volunteer africa mozambique community development project

Volunteer project mozambique teaching and community development project Gap year career break

MOZAMBIQUE TEACHING AND AIDS AWARENESS PROJECT
VILANCULOS, MOZAMBIQUE

The coastal town of Vilanculos is the centre for this project which provides a fascinating insight into the lives of the people in this beautiful area of Mozambique. Volunteers become involved in many of the initiatives being developed in this community including teaching at the pre-school learning centre, orphan care, HIV/AIDS education and community work, rural home building and soccer coaching projects. There is something on offer for everyone!

Location:

VILANCULOS, MOZAMBIQUE

Dates:

This project is open from 1 March - 30 November each year and volunteers can arrive at any time.

Fees:

£795 - 2 weeks

£1,195 - 4 weeks

£1,565 - 6 weeks

£1,975 - 8 weeks

£2,355 - 10 weeks

£2,775 - 12 weeks

Payment:

£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure

Reference:

AV010

Highlights

The project is right on the beach!
The Bazarutu Archipelago is so close that you can make a day trip of it.
The project is very rustic and rural...so you experience the real Mozambique
Just 25 minutes walk from the town.
Teaching in a rural pre-school through songs, games and crafts
Conducting HIV workshops in the the secondaty schools of Vilanculos
Possibly working in partnership with CARE International through community testing and awareness days
Local orphanage involvement and youth development
Helping to build traditional houses for disadvantaged and disabled villagers - destroyed by Cyclone Favio
Learning the basics of the local language
Option to coach a local youth soccer team
Make friends for life with the other international volunteers on the programme

General Information

Volunteers to Mozambique have the opportunity to get involved in primarily Pre-School Teaching and HIV/AIDS Awareness Projects. Volunteers to the project will spend most of the morning teaching and caring for children in the local pre-school. During the afternoons the focus will be either on HIV/AIDS education workshops in local secondary schools, or continue to focus on the English/adult literacy lessons. Already the project has achieved building a full new classroom, a large vegetable garden, an kitchen, a toilet facility and a new shady veranda for the children's eating area. The minimum age for volunteers to this project is 18.

Rural Pre-School Learning Centre

All volunteers will visit the pre-school each morning and will assist with teaching the children in creative ways. The children are taught in both English and Portuguese through interactive learning methods such as games, song and dance. Volunteers will teach in small groups of about 8 children or on a one-to-one basis with children who have learning difficulties or who require extra attention. The local government does not support early learning for these young children and volunteers will bring their creative talents and ideas to the classroom.

Activities might include:

Singing and dancing with the children in both English and local languages
Developing the children’s creative skills through crafts such as painting, drawing and colouring
Playing games and conducting structured physical educations classes with the children who often don't have the opportunity do so at home
Teaching basic lessons about colours, numbers, letters and knowledge of the world in English with a translator for assistance
General upkeep of the school to keep it a pleasant environment in which to learn
Some basic work at the pre-school farm, aimed at providing a source of sustainable income for the pre-school

School Terms in Vilanculos:

Term 1: 1 March 2010 - 16 April 2010         19 - 24 April 2010 - Holiday Club
Term 2: 3 May 2010 - 9 July 2010                26 July - 6 August 2010 - Holiday Club
Term 3: 26 July 2010 - 30 October 2010     2 - 30 November - Holiday Club

During Holiday Club volunteers will continue to go to the pre-school each morning - between 30 and 50 children will still turn up! Activities are based more on arts and crafts, is less structured than in term time and will include outings to the beach.

HIV Education Workshops

Volunteers are responsible for planning and leading HIV Education workshops in the secondary schools of Vilanculos. Each workshop includes four sessions spread over the course of two weeks to allow close relationships to be built up with the students. The workshops will use presentations, drama and art to convey information about the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. One in six people in Mozambique are HIV positive and prevention is the way forward in the fight against this dreadful disease. During the school holidays these projects stil run but in different locations with a different structure. Volunteers may be able to take part in the community-based testing and awareness day with CARE International providing on-site testing and counselling. These days are aimed at bringing testing and education out in the community. Volunteers are invloved in all aspects of these days, right from the planning of the presentation to the local marketing in anticipation of the event.

Community Projects

Orphan Care Work

Volunteers will visit the local orphanage that is home to twenty-two children once a week. The orphanage is also the site of the once monthly cultural immersion days (local cooking, singing and dancing) During thier time there volunteers will help the children through learn througha variety of means:

English and Portuguese lessons with the children using visual aids and the help of a translator
Playing with the children helping them to learn new games and playing with toys to which they would not normally have access
Constructive sports games such as football and frisbee
Giving the orphans the one on one care and attention that these enthusiastic children so deserve

Rural Home-Building

Cyclone Favio hit the Mozambican coast in February 2007 and devastated much of the local area. Through local contacts volunteers at the project have continued with rural home-building for those who do not have the means to build for themselves (monetarily or physically) Volunteers work in close conjunction with community leaders to assess the most critical housing needs and then act accordingly. Volunteers will learn how to rebuild rural homes for the elderly, sick and disadvantaged - in the traditional Mozambican building style with the help of a local builder. The project is currentl,y building one home every 2-3 weeks; these are simple rustic structures typical of construction in the Inhambane Province. Although challenging, this is very rewarding work and gives a great insight into local rural life and the chance to meet and form working relationships with members of the community. Other projects may include building classrooms and much-needed sanitary facilities within the community. Its a great way to get to know the people of Vinaculos.

Language Club

Saturday mornings are spent at the language club, an informal learning group open to the community just up the hill from the volunteer camp. The students that attend include young children, young women, and adults, all of whom perhaps have missed out on other formal learning opportunities. The language club is an amazing opportunity for these individuals to pick up some English that can help them gain employment and therefore a more stable lifestyle. Volunteers will be involved in the following:

Play creative language learning games with the younger ones, such as bingo and pairs game to encourage fun learning.
Arts and crafts as a means of increasing vocabulary, with themes such as sea-life and the animal world.
More formal English lessons with advanced students, keen to further their education in their spare time.
Singing in English and Portuguese

English is being taught at the orphanage, to the teachers at the pre-school, the soccer boys and the wider community, as well as two sessions a week to students and adults who live just outside of Vilankulo town. Volunteers are responsible for making the interactive lesson plans, using flash cards, games and work sheets. Active participation from the students is encouraged and volunteers enjoy this exciting work as they are able to give these local people an opportunity to widen their horizons and communicate beyond their borders. If volunteers would like they can choose to work on a one-to-one basis with weaker students or those with learning difficulties.

Optional Activities

There are many optional activities that volunteers can take part in at an extra cost. Please note that these are approximately.

Open Water 3 day PADI Certified Scuba Diving Course which can be incorporated into the volunteer project - US$480
Full day Sailing Dhow Safari to BazarutoIslands - US$60 per day
Full day deep sea fishing excursions - US$300 for full day
Snorkeling excursions -US$60 per day
Horseback rides on the beach - US$40
Eating out at numerous restaurants and bars that can either give you a taste of Mozambique or of home

I feel much more content with my life and can't help smiling whenever I think of the many memories I have taken away. I enjoyed the experience so much that I'm trying to work out a way to come back as soon as possible ... I cant put into words everything that I have gained from this experience but it has affected every aspect of my life.
Claire, Age 29, UK

I didn't think that the whole experience would have such an influence on me. I know that the programme goals are to help people who need it and to try to make a difference, but at the end has changed me completely. Now I appreciate life in a different way and I know that having a lot of money and things that you can buy mean nothing compared to the emotions and sense of achievement that you get by helping others.
Teja, Age 31, Croatia

Project Age Range: This project is open to anyone aged 17 years and above

Support

Support and advice is available from the Project Managers whilst on the project and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support

Orientation

A comprehensive information pack will be sent to all volunteers upon booking their trip and further advice and information will be provided via telephone and email before departure. A full orientation will be provided on arrival at the project by the local support team including information on the current status of the projects and familiarising you with the local surroundings.

Accommodation and Meals

Volunteers will be accommodated in rustic but comfortable thatched beach bungalows each with 2 bedrooms and en-suite bathroom with toilet and shower. The bungalows also have a kitchen amd lounge/dining area, garden, BBQ area and pool with deck. Volunteer co-ordinators are resident on site and able to help volunteers at all times. It is felt that volunteers living and working closely together with the volunteer co-ordinators is the best way to ensure that volunteers are safe and feel supported. For this reason volunteers are expected to stay only in the accommodation provided for them and are not allowed to spend nights away in the town or nearby villages unless they are on pre-arranged sightseeing excursions.

Three meals a day are provided. Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereals/porridge, toast, fruit, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals, and will be cooked for you by our volunteer cook at the volunteer base. At weekends lunch may be on a help-yourself basis as many volunteers spend this time away from camp exploring the town or taking part in other activities. The food provided is simple, but plentiful and nutritious, any dietary requirements must be advised before arrival,

Getting There

Fly directly into Vilanculos Airport where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation. (There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport - for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)

Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you

Fees

What is included

A contribution to the projects themselves eg teaching materials, sports equipment, supplies, etc
Transfer from Vilanculos Airport to the volunteer accommodation and daily transport to and from the projects
Orientation and introduction to the project
"On-the-job" educational activities and support from volunteer co-ordinator and local staff
All accommodation including 3 meals a day
A monthly cultural day giving an insight into the traditions of the area including food, dancing and singing