Nholwasi Community Project

  South Africa

Hoedspruit,  Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: year Round

Description: The word Nholwasi means to build and work together. The project provides a truly moving and possibly even life changing experience, and gives another dimension to your understanding of Africa and its peoples. When grappling with the challenges facing conservation in modern day Africa, one needs to be exposed to, and to try and gain an understanding of, the challenges that African people face every day. Situated near Kruger National Park, the project is based in the Acorn Hoek Community. Students live in a nearby game reserve, containing species such as Giraffe, Buffalo and the occasional Leopard, and travel in each day to a school in Acorn Hoek.

The syllabus you will teach is aimed at primary school children and is easily grasped. However, at the end of each day the following days lessons are run though and prepared with the aid of competent and qualified co-ordinators. Many children in South Africa walk miles to school every day and they are eager to learn and gain knowledge to provide a brighter future for themselves and their family and to build a stronger and better educated nation!   

Nholwasi volunteers also give horse riding lessons to the children in conjunction with the volunteers on the Hanchi Project. The majority of the children will never have had an opportunity like this before and volunteers have a real chance to make a difference to their lives. Volunteers also visit the childrens ward of the local hospital to play and chat with the children and to host parties for them.

Highlights: A Typical Day on the Cultural Project.

6am Wake up!
7am Breakfast
8am Arrive at the school for the days lessons. These can include Environmental studies, Maths, and English.
1pm Lunch
3pm Nature walk with the children or a visit to the childrens hospital
5pm Culture lesson; learning more about the community you are living in their languages, faiths, traditional meals. Learn the National Anthem in 3 different South African languages!

Qualifications: No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just an interest and passion for teaching and working with children.

Cost in US$: 3500

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Most of our volunteers have either finished college and want some international work experience before starting their career, or are taking a break from their career. Many are interested in teaching and community work, but most have no previous experience or qualifications.

Age Range: 17-70

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

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 4

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

African Conservation Experience's Mission Statement: African Conservation Experience organizes work placements for volunteers of all ages on wildlife conservation projects in Southern Africa. We work only with projects that we assess as having a real and beneficial contribution to conservation efforts. Volunteers get very much involved with the work, rather than sitting back and observing, and provide a valuable resource to the projects. We pride ourselves on the quiality, integrity and frendliness of the service that we provide. We ensure that volunteers understand fully what is expected of them and place particular concern on volunteers' security and safety.

Year Founded: 1999