Program Photos

Nholwasi Community Project

Location: South Africa: Hoedspruit, Rural Areas

Program Duration: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks

Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Dates: year Round

African Conservation Experience

http://www.conservationafrica.net

Unit 1, Manor Farm Churchend Lane Charfield, Wotton-Under-Edge Gloucester, GL12 8LJ England

Call Us

Phone: +44 1454 269 182

Fax: +44 1454 269 182

Description

The word Nholwasi means "to build and work together", and this project provides the opportunity to do just that. Working in partnership with the Children's Eco Training organisation, the programme focuses on hands-on environmental education amongst the children of the Hoedspruit and Acornhoek areas. The purpose is to help them understand about the environment around them and learn how to conserve and sustain it, helping to provide a future for conservation in southern Africa and enrich the lives of the children. This is a truly rewarding experience.

The children are eager to learn and gain knowledge to provide a brighter future for themselves and their families, which is only possible when the schools have safe drinking water, good sanitation, catering and furniture for the children. Volunteers directly help to improve the surroundings of the children by helping with the maintenance of the school and vegetable garden. Volunteers are integrated into the team running the course, assisting with all duties from food preparation to reading and learning sessions. They have an important part to play in assisting Children's Eco Training to reach specific goals.

The project is based in the Acorn Hoek community, near Kruger National Park, with species such as rhino, giraffe, buffalo and the occasional leopard as neighbours. During South African school holidays volunteers help to run the bush based learning camps in the beautiful Klaserie Game Reserve. Here, technical skills, awareness and literacy are taught in a fun and engaging way using the natural environment. Children learn to put into practice what they have learnt and to propagate principles beyond the Klaserie boundaries.
 
Always guided by a professional and experienced partner, Children's Eco Training, you can ensure your placement has a positive impact on the community, while you have a very rewarding experience. 

Highlights

A Typical Day on the Project.

6am: Wake up!
7am: Breakfast
8am: Travel to the local school and community where you are based. You and members of CET will then tackle the tasks for the day, such as refurbishing and renewing furniture for the classrooms, maintenance and management of a food garden and special designated projects
1pm: Lunch, during which the school day ends for the children. A game of football is often played during the lunch period where many volunteers get roped into the activities!
2.30 - 4.30pm: Continue working with CET on projects at the school or move to another school or community to begin a new project.

Travel back to reserve accommodation to join students from Game Capture and Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience for the evening and share experiences around a camp fire.

Travel Types
  • Volunteering
  • Ecology
Qualifications

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

Languages
  • English

Cost in US$:

from 2,790 for 2 weeks

Cost Include Description:

Costs cover the whole placement and volunteers will need only about USD 50 a week spending money.

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types
  • Childcare/children
  • Community Development
  • Culture
  • Education
  • Orphans
  • Primary Education
  • Secondary Education
  • Social Services, Social Work
  • Teaching
  • Volunteering
  • Youth
  • Youth Development
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 Participant. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements
  • Group living

Participants Travel to South Africa

Independently

Application Process Involves
  • Online Application plus Application Assessment
Typically The Application Process Time is
2 days
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

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