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Work with orphans and vulnerable children, take a training course in care work or work on a farming project teaching young people how to grow their own food and live a sustainable life - the choice is yours!

Our care projects are based in the lively city of Pietermaritzburg, capital of KwaZulu Natal. These projects are tremendously rewarding as well as highly enjoyable.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

► An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into the different cultures of South Africa.
► The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them
► New skills, more confidence and invaluable personal and professional development.
► An entry on your CV or Résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
► And maybe best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

WORKING WITH VULNERABLE & FOSTER CHILDREN:

South Africa has one of the highest Aids and HIV positive counts in the world which leaves many children as orphans or as carriers of the disease.

The children that the Home works with are either orphans or vulnerable children who may have had a violent up-bringing and who have been taken into foster care. The foster home has a number of orphaned and vulnerable children who live there.

YOUR WORK AT THE HOME:

On your arrival you will have a short Orientation during which you will learn about the home such as the history of the organization, who the staff are and what is required of you.

There will be many ways in which your can provide practical assistance, such as helping to prepare the food for the children and then supervising them during the meals. You'll also wash the babies and supervise the older children during bathing times. You'll assist with washing the children's clothes and ensuring that they are properly dressed.

You'll help and support the foster mothers as they nurse and care for the babies and children doing all the everyday tasks that we take for granted, such as ensuring that they are bathed, dressed and generally looked after.

You can help the children after school in many ways, including helping them with their school work, playing fun games with them during recreation times, and perhaps even entertaining them if you have any skills.

WORKING WITH CHILDREN AT A CRECHE:

If you would prefer to work at a creche, this is also possible. The creche we work with is located 20km outside Pietermaritzburg in a rural village and is a playschool and nursery school. This placement will give you a great insight into rural South Africa and Zulu culture, but is located close enough to Pietermaritzburg where you will live to give you a great experience of South African city life as well.

YOUR WORK AT THE CRECHE:

On your arrival you will have a short Orientation during which you will learn about the creche. Subjects that are covered include the history of the organization, who the staff are and what is required of you. This will also involve meeting the volunteers who run the creche.

You will be involved in all the daily tasks involved with running the creche, including playing with the children, feeding them and generally looking after them. Your activities could also include anything that may be required at the time you're there. Your help is greatly appreciated by the creche and the children and they will also gain from any input and ideas you may have to assist in the day-to-day running.

CARE WORK TRAINING COURSES AVAILABLE WHILE ON YOUR PLACEMENT:

When the various projects were established, the main focus was the Training in HIV and Aids Education and Home Based Care. If you'd like to learn about caring, counselling and child care, you'll have the opportunity to go on training courses as part of your placement. These courses will help you to better understand the work that you are involved in.

TRAINING COURSES AVAILABLE:

► 10 Day Home Based Care Training including HIV and AIDS Education and TB Education:This training enables a person to care for a terminally ill; physically challenged or aged patient in all four areas - physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental.
► 10 Day HIV and AIDS Counselling Course: Only people who have some education or background in HIV and Aids may undergo this training.
► 12 Week Basic Child Care and Parenting Course: This course consists of 6 weeks theory plus a 6-week practical work experience placement in an organisation other than ours.

GARDENING AND FARMING PROJECT:

As a volunteer on this project you can also get involved in a farming and gardening project that aims to teach men, women and young boys and girls about nutrition and how to care for their own vegetable gardens. It also covers how to provide food for themselves and how to earn an income from farming and gardening.

You will find this an incredible experience that you will never forget.
At present there are 32 rural schools involved, some already being worked on and others waiting to obtain funding. These gardens are scattered over the whole of the Inadi Tribal Area ,which comprises 15 Tribal areas in total.

YOUR WORK ON THE PROJECT:

As a volunteer, you will be working as an assistant to the project staff, helping in various different roles, depending on the requirements of each day.

As most of these projects are rural, you will be picked up each day from your accommodation in Pietermaritzburg and taken to the project site.

ACCOMMODATION:

Accommodation is based in the city of Pietermaritzburg, near the city centre, in a comfortable hostel in a bohemian part of the city. The Lodge is a great meeting point for everyone. You can discuss your day in the living room, have a nice chat out on the terrace, watch a movie, or explore the local area. The lodge has a living room, bathrooms and a well-equipped kitchen and the back of the house has a nice covered terrace, as well as a braai area (South African barbecue).

The accommodation is located near a shopping centre, cinema and ten-pin bowling centre. You will be provided with breakfast and dinner at the lodge, and lunch will be provided on the project. If you'd like to eat out or have a change now and then, there are supermarkets and restaurants close to your accommodation.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:

► A 5-DAY OR or 7-DAY SAFARI from Cape Town up the renowned Garden Route: taking in Dolphin and Whale Spotting, visits to many tourist attractions, such as a visit to a brewery(!), the Bloukrantz Bungy Jump (reportedly the highest in the world), and a guided tour of the Cango Caves.
► SURFING COURSES: In the buzz city of Durban.
► PARAGLIDING COURSE: Soar over the impressively beautiful Drakensburg Mountain. You'll get a licence at the end of the course which qualifies you to do solo paragliding around the world.
► 5-DAY BUSH SURVIVAL COURSE: This is a fantastic experience and opportunity to see lots of wild animals in their native habitats in Game Reserves. You'll learn a lot and you'll really enjoy learning some bush skills in the great outdoors!

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

Talk to us - We're there to help you. Call +44 (0) 1903 502595

Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!

If you’d like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us! If you’d like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we’ll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.

It's as easy as that.

Duration

Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates.

Start Dates

Flexible start and finish dates you choose. Our placements are flexible and can be tailored to match your preferences. For availability please contact the office.

Costs / Benefits

Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £895 for two weeks. You can participate for up to one year, subject to visa requirements.
Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).
You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.
Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Requirements

No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.