22/03/2011

New Gap Year Volunteer Projects In South Africa!

Sub Saharan Adventure have just opened up South Africa as a gap year volunteer destination. They are very excited to offer you gap year projects in ‘The Rainbow Nation’. Sub Saharan Adventure have 2 gap year projects based in townships in and around Port Elizabeth which is on South Africa’s south coast. Port Elizabeth is not only the home to the start of the ‘Garden Route’ but it was also one of the venues for the FIFA World Cup last summer.

Cheetah Rehabilitation Gap Year Project

Work on the Reserve is diverse, and therefore daily activities vary, but participants may be assured of a close and personal experience with the African Bush, and some of its wild life. Activities that participants are involved in may vary and not all activities are done during each volunteer’s stay.

Animal Rehabilitation

Cheetah release and breeding program, Walking of cheetah during their release program, Release and monitoring of other endemic animal species, Feeding, monitoring, and behavioural enrichment of any animals undergoing rehabilitation, Cleaning of camps, Assisting wildlife veterinarians, if the need arises, Daily monitoring of released species

Gap Year Conservation Management Volunteering

Erection of Fences and boma’s (holding encampments), Fence Patrols, Road Maintenance, and building, Control and removal of alien vegetation, Reserve clean–up, Game counts, and individual identification profiles for game, Erosion control, Monitoring of waterholes, Game capture, and game transportation, Game introduction, Identifying of mammals, birds, insects, reptiles and plant species, Filming & Photography

Other Gap Year Activities: Bush walks and game drives, “Sleep outs” in the Bush, under the African Skies (mainly in summer), Community work / Outreach Projects in the village of Steytlerville, Star-gazing, Tracking course

Township Care Centre In Port Elizabeth

Gap Year Volunteer Activities:
The centre offers the following help where volunteers can help out and support:

Primary School; appr. 140 kids in the ages of 5-12 years attend school here and need support with reading, writing, social skills, sports and individual attention.

- Nutrition unit; helps the people of Missionvale each day by providing them with a half loaf of bread and a scoop of nutritious soup powder making it possible for them to go home and provide a meal for their family. This service is available to anyone in need. The Nutrition Unit also distributes weekly food parcels to those families on the Care Centre adopted list.

- Eye Clinic: A volunteer optometrist visits the Care Centre once a week providing optical examinations and helping to provide the people with glasses when necessary. The Centre is always looking for old eye glasses that can be recycled for use here. Giving a person the ability to see again is an amazing gift.

- Crafter Unit:  The ladies of the Crafters Unit work very hard every day on a variety of projects including curtains, placemats, hand bags, aprons, pillows and more. These items are then sold at the Missionvale Care Centre as well as at Art in the Park the first Sunday of each month. As the women are taught the basics of sewing and become more adept at these skills they have an increased chance of becoming employed by businesses throughout the Port Elizabeth area.

- Child Support and Development; children who attend the school but also for those who do not, every day there is an offer of activities for them to stay of the streets and play safely. They get a meal, can get computer lessons, listen to stories, learn to play the drum or cultural dancing, play outside and play sports.

- Clothing warehouse; all donations of clothing are cleaned and sorted so anybody in need can get a parcel with fitting and clean clothes.

- Community gardens; residents of the area can plant and grow their own vegetables and fruits and donate part of the harvest to the soup kitchen.

Iziswe Township Gap Year Project Volunteer Activities

The gap year project consists of several programs, suitable to be combined or to adapt in order to fit your specific needs and to offer you a challenging and diverse experience. 

- Primary schools: Helping out at one of the two participating schools, offering IT lessons, organizing sport and/or game activities. (Age group: 6-12 yrs)

- Preschool: Helping out at a preschool caring for 20-30 children, giving individual care and assistance to children, organizing and playing games, exercise, going on walks, singing and dancing. (Age group: 4-6 yrs)

The children of Gqebera area are the main target group. They are members of the Xhosa (indigenous tribe and language). Communication can therefore be a challenge, especially with the very young, but fortunately English is also a commonly used language.

Many of the children have to deal directly or indirectly with HIV/AIDS. They are for example orphaned and are living with family members (e.g. grandparents) because their parents died of AIDS related diseases. The number of absentees at school is high due to a lack of guidance, family support and financial means. Volunteers are expected to guide and support these children through mentorship and social support.

There is, besides daily aid and assistance, also a need for financial support. Any possible gifts and donations provided by volunteers and their network of people are extremely appreciated. Instead of collecting goods and materials for donation, it is recommended to purchase and donate these on location.

More Information

You can contact Sub Saharan Adventure by sending enquiries to info@subsaharanadventure.com or visiting www.subsaharanadventure.com.


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