Community and Wildlife Volunteer in South Africa

  South Africa

Greytown

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: All year round

Description: The Umpalazi: Community & Wildlife Project invites you to become apart of an experience that combines community upliftment with wildlife conservation. This is a project of the Animal Protection and Environmental Sanctuary (APES) and is set on a breathtaking 7000 acre property, in the South African bush, the perfect refuge for wildlife. Become a part of this amazing opportunity, and give back, along with fellow volunteers from all over the world.

The property is in disrepair as it has been unoccupied for a year; therefore, there is much to work on. Some of the project duties include:

* Painting; Small-scale building; General repairs, fencing; Dam-wall reconstruction etc.
* Fixing/constructing animal enclosures
* General animal care
* Monkey food preparation & enclosure cleaning
* Rescue and rehabilitation of monkeys and other animals, both domestic and wildlife.
* Closer observation/contact with the monkeys that cannot be released due to injury.
* Visits to local Zulu schools regarding environmental education, maintenance work etc.
* Livestock food preparation & feeding (including domestic pets- dogs, cats, cows, a goat, ducks, geese, chickens, etc..)
* Snare/Trap clearing (in nearby forest/bush areas)
* Participation in an up-coming project involving more intensive snare/trap clearing in forest plantations, invasive weed removal and other environmental management activities.
* Walk & Game counting ( there is a wide variety of game in the area); Bird watching

Skills training of local Zulu community members (funds permitting)whenever possible:
* The aim is not only to create jobs to help improve the standard of living and the lives of local rural people, but also to provide long-term community upliftment.
* The local rural Zulu community members will join this initiative to learn various skills from the volunteers. This is an excellent upliftment project that will create a positive ripple effect throughout the whole community.
* The individuals involved thus have the opportunity to build on their skills, providing an income and/or the ability to teach others.
* Any help would be welcome and appreciated.

WHAT TO BRING:
* Inexpensive clothing and other supplies can be bought locally, so there is no need to overload yourself; the following list is to help get an idea of what you will need:
* Runners/hiking shoes; everyday footwear.
* Raincoat, sun block & sunhat (broad-rimmed) can be bought locally.
* Personal items that are essential.
* Sleeping bag, pillow case etc.
* Clothing for changeable weather (i.e. usually warm during the day; cold at night )
* Nothing too revealing as Umpalazi is situated in a rural and conservative area.
* Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided. This includes boots, overalls and gloves.

LOCAL FACILITIES:
* The following can be found at Greytown:
* Bank, Internet Café, Photo Developers, Supermarket & other stores (i.e. 'PEP', 'AHEERS').
* Hotel, Restaurants, Post Office, Greytown Museum.
* Doctor, Dentist, Pharmacy, Police Station.

Note: There is very limited mobile phone reception at Umpalazi and at APES, however there is full reception in the main parts of Greytown. "Recharge Vouchers" (pay as you go vouchers) can be purchased at several stores. Don't forget to 'unlock your SIM' before leaving your home country.

In combination with APES, Umpalazi will develop Umpalazi into a wildlife sanctuary. Focusing on the rehabilitation of primates and other wildlife, it would still continue to be involved in local community upliftment projects.

Note: Umpalazi does not have access to electricity, therefore it does, and will provide for a more environmentally friendly way of living. Funds permitting, solar and gas facilities and a generator will be installed, supplying what little electricity is necessary.

Highlights: Volunteers will have a unique opportunity to work closely with South African wildlife, primarily the South African Vervet Monkey. This will be a joint project with the Animal Protection and Environmental Sanctuary (A.P.E.S.) as co-founders, Dawn Magowan and Rodney Pendleton, will be moving to Umpalazi with their sanctuary to provide their wildlife with a better release site and to immediately get volunteers involved with wildlife conservation.

Volunteers will have a direct and positive impact on the conservation of wildlife and the environment through snare/trap clearing;game counts; bird watching; environmental management activities and maintenance of vervet monkey 'feeding station' (to supplement the diet of the nearby wild vervet monkeys due to their continued loss of habitat; this eliminates the need for the primates to steal food, an act which could result in their death at human hands).

There are also opportunities to live with a Zulu family (for a day etc.), and visit other attractions in KwaZulu-Natal (i.e. CROW, Game Reserves, St.Lucia Wetlands etc.)

Qualifications:
* Previous experience (I.e. carpenter, zoologist, etc.) is appreciated but not necessary.
* A love of animals and the environment.
* A willingness to learn and be a part of a communal environment.
* Volunteers are asked to stay for at least 4 weeks.

Cost in US$: 910 per month

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A typical volunteer at the Umpalazi Project is someone who has a love and respect of animals and the environment and a willingness to learn and be a part of a communal environment.

Age Range: 18+

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

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 1-8

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Umpalazi: Community & Wildlife Project's Mission Statement: The aim of the Umpalazi: Community & Wildlife Project is to incorporate local community upliftment, including skills training, environmental education and aid work; with the rehabilitation of injured and/or orphaned wildlife for future release and monitoring. Umpalazi will also be a sanctuary for other displaced animals.

Year Founded: 2008