Child Welfare Volunteer Placements in South Africa

  South Africa

Johannesburg

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Year-round

Description: Inadequate childcare is a major issue facing South Africa today. The AIDS crisis has left an estimated 1.2 million children orphaned, and help is needed to assist in the healthy physical and emotional development of these children. Our various social development volunteer projects in and around Johannesburg focus largely, though not exclusively, on the issue of child welfare in South Africa.

South African Volunteer projects include:

*A children's home in Soweto that offers residential care to babies, infants, and children. Many of these children are abused, abandoned, neglected, or orphane. Some of those in case are HIV-positive and require constant attention.
   
*A home for abandoned children, babies in the process of being adopted, and a place of safety for young mothers or pregnant girls whose families have rejected them.
   
*A center for orphaned and vulnerable children living in the Kliptown, Slovo park and Eldorado Park areas. The aim of the center is to enable children whose parents have died of AIDS to continue functioning as a family unit in their own environment. This includes facilitating their return to the educational system and providing them the chance to attend life-skills and development programs.
   
*Helping children with homework.
   
*An Mpumalanga-based organization for vulnerable children and their families who are victims of social marginalization.
   
*A Foundation that seeks to alleviate the consequences of HIV/AIDS for rural South Africans, particularly children, through home-based care and community outreach, in-house care, and training and poverty alleviation.

Volunteer activities generally consist of kitchen (food preparation) and cleaning duties, as well as activities related to the care, stimulation and social development of children. Other projects may include assisting local women with sewing and beadwork, and construction and maintenance of facilities.

Qualifications: Applicants must be:

* U.S., Canadian, Australian, or European Union citizens at least 18 years of age
* Native English speakers
* Able to provide references, proof of language proficiency, and other supporting documents if required
* In good health and covered by accident and sickness insurance (available if needed)
* Prepared to pay for transportation to and from the host country, visa processing fees, and all personal expenses while abroad

Minimum Education: High School

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-50

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

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Scholarships are Available. - InterExchange Foundation Grant awards are intended to defray the costs of transportation, participation fees, travel insurance, housing, and meals related to a work, internship, or volunteer abroad program. Recipients must submit a written report to InterExchange upon completion of their program, describing how the grant allowed them to gain international understanding through working abroad.

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

InterExchange's Mission Statement: InterExchange is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural awareness through a wide range of work & travel, language, teaching English, volunteer, professional training, internship and au pair programs within the United States & around the world. Our goal is to create affordable and exciting cultural exchange programs, each with an unparalleled level of support. We take great pride in the professionalism and service of our staff and work hard to ensure our programs provide a rewarding experience for all participants.