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City/State: Cape Town and suburbs |
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Country: SOUTH AFRICA
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| InterExchange |
161 Sixth Avenue
NY
UNITED STATES
10013
Phone: 011-212-924-0446
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Program description: |
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The Volunteer in South Africa program runs year-round with each placement lasting 9 weeks (1 week of orientation and 8 weeks at the project). Volunteers are placed in the fields of:
Environmental Development - From helping to redevelop and re-launch forgotten nature reserves to promoting and assisting in the preservation of archaeological excavation sites, there are a vast number of environmental development projects to be involved in.
Tourism - Another important area of development is that of tourism, for it is the lifeblood of some South African communities. It provides essential financial support for the construction of schools, hospitals and homes. Help build tourism, by lending a hand in the building of museums, restoration of old churches and town halls, and bringing tourism to rural villages and local communities.
Education - Volunteers are desperately needed to "roll up their sleeves" and interact with the children, assist in teaching basic English, coach sports or even help to create and maintain school gardens in and around Cape Town.
Social Welfare - There are many social projects and non-profit organizations that seek to re-address the damages of Apartheid and support the budding South African democracy. These organizations train community members to assume leadership roles and volunteers are now being placed within these projects. Many hospitals and clinics are also desperate for the help of volunteers in centers around Cape Town.
You have a choice in the kind of project you would like to volunteer in, but our goal will be to match you with the project that will most benefit from your particular skills and interests. Depending on your placement, you will work 35-40 hours per week. Time off will vary from project to project, but generally 2 days off are given per week. Also depending on the project, there may be interesting side trips to nearby towns for provisions and sight-seeing.
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General program information: |
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Program open to: American, Canadian
Age range: 18-30
Travel to site: Group Travel
Is opportunity more independant or group orientated: Varies
Living arrangements on the program: Group living, Home stays (living with local families)
How long does the program last?: 1-3 Months
What are the dates of this program: 9-weeks between January-November - choose from pre-set arrival dates.
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Benefits and advantages of the program: |
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Processing of your application and pre-departure assistance.
2 months of travel insurance (additional months are available for a low monthly fee).
Pre-placement in a project for 8 weeks.
A comprehensive 7-day orientation upon your arrival in Cape Town, which includes 5 different tours and a thorough briefing on travel safety, medical issues and how to prepare for living and volunteering in South Africa.
Accommodation at a hostel in Cape Town during the 7-day orientation and for one night at the end of the placement (meals are not included).
Airport transfer to and from the hostel (Cape Town International Airport).
Daily pickups from the hostel for day tours.
Meals and accommodation with a carefully screened host family during the placement.
Transportation to and from your project site.
Full support from our South African partner office for the duration of your placement. This includes mail holding and message-taking services, travel advice on how best to explore the rest of South Africa after the completion of your project, as well as access to a drop-in resource room with computer facilities, notice boards and helpful staff (not included: the cost of airfare to/from South Africa, local transportation and personal expenses throughout their stay. We recommend a budget of approximately US$250.00 per month).
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Cost or price of this program: |
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Program Fee: $1,650
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Typical person for this program: |
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An open-minded, hardworking young person dedicated to helping rebuild a post-Apartheid South Africa with a personal approach.
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Qualifications required: |
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Between the ages of 18 and 30
At least a high school diploma
In good health
Independent, flexible, open-minded and enjoy hard work
Ability to live and work in rural communities where conditions are likely to be basic
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of your placement. U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need entry visas for stays of up to 3 months. On the customs form that you receive on the flight, be sure to indicate that you are visiting the country as a tourist and that you do not intend to seek employment in South Africa.
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Application process Involves: |
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Completing Working Abroad Preliminary Application (on our website). Upon acceptance of preliminary application, we will send you a program-specific application with details on submitting supporting documents and fees. The deadline for the full application is 3 months prior to your desired start date.
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