Question 1

What is Houselewa?

Accepted Answer

Houselewa is a tutoring marketplace that connects students and parents with vetted, ID-verified tutors across Africa. Find help in almost any subject and learn online or in your home, at a fair price in your local currency.

Question 2

How do I find the right tutor?

Accepted Answer

Browse tutor profiles by subject, level, price and language, or use search to describe what you need. Every profile shows real reviews, verified credentials and the tutor’s hourly rate so you can compare and choose with confidence.

Question 3

Can I learn online or in person?

Accepted Answer

Both. Many tutors teach online over video with a shared whiteboard, and local tutors can also come to your home for in-person lessons. Each profile shows which formats a tutor offers.

Question 4

How much does it cost to join?

Accepted Answer

Creating an account and browsing tutors is completely free. You only pay for the lessons you book, at the rate each tutor sets — with no hidden platform fees added to the price you see.

Question 5

Do I need an account to book?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a free account lets you message tutors, book and pay securely, and keep track of your lessons, receipts and reviews in one place. Signing up takes less than a minute.

Question 6

How do I book a lesson?

Accepted Answer

Open a tutor’s profile, pick a time that suits you and confirm the booking. For direct bookings your payment is held securely and the lesson is confirmed once the tutor accepts.

Question 7

What payment methods can I use?

Accepted Answer

You can pay with mobile money (such as MTN MoMo and Orange Money), debit or credit card, or bank transfer, depending on what’s available in your country.

Question 8

What currency will I be charged in?

Accepted Answer

You’re always charged in your own local currency at the rate shown before you confirm. If your tutor is paid in a different currency, we handle the conversion behind the scenes at a locked exchange rate.

Question 9

When am I charged for a lesson?

Accepted Answer

Payment is taken when you book and held securely until the lesson is completed. For direct bookings, funds are only released to the tutor after the session takes place.

Question 10

Can I reschedule a lesson?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can request a new time from your bookings before the lesson starts, and the tutor can confirm the change. If a new time can’t be agreed, you can cancel under our cancellation policy.

Question 11

Can I book several lessons at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes — many tutors offer session packs and recurring plans so you can lock in regular lessons and save compared with booking one at a time. You’ll see any available bundles on the tutor’s profile.

Question 12

Is my first lesson guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If your very first lesson with a new tutor isn’t right, tell us within 24 hours and we’ll refund it — our first-lesson money-back guarantee, so you can try a tutor risk-free.

Question 13

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

You can cancel free of charge up to the notice window shown at booking (typically a few hours before the lesson). Late cancellations may be partially charged to fairly compensate the tutor’s reserved time.

Question 14

What if my tutor cancels?

Accepted Answer

If a tutor cancels, you’re refunded in full automatically and we’ll help you find a replacement or reschedule. Tutors who cancel repeatedly are reviewed by our team.

Question 15

How long do refunds take?

Accepted Answer

Refunds are issued back to your original payment method and are converted at the same exchange rate used for your booking. Timing depends on your provider, usually a few business days.

Question 16

How are tutors vetted?

Accepted Answer

Every tutor completes an application and identity check before they can teach. We review credentials and, depending on the country, background checks and references, so families can book with confidence.

Question 17

What does the verified badge mean?

Accepted Answer

A verified badge means the tutor has confirmed their identity and passed our checks. You’ll also see a ‘Top rated’ mark on tutors with a strong track record of highly rated reviews.

Question 18

How do you keep children safe?

Accepted Answer

In-home lessons include a safety code and shared meeting details, online sessions have a built-in panic button and optional recording consent, and all tutors agree to our conduct standards. You can report any concern at any time.

Question 19

How do I report a problem with a tutor?

Accepted Answer

You can report a tutor or a lesson directly from your bookings, or contact our support team. We review every report and take action, up to removing tutors who breach our standards.

Question 20

How do I become a tutor?

Accepted Answer

Sign up as a tutor, complete your profile and pass verification. Once approved, you can set your subjects, rates and availability and start receiving bookings. Joining is free.

Question 21

Can I set my own rate?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You choose your hourly rate in your local currency, and you can offer session packs or recurring plans. You’ll always see the platform fee before you accept any booking.

Question 22

What fees does Houselewa charge tutors?

Accepted Answer

We take a transparent platform commission on completed lessons — shown clearly before you accept each booking. There are no listing fees or charges to join.

Question 23

How and when do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

Earnings are paid out weekly to MTN MoMo, Orange Money or your bank account. You can also request an instant payout for a small fee if you’d rather not wait for the weekly run.

Question 24

When does the weekly payout happen?

Accepted Answer

Weekly payouts run every Monday morning in your local time zone, covering your completed and released earnings. You can track everything in your earnings dashboard, including tax statements.

Question 25

How is my personal data handled?

Accepted Answer

We only collect what we need to run Houselewa and never sell your data. You can request a copy of your data, correct it, or ask us to delete it. See our Privacy Policy for the full detail.

Question 26

How do I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

You can request account deletion from your settings or by contacting support. We’ll remove your personal data, keeping only what we’re legally required to retain, such as transaction records.

Question 27

Can I use Houselewa in my language?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Houselewa is available in English and French, and your notifications, emails and SMS are sent in your preferred language. You can switch language any time from the menu.

Question 28

How do I change my email, phone or password?

Accepted Answer

Update your contact details and password from your account settings. For your security, some changes may require you to verify your identity or re-confirm via a one-time code.

How can we help?

Getting started

Booking & payments

Refunds & cancellations

Safety & vetting

For tutors

Account & privacy

Still need a hand?