of encouragement can be life-changing.
Your impact is immediate, empowering, and deeply appreciated by the communities you serve.
Your Home in Zanzibar
During your stay, you’ll be based in a welcoming, locally-run volunteer house just a short walk from the beach and community projects. It’s a relaxed, social space where you’ll live alongside other international volunteers—sharing meals, stories, and daily routines as part of your Zanzibari journey.
Sleeping Arrangements
Accommodation is shared, with same-gender dorm-style rooms that include mosquito nets and fans to keep you cool in the island heat. The house is basic but comfortable, designed to immerse you in local living without sacrificing safety or cleanliness.Facilities Include:
• Shared bathrooms with western-style toilets
• Communal kitchen and dining space
• Lounge area for socialising or lesson planning
• Free Wi-Fi in communal areas (limited bandwidth)
• Access to filtered drinking waterMeals & Cooking
Unlike some programs, food is not included—giving you the freedom to explore local markets, cook your own meals, or enjoy the many affordable food options nearby. Fresh produce, seafood, and spices are readily available from markets in Jambiani and Paje, and you'll find plenty of beach cafés and stalls offering delicious Zanzibari dishes.This setup gives you the chance to live like a local—shopping in the community, learning traditional recipes, and sharing meals with fellow volunteers.
History
The roots of this community-driven initiative trace back to the vision of Rashid Mohammed Issa, a local of Jambiani, a coastal village in southeastern Zanzibar. After building a successful career in the tourism industry—from beach boy to hotel manager—Rashid’s experiences abroad inspired him to reinvest his energy and earnings back into his hometown. He was deeply moved by his father’s words: “Don’t forget about your community.”
Seeing how tourism profits were largely leaving the island and local communities were being left behind, Rashid founded the nonprofit with two trusted friends and colleagues, Amani and Abdul.
Together, they assembled a team of passionate local leaders determined to tackle Jambiani’s growing needs—educational inequality, environmental degradation, healthcare access, and youth unemployment. The RACOF Foundation was created to ensure that development in Zanzibar is not just beautiful on the outside, but deeply empowering from within.
Mission & Vision
The mission of this grassroots foundation is to create inclusive, locally-led solutions to the most pressing challenges in Zanzibar—through education, healthcare, environmental stewardship, and sustainable community development. Every initiative aims to uplift the Jambiani community from the inside out.
With a vision rooted in unity, equality, and empowerment, RACOF strives to build a more sustainable and dignified future—where young people are educated, the environment is protected, and local communities thrive through shared opportunities.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Program Fee Schedule
Duration Fee (EUR)
1 week €286
2 weeks €499
3 weeks €745
4 weeks €990
6 weeks €1286
8 weeks €1644
10 weeks €2077
Fees are due 30 days before your start date. If you’re applying within 30 days of arrival, full payment is required within 48 hours of confirmation.
What’s Included
✅ Shared volunteer accommodation in Jambiani
✅ Program placement and orientation
✅ Daily support from local team and coordinators
✅ All necessary project materials and resources
✅ 24/7 in-country emergency assistance
✅ Welcome meeting, project briefing & cultural guidance
✅ Certificate of completion
✅ Full support before, during, and after your placement
✅ So much moreYour Investment in Community & Yourself
This isn’t just about coaching games—it’s about personal growth, cross-cultural connection, and community transformation.
Your fee directly supports the delivery of inclusive sports programs for children and youth in underfunded schools and neighbourhoods.
Many of these young people have few opportunities to engage in structured physical activity, and your role helps nurture teamwork, leadership, and physical wellbeing.
But your investment also pays off personally. You’ll develop coaching experience, communication skills, adaptability, and cross-cultural understanding—all of which are transferable to your personal and professional life. Whether you're planning a future in sports, education, or simply want to create meaningful memories, this is a journey that will stay with you long after the final whistle blows.
Where You’ll Be – Jambiani, Zanzibar
Your volunteering journey will take place in the heart of Jambiani, a friendly coastal village on the southeast shore of Zanzibar. This picturesque stretch of coastline is lined with swaying palms, white sand beaches, and turquoise Indian Ocean waters—a dreamlike setting that feels far removed from the bustle of city life.
But beyond the postcard beauty, Jambiani is a living, breathing community where tradition, culture, and daily rhythms blend seamlessly. Locals are warm and welcoming, eager to share their Swahili heritage, culinary traditions, and stories with you. Here, life moves at a gentler pace—perfect for those looking to ground themselves in authentic cultural exchange.
You’ll be surrounded by small local schools, beachside homes, fruit markets, and narrow winding roads where bicycles and donkeys still outnumber cars. Despite being under-resourced in many areas, Jambiani holds a strong sense of pride, cooperation, and resilience—qualities you’ll witness and become part of each day.
Zanzibar – The Spice Island of East Africa
Zanzibar is more than just a tropical paradise—it’s a culturally rich archipelago bursting with history, diversity, and ecological beauty. Often referred to as the “Spice Island,” Zanzibar was once a central hub for spice trading and still boasts lush plantations of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
From the cobbled alleyways of UNESCO-listed Stone Town to the vibrant marine life of its coral reefs, Zanzibar offers a unique blend of African, Arab, Indian, and European influences. This cultural mosaic is reflected in everything—from the architecture to the music, food, and language.
Expect a warm, humid climate year-round, with sun-drenched days perfect for exploration and connection. Whether you're wandering through history, learning Swahili phrases, or relaxing on the beach after a meaningful day at your placement, Zanzibar offers a balance of purpose and paradise unlike anywhere else.
Your time in Zanzibar won’t just be about volunteering—it’s also about exploration, discovery, and immersing yourself in the vibrant culture and natural beauty of the island. During your free time, you can enjoy:
Beach Days in Jambiani – Relax on the pristine white-sand beaches or take a refreshing swim in the turquoise waters just steps from your accommodation.
Snorkeling & Diving Excursions – Discover colorful coral reefs and marine life on guided trips around the island’s protected lagoons and reefs.
Spice Tours – Explore Zanzibar’s famous spice plantations and learn about cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other exotic crops.
Stone Town Visits – Stroll through the historical alleys of this UNESCO World Heritage site, filled with markets, architecture, and stories from the past.
Village Cultural Nights – Join community gatherings with traditional Swahili music, dancing, and local dishes.
Island Hopping – Take a boat to nearby islands like Mnemba Atoll or Prison Island for unforgettable day trips.
Kitesurfing Lessons in Paje – Try your hand at one of the island’s favorite adrenaline sports just a short drive away.
Cooking Classes – Learn to prepare local Zanzibari meals using fresh market ingredients.
Dhow Sunset Cruises – Sail into the golden horizon on a traditional wooden dhow, complete with snacks and music.
Yoga & Wellness – Unwind at nearby eco-resorts offering beachfront yoga and spa treatments.
Whatever your interests, Zanzibar’s rhythm of life invites you to both relax and engage—making your volunteer adventure one of impact and inspiration.
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