Starting a non profit organization doesn't have to be a paperwork nightmare, but in most cases it turns out to be that way. You may not have another option but to register your non-profit if your organization will have anything to do with money - raising funds through donations, paying salaries or vendors, etc. because there are tax advantages for donors and the only way they can claim those is if you are properly registered.

Resources for starting a non profit

Rise of tourism in Africa combined with years of unrest and fund-raising around poverty, human rights and health issues has increased the number of pay-to-volunteer programs. Granted, you are doing something enriching and positive with your time, but do ask yourself whether the money you will be spending to fund the administration of such a program is really optimizing the net benefit you want to have as a volunteer and a donor.