This project is located in the beautiful St Lucia area where there are many children in need of care and education. There are some day centres and creches available but these have very few resources. Volunteers will assist the local teachers and carers to provide basic education and fun activities for these children - sometimes as many as 80 to be looked after - and their help is very much appreciated. Volunteers also help out in the community - with HIV/AIDS awareness programmes, improving facilities for the orphans, encouraging healthy living through farming, refurbishing community buildings and a reading club. The rewards are great and spending time at St Lucia can be a truly life changing experience.
Duration & Fees
- £875 - 2 weeks
- £1,075 - 3 weeks
- £1,265 - 4 weeks
Start Dates
2012 Start Dates: 16 Jan | 6 Feb | 20 Feb | 5 Mar | 19 Mar | 2 Apr | 16 Apr | 7 May | 21 May | 4 Jun | 18 Jun | 2 Jul | 16 Jul | 6 Aug | 20 Aug | 3 Sep | 17 Sep | 1 Oct | 15 Oct | 5 Nov | 19 Nov | 3 Dec | 17 Dec
Payment
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
What's Included
- A contribution to the project itself including funding for activities with the orphans and building and farming materials
- Transfer from Richards Bay Airport and St Lucia and daily project transfers
- Orientation programme
- Laundry and domestic services
- All accommodation including 3 meals a day except Saturday evenings and Sunday lunchtimes
- Support from the local project staff whilst at St Lucia
What's not included
- Travel insurance to cover your placement (to include cover for repatriation)
- Transport to Richards Bay by air or bus
- Personal items eg clothing, gifts etc
- Use of internet and telephone, soft drinks, wines and spirits.
- Visas and any excursions undertaken other than in the planned programme
St Lucia, a safe town within walking distance of the beach, is situated within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a truly diverse area. The Wetland Park may be the third largest of the South African parks but it actually contains the most species due to its amazing diversity and mixture of savannahs, wetlands, swamps and beaches. The area is home to the Zulu tribe - a people with a lively and colourful culture and volunteers will become involved in many projects with this exciting community - and their time here will be unforgettable.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to:
- Help to educate and place with small children, some of whom have lost their parents as a result of AIDS
- Help to raise awareness of how to prevent the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus in the local community
- Help to improve the living conditions, nutrition, equipment and vegetable gardens to help them become self sustaining
- Get involved in the local orphanage, teaching in after school clubs and refurbishment of classrooms into bedrooms to provide a place to stay
- Help to build, refurbish and paint schools and day care centres
- Become immersed in the local Zulu culture and perhaps learn some of the language
- Make friends for life
Volunteer Projects
Orphan Day Care
The communities in the St. Lucia area are badly affected by HIV/AIDS with up to 70% of the population in some communities infected by the virus, and as a result many children are orphaned. Most of these children live with their relatives or community members, but they are often left by themselves during the day as their carers need to work to support their families. Within the local village of Khula (10 minutes' drive from St Lucia) several day care centres and creches have been set up to provide these children with a meal, basic education and the care and attention that they often lack at home. Some days there are up to 80 children under 6 years old for the carers to look after, with very little resources.To keep these children off the streets, and to make sure they are well looked after and educated, there are day care centres and creches in the local village of Khula (10 minutes' drive from St Lucia). Some days there are up to 80 children under 6 years of age to look after with little in the way of resources.
Volunteers will help out at the day centres five mornings a week, helping to take care of the children teaching basic lessons to a class of under 6's. The role of the volunteers, in giving them the personal attention they so badly need, is essential to the development of these children in preparation for their transfer into primary school. This is a great opportunity to help many children in the community through developmental play and education. There are also opportunities to help with the babies and toddlers, playing and singing with them, helping them with basic skills and having fun. The care that can be provided by the volunteers is so valuable as with so many children to look after, the teachers do not have time for this one-to-one support that the children so badly need. Volunteers will be involved in the following:
- teaching the children basic lessons with different themes and subjects, with the aid of a translator
- developing their imagination and creative skills through crafts
- playing games and singing songs in both English and Zulu
- helping with hand washing before meals and feeding the children and babies
- helping to refurbish the day care centre buildings to improve the learning environment
During the school holidays volunteers will help to run a holiday club for children aged between 4 - 12 years of age. Here they have fun as well as learning about other countries and taking part in sports and educational activities - including a talent show.
HIV/AIDS Education
Within the local community many myths about HIV/AIDS still prevail. Many South Africans believe that the virus is the result of witchcraft, and people with the virus are often rejected by their own families and communities and often those affected do not admit to having the virus. Not many people know how to prevent infection, and fewer know how to deal with the virus once they have it. Volunteers will work together with the experienced Volunteer Co-ordinator to teach both adults and children about the virus. During the placement volunteers will visit schools and community centres to:
- help to explain simply what the virus is and how it affects the human body
- to help to educate the local population on how the virus is transmitted and how infection can be prevented
- to explain how medication, healthy food and lifestyle can prolong life for those with the virus
Ezwenalisha Orphanage Project
Volunteers assist with serving lunch and after school activities for about 40 orphans in this community as well as playing educational games and sports with these very energetic children.
Afternoon Community Projects
Ten Families Community Outreach Programme
This project was established in May 2009 with the aim of sustainably improving the quality of life for ten families in urgent need of help. This help takes many forms including providing food, education, property repairs, house building, farming, access to medical care and income generation. It is a fantastic project and is only possible with the help of volunteers who get a real insight into the lives of traditional Zulu families and the opportunity to forge bonds with each family.
Building and Refurbishment
Community buildings in the local villages tend to be run down, particularly in the more rural and remote areas. Volunteers will visit these buildings - which may be schools, day care centres, orphanages, community centres or just the home of someone in need - and help fix roofs and windows, paint walls, and help build new classrooms. The community greatly appreciate the presence and support of the volunteers and the work is highly rewarding.
Farming
To help to encourage a healthy lifestyle, volunteers will help the locals to create and maintain vegetable patches which will supply healthy food and encourage them to become more self-sufficient. These activities may include digging, weeding, fencing, planting and watering. This is a great way to make a lasting difference to this poor community.
Home Based Care
There may also be an opportunity to help the local carers to look after sick people in their own homes, providing basic medical care to those too sick to go to a clinic to get the treatment they need.
A typical day in the life of a volunteer
This is an example of a typical day in the life of a volunteer at St Lucia. However volunteers should be prepared for the daily programme to change at short notice to meet the needs of the project. Activities may vary depending upon the experience of the volunteers on the project.
| 7.00am |
Get up, eat breakfast and get ready to depart for the project |
| 8.30am |
Head off to the orphan day care centre |
| 9.00am |
Start work at the orphan day care centre, perhaps reading simple books with the children or teaching them English, or playing games and singing songs with them. There will be opportunities to assist the teachers using lesson plans drawn up the previous week. |
| 12.00pm |
Lunch break when volunteers are picked up from the orphan day care centre, and taken to the volunteer house, where lunch is waiting. |
| 1.30pm |
Start of the afternoon projects which may include visits to schools or community centres to teach people about HIV/AIDS, or farming, painting or refurbishment activities to help the local community |
| 4.30pm |
End of the working day when volunteers will be picked up from the project and taken back to the volunteer house. |
| 5.50pm |
Dinner at the volunteer house. Evenings are very sociable. Volunteers discuss their day's work with each other while having dinner together at the house. Then there is time to prepare the project activities for the following day or perhaps venture out to one of the local night spots. |
The number of volunteers at each project will approximately be 8.
South Africa
Why visit South Africa?
Every country in the world displays some diversity, but South Africa, stretching from the hippos in the Limpopo River to the penguins waddling on the Cape, takes some beating. There’s the deserted Kalahari, Namakwa’s springtime symphony of wildflowers, iconic Table Mountain and Cape Point, Africa’s biggest game reserve - Kruger National Park - boasting the most mammal species of any game reserve, and the magnificent peaks and plunging valleys of the escarpment of Drakensberg.
Cape Town is widely described as one of the world's most beautiful cities. Some of its more famous landmarks include Table Mountain, Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for decades), Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak, Kirstenbosch Gardens and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. A combination of historical coastal charm and urbane sophistication, Cape Town has some of the finest beaches and is also the gateway to the lush Cape Winelands, famous for world-renowned wines. From here, it is an easy journey to the Whale Route, where Southern Right whales can be seen (June - November) and humpback whales, Bryde's whales, Minke whales and bottlenose dolpins can be viewed year round.
The Garden Route is renowned for its beaches, indigenous forests, nature reserves, lakes, mountain ranges, adventure opportunities and hiking trails. Plettenberg Bay is a relaxed beach paradise with spectacular walks and hikes where one can watch dolphins and whales on eco-marine cruises. With some of the world's finest beaches, the Eastern Cape's untouched and pristine coastline also has a rich social, cultural and political history. Port Elizabeth is the gateway to the Eastern Cape, and the perfect complement to the Garden Route. Cape St Francis is situated on the Indian Ocean coastline, in and around Africa's largest man made web of canals and waterways, and is renowned for its long, sandy beaches, surfing, rock fishing and tranquil lifestyle.
Kruger National Park is the flagship of South Africa's game reserves, offering an unrivalled wildlife experience over two million-hectares. Private concessions operating within and alongside Kruger National Park feature luxurious, exclusive game lodges with many exciting safari activities. Some of these lodges are unfenced, allowing for the free movement of wildlife. Madikwe Game Reserve, in the North West province, is one of South Africa's largest private Big Five game reserves and features numerous lodges and camps. The Waterberg area in the northwest is also malaria-free and is aptly named for its strong streams that flow even in dry seasons, making for excellent game viewing. Both reserves are great for those seeking an accessible malaria-free wilderness experience.
Durban is a sub-tropical city and the gateway to KwaZulu-Natal. It offers a unique mix of Zulu, Indian and colonial cultures. Visit the Anglo-Zulu battlefields, take a fascinating glimpse into Zulu culture, hike in the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains, dive the reefs, marine and coastal reserves of Maputaland, as well as experience Big Five game reserves. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is renowned for saving the white rhino from the brink of extinction, and Phinda Private Game Reserve is well known for its award-winning lodges and conservation initiatives.
Johannesburg meaning "Place of Gold", is South Africa's economic powerhouse. This vibrant and cosmopolitan city is home to many attractions including the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, and also offers shopping from world-class to atmospheric curio markets. Known as the "Jacaranda City", the state capital of Pretoria features beautiful blossoming trees, significant old buildings and fascinating museums, including the Transvaal Museum, home of Mrs Ples, the australopithecine fossil found at the Cradle of Humankind.
Highlights of South Africa
- Breathtaking scenery, quaint coastal villages, cosmopolitan cities, wine routes and exclusive bush lodges.
- Exciting Big Five safaris in unspoilt wilderness areas.
- Malaria-free game viewing and sunshine all year round.
- See Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held in prison for 27 years.
- Go up Table Mountain by cable car for stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and beautiful Cape Town.
- Whale watching and great white shark cage diving.
- Beautiful, pristine beaches perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
- The Cradle of Humankind: Sterkfontein is one of the world's most productive and important palaeoanthropological sites.
Climate
For Johannesburg:
| Seasons | Max | Min |
| Summer (September - April) |
25 °C |
10 °C |
| Winter (May - August) |
19 °C |
4 °C |
| Rainfall: October to March, with November to January heaviest |
South Africa has typical seasons of weather for the southern hemisphere, with the coldest days in July-August. The Benguela Current, a cold motion that moves from the lower South Atlantic Ocean, causes moderate temperatures on the West Coast. On the central plateau, which includes Free State and Gauteng provinces, the altitude keeps the average temperatures below 30 °C.
In winter, also due to altitude, temperatures drop to freezing point, and in some places, even lower. Heavy snows have fallen recently for the first time in decades in Johannesburg. During winter, it is warmest in the coastal regions, especially on the Eastern Indian Ocean coast and Garden Route, where it has year round mild weather with occasional rain. As winter is cooler and drier, it is more suitable for hiking and outdoor pursuits, and is also a good time for game viewing as vegetation is less dense and thirsty animals congregate around rivers and other permanent water sources.
In summer, South Africa experiences the hottest temperatures and this is generally when most rain falls, October – March. However, there is one exception - the Western Cape, which is a winter-rain area that enjoys a Mediterranean climate (average 26°C).
Christmas to mid-January, and Easter are the height of the peak season for visitors.
Autumn (April/May) and Spring (mid-Sept to November) are ideal almost everywhere.
Key Facts
Population – 50 million
Capital – Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative)
Currency – Rand (ZAR)
Official Language(s) – Afrikaans, English (South African English), Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Time difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 27, international access code 00
My experience in South Africa was simply amazing. I arrived with another volunteer, and after a few hours spent recovering from our flight at the house (which is much more luxurious than you'd expect!) we were thrown straight into the project; given a quick tour of Khula Village and shown each of the projects that we would be working on over the next few weeks, and the next day we started teaching the kids at the daycare - like nothing I have ever experienced before! The kids are all just excited to be learning and playing with volunteers from all over the world, and the Zulu teachers and staff at the house were all friendly and welcoming. There is nothing I can say to describe the kids that would be adequate – they’re so outgoing and just happy that you're there - within my first few minutes on my first day I had at least 4 around me wanting to be held or highfived!
An element of the project which I found I enjoyed beyond my expectations was the HIV education - we taught a small group of adults a set course about HIV, which was run every Tuesday - Friday, and then repeated with different people weekly. The way that the schedule was worked out meant that I took part on this afternoon project the majority of the time, and in this way I really got to know much more about the situation (especially in this specific part of South Africa), and felt that this project made a huge impact on the community. Me and one other volunteer also took time out of daycare in the morning to go and teach a similar syllabus to teenagers in the local primary school - set up in a similar way, but much more fun and interactive! And just the test results at the end of the courses were simple proof of the positive impact that this project has on the area.
The other afternoon projects were equally as rewarding - whether we spent our time helping to build the new daycare centre for the children (which is looking brilliant now!!), painting the mural in the village's church, farming in either the HIV Support Garden or plot or working on the lesson plans for the next week of daycare. Whilst working on these projects we were often joined by people from the village who came to help; we met some great people from the area this way!
There was also a huge range of things to do in our freetime, which helped to contribute to an all-around African experience - whether it was just going into St Lucia for a night in a bar (which we did frequently), or in the daytime to do some haggling at the local craft market, or bigger things like all-day safaris (me and a few of the other volunteers did this as well as an overnight stay in a safari-park, which was absolutely stunning!). We also did whale-watching trips, tours of the estuary by boat in search for hippos and crocs (although a couple of the other volunteers saw hippos around the roads of St Lucia!), and even just walking around St Lucia, down to the beach and estuary, was well worth doing - we found an amazing art market, and by that I mean one man with his amazing paintings hanging on a washing line! I only went for a few weeks, but by the time I left I felt that I had found a second home in St Lucia - the place itself, and especially the people in Khula village, are just so friendly, and you get to know it all so quickly.
Jenny, UK aged 17 (St Lucia Orphan Care and Teaching Volunteer)
Amanzi Travel kept close contact with me before my departure, and answered all of my mum’s questions, as she became more nervous about my expedition.
Despite being told not to have favourites at the daycare centre, everyone does, and this really does help the child develop more. I became close to one boy who was considered a nuisance and always ran away during class, and didn’t seem to like talking to people, but by giving attention and help to him, I really felt an impact on how much he wanted to be with the group and listening in class. The afternoon projects were more obvious to see the impact, as people passed their HIV education tests, fences were built...
Thomas, UK, aged 17 (St Lucia Orphan Care and Teaching Volunteer)
At the orphanage...lived children from 10 to 14 years old who took care of themselves. They had no guardian or teacher to watch out for them. There were also younger children, from newborns to 9 year olds, that were cared for by substitute families that lived in poverty. Their homes had neither water nor electricity. They had to carry water from outside wells and water tanks every day so they could hydrate themselves, take showers, brush their teeth and clean their clothes. Most of them slept on the floor with a blanket; they ate with their hands. I was shocked because I took so many things in my life for granted and these children had literally nothing and still you could see so much happiness in their faces. They had nothing, but somehow had everything and enjoyed every minute, they saw their world with very different eyes than how we, the volunteers, saw it.
In the morning I taught at the preschool. Our afternoons were spent doing community service work. We painted school walls, we built a new school made of wood, we also planted a garden that would provide food for sick people that had HIV and were not in a condition to work or to buy food.
Once, we took boxes filled with donations to another school. They only had paper and pens. When we took out our things the teacher was so happy that tears came out of her eyes and the whole class started celebrating and couldn’t stop thanking us. We had brought books, colour markers and notebooks. I just wanted to cry, I couldn’t feel any happier for what I was doing.
How can something that is insignificant to many people, can be gold to others? This taught me the value of things. I learned that with small actions we can truly change someone’s world for the better. I also have learned that our world and our surroundings can be as beautiful and special, or as ugly as we choose to see them. It is just the colour of the glasses that we wear that will give us the colour of the world we see.
Finally, there is responsibility. Those kids taught me that being responsible is all about trust; it’s about caring so much about something you can’t leave it incomplete because you know someone is counting on you.
Adriana and Stephanie, Venezuela, aged 21 and 18 (St Lucia Orphan Care and Teaching Volunteer)