Help Build Brighter Futures for Children in Cape Town

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Placements are available throughout the year.

Description: Masigcine Children's Home offers a place of safety to abandoned and orphaned children in the Mfuleni township area near Cape Town.

As a Masigcine volunteer, your time will mainly be spent with young children and babies (one month to 6 years). During the day you will take part in various activities assisting the caregivers with their daily tasks such as:

* Preparing feed bottles and cooking meals
* Feeding babies and toddlers
* Changing nappies (gloves are provided if required), helping with potty training and taking children to the bathroom.
* Helping the children with teeth brushing, getting ready for school, and bath time.
* Providing structured play for the children.
* Washing up, hanging out the laundry, and changing bed linen.

The vision at Masigcine Children's Home is to ensure that each child receives emotional, physical and spiritual care in a loving, homely environment where family values are maintained by House Mothers who are fully equipped to raise healthy, happy and well balanced children. It is also the home's desire to see each child either reunited with their own family, or placed with a family who will adopt them as their own.

Qualifications: No qualifications or previous experience is required as all training will be provided.

Cost in US$: $920 for your first 4 weeks, $150 per week thereafter

* Cape Town Airport collection and drop-off.
* A welcome brief from a member of the AVIVA team.
* A Welcome Pack complete with many useful items that will help you settle in, and an opportunity to let your family or friends know you have arrived safely.
* An embroidered AVIVA Fleece.
* Accommodation at AVIVA House (in Observatory, Cape Town).
* Self-service breakfasts for the duration of your stay.
* Transfers between AVIVA House and Masigcine Children's Home.
* A donation to Masigcine Children's Home (payable by AVIVA).
* A full-day Peninsula tour which includes lunch, visits to Hout Bay, Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape Point, Simon's Town, Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and much more. An incredible day rich with history and some of the world's most beautiful scenery.
* A half-day Cultural tour, a fascinating introduction to South Africa's recent political history before and after Apartheid. Includes highlights of Khayelitsha, South Africas second largest township after Soweto.
* A full-day tour to the Cape Winelands including the Paarl, Franschoek and Stellenbosch regions. Wine tastings and lunch are included.
* Advice and support from our experienced team during your stay.
* Our booking service for attractions, events and tours.
* An attractive certificate recognising your contribution to the Masigcine Children's Home Project.

If required, extra nights can be added to your stay to meet your flight dates for only R120 per night. This may help you to take advantage of any cheaper flights that arrive in Cape Town before your planned arrival date.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A typical volunteer... Is open to experiencing new cultures and meeting people from around the world... Is tolerant and respectful of others, no matter what their beliefs or background... Looks forward to broadening their horizons and exploring new lands... Is flexible and adapts well to new situations and environments... Is self-disciplined with a sense of independance... Sees that volunteering provides them with a rewarding way in which to develop their own personal qualities and character while giving something back to the planet... Is pro-active and looks for opportunities to experience their new surroundings... Acknowledges that South Africa in many ways is still a developing country and thus will provide them with a wide range of new experiences...

Age Range: 18+ on arrival

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European and Kiwi Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to South Africa in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of Maximum of 4

Application Process Involves:

• Other

AVIVA - Volunteering in South Africa's Mission Statement: AVIVA is committed to supporting sustainable community, wildlife and conservation projects while providing you with a positive, life changing experience in South Africa. We believe that volunteering promotes self-growth, cultural understanding, and provides you with a unique opportunity to really experience a country first hand. We work with grass roots projects that have evolved to meet real needs - so you can be sure that you will be contributing your time to a worthwhile and rewarding cause. From 16 year old students to 70 year old retirees, we have hosted volunteers from a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds, and our dedicated support team (the largest in Africa!) are here to ensure that your volunteering experience not only matches, but exceeds your expectations. Like many previous volunteers, you can open your eyes to new adventures, new friends, and an experience that will capture your heart and mind... Come and join us, we would love to see you in South Africa soon!

Year Founded: 2002