Tanzania

Living Conditions
Communications
“Your Name,” PCT
Peace Corps Training Site
PO Box 9123
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Telephones
International phone service from Tanzania to the United States is poor to good depending on the location. Cellphone service is growing in many, but not all, parts of the country. About 90 percent of Volunteers in Tanzania now have cellphones. Differences in technology make most U.S. cellphones incompatible with local service, so only phones purchased in Tanzania are likely to work. Cellphones are readily available in Tanzania.Internet
Internet services are available for reasonable fees at cybercafes in all large towns and a growing number of smaller towns. Volunteers also have access to email at the Peace Corps office in Dar es Salaam. If bringing a computer or other devices, it is recommended to insure your electronics prior to your arrival in country.Housing and Site Location
The determination of a Volunteer’s site is made during training, after staff members have had an opportunity to match an individual’s strengths and capabilities with the needs of the host community or school. Volunteer housing, which is usually similar to that of Tanzanians living in the same community, is generally modest but comfortable. Housing varies in size, but all houses are made of either cement block or fired brick with tin or tile roofs. Houses have at least two rooms and are sometimes furnished with a bed, a table, chairs, and possibly other items. Volunteers receive a settling-in allowance to assist them in obtaining basic household items and in purchasing a cellphone. Volunteers generally are placed alone and live alone, although having two Volunteers at one site, or sharing housing with a host country national is a possibility. The electric current in Tanzania is 220 volts, 50 cycles. Some Volunteers have electricity and running water, but the reliability of both is often poor. In rural areas, water may come from a community well or river and evening light is often limited to candles and lanterns. Whatever the circumstances, it is important you remain flexible while you adjust to your new lifestyle.Living Allowance and Money Management
Volunteers receive a monthly allowance in local currency that is sufficient to live at the level of the local people. The allowance covers food, housing, household supplies, clothing, transportation to and from work, utilities, recreation and entertainment, and incidental expenses. Peace Corps Volunteers are expected to live at a level that is comparable with that of their host country counterparts. The Peace Corps discourages Volunteers from supplementing their living allowance with funds from home. However, Volunteers often wish to bring additional money for vacation travel to other countries. For this, credit cards and traveler’s checks are preferable to cash. If you choose to bring extra money, bring the amount that will suit your own travel plans and needs.