Country: South Africa (Knysna) Departures: Available all year round. Placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates. More info:
Price includes accommodation, food, meeting you at the airport,
transfer to your accommodation, full pre-departure support, local
in-country team support and backup, 24 hour emergency support.
You'll work with social workers who provide counselling services to
people in need of support owing to emotional problems they may be
suffering from.
These can include marital and family stress,
depression, mid-life crisis, divorce counselling, HIV-related
counselling, conflict management and parenting.
The Society (FAMSA - Families South Africa)
is very much family orientated, serving to help resolve family problems
and disintegration. It is one of a chain of Centres throughout South Africa.
The Centre is not very big, thus you'll have opportunity to learn a lot
about all the areas of counselling and social work that they deal with.
Counsel families and adults in the beautiful coastal resort town of Knysna.
Any person from any type of background could need assistance and
counselling, regardless of background. The counsellors help people from
Knysna’s more wealthy areas as well as from the very large disadvantaged
township surrounding the town.
The FAMSA Centre's counselling programmes include a wide range of methods and techniques by which clients are helped:
Resolve personal and inter-personal problems
Select and adopt more constructive attitudes and skills of relating
Enhance their functioning in significant relationships and other interpersonal transactions
The Centre's motto is "We believe in every person’s potential to solve
their own problems. We give support and guidelines for optimal
functioning." They have centres all around South Africa and in Knysna they are supported by the Department of Social Development, the Knysna Municipality, the Lotto and various members of the public and businesses.
The services provided by the Centre can be split up into five areas:
Counselling
Trauma support
Training
Parenting support
Various programmes that they run
All counselling is done by appointment only and takes place in the office at the Centre. The appointments last for an hour each.
Country: South Africa Location: Kruger National Park Departures: 2012: 17 Jan, 17 July | 2013: 15 Jan, 16 July Price: Please enquire for current prices and duration. Price includes pre-departure
support and discounted services, airport pickup, in country transport,
accommodation and a 2 week training programme in the Kruger National Park.
These long term volunteer positions offer independent, ambitious volunteers the chance to work for one year in and around South Africa’s most famous national parks.
If you are seeking a change of direction or a long term, highly immersed
experience in the field of conservation and environmental education
these long term internship positions are for you. South African
National Parks (SANParks) manages a system of 20 national parks that
represent the indigenous flora, landscape and associated cultural
heritage of the country. You will be placed with the ‘People and
Conservation’ department according to priority projects and where your
skills are most needed.
Interns play an integral part in the implementation of new policies and
programmes developed by SANParks to integrate local communities into
the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage sites within the
parks. These national parks offer diverse adventure tourism
opportunities such as game viewing, bush walks, canoeing and a chance to
experience the history and culture of South Africa. The work carried out by interns is essential for the long term conservation of these areas which are both important to South Africa and the people who live alongside them.
Highlights:
Opportunity to gain experience in environmental education and conservation within a high profile organization
Be instrumental in the development of South Africa's National Parks
Possible opportunities to be involved in many other aspects of a
National Park such as; guiding on interpretive trails, game drives,
community activities, game counts, presentations.
Live and work in beautiful and remote parts of South Africa.
Country: South Africa (Knysna) Departures: Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates. Price: From £895 - £2595 (2 - 12 weeks) excluding flights More info: Price includes accommodation, food, meeting you at the airport, transfer to your accommodation, full pre-departure support, local in-country team support and backup, 24 hour emergency support.
You'll work with social workers who provide counselling services to people in need of support owing to emotional problems they may be suffering from. These can include marital and family stress, depression, mid-life crisis, divorce counselling, HIV-related counselling, conflict management and parenting. The Society (FAMSA - Families South Africa) is very much family orientated, serving to help resolve family problems and disintegration. It is one of a chain of Centres throughout South Africa. The Centre is not very big, thus you'll have opportunity to learn a lot about all the areas of counselling and social work that they deal with. Counsel families and adults in the beautiful coastal resort town of Knysna. Any person from any type of background could need assistance and counselling, regardless of background. The counsellors help people from Knysna’s more wealthy areas as well as from the very large disadvantaged township surrounding the town. The FAMSA Centre's counselling programmes include a wide range of methods and techniques by which clients are helped:
Resolve personal and inter-personal problems
Select and adopt more constructive attitudes and skills of relating
Enhance their functioning in significant relationships and other interpersonal transactions
The Centre's motto is "We believe in every person’s potential to solve their own problems. We give support and guidelines for optimal functioning." They have centres all around South Africa and in Knysna they are supported by the Department of Social Development, the Knysna Municipality, the Lotto and various members of the public and businesses. The services provided by the Centre can be split up into five areas:
Counselling
Trauma support
Training
Parenting support
Various programmes that they run
All counselling is done by appointment only and takes place in the office at the Centre. The appointments last for an hour each.
Departures: Departures are flexible and can be arranged to suit you but will depend on local weather conditions and seasons. Price: From £2400 (12 weeks) excluding flights. In rare circumstances there may be an increase in cost, such as when the hosts are unable to get local park fees, in these cases the cost will be confirmed on application.
We work very closely with the lodges we are involved with, all driven with the underlying ethos that the conservation of tomorrow is based on the strong relationship between local people, the environment and eco-lodges. The success of one helps the other and so together they help build a better future for developing communities. For example: the lodges provide employment and therefore a valuable, reliable income. This income can be spent on education and buying basic provisions and very often supports a large extended family as well as the individual employed. Indirectly the communities will be more respectful of the environment and its wildlife realizing that without the animals there will be no tourists and then no job – a very effective way to reduce poaching!
On a smaller scale, the lodges and camps we work with are predominantly built out of local materials often using solar power and rainwater. They strive to make a minimal impact on the environment and adhere to strict rules about litter, recycling, carbon footprints and the responsible use of vehicles within National Parks.
By working in these camps you will be integral in helping educate not only the local communities about long term sustainability but also the tourists who visit, many of whom will be experiencing Africa for the first time. Education is an important aspect of a placement and an investment in the future stability and interest in these fragile environments, both locally and internationally.
Approximately 60% of the cost of the scheme is given to the camp who spend this on their ongoing local community projects or environmental initiatives. In some camps it is even possible to become directly related in teaching English to local children and in most you’ll be required to help conserve the environment for example by helping to detect and remove snares from the bush or rehabilitating injured animals.
Countries: Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia Departures: Departures are flexible and can be arranged to suit you but will depend on local weather conditions and seasons. Price: From £2400 (12 weeks) excluding flights. See below for price inclusions. In rare circumstances there may be an increase in cost, such as when the hosts are unable to get local park fees, in these cases the cost will be confirmed on application.
Think you’ve got what it takes to help run a luxury safari camp in one of Africa’s finest game parks?
If you’ve ever dreamt of waking up to a dawn chorus of Hippopotamus and sleeping under a breathtaking blanket of stars, now is the time to make dreams a reality. Our unique placements offer you a privileged insight into the Africa, which tourists don’t get to see. Embrace the challenge of working in an exclusive lodge on a three-month volunteer experience that will open your eyes, awaken your senses and surpass your expectations.
The work involved varies from camp to camp – our job is to make sure your skills and expectations fit with the right camp and indeed the right characters that run these heavenly places in often challenging environments! We do this by talking to you at length about your options either on the phone or in our office and narrow it down from there. In most cases you will be part of the safari teams getting the show on the road, doing everything from setting up bush breakfasts and organizing the client’s day-to-day itinerary to masterminding ad campaigns, and problem solving around broken generators! You can be assured that every day will be different and the best skills you can take with you are self motivation, flexibility and a sense of humor.
Whatever your previous experience you will make a valued contribution to the lives of staff, guests and local people. Very often the camps are very involved with local communities who they support in one way or another and so opportunities are available to help on local community and conservation projects where your help is greatly needed and effective. Many people venture off by themselves or with a friend. However it is fairly common that a camp needs more than one extra pair of hands and so you might find us pairing you up. On these occasions we take great care in matching personalities and aim to get you together before departure.
Solo placements are available throughout Eastern and Southern Africa, so ask us about the different countries each with its unique landscapes, cultures and tribes and then check out the individual camps: Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique.
All volunteers will be provided with staff accommodation, which obviously varies from camp to camp. If you choose to work in a camp it is highly likely to be in the form of canvas whereas in a lodge it will probably be in the form of a more permanent structure. Bush style showers and toilets are popular and usually involve being out under the stars and the occasional encounter with inquisitive monkeys!
Price includes: briefing and training in the UK, supporting travel documents, management and support by and in country director and placement manager, 24hour emergency backup, £40 per month living allowance, airport pick up and transfer to and from the placement, full board and accommodation. Please note: Normally we only take volunteers aged 22 upwards unless in exceptional circumstances.
The International Volunteer Day (IVD), held annually on the 05 December, is an international observance designated by the United Nations since 1985. The declared aim of this activity is to thank the volunteers for their efforts and increase public awareness on their contribution to society.
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme has made volunteering for one or more of the MDGs its theme for IVD 2010, reminding people around the world of the difference that they can make. It will be an opportunity to highlight and showcase just how volunteerism is contributing to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa >> country: South Africa location: South Africa wildlife reserves price: from €950 (GB £788) - €1,700 (GB £1,410) (2-4 weeks) excluding flights Price includes accommodation at the camp, all meals and training. Longer stays can be arranged from €700 (GB £580) per 2 weeks spent after 4 weeks.
The organisation has got a few spots that still need to be filled in October - join them any time before November and get 25% off the usual price for the wildlife experience of a lifetime. Click here for more info/booking about the project!
Country: Kenya Location: Mombasa Departures: This trip can be arranged at any time throughout the year for up to 12 weeks Price: From £675 - £1695 (2 - 12 weeks) excluding flights More info: Price includes accommodation, meals, transfers, pre-departure comprehensive information pack and 24 hour in-country support
Work experience in the field of medicine in Mombasa
Get a behind the scenes view of medicine and observe experts to learn how they work in Kenya. The experience you gain will be an excellent entry on your CV or Résumé. Your placement will be based in the Portreitz District Hospital. The Hospital was established in 1952, as an Infectious Diseases Hospital. It is a poor hospital which caters for a very poor community. The Hospital has up-to-date facilities and a reputation for excellent medical attention.
What you'll gain from the project:
An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Africa.
Good, practical work experience that will stand you in good stead in your career.
You'll learn a lot from experts in your field about how they work in a cultural environment that's different to what you're used to.
New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
A day in the life of a volunteer
It is difficult to be specific about the day-to-day work you will do because work is so varied and spread across many areas. The hospital is very busy with a multitude of duties and responsibilities, so you will probably be worked very hard in most areas! Your work may take you into all departments, e.g. surgery, burns unit, ICU, Physiotherapy, X-ray and even the mortuary to name just a few. However, if you're not qualified, you won't be allowed into operating theatres. The type of work you will be allocated will depend to an extent on your own abilities and capabilities, which is understandable given that you will be dealing with patient health and safety.
You'll be given basic and general on-the-job training by your supervisor, and further jobs should become available for those with medical experience. Your hours may vary insofar as they will be subject to shift rotas, but your usual hours will be from 9-5 Monday to Friday. However, you may sometimes work evenings or nights, sometimes over weekends, but you will have time off on other days instead. Most of your work will entail assisting the local doctors and nurses with their daily rounds, making medical notes and updating records. You'll also be asked to help with computer entries, as well as helping to clean equipment and various areas within the hospital.
I just came across a very good and interesting infosheet answering the question what "Voluntourism" actually is. It also gives a short insight into the "economics of voluntourism".
To sum it up the infosheet is defining Voluntourism as follows: "Volutourism is travel which includes volunteering for a charitable cause. In recent years "bite-sized" volunteer vacations have grown in popularity. the different types of volunteer vacations are diverse, from cleaning up local wildlife areas to providing medical aid in a foreign country."
Are you looking for a more meaningful travel experience? Do you want to give back to the communities you visit, make a genuine connection with locals, meet like-minded travellers and build your skills? International volunteering opens up all these opportunities, and this book has all the advice you need to get you there.
Much more than just a resource directory, Volunteer is packed with invaluable information and full-colour inspiration to get you planning your perfect short- or long-term volunteer experience anywhere in the world - whether it's monitoring sea turtles in Greece, helping set up handicraft businesses in Ghana or building community centres in Guatemala!
What's it all about
Coach football and other sports to local children in underprivileged schools. Double your experience by combining this sports project with teaching in the schools for an all round, varied and exciting experience!
What you'll gain from the project
· The incredible satisfaction of knowing that you’ve helped deserving children.
· An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Africa and the many diverse cultures in South Africa
· New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
· An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
· And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
The project
The schools we work with are mainly for the poorer children in the local community and they have a love for sports and are very keen and eager to learn. As sports lessons are run in conjunction with ‘life orientation classes’ to encourage self-esteem and leadership along with communication skills, this particular project is not a full time sports coaching project, but part time. However if you use your own initiative to generate sports activity when and where you can or even after school, then we are sure that you will gain so much from this experience, just seeing those happy faces on those enthusiastic children will make it all so worthwhile!
Sports in South Africa are becoming compulsory. Unfortunately many children don't receive a proper sports education at their school, which is why your help is needed. You'll also provide essential education for the school teachers, who'll learn from you and be able to carry on with your coaching assignments once you've left, ensuring some continuity for the children.
You can coach a variety of sports, such as cricket, football, netball and rugby. Although facilities are basic, there is still a lot that you can do. The average class size is between 15 and 40. As this is not a full time sports project and will therefore not fill up your entire timetable, you will have the opportunity to teach other subjects during the day, such as conversational English or any other subjects you may be interested in. If you would rather coach sports full time then we also have another very exciting option for you based in Knysna. nb. the "Sports coaching volunteering" project is not involved with the "Rainbow Chiefs" in the video.
Sports coaching volunteering in South Africa »
country: South Africa
location: South Africa townships
departures: This trip can be arranged at any time throughout the year
price: From £795 (14 days) excluding flights
Price includes accommodation, meals, transfers, pre-departure comprehensive information pack and 24 hour in-country support
GAP Adventures' voluntour adventures have been designed to give back to the communities and regions they visit. The tours offer travellers the chance to complement their dream adventures with volunteer opportunities. During the month of April 2010 GAP Adventures is celebrating "Earth Month" and is therefore giving a 10% discount on all their voluntour adventures around the world.
Are you looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world.
Endangered wildlife conservation, Zululand, South Africa departures: 15 Feb 2010 | 1 Mar 2010 | 15 Mar 2010 | 29 Mar 2010 price: from €950 (GB £831) - €1,700 (GB £1,487) (2-4 weeks) excluding flights. Price includes accommodation at the camp, all meals and training. Longer stays can be arranged from €700 (GB £612) per 2 weeks spent after 4 weeks
Join us in February or March 2010, and bring a friend for FREE
The Endangered Species Monitoring Programme is lead by an experienced, passionate and hands-on team. We work across many reserves in Zululand (Zululand has some of the most beautiful and productive wild lands in Africa), and therefore give you a in-depth insight into holistic conservation efforts. Real Africa - Real Conservation We are looking for people who want their contribution to be directly and effectively utilised in genuine conservation efforts. If you wish to be a part of a professional conservation team, and experience some of the most exciting conservation work in Africa, then you are the kind of volunteer we are looking for!
Country: South Africa Departures in 2010: 30 Mar, 20 Apr, 11 May, 1 Jun, 22 Jun, 13 Jul, 3 Aug, 24 Aug, 5 Oct [more info & online booking >>]
The amazing things you'll be doing Under the direction of experienced field staff, you’ll help observe six habituated colonies of meerkats in South Africa’s Kuruman River Reserve. You'll learn how to radio-track, conduct focal sampling, use a Global Positioning System, and weigh meerkats. The data you collect will help researchers evaluate how cooperative breeding affects the survival of both pups and helpers. You will also investigate interactions between the meerkats and a klepto-parasitic bird species, the fork-tailed drongo. Supplementing the meerkat studies, you'll help conduct biodiversity, invertebrate, and plant surveys, and spend some time recording the size and activity of social bird colonies like pied babblers and weavers, in response to rainfall levels. You'll also help with outreach efforts to assist the local primary school. All of these adventures will be set against a backdrop of gemsbok, hartebeest, springbok, duiker, steenbok, bat-eared foxes, three kinds of mongooses, many birds, and the fantastic creatures of the Kalahari night. You will be housed in your own thatched-roof rondavel with a cold-water sink, basic furnishings, electricity, and a fan. Hot showers and flush toilets will be available in a nearby building. The team will be part of ongoing research programs at the reserve and you will have a chance to interact with a variety of researchers—whether discussing their current studies or joining them in a game of volleyball!
A day in a life of a volunteer Please be aware that schedules can be affected by weather and work conditions, and are likely to fluctuate. For example, in summer (September-April) research begins earlier (6:30 am) and there will likely be a longer midday break (sunset at about 6:45 pm). In winter (May-August), dawn is later (7:30 am), dusk is earlier (6:00 pm), and the team will have a shorter midday break. The following is a sample schedule: Early morning: Breakfast, preparation for day’s activities Morning: Session with meerkats, transect surveys, gather vital data Midday: Processing of data, lunch, rest Afternoon: Session with meerkats, transect surveys, more data collection Evening: Dinner Later evening: Night drive, informal talk presented by resident researcher, recreational time
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