About Health Guard Organization
Health Guard Organization (HGO) is a non-governmental organization committed to promoting health, well-being, and disease.
Our mission is to empower individuals and communities to live healthier lives through health education, screening, preventive interventions, and advocacy for equitable access to healthcare services. Since our establishment, HGO has partnered with local government authorities, health facilities, and community stakeholders to implement projects in areas such as HIV prevention, maternal and child health, cervical cancer awareness, sanitation and hygiene, and disease outbreak response.
Experience the beauty, culture, and spirit of Tanzania while making a lasting impact! Volunteering with Health Guard Organization (HGO) in Arusha offers you the unique opportunity to combine community health service with adventure and cultural exploration. Nestled at the foot of Mount Meru and close to world-famous destinations like Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha is the perfect place to connect your passion for helping others with the thrill of travel. As an international volunteer, you’ll engage in meaningful health and development projects from public health education to medical outreach while immersing yourself in Tanzanian culture, local cuisine, and the breathtaking landscapes of East Africa. Join HGO and turn your journey of discovery into a journey of purpose!
Why Volunteer with HGO?
Meaningful Impact
Join hands with local professionals to improve community health through real, hands-on projects in education, disease prevention, and health promotion.
Authentic Cultural Immersion
Experience Tanzanian life up close — connect with local families, learn Swahili basics, and participate in cultural events while making a difference.
Adventure Meets Purpose
Located in Arusha, the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater — you can combine volunteering with unforgettable safari and travel experiences.
Ethical & Responsible Volunteering
HGO operates under strict ethical guidelines that respect community priorities, protect local dignity, and ensure sustainability of all interventions.
Supportive and Inclusive Environment
From arrival to departure, HGO provides full volunteer support — including orientation, supervision, and safe accommodation options — ensuring a positive and comfortable stay.
Affordable and Transparent Programs
We keep volunteer costs low so that your contribution directly supports the communities and health projects you work with.
Our vision, mission and Core Values
Vision
A community where every individual enjoys optimal health, free from preventable diseases, with access to quality healthcare and the knowledge to lead a healthier life. We envision a future where health services are accessible, affordable, and centered around the needs of the people. Through empowered communities, strong health systems, and continuous education, we aim to promote lasting well-being and create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Mission
To prevent diseases, promote health, and enhance healthcare accessibility through education, community empowerment, and strategic partnerships. We are committed to strengthening community resilience, advancing health awareness, and supporting equitable healthcare services. By working closely with local stakeholders and promoting sustainable health initiatives, we strive to ensure healthier lives and improved well-being for all.
Our Core Values
We believe in serving communities with empathy, respect, and kindness — ensuring that every act of volunteering uplifts lives and restores hope.
We uphold honesty, transparency, and responsibility in all our programs and partnerships, ensuring that volunteers and communities can trust our work.
HGO values local knowledge and leadership. We engage communities as equal partners — not recipients — to create sustainable, locally-driven health solutions.
Volunteers learn to appreciate Tanzania’s rich cultural heritage and diversity, embracing inclusion, mutual respect, and understanding across all backgrounds.
We maintain high standards of ethics, skill, and dedication in all volunteer and organizational activities to achieve meaningful and lasting impact.
Every volunteer action is designed to create long-term benefits — protecting the environment, promoting public health, and supporting future generations.
We foster strong partnerships among volunteers, local staff, government agencies, and communities to achieve shared health and development goals.
Volunteering with HGO is a two-way exchange — offering personal, professional, and intercultural learning that shapes future global citizens.
Meet HGO Team:
Dr Joseph B Ngowi
Executive Director
Leads the design, implementation, and monitoring of health-related projects, coordinates with health facilities and stakeholders, ensures quality service delivery, manages project budgets and reporting, and supports field teams to achieve program targets.
Fadhila S Kihwele
Permanent Secretary
The Permanent Secretary of Health Guard Organization (HGO) plays a vital administrative and coordination role, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations and effective governance. Ensures compliance with government, NGO, and donor requirements, manages official correspondence and projects documentation, and upholds transparency, accountability, and adherence to HGO’s mission and values in all organizational processes.
Dr John A Ngowi
Health Program Manager
Provides overall leadership and strategic direction for HGO, oversees program delivery and organizational growth, manages partnerships and fundraising, ensures compliance with national and donor standards, and guides the team toward achieving the organization’s mission.
Mr Godfrey Munishi
Volunteer Program Manager
Oversees recruitment, orientation, and placement of volunteers, ensures a positive volunteer experience, coordinates volunteer activities across programs, manages communication with local and international volunteers, and monitors performance and safety of volunteers throughout their service.
Testimonials and Reviews
Here, we proudly share the voices of volunteers who have walked alongside us, contributed to meaningful change, and discovered the beauty of Tanzania through service. Their stories reflect the impact of compassionate teamwork, ethical engagement, and unforgettable cultural exchange.
Whether you’re a student, professional, traveler, or simply someone who wants to make a difference, these testimonials offer a glimpse into the transformative journey that awaits you with HGO.
Kenji T
Youth Empowerment Volunteer
The experience was powerful and eye-opening. HGO’s staff are passionate and professional, and Arusha is truly beautiful. I felt safe, inspired, and grateful to make a real impact.
Maria L
Environmental & Education Volunteer
loved working in the community, planting trees, and supporting awareness projects at Sanawari-Tengeru road. HGO provided safe accommodation, great cultural experiences, and exceptional guidance. I’d come back in a heartbeat!
Aisha K.
Public Health Student
My time with HGO strengthened my career path in global health. The training, mentorship, and hands-on activities at Public Health Department in Arusha District Medical office were well-organized and ethical. I highly recommend it to students and professionals alike.
Lucas R.
Community Outreach Volunteer
HGO gave me the perfect balance of meaningful work and unforgettable adventures in Arusha. The staff were warm, professional, and always ready to help. I felt like part of the Maasai family.
Sarah M
Healthcare Volunteer
Volunteering with HGO was life-changing. I worked alongside dedicated nurses at Levolosi Health Centre and learned more in two weeks than I could have imagined. The team made me feel safe, supported, and truly valued.