Volunteer Africa 32 Degrees South

  South Africa

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Year-round

Description: Volunteer in rural and village schools along the scenic 'Wild Coast'. The programme focuses on enhancing education and computer literacy skills and sports development. Integrated into this programme is the Inkwenkwezi Conservation Initiative, a hands-on experience working alongside game rangers and field guides in the private reserve. The Wild Coast, with its strong amaXhosa culture, vibrant population and environmental significance, is a destination of recognized developmental importance in the newly established democratic South Africa.

Project Highlights:

With the Education Development Initiative:

- Pioneering the development of user friendly, appropriate teaching resources for future programme expansion in rural South Africa working with a teaching and development team aligned to National education frameworks
- Bridging the learning divide in South Africa's education system
- Linkages to national and international NGO efforts
- Being part of a community upliftment program
- Experiencing South African diversity through immersion and exposure at the grass roots level
- Traveling and exploring South Africa's most exciting and culturally diverse coastal region, the Wild Coast of the former Transkei                 

With the Wildlife and Conservation Programme:

- Working alongside wildlife professionals in an authentic capacity
- Field survival skills
- Camping out in the African bush
- Mammal research and monitoring
- Game counts
- Alien vegetation identification and eradication strategies
- Fire management - an important support system for savannah eco-systems
- Exploration of coastal eco-systems

Project Travel Highlights:

-Adventure tours along the Wild Coast, see www.africanheartland.co.za
-Abseiling
-Mountain biking
-Kayaking
-Surf lessons and access to surfing equipment
- Beach horse rides
- Big 4 Game Reserve
- Game viewing horse rides
- Organized daily activities like beach volleyball, sundowner river cruises, coastal hikes, rock climbing wall
- Scuba diving courses (PADI Open Water Dive courses and fun dives)Whether on organized tours or personalized travels, Chintsa offers itself as the Gateway to the Wild Coast, home to the colorful and culturally rich amaXhosa nation, the Amathola Mountains, SA's "Little Switzerland", the Garden Route or the mighty Drakensburg Mountains. A number of experiences ranging from day trips to multi-day tours, overnight village stay to 4 and 5-day hiking trails, cultural and adventure tours for the energetic and the not so energetic.

Qualifications: A minimum of High-School education is needed, as well as open-mindedness, enthusiasm, commitment, and the ability to work in teams and in support of the community work that African Impact is undertaking.

Cost in US$: 1 month - USD 1890, 2 months - USD 3150

Experience Required: yes

Computer literacy, as well as an enthusiasm for sports.

Typical Volunteer: An adventurer, a traveler who is open to having their perspectives changed and immersing themselves in the local culture of South Africa's Eastern Cape Coast, and the gateway to the rugged Transkei coast. Somebody who is willing to stretch themselves by giving of themselves and being an integral part of the upliftment of South Africa's rural children.

Age Range: No specific age limit, but computer literacy test is necessary for participation

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application

African Impact's Mission Statement: African Impact facilitates cultural exchange programmes through volunteer work. We awards you the opportunity to immerse yourselves in local schools, health institutions, communities and wildlife conservation programmes. In this way as a volunteer you are able to leave your mark on a corner of Africa whilst at the same time experiencing a lifestyle that will shift your perspectives and allow you to see our world in a different light. We invite you to join us on a journey to Africa to explore, to inspire and to impact. We invite you to be more than a tourist, but to be a traveller, a conservationist and a humanitarian.

Year Founded: 1999