FAQ

Similar questions are often asked by different people, at varied times.
This is the knowledge base…

General

It is basic.

Meals are prepared in the kitchen and mostly had in the dining hall.
Meal times are 7am, 1pm & 6pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner respectively.
We continue to use firewood as fuel, seeing that the bio-gas setup is not yet functional.

Dorm rooms are self-contained with flush toilets and long-drops (latrines) outside.
The bathrooms are also inside the dorms, having running water.

The Base provides three basic meals; breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“Basic” in the sense of not having cereal, bacon and eggs, pancakes with chocolate syrup, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, toast, cookies, coffee and a succulent apple for breakfast.
 
Rather, you would have tea with milk (or just hot water, for those who don’t take milk) and bread.
 
Lunch & dinner will typically be Tanzanian cuisine and include things like ugali (maize paste), rice, chapatti, makande (beans/peas and maize cooked together), sukuma wiki (a type of green leaf veggie), beans, peas, Irish potatoes, cabbage, beef.
That’s all with the exception of special meals and events 😉

The closest airport to the Base is the Kilimanjaro International Airport, in the Kilimanjaro area, not far from Arusha.
An airport pickup to bring you to the Base would cost between $60USD per vehicle.

Directions from Arusha town:

  • Travel West from Arusha on the Arusha Namanga Highway (A104)
  • About 10 KM past Arusha, Turn Left at Kibaoni stage onto TPRI Road

 

Directions from Kenya: Namanga border

  • Follow the Namanga to Arusha Highway (A104)
  • Prior to arriving at YWAM Arusha, you will drive past Radio Habari Maalum , Meru University and Ngaramtoni market.
  • About 2 KM past Meru University , 1 km past Ngaramtoni market Turn Right at Kibaoni stage onto TPRI Road

 

Directions to YWAM Arusha Base from Kibaoni stage:

  • Proceed onto TPRI Road about 1 KM until you pass the TPRI Research Institute (on the left) and the Olmotonyi Lutheran Girls School/ Lutheran Church (on the right)
  • After crossing the bridge (dip in the road), take the next right turn.
  • Follow the road until you reach a Y intersection, then continue left for 300 meters (Look out for a single storey Orange roofed house with pink wall around it).
  • Next to the orange roofed house is a Blue Gate, that’s “Youth With a Mission Arusha”. If the gate is closed, honk your horn, identify yourself and Security guard will open the Gate.   See detailed Map and directions below!
  • Those coming through Namanga border you may ask to be dropped at Kibaoni stage and walk to the base it’s a stretch of about 2km and is safe to walk during daytime.
  • Those arriving in Arusha first you may take a Taxi (about 20,000Tsh) or use public service mini buses ( Yellow stripes to Ngaramtoni market – NOT Sakina/Kwa Iddi) and drop off at Kibaoni stage and then walk the 2km to the base, if you are many of you in a group you may ask them (mini buses) for special hire so you fill all the seats and then they drive you all the way to the base (would pay about 5,000/- Tsh more on top of fare) The normal fare per adult from town to Ngaramtoni is about 500/=Tsh
  • For those wanting to be picked from wherever we can guarantee a vehicle will be available but you must place a request with full arrival details to Vicent Kazungu (The Training Registrar) on +255-754 562 899, you will be asked to pay on arrival for the pickup. You may also email us at ywamarusha@gmail.com for the request!!
Yes they can.
Their coming should be arranged prior and the hospitality team given the full details of those coming.
Visitors do pay for their stay, so you will be given the relevant charges for them – or you can check them out here

Everyone is expected to dress modestly (in non-revealing clothing) when going for ministry, and when just around the Base.
Be sure to carry clothes & shoes suitable for church & special functions; work clothes for work times, travel & walking.

If there is one thing that could be mentioned now, it would be interpersonal relationships.

It isn’t acceptable for unmarried persons (of opposite sex) to spend time together, in isolation from the others.
This also applies to public displays of affection, including those lingering hugs and that hand-holding that’s typical of couples.

The general perception, built over time and experience, would not take kindly to this display – seeing it as possibly sexually immoral.
While nothing immoral may actually be taking place behind the scenes, one’s testimony is put in question by their observers.

For that reason, Arusha Base has in its policy the guideline to avoid those scenarios, so that our testimony and purity, when we go out to minister (and even while living with one another), are not doubted by our hearers.

Thought you’d never ask!

Yes we do!

You can find the charges here

Staff & Volunteers

We will always have room for more God-sent hands.

When on this Base as staff or as a volunteer in any of the endeavors, you will be provided housing and feeding.

Staff and volunteers on the Base make monthly contributions in the form of staff and volunteer fees.
(You can take a look at those here)

These monthly contributions cover housing and feeding (3 meals a day).
What they do not cover is personal transportation and medication.

*It is not compulsory for volunteers and staff to live on the Base

We do not put a cap on one’s intended length of service and life with us here. That duration should rest entirely on God’s direction to you as an individual.

However, YWAM has the worldwide policy (to which we abide) of having volunteers serve for a maximum of 6 months.
Staff can serve indefinitely at any YWAM location.

The main difference between volunteers and staff (except the varied length of service with the YWAM Base) is that staff have done and successfully completed a Discipleship Training School (DTS).

The main difference lies in the length and extent of one’s commitment.

Volunteers are short term, and owing to that do not get too deep into the operation of the Base.
The maximum amount of time that one can volunteer with YWAM is 6 months.

Staff are long-term (1yr+), committed members of the community who come to corporately pursue what they believe God has laid on their hearts.
As a result, staff get much more into the thick of the action than anyone else.  They are the ones that hold the Base up and keep it operational and effective.

And then, yes…
To be staff, you have to have successfully completed a DTS.
A volunteer doesn’t have to have done one.

You probably will come with a desired focus area during your service.  For instance, you could have expressed a desire to work mainly with the soccer ministry. (You can see available opportunities here)

When off from there, you would engage in the other duties and activities on the Base in fields like landscaping, kitchen duties, hospitality, outreach, etc.

The general weekday schedule looks something like:

Breakfast: 7-7:30am | Lunch: 1pm | Dinner: 6pm
Work Duty: 10am-1pm, 3pm-5pm

The time in-between is free, and can be used for personal devotion, prayer, recreation, town visits, personal chores, etc.
 
Weekends are usually free.
Breakfast: 7-7:30am | Lunch: 1pm | Dinner: 6pm
 
PS. Be sure to keep a look out on the kitchen rota, to see when you’ll privileged to prep a meal for your comrades

There isn’t a standard timeline with which we work.
However, once your complete application has been received, we will give you notice of it being forwarded for review by the Base Leadership Team.
(This is usually done during their weekly/fortnightly meetings)

Once feedback is received from them, you will immediately be notified.
You will be notified whether accepted or not, so please do not grow weary in waiting – you will hear back from us, by all means.

Yes, by law it is required for all volunteers and missionaries of all nationalities.

A work permit is issued by the Labour Office and permits one to work in Tanzania, while the resident permit is issued by the Immigration Office and permits one to stay in Tanzania.

Approximately, it takes 2-3 months if all documents are ready and submitted in good order.

Courses

You can see them here
Each school will have different requirements, but they can all be seen on their respective pages.

No, the general nature of the DTS course has it aimed at inspiring and cultivating growth in one’s relationship with God resulting in Christ-like character, which is based on a solid Biblical Foundation, the work of the Holy Spirit and the personal application of Biblical truth, especially concerning God’s Character, the Cross and empowering Grace.

Opportunity for this is afforded not just through the classroom, but through the multiplicity of activity and experience in daily life on the YWAM Base, and during outreach.

The school is not in the classroom, but can be in every moment of the day.

Breakfast, personal devotion, corporate worship & intercession, lectures, short break, lectures, lunch!
Then work duty, free time (for games and stuff), supper, evening class (sometimes), then rest.

What individuals do with their free time will always differ, but this is an idea of the ordinary day.

You will mostly be occupied by the program of your training course.

When off from there, you would engage in the other duties and activities on the Base in fields like landscaping, kitchen duties, hospitality, outreach, etc.

The general weekday schedule looks something like:

Breakfast: 7-7:30am | Lunch: 1pm | Dinner: 6pm
Work Duty: 3pm-5pm

The time in-between is free, and can be used for personal devotion, prayer, recreation, town visits, personal chores, etc.
 
Weekends are usually free.
Breakfast: 7-7:30am | Lunch: 1pm | Dinner: 6pm
 
PS. Be sure to keep a look out on the kitchen rota, to see when you’ll privileged to prep a meal for your comrades
We mainly have outreach in Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda.

As long as we have the application forms returned to us, the process does not take so long.  You will have your response at the soonest possible time after that.

All foreign students coming to study in Tanzania will need a study permit.

  • Student Visa is exempted but the process of applying the exemption costs 30 USD and you must have the BOOKLET passport and NOT the temporary travel document.
    Student Visa is first priority must be processed immediately on arrival, have your fees available.
  • 5 Passport pictures MUST be taken with sky/ocean blue background!
  • Copies of academic certificates: Photocopy of high school and/ or other college certificates


NB: This certificates must be in English, if yours are in another language please we request kindly that you have them translated into English and certified properly as a true copy of the original otherwise the immigration dept. will not accept them until they are translated properly with certification included.

It’s advisable that you have the copies certified as true copy of the original otherwise bring both the copy and the original certificate with you.

  • Recommendation from home church indicating that you are a member of the church, that the church is aware of your coming to study with Ywam and that they support your coming to Arusha.
  • Photocopy of your Passport.
  • Photocopy of Passport & Birth Certificate of your child if they are accompanying you.
  • Photocopy of spouse’s passport if accompanying & to be included in your permit.
  • Photocopy of Marriage certificate if a couple coming as a family.
  • Curriculum Vitae or Resume’ structured as below and including the following information:
    * Personal data
    Name; Age; Nationality; Marital Status
    * Permanent contact details
    Postal, phone, fax, e-mail
    * Educational Background
    Primary; Secondary; College/ University
    * Other professional qualification & Working experience
    E.g. Certified Accountant, nurse, Pastor, evangelist, Bishop- etc.
    * Awards – any special awards attained or conferred upon
    *Interests/Hobbies
    * Referees
    At least 3 people with their contact addresses

 

NB: STUDENT VISA MUST ME APPLIED IMMEDIATELY YOU ENTER THE COUNTRY; prepare your visa required documents early to avoid inconveniences for your school.

 

All foreign students coming to study in Tanzania will need a study permit.

  • USD 350 for processing of the student visa. (300$ visa fee + 50$ Visa admin fees).
  • Six (6) Passports pictures MUST be taken with a white background!!!
  • Copies of academic certificates: Photocopy of high school and/ or other college certificates

NB: This certificates must be in English, if yours are in another language please we request kindly that you have them translated into English and certified properly as a true copy of the original otherwise the immigration dept. will not accept them until they are translated properly with certification included.

It’s advisable that you have the copies certified as true copy of the original otherwise bring both the copy and the original certificate with you.

  • Recommendation from home church indicating that you are a member of the church, that the church is aware of your coming to study with Ywam and that they support your coming to Arusha.
  • Photocopy of your full (whole) Passport from the first page to the last page.

  • Photocopy of Passport & Birth Certificate of your child if they are accompanying you. If they have own passport then send also photocopy of passport as in the fifth point above.
  • Photocopy of spouse’s passport if accompanying & to be included in your permit. It should be copied as in the fifth point above
  • Photocopy of Marriage certificate if a couple coming as a family.
  • Details of your height and colour of eyes and hair
  • Curriculum Vitae or Resume’ structured as below and including the following information:
    * Personal data
    Name; Age; Nationality; Marital Status
    * Permanent contact details
    Postal, phone, fax, e-mail
    * Educational Background
    Primary; Secondary; College/ University
    * Other professional qualification & Working experience
    E.g. Certified Accountant, nurse, Pastor, evangelist, Bishop- etc.
    * Awards – any special awards attained or conferred upon
    *Interests/Hobbies
    * Referees
    At least 3 people with their contact addresses

 

NB: STUDENT VISA MUST ME APPLIED FOR BEFORE YOU ENTER THE COUNTRY; send your visa required documents early to avoid inconveniences for your school.

 

Outreach Teams

We do medical camps, housing for widows, children & street children ministries, schools & campus ministries, women ministries, senior ministries, ministry to those infected with HIV/Aids, sports ministry, and local church outreaches.
This is dependent on the team’s nation of origin and which category it falls under.
(You can see the details relevant to you here)

It will depend on what ministry engagements your team will have.

Those within walking distance from the Base will definitely come at no cost. 
Those that would not be within walking distance, a charge of 1000TSH per kilometer would be levied.

YWAM Arusha - Tanzania

YWAM Arusha sees itself as a hub to the nations and our facilities are designed accordingly.
We champion men and women of all races to fulfill the great commission.
We seek to create an environment that builds, trains and disciples workers for the nations.

E: ywamarusha@gmail.com

T: +255 754 562 899
+255 686 111 821

P: Youth With A Mission, Arusha
P.O. Box 10295
Arusha
Tanzania

YWAM

Part of the YWAM global family of ministries

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