Description

Masigcine Children's Home offers a place of safety to abandoned and orphaned children in the Mfuleni township area near Cape Town.

As a Masigcine volunteer, your time will mainly be spent with young children and babies (one month to 6 years). During the day you will take part in various activities assisting the caregivers with their daily tasks such as:

* Preparing feed bottles and cooking meals
* Feeding babies and toddlers
* Changing nappies (gloves are provided if required), helping with potty training and taking children to the bathroom.
* Helping the children with teeth brushing, getting ready for school, and bath time.
* Providing structured play for the children.
* Washing up, hanging out the laundry, and changing bed linen.

The children are referred to the Children's Home because of desertion, abandonment as well as gross neglect due to a lack of parenting skills. Other reasons include mothers that are too young; the child may come from parents who have passed away as a result of HIV/AIDS and other related illnesses. Some of the children who are admitted are still babies and because of complications and deficiencies during pregnancy, which are a result of alcohol fetal syndrome; HIV/AIDS; malnutrition etc. they may require special care.

This is an especially rewarding project for emotionally mature volunteers, who will be able to see the positive difference their contribution has made to the lives of some very special young children.

Highlights

Volunteer Testimonial:

Amanda Watchorn - 20 from Canada
"I went to South Africa to make a difference, to change someone's life, and I hope that I did. But what I didn't expect is how much my life would change as well. Volunteering at Masigcine Children's Home was the most rewarding and most impacting experience of my life, and AVIVA made it all possible."

Qualifications

No qualifications or previous experience is required as all training will be provided.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

From USD 245 per week

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country

Program Fees Include:

Your Masigcine Children's Home Project includes:

* Cape Town Airport collection and drop-off.
* A comprehensive welcome brief from a member of the AVIVA team.
* Accommodation at AVIVA House (in Table View, Cape Town).
* Self-service breakfasts for the duration of your stay.
* Transfers between AVIVA House and Masigcine Children's Home.
* A donation to Masigcine Children's Home (payable by AVIVA).
* Advice and support from our experienced team during your stay.
* Our booking service for attractions, events and tours.
* An attractive certificate recognizing your contribution to the Masigcine Children's Home Project.

If required, extra nights can be added to your stay to meet your flight dates for only R130 per night. This may help you to take advantage of any cheaper flights that arrive in Cape Town before your planned arrival date.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Volunteering is for everyone - Although more than 70% of our volunteers are females aged between 16-25 years old, we have hosted volunteers of all ages (16 - 72 years), backgrounds and nationalities. These include students, career gappers, retirees, doctors, nurses, policewomen, teachers, social workers, vets, pilots, lawyers and just about any career or profession you can imagine.

Age Range

18+ on arrival

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Dormitory

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 3 to 5

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 working day

AVIVA - Volunteering in South Africa's Mission Statement

AVIVA offers international volunteers the chance to make a vital contribution to underprivileged children and endangered wildlife while having a hands-on, life changing experience in South Africa.

Year Founded

2002