Description

Gap Year South Africa provides training for our volunteers to empower peer educators within our partner under resourced schools in raising awareness about the environment and pollution risks while motivating behavioural change amongst young people in South Africa.

Our communities are typically under-funded and under-resourced, our volunteers, and our resources, are always very much appreciated. Our projects assist in social and economic development and address priority areas such as moral regeneration and social cohesion by our volunteers engaging with the local community and providing essential life skills through raising Environmental awareness.

Our environmental projects are aimed primarily at previously disadvantaged groups, communities and individuals with a strong developmental approach. The intended beneficiaries of our environmental awareness projects are young people who have not been afforded the opportunity to learn about the importance of a safe and clean environment.

During your environmental awareness project you will communicate information for underprivileged young people in a number of our under-resourced partner schools in local communities. Through your role, you will empower peer educators within our partner under resourced schools and your energetic presence will add immense value to the future wellbeing of underprivileged young people. Your training will provide you with an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the key environmental issues surrounding us daily.

Highlights

* Project Flexibility
In addition to your Environmental Awareness Project you will have the choice of including a HIV/AIDS & Health Awareness Project, a teaching and/or sports coaching experience in your project.

* Donation of Educational Resources
A portion of your funding contributes towards educational resources, various teaching aides and the renovation of classrooms. Our under-resourced partner schools certainly do welcome any additional contributions or resources.

* Location
You will be based in the South African coastal city of Cape Town, also often referred to as the Mother City. Cape Town is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The impressive presence of the world renowned Table Mountain stands proudly above the city of Cape Town. Beautiful white sandy beaches along a peaceful coastline frame the Cape Peninsula, which is famed for its unique floral kingdom, bountiful rivers, vleis and dams and magnificent countryside. The surrounding area extends far into the winelands, green in summer and red-gold in autumn. Cape Town is a city of culture, built on a history that reflects in the architecture, cuisine, music and dance. Together with a warm summer and temperate winter climate and a friendly community, Cape Town is an ideal Gap Year destination throughout the year. Situated 10 hours from the majority of gap year world traveller destinations, Gap Year South Africa is an ideal stop on your global adventure travel.

* Accommodation, Food and Transport
You are personally hosted by the Team of Gap Year South Africa in our comfortable accommodation for all our volunteers. The volunteer house is a very safe and friendly environment within Port Elizabeth and is located a short distance from all the golden beaches and the warm Indian Ocean. The house is nearby to a wide range of amenities for all your additional needs.

Volunteers receive three balanced meals each weekday prepared by our local chefs. The food prepared is very similar to that of which you enjoy in your home country. However volunteers will also have an opportunity to experience some local dishes. On arrival you will be welcomed by our Gap Year South Africa Team and be transferred from the airport to the volunteer house. All transport to and from the projects is provided as well as a selection of the volunteer group excursions.

* Travel and Adventure
The volunteer group excursions are selected from a wide variety of exciting activities based in Cape Town. Volunteer group excursions are selected in advance by the Gap Year South Africa team and are subject to change. The volunteer group excursions are selected from a host of exciting activities such as:

- Explore Cape Point where the cold Benguela and warm Agulhus currents merge
- Venture up Cape Town's magnificent Table Mountain via Cable Car
- Spend a day exploring all the attractions at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
- Visit the magnificent two oceans aquarium
- Snorkel or freedive with Cape fur seals in the exquisite oceans of Cape Town
- Enjoy learning to surf or surfing the waves of Cape Town

The table below indicates the number of group excursions selected from a wide variety of exciting activities that are included as part of your project fee.

Project Duration Number of group excursions included in your project fee:
- 3 Weeks One group excursion included as part of your project fee
- 5 Weeks Two group excursions included as part of your project fee
- 3 Months Four group excursions included as part of your project fee
- 5 Months Six group excursions included as part of your project fee

Volunteers will have free time on weekends to explore all Cape Town has to offer. Our team will inform you of all the amazing attractions available to you in and around Cape Town. If volunteers choose to experience any additional excursions above those stipulated as group excursions, these excursions will be at the volunteers own cost. Types of additional excursions available to volunteers include:

- Journey on a Township Tour into a vibrant world of colour
- Shark Cage Diving with Great White Sharks
- Scuba dive at the Two Oceans Aquarium
- Abseiling down Table Mountain
- Specialised guided wine region tours
- Robben Island Museum Tour
- Penguin Sea Kayak Trail Simon's Town
- Tandem skydive
- Visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
- Hike up Table Mountain and cable car down
- View the magnificent penguins at Boulders
- Explore the World of Birds wildlife sanctuary and monkey park
- View the African Big Five on a one day safari tour

Travel Types

• Native Culture Studies
• Scuba
• Sports
• Surfing
• Volunteering

Qualifications

It is not a prerequisite for our project volunteers to have qualifications, specialist skills or work experience but a passion to promote a safe and clean environment through knowledge transfer and behavioural change.

Gap Year South Africa will ensure that you are equipped with all the required skills to promote and deliver the Environmental awareness project. You will discover existing skills as well as acquiring many new and valuable skills.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 3,900 (3 months) USD 2,100 (5 weeks)

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Prior to your departure:
- Expert advice on selecting your most suitable project
- Travel assistance from our specialist Partners
- Valuable ideas and assistance for your fundraising campaign
- An open line of communication to our friendly and informative team
- Your Gap Year South Africa Polo Shirt
- Invitation to our UK training day
- Our informative Project Pack including all relevant contact details

During your project in South Africa:
- On arrival in Port Elizabeth you will be welcomed by our South African Team
- Transfer from the airport to the volunteer house
- All meals prepared by our local chefs
- Accommodation in the volunteer house in Port Elizabeth
- 24/7 assistance from our Gap Year South Africa Team
- Project induction and training prior to the commencement of your project
- Management of your project delivery
- All Transport to and from your project
- A selection of exciting volunteer group excursions and social events
- 24/7 emergency support from our UK Team
- A portion of your funding donated to your projects local community
- A chance to play sports for clubs in South Africa
- An opportunity to learn to surf, gain certificates in Scuba Diving and surf-lifesaving (Terms and Conditions apply)
- Experience a new and vibrant culture

On completion of your project:
- Entry into the Ubuntu fellowship our alumni (Ubuntu - an African word, meaning humanity to others or I am what I am because of who we all are)
- Entertaining get-togethers and reunions in the UK
- Our past volunteers are welcome to ask for a reference
- The option to continue to support the community in which you volunteered through our Partner Foundation

What is not included in your chosen project?
- Flights
- Visas (if applicable)
- Travel Insurance
- Vaccinations
- Spending money
- Additional excursions and travel

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

We seek a passionate and energetic individual with an enthusiasm for an adventure of a lifetime. If you are a post-school or post-university gap year student, a university undergraduate or postgraduate, or a career breaker, our projects are ideally suited for you. It is not a prerequisite for you to have qualifications, specialist skills or work experience but a passion to promote a safer and cleaner environment through knowledge transfer and behavioral change.

Age Range

17 upwards

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of between 15 and 40

Application Process Involves

• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Gap Year South Africa's Mission Statement

Our aim is to assist in social and economic development and address priority areas such as moral regeneration and social cohesion by our volunteers engaging with the local community and providing essential life skills through teaching and sports coaching.

Year Founded

2007