South African Community Volunteer Project

  South Africa

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: 26 Jul to 24 Aug 2008, 24 Aug to 22 Sep 2008, 22 Sep to 21 Oct 2008, 21 Oct to 19 Nov 2008, 19 Nov to 18 Dec 2008, 18 Dec 2008 to 16 Jan 2009, 16 Jan to 14 Feb 2009, 14 Feb to 15 Mar 2009, 15 Mar to 13 Apr 2009....

Description: Volunteer on this award winning South African community project for 4, 8 or 12 weeks helping with the sustainable development of a small rural South African village, to become a valued member of the community and experience South African culture firsthand!

Yomps has established links with the Village Chief, members of the Tribal Authority and other key individuals of the peaceful South African community Mapoch Ndebele Village, to give Yomps volunteers the amazing opportunity to contribute towards the sustainable development of a welcoming rural area.

This South African community volunteer project takes volunteers to make a real, positive impact to the Mapoch Ndebele Village, its people and the greater community by imparting and uplifting skills in areas such as teaching, building and general maintenance in and around the village, amongst a variety of other activities. By joining this community work project you can gain brilliant volunteer experience and immerse yourself in the inspiring local culture of South Africa; making this volunteer project an ideal choice as part of a gap year, career break or sabbatical in a South African community. You have the opportunity to experience local traditions and customs, learn about the local beliefs and participate in the local ceremonies and rituals of a South African rural community, whilst you contribute to its development. Your volunteer funds also greatly contribute to the local community as they go directly into the community which provides the accommodation, meals and services, to ensure there is a direct investment to the South African economy and its people.

The project coordinators won three awards at the Imvelo Awards for Responsible Tourism in South Africa, held in Johannesburg on October 31st 2007. Imvelo acknowledges businesses that make a measurable and sustained contribution to responsible tourism, and recognised this project for its original approach and inspirational outcomes. We recognise this was only achievable with the dedicated efforts of everybody who has volunteered on this project. By joining this South African community project, you too will be an integral part of making this project's success continue to help an underprivileged but inspirational local community.

Highlights: What's included:
* Pre-departure support
* Field manual containing information about the project and what to take, plus lots more
* 24 hour emergency phone line in the UK
* Airport transfers
* All internal transportation
* All food and accommodation
* Non alcoholic drink with every meal
* 10% project donation to the volunteering project
* South African mobile phone sim card
* Project orientation on arrival

Cost in US$: ﾣ1451 / $2829 (US) / ﾬ2060

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Year Founded: 2006