Description

*East Chintsa*

Teach/Tutor/Mentorship
Support children and their families with physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and mental needs. Volunteer activities include working with local crèches (community centers for poor and disadvantaged children aged 2-6 years old) or at six local public schools teaching computer literacy and sports, improving environmental and aesthetic conditions, garden-ing and environmental education.

The main objective of the computer literacy program is to equalize education standards in rural and urban schools by improving computer literacy and preparing students to enter a demanding technological world. Through sports education, our volunteers also have an opportunity to guide students in developing discipline, teamwork, healthy lifestyle, and sports etiquette. The projects environmental service includes marine and coastal education, water sanitation, and playground development. Volunteers may also choose to focus more on English teaching and work exclusively with preschool children.
Volunteers live in shared accommodation (two or three to a room), with meals included, in beauti-ful volunteer houses overlooking a beach and lagoon. Canoes and boogie boards are available, and the monkeys tend to visit daily. Breakfasts consist of buffet-wtyle fresh fruit, cereals, tea and cof-fee. Lunch is usually a self-made sandwich and fruit. Dinners are home-cooked, sit-down meals. Minimum 2 weeks (USD1580) + extra week (USD405); Maximum: 3 months.

Wildlife Project
Work on over 10,000 hectares of conservation area, and explore diverse wildlife and plantlife in inland, coastal, and marine environments. Volunteers will work with local and expert conservationists to tag, do further research, and preserve the wildlife of the area. Work includes tracking and researching the wildlife; and feeding, cleaning, grooming any injured or orphaned animals. Beach and op-tional recreational activities entertain the volunteers during the weekend. Volunteers live in spacious permanent tents that sleep up to five and have private decks. There is also a stone and canvas communal entertainment and lounge tent. Three meals a day are provided, with occasional packed lunches for fieldwork. Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 40, as the work is often physical and can involve long days. Minimum 1 week (USD1480) + extra week (USD475); Maxi-mum: 3 months.

*Cape Town*

Wildlife Conservation
Participate in wildlife conservation projects to help preserve natural habitats of the local area. Pro-jects include Great White Shark research. Get hands-on experience supporting staff and research-ers trying to preserve the Great White Shark population. Includes airport pickup and transfer to Gansbaai with daily breakfasts & lunches. Accommodation and Minimum 1 week (USD1500) + extra week (USD795); Maximum: 3 weeks

Teaching/Social Welfare Development
Work in facilities that help the poor communities of an area. Provide support to orphans and/or at-risk children to learn values and life skills to become self-sufficient and obtain a higher level of education. Sample project: coaching soccer for high-risk youth; tutoring children and serving as mentors at the centers. Includes airport pickup on Thursday and 3 day orientation. Orientation consists of daily breakfasts & lunches, Cape Peninsula tour; volunteer social events. Service pro-jects start on Monday. Minimum 1 week (USD1250) + extra week (USD445); Maximum: 3 months

Health/Medicare
Work in a welfare hospital for children recovering from critical illness. Background in computers, healthcare, and physical motor coordination considered a plus. Includes airport pickup on Thurs-day and 3 day orientation. Orientation consists of daily breakfasts & lunches, Cape Peninsula tour; volunteer social events. Service projects start on Monday. Minimum 1 week (USD1250) + extra week (USD445); Maximum: 3 months
Eco/Environmental Conservation Work on an organic farm to help support at-need communities sustain themselves agriculturally and economically. Includes airport pickup on Thursday and 3 day orientation. Orientation consists of daily breakfasts & lunches, Cape Peninsula tour; volunteer social events. Service projects start on Monday. Minimum 1 week (USD1250) + extra week (USD445); Maximum: 3 months

Highlights

Volunteer in South Africa Offers:
* Unforgettable first-hand experience helping and im-proving at-need communities
* An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
* An opportunity to participate in and learn local cultural activities (e.g.: sports, music, cooking)
* Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about
* The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
* A valuable volunteer experience that strengthens your resume, exhibiting your diligence, independence, and intercultural experiences
* A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills

Cultural Embrace Includes:

* Guaranteed Volunteer Placement Prior to Departure
Cultural Embrace pre-arranges your volunteer project before you leave home to ensure an easy and hassle-free transition into your new life abroad
* Accommodation and Meals
Cultural Embrace pre-arranges and includes basic accommodation in lodges, thatched log cab-ins, bamboo huts, camp sites, apartments, backpacker hostels, or homestays, depending on the volunteer project. Two meals per day are provided at the minimum, and more depending on project.
* Visa Assistance
Please contact the South African Embassy or Consulate in your country to check details, or ask your CE coordinator. Please note that any visa fees are the responsibility of the applicant. And, while we can assist you during the process, ultimately it is your responsibility to ensure that you have obtained the appropriate visa for your work experience. Cultural Embrace has no control over the visa process and cannot guarantee that your visa application will be accepted.
* Arrival Assistance and Orientation
For most volunteer placements, airport pick-up will be included. In those instances where it is not, Cultural Embrace will provide you with detailed public transportation directions, or optional private airport pick-up is available for additional fees. Introduction to the area and the project overview by facilitating team will be provided upon arrival.
* International Travelers Insurance with Basic Major Medical Coverage
Our policy provides basic medical coverage. Additional policies and premium plans are avail-able at extra cost.
* Cultural Embrace Culture Kit
Before your departure, we will send you a cultural kit that is filled with useful tips, advice, information, and your insurance card to prepare you for your amazing adventure of living and vol-unteering abroad.
* Full-time Representation
Cultural Embrace provides English-speaking representation in the United States and South Africa prior to, during, and after your placement.

Qualifications

You must be at least 18 years of age, unless you have parental consent. Enjoy providing a service and working with others. Capable to live and work in basic and sparse conditions. Foreign language helpful but not required.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Varies by location.

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Group living
• Other
• Guest House

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Phone/Video Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 weeks-1 year

Cultural Embrace's Mission Statement

Our mission is to encourage people to recognize and appreciate cultural diversity. We believe that visiting a place firsthand allows one to truly experience the authenticity of a culture and develop his/her own impressions. Our goals are to provide quality service and opportunities for people to explore their world and enlighten their eyes, mind and heart. Traveling is a reciprocated flow of communication and interaction between people...the more you seek, the more you learn. "Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences"