Volunteer Work Placement in Jewel of Africa!

  Botswana

Gaborone

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: each month

Description: The Jewel of Africa volunteer program gives you the opportunity to live and experience Botswana like a true insider.

You will start your program with an orientation to Botswana culture and Setswana language lessons which will include cultural activities like traditional music and dance. This is a great introduction to the country as you will learn things that will help you get the most out of your time here e.g. you will learn what is considered offensive to a local person and yet its not offensive to you.

The second portion of your program will be working on a volunteer project and receive the overwhelming satisfaction of contributing to others.

We have available a variety of options that cover an array of interests. We are continuously adding new projects, so please check with us for any specific projects you do not see.

Examples of projects you could participate in include:
- Education School Projects with children
- Mental or physically challenged projects
- Environmental Projects
- Public Health Care Private homes
- Eco-Tourism, Building Projects, Protected Areas
- Tutor/teach local children conversation English
- Working with youth e.g. teenage mothers projects
- Local Projects for children include Aids Orphans -children whose parents have died or are dying of the epidemic, homework assistance, story telling etc
- Organising occasional weekend outings for some disadvantaged children. Volunteers will choose exciting activities to share with the children they will be looking after in the hopes of giving them the time of their lives. Many of these children have not experienced anything exciting such as visiting a Game Reserve or a Lion park or a restaurant.
- Raising funds for some NGO's
- Research Assistant positions and Statician positions
- Copy writers and researchers for news reporters, talk radio and help media educate and encourage cultural interaction in the media
- Volunteer in small scale private companies to help young entrepreneurs in the fields of Construction, Accounts, Data base development, Advertising, PR, Web designs, IT, Marketing Research, Media monitoring, Theatre e.t.c. And many more other fields.

Highlights: A typical day for participants is characterized by:
* Setswana language and culture lessons in the first one/two week/s
* Followed by lunch and wide range of activities specifically arranged for them

Such activities include:
- Traditional dance,
- Folk music,
- Cultural visits,
- Heme parties and
- Weekend or half or full day excursions to game parks or National parks - Game viewing
- Weekend in home stays with local families in nearby villages or towns or city of Gaborone itself.

Special Weekend Activity: Rhino tracking /Elephant walks (walking with the elephants)/ Cheetah patting

Here are just a few reasons to volunteer with MTC Experience Abroad :
* Volunteers looking for a break from home get to re-discover themselves and learn true values of life
* A portion of the Volunteers Funds paid as fees to MTC Experience Abroad will be contributed to the orphanage/homes and or centres which help make a difference by providing this good work they already do

Qualifications: Volunteer Jobs and Internships Abroad for:
- Secondary school graduates
- University students
- Under graduates
- Post Graduates
- Trainees

* One must be able to commit to a minimum 6 weeks to 3 months work period and be able to converse in English with other staff, clients, children and or guests.
* Be neat and presentable in physical appearance with no visible body piercing which could offensive to some cultures
* Be within the age group of 20 - 35 years
* Be able to work 20 - 30 hours per week
* Be flexible, open minded and willing to give your all - work hard!

The program offers young citizens of the world to experience other cultures in some exotic far off place that is so far away from home.

Minimum Education: Diploma/Certification

Cost in US$: USD 1250 - USD 3000.00 per person

1. Administration fees
2. Arrival Orientation*
3. Setswana language and culture lessons over the first 1-2 weeks period which include afternoon activities one weekend activity
4. Carefully selected course material
5. Accommodation in Gaborone ( fees include contribution rental of house)
6. Admission to program related events
7. Fun Pack - occasional weekend outings with / without disadvantaged children
8. Discovery Pack (map of Gaborone, schedule details of public transport, where to go and not to go, whats on in Gaborone etc.
9. Internet and email access
10. Placement and progress tests
11. Setswana language and culture course certificate upon completion
12. Return transfer to and from the airport
13. Full fridge with basic goodies on group arrival only
14. MTC Experience Abroad Membership
15. Friends of Mokolodi Membership- which has a host of great benefits
16. All basic Household necessities
17. Certificate of attendance in volunteer service with MTC Experience Abroad
18. One long Weekend* camping in Nature reserve or game reserve etc

Salary / Pay: No Pay. However, some positions have a stipend of between USD300 to USD500 per month. Depending on experience there are some positions that will pay up to USD750.00 a month.

Experience Required: yes

At least a minmum of one year work experience

Age Range: 20 - 35 years

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Botswana Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

MTC Experience Abroad's Mission Statement: Experience Abroad is the first professional and dedicated educational youth travel consultant in Botswana. Our credibility is backed up by our membership to the largest youth travel association in the world; WYSETC (World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation - established by FIYTO & ISTC) linked to over 450 international youth organizations across the world. Our Objectives are to enable young people/students to experience an international environment surrounded by people from a different culture and point of view through our working holidays like the Jewel of Africa Volunteer Program. Botswana is home of the famous Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert, Chobe and Tuli Block. It's capital city Gaborone, is featured in the best selling novels by Alexander MCCal Smith - The #1 Ladies Detective Agency. Our mission is to help participants discover a new country and learn its culture, language, history, inhabitants and other contemporary aspects. Botswana - a land of majestic scenery and a profusion of wildlife waiting to be discovered!

Year Founded: 1997