REAL AFRICA ENCOUNTER

As a childcare volunteer in Ghana, you will make a vital and important contribution to the daily lives of the Kumasi children. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs provide international volunteers with a platform to brighten up the lives of young children. You will work alongside local staff as you provide care and attention to disadvantaged children. Above all, you will be assisting with the general childcare and daily project operations when you volunteer with children in Ghana.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM

Like so many developing nations, Ghana has a large number of children who find themselves in government care. Not all children in childcare homes have lost their parents. Some arrive from abusive homes and others are taken into care as their parents cannot afford to look after them. The children’s home is basic, under-resourced and in need of volunteer’s assistance.

 

The children will have their food and accommodation provided for them. However, with limited staff resources, it is the individual attention that the local children crave so much. Providing children with essential skills in life will help them on their way to successful futures. Such futures that will be free from poverty and filled with positive opportunity. As a volunteer, you will become a big brother or sister to the children.

 

Volunteer opportunities in Ghana provided by PMGY will provide you with a platform to make a positive impact. When working at our childcare volunteer projects in Ghana, it is important to maintain energy, enthusiasm and creativity. For the reason that many of these children will be seeking the care and attention that you as a childcare volunteer in Ghana can bring. To volunteer with children in Ghana, you will need to donate your time and skills effectively. This is to ensure you can maximise your impact on the local people.

 

CHILDCARE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

Pinnacle Nursery and Kindergarten – Located in central Kumasi, Pinnacle Nursery and Kindergarten supports early years education for around 100 children. The children age from 1 to 6 years whereby the goal of the project is to provide tuition-free quality basic education for children.

 

At the project, there are opportunities for volunteers to support at either the creche, nursery, kindergarten or primary school. All of which are located on the same site. As a volunteer in Ghana, you are encouraged to get involved with as many day-to-day activities as you can. For the reason that supporting a project hosting 100 children on a daily basis is no easy feat. This includes daily care and interaction with the children and spending time in the playground area. Additionally, helping to teach younger children how to read and write.

 

There is also the opportunity to assist in other activities for the preschool-aged children at Pinnacle Nursery and Kindergarten. For example, drawing and colouring activities, singing songs and dance assemblies and supporting with any chores. The local staff are also very grateful for the additional support that can be offered and the extra care which can be provided for the children. Maintaining a positive and proactive attitude will help you build good relationships with both the children and the local staff.

 

New Life Children’s Centre – Started in 1988 by the Late Mother Theresa, New Life Children’s provides childcare for local children. Please note the project is home to local children and young adults both with and without disabilities.

 

PMGY volunteers at New Life Children’s Centre will often work with a range of babies. Most noteworthy, this will range from babies aged a couple of months to a couple of years. Volunteers aid the staff with tasks such as washing, feeding at mealtimes and helping during playtime. Likewise, as you complete volunteer work in Ghana, further tasks will include helping with chores including mopping floors and washing clothes.

 

This role is perfect for someone with a big heart. Even more to someone who has a desire to do something meaningful with their time abroad. Working in a children’s centre will require heaps of patience and a real sense of self-direction. Your level of impact is based on your willingness and pro-activeness to get involved and make the most of your time. Experience of working with children is not necessary but it does help.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL CHILDCARE DAY

Volunteers are required to support and assist with the daily care, interaction and learning of the children. Maximise your free time at the Volunteer House preparing activities accordingly. In general, you will volunteer at the project Monday-Friday for around 3-5 hours every day. The typical volunteer working hours are usually from 7am-1pm.

 

Transport to and from the childcare project is not included in your Program Fee. Consequently, volunteers in Ghana will usually split the cost of a taxi. Our local team will show you how to get to and from your volunteer project location during the orientation period.

 

Most noteworthy, heavy traffic and poor road infrastructure can be commonplace within Kumasi. Subsequently, the journey to the volunteer project can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour upwards from the Volunteer House.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN GHANA

Project Flexibility – As for all our volunteer in Ghana programs, it is possible to combine multiple projects. First of all, please apply for the main program start date you’d like to partake in. Secondly, then outline in your online application the details of the other projects you’d like to do. Our local team will finalise the details of your placements during your in-country orientation.

 

New Life Children’s Centre provides care for children with and without disabilities. Therefore, childcare volunteers usually have the flexibility and opportunity to work across both of these projects.

 

Cultural Differences – It is very important that volunteers join this program with an open mind and understanding of cultural differences. Children’s rights and the methods of discipline used often greatly differ from what is the norm in the west.

 

Although mistreatment of children is never condoned volunteers should be aware that physical discipline does happen in Ghana. This can be quite shocking, but it is important to remember that physical discipline is commonplace throughout Ghana.

 

Therefore, it is best for volunteers to be open-minded on arrival and come with limited expectations. You are there to help and make a difference in the local communities. However, this must be done in a framework where there are rules to follow and cultures to abide by.

 

Our local team will brief you on these issues during your in-country orientation. As a result, you will be fully prepared for your placement. If you see something that you believe is not right, then please do approach our local team. As a result of doing this, the team can then aim to resolve or give clarity on the issue.

 

Resources – On the childcare project in Ghana, resources can be very limited. Volunteers are recommended to bring materials to the project each day to maximise their productivity and day to day involvement. It is therefore important for volunteers to prepare well in advance to get the most out of their childcare volunteering experience in Ghana.

 

Placement Settings – PMGY does not provide volunteer opportunities in orphanages in any of our locations. Research and studies have shown that visiting and volunteering in orphanages has the potential to generate an industry that separates children from their families. In turn, putting children at increased risk of neglect and abuse. Therefore, we do not support these institutions with our volunteer network.

 

Instead, we focus on offering alternative childcare volunteer opportunities whereby children come to and from the placement setting each day. In other words, our local teams collaborate with childcare projects which do not offer any form of residential care. These are safe, responsible, and vetted projects, where participants continue to provide valued assistance supporting local staff.

 

Weekends – Your project work in Ghana runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Ghana Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend. We also run two separate weekend trips which you can sign-up to before you depart for Ghana. We offer the Cape Coast & Busua Surf Trip along with the Mole National Park Trip with opportunities running every month.

As a volunteer teaching English in Ghana, you will provide additional support to schools in Kumasi. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs will see you help young children in Ghana. Play a vital role in developing the English skills that will help improve their future job prospects. Demonstrate your passion, energy and enthusiasm for learning within a new culture. Teaching other subjects such as Science, Maths and Art represent further volunteer opportunities as you teach English in Ghana.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE TEACHING PROGRAM

Ghana is a multilingual country in which about eighty languages are spoken. Many of these languages are local dialects only spoken within local communities. Officially, English is the official language of Ghana. The language was inherited from the colonial era. However, with many indigenous languages, English is not frequently known or spoken within local communities.

 

Conversing with fluent, native English speakers greatly improves local peoples language skills, essential for future employment. Education is a priority for the Ghanaian government. Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education was implemented in Ghana between 1996-2005. As a result, many poorer families are now able to send their children to school.

 

However, severe classroom overcrowding, lack of educational materials and overall weak infrastructure are common problems. Because of this, the Ghanaian educational system can be very fragile. Nevertheless, you’ll still find the children extremely excited to see you and eager to learn. Whilst resources are limited, if you are creative and determined then you can really make a difference.

 

Volunteer opportunities in Ghana provided by PMGY will provide you with a platform to make a positive impact when teaching English to the local community. For the reason that many of these children will be seeking to improve their English that you as a volunteer teaching English in Ghana can support. To teach English in Ghana, you will need to donate your time and skills effectively. This is to ensure you can maximise your impact on the local people.

 

The common teaching practises in Ghana are largely repetitive. Most noteworthy, this often results in the children memorising information without really understanding it. It is important to understand that discipline and teaching styles are quite different from those in the west. Furthermore, conditions are poor and classes are extremely overcrowded. This may be a culture shock for some.

 

As you teach English in Ghana, the majority of your time will be spent teaching the core subjects. However, there is always the opportunity to initiate extra-curricular activities such as sports. Physical education is usually a weekly activity at schools in Ghana. Experience is required should volunteers look to specialise in certain subjects.

 

Volunteers will also get the chance to join with the younger classes. Once you have joined the projects with the younger children, you can spend time leading more creative and relaxed activities. Such activities include singing songs, dancing, storytelling and colouring. Volunteers provide a great valuable cultural resource for the children where they can learn about different people, places and traditions.

 

Volunteer opportunities provided by PMGY offer a platform to make a positive impact when you teach English in Ghana. When working at our English teaching volunteer projects in Ghana, it is important to maintain energy, enthusiasm and creativity. Many of these students will benefit from having someone who is fluent in the English language teaching them in Ghana. As a volunteer teaching English in Ghana, you will need to donate your time and skills effectively. This is to ensure you can maximise your impact on the local people.

 

TEACHING VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

Divine International School – Volunteers at Divine International school can work with children of all ages. Children can range from the age of 4 right up to the age of 16. You will work as a teaching assistant to the local English teachers. Similarly, you will also have the opportunity to lead your own classes.

 

A volunteer’s first day at Divine International School is purely observational, allowing participants to become familiar with their new surroundings. New volunteers then have an opportunity to meet their class before getting down to business the next day. You will be greeted every day by the children running over to welcome you. Thus every day at Divine International becomes a special day.

 

Christian Life Teaching School – Opening its doors in 2013, Christian Life Teaching School originated a small-scale project. Indeed, the school was originally home to a class of only two students. However, word of a new school quickly spread and the institute now hosts almost 400 pupils.

 

Split across only 11 rooms, each class accommodates close to 40 students. This puts a large strain on the quality of lessons that can be offered. This makes the contribution of a volunteer teaching English in Ghana at this project invaluable.

 

Volunteers at Christian Life Teaching School will be provided with a timetable. Such a timetable dictates the classes they will be working with on a day-to-day basis. You will work as a teaching assistant and also have the opportunity to lead your own classes.

 

As you complete your volunteer work in Ghana, you will be playing an important part in supporting local teachers at Christian Life. Furthermore, you will be providing a new lease of life in the classroom through creative thinking and innovative teaching techniques. Just by being able to speak English with the students, you will be making a positive impact.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL TEACHING DAY

As a volunteer teacher in Ghana, you are required to assist local teachers and plan and lead your own lessons. Your role is to create a more student-orientated approach to teaching, which is more interactive and engaging. It is important to have an open mind and recognise that change is slow. However, your efforts to promote best practice at the teaching English projects will lead to improvements in the long run.

 

In general, you will volunteer at the project Monday-Friday for around 3-5 hours every day. Project timings are usually from 9am-2pm with lunch taken at the project. Transport to and from the English teaching project is not included in your Program Fee. Consequently, volunteers in Ghana will usually split the cost of a taxi. Our local team will show you how to get to and from your volunteer project location during the orientation period.

 

Most noteworthy, heavy traffic and poor road infrastructure can be commonplace within Kumasi. Subsequently, the journey to the volunteer project can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour upwards from the Volunteer House.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER TEACHING CHILDREN IN GHANA

Experience – For the English Teaching program, teaching experience is not essential as the mere presence of a native English speaker is invaluable. As long as you are creative, determined and resourceful you can have a constructive impact on the development of the children’s education.

 

TEFL Course – We encourage volunteers to prepare as much as possible for their teaching program overseas. You can make the most out of your time by completing our convenient, inexpensive and international accredited 60 hour Online TEFL Course. The cost of this course is only 150 USD.

 

Resources – On the teach English in Ghana project, resources can be very limited. Volunteers are recommended to bring materials to the project each day to maximise their productivity and day to day involvement. It is therefore important for volunteers to prepare well in advance to get the most out of their teaching English project experience.

 

Project Flexibility – As for all our volunteer in Ghana, it is possible to combine multiple projects. First of all, please apply for the main program start date you’d like to partake in. Secondly, then outline in your online application the details of the other projects you’d like to do. Our local team will finalise the details of your placements during your in-country orientation.

 

Cultural Differences – It is very important that volunteers join this program with an open mind and understanding of cultural differences. Children’s rights and the methods of discipline used often greatly differ from what is the norm in the west.

 

Although mistreatment of children is never condoned volunteers should be aware that physical discipline does happen in Ghana. This can be quite shocking, but it is important to remember that physical discipline is commonplace throughout Ghana.

 

Therefore, it is best for volunteers to be open-minded on arrival and come with limited expectations. You are there to help and make a difference in the local communities. However, this must be done in a framework where there are rules to follow and cultures to abide by.

 

Our local team will brief you on these issues during your in-country orientation. As a result, you will be fully prepared for your placement. If you see something that you believe is not right, then please do approach our local team. As a result of doing this, the team can then aim to resolve or give clarity on the issue.

 

Weekends – Your project work in Ghana runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Ghana Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend. We also run two separate weekend trips which you can sign-up to before you depart for Ghana. We offer the Cape Coast & Busua Surf Trip along with the Mole National Park Trip with opportunities running every month.

As a medical volunteer in Ghana, you will gain first-hand experience and insight into the Ghanian health care system. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs provide a once in a lifetime cultural experience. The medical project offers a fantastic opportunity to spend time in a range of departments in a large government hospital. Learn from local staff and get involved in supporting them.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE MEDICAL PROGRAM

Access to healthcare in Ghana has improved dramatically since the introduction of the National Health Insurance Act in 2003. However, the healthcare system in Ghana still faces a number of challenges, particularly in rural areas. The large majority of patients arrive due to illnesses related to poor sanitation.

 

Malaria is also a huge issue and remains the cause of many deaths and illnesses. In addition, HIV/AIDS continues to harm the lives of so many Ghanaians. Many of the major causes of death and serious illness are avoidable. The work of the healthcare system in Ghana largely centres on treating immediate cases. However, it also extends to educating the local communities in preventative measures.

 

We offer medical placements for people of all backgrounds. Therefore if you’re a school leaver looking for work experience to boost your university application we can accommodate you. Alternatively, if you’re a nursing/medical student organising an overseas elective placement we also have you covered.

 

Volunteer opportunities in Ghana provided by PMGY will provide you with a platform. Such a platform that allows for valuable exposure to medicine and healthcare projects within a new culture. For the reason that many of the facilities, procedures and operations you observe will be completely new to you.

 

More specifically, they will be completely different from how things are done in your home country. As a medical volunteer in Ghana, you will need to schedule your time and skills effectively to make the most out of your project time. This is to ensure you can maximise your exposure and learning opportunities at the project.

 

Should medical volunteers in Ghana wish to consider alternative or additional projects, our medical volunteer projects in India is recognised as our leading medical volunteer opportunity. For the reason that volunteers receive high exposure and involvement across a range of placement and project settings.

 

MEDICAL VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

Manhyia Government Hospital – Based in central Kumasi, Manhyia Hospital is home to a range of departments. Participants are likely to have the opportunity to observe within more than one division. However, it is recommended that volunteers spend a minimum of one week per department. Such departments include:

 

Adolescent Counselling, Community Health Education, Dentistry, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), General Surgery, Laboratory, Nursing, Maternity & Midwifery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Paediatrics, Pharmacology, Physical Therapy, Physiotherapy, Prenatal, Psychology, Radiology, Ultrasound

 

During orientation, volunteers will receive a comprehensive introduction to Manhyia Hospital. A local member of the PMGY Ghana team will lead a tour around the whole institution. Thus allowing volunteers to become familiar with the hospital’s layout. Furthermore, this will also give you an opportunity to meet staff members within each department.

 

We welcome school leavers and healthcare-related undergraduate students, looking to gain invaluable exposure. Your role is largely observational. The hospitals are poorly resourced and under-staffed by western standards, so you will have a very eye-opening experience. You will be placed in a number of different departments. As a result, you will receive a broad insight into the Ghanaian healthcare system.

 

The maximum recommended duration for a medical experience is 6 weeks. You are able to combine your healthcare program with other volunteer work in Ghana. This includes helping at the children’s homes or teaching project, should you wish to get involved in multiple projects.

 

We also offer more specific program opportunities for medical, midwifery and nursing students looking to focus on an overseas elective. You can schedule the placement around your needs and design your work schedule around the requirements for your elective. PMGY can also complete any paperwork required by your university. This is because we receive many healthcare students in Ghana for their elective placement.

 

You will find the staff at the healthcare facilities appreciative of your support and positive towards information sharing. Over the course of your placement, you will witness a range of unique cases. This may include cases such as Typhoid, Polio and TB. There will also be the chance to ask questions about tropical diseases such as Malaria, Leishmaniasis and Dengue.

 

Whilst the hospital adopts modern forms of treatment, you will experience how cases are treated within an under-resourced and poorly staffed healthcare system. Most noteworthy, you will gain exposure and insight into the challenges the local staff face. Furthermore, cultural factors and a lack of education/health awareness will give you an insight into the alarmingly high number of preventable cases admitted each day. Many students also find it fascinating to witness the dynamics of the doctor-patient relationship compared to that of the western world.

 

Community Outreach – On an ad-hoc basis, the team will arrange a community outreach day for volunteers to engage in. This will involve working alongside doctors in providing primary healthcare to rural communities outside of central Kumasi. This specific outreach project in Ghana only runs under the supervision of local medical staff.

 

Volunteers will join together to provide care and education to the local communities surrounding Lake Bosomtwi area. These communities will open your eyes to what a local Ghanaian’s lifestyle is like. As a result, they are sure to help you identify the real needs of the people of these villages.

 

Please note, the community outreach program in Ghana usually only takes place once a month. Because of this, there are no guarantees the outreach program day will be running during your time with us in Ghana.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL WORK DAY

Volunteers will spend their time in Manhyia Hospital, within one, or across multiple departments. Participants with or without medical experience should assume a largely observational role. There may be opportunities to undertake some basic hands-on involvement. However, the opportunity for this is dependent on a volunteer’s relationship with the doctors/nurses they work alongside. This extends further to gaining permission of the patients and previous experience/qualifications.

 

In general, volunteers work at the project Monday-Friday for around 3-4 hours every day from 9am-1pm. Usually, as a medical volunteer in Ghana, you will take lunch at the project. On an ad-hoc basis, you may also get the chance to experience working night shift. Should you wish to, this is something you can speak to our local team about in-country. You must arrange private transport should you decide to give up your free time to experience the night shift.

 

Transport to and from the medical project is not included in your Program Fee. Consequently, volunteers in Ghana will usually split the cost of a taxi. Our local team will show you how to get to and from your volunteer project location during the orientation period.

 

Most noteworthy, heavy traffic and poor road infrastructure can be commonplace within Kumasi. Subsequently, the journey to the volunteer project can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour upwards from the Volunteer House.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER AS A MEDICAL VOLUNTEER IN GHANA

Project Flexibility – As for all our volunteer in Ghana programs, it is possible to combine multiple projects. First of all, please apply for the main program start date you’d like to partake in. Secondly, then outline in your online application the details of the other projects you’d like to do. Our local team will finalise the details of your placements during your in-country orientation.

 

Hands-On Involvement – Your level of involvement at the medical volunteer projects is dictated by a range of factors. First of all your medical experience, but also the duration of program and willingness to get involved. The medical staff are accountable for you whilst you’re under their supervision. Ultimately, it is completely up to them if you are permitted and want to get involved in hands-on procedures.

 

Previous PMGY medical volunteer in Ghana participants have been given the chance to administer IV injections, dress wounds etc. However, please note we can never guarantee or promote hands-on involvement regardless of medical experience or background.

 

Generally speaking those with little or no medical experience assume a largely observational role. If you are studying a medically related degree, then you should have more opportunity to undertake some more basic hands-on involvement. However, to reiterate we can never guarantee or endorse hands-on experience should you choose to get hands-on. Such a decision ultimately lies with the medical staff.

 

Trained Professionals – Please note this program is not suitable for trained professionals who are looking to practise overseas. This opportunity is only suitable for school leavers & medical students looking to go into the medical or nursing field and wish to learn about a healthcare system overseas.

 

Weekends – Your project work in Ghana runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Ghana Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend. We also run two separate weekend trips which you can sign-up to before you depart for Ghana. We offer the Cape Coast & Busua Surf Trip along with the Mole National Park Trip with opportunities running every month.

The mental health volunteer in Ghana placement is designed to provide an insight into how psychiatric services operate within Ghana. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs provide a once in a lifetime cultural experience. The mental health and psychology program provides international volunteers with a unique learning experience. Most noteworthy, participants will establish a deeper understanding of the history and developments of mental healthcare in Ghana.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

Ghana’s mental health sector is funded primarily by the government. Its psychiatric services stem back to the early 19th century. Traditionally, patients who suffered from mental health illnesses would be detained in prisons. These prisons later developed into a ‘lunatic asylum’.

 

1904 saw the first purposeful psychiatric hospital built in Ghana accommodating 200 patients to start with. Extensive amendments focussed on mental health were made to hospital buildings to burden overcrowding. Rapid expansions in staff training and recruitment for mental health followed.

 

From the 1950s innovative treatments for psychiatric illnesses such as ‘chlorpromazine’ and ‘electroconvulsive’ therapy began to emerge more prevalently. Patients were removed from chains and isolation between patients became discouraged. Staff were now refrained from punishing patients as previously had been a norm.

 

Essentially, knowledge and understanding began to increase in and around mental health and the issues associated with it. Despite such advances, many citizens in Ghana still believed and practised in the traditional forms of psychiatric treatment.

 

Many patients or their relatives would still opt for a traditional or herbal form of treatment. This is due to a widely held belief that mental health illnesses remain caused by supernatural evil forces. Such forces are best exiled by traditional medicine methods. Examples include visiting shrines, herbalist centres or prayer camps. Methods that would be relatively more accessible and inexpensive.

 

Nevertheless, government policy in the long term remains to establish and expand psychiatric facilities in all regional and district hospitals. The 1970s saw the creation of registered mental nurses (RMNs) and community psychiatric nurses (CPNs). This program expanded into Kumasi in the 1990s.

 

To summarise, recent government policy has attempted to normalise, ingrain and mainstream up to date psychiatric services into the primary healthcare. However, the reality is a lot more needs to be done to achieve this even today. With a population of over 26 million, Ghana only has 13 practising psychiatrists in the public service. Inadequate staffing remains a recurrent problem with occupational therapists, social workers and CPNs all hard to come by.

 

Traditional healers who can bring with them inhumane treatment methods remain prevalent in Ghana today. It is estimated that around 2.5 million people in Ghana currently suffer from some form of mental health illness. Public education plays a leading role today in helping to overcome widely held traditional myths about mental illnesses. Consequently, patients and relatives are encouraged to seek early professional and alternative treatment.

 

Such alternative treatments focus on areas such as occupational therapies and community outreach programs. As a mental health volunteer in Ghana, you will usually get the chance to experience this. In addition to this, a mental health act passed in 2012 aims to combat the stigma and discrimination associated with mentally ill people in Ghana.

 

Should mental health volunteers in Ghana wish to consider alternative or additional projects, our mental health projects in Sri Lanka is recognised as our leading mental health volunteer opportunity. For the reason that volunteers receive greater exposure and involvement across a range of placement and project settings.

 

MENTAL HEALTH VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

Manhyia Government Hospital – All participants on the Mental Health Experience in Ghana will spend their first week within the Manhyia hospital. The psychiatric department consists of only two rooms and five physiatric nurses. The responsibilities of these staff members lie in diagnosis, prescribing and consulting.

 

Volunteers will have an opportunity to observe consultations and ward rounds for patients being treated elsewhere within the hospital. Common conditions witnessed by the staff include depression, mania, psychosis, enuresis, migraine, epilepsy, bipolar, alcoholism, dementia and delirium.

 

Tafo Government Hospital – Our participants spend their remaining time-based at the Tafo District at the Tafo Government Hospital. The Physiatric department of Tafo Government Hospital first emerged in 1970. However, almost 50 years later, the department still does not have a permanent location within the institution. This follows a lack of recognition of the importance of the services by leading bodies of the hospital. The team of 14 members are therefore frequently shifted between available rooms.

 

The team offers three main services. Such services being consultation, community outreach programs and the provision of education to patients with mental health disorders. With these services, the department has three main goals.

 

First of all, to make mental health services accessible within the community. Secondly, to educate the general public about the prevalence of mental health disorders and avoid stigmas. Finally, to have a permanent location for offering mental health services.

 

The department will often see between 60-70 patients per day. On the first day, participants will receive an orientation from the staff, introducing them to the services offered by the hospital. For the remainder of their time, volunteers will shadow a member of the team. This will include observing consultations, clinical reviews and perhaps even outreach programs.

 

Healthcare professionals in Ghana are very friendly and willing to support international volunteers. They are always on hand to answer your questions and describe consultations clinically. Furthermore, the local staff usually speak very good English to combat any language barrier.

 

Volunteers on the program will have the opportunity to spend time aiding the local staff. This may include assessing patient records, evaluating signs of progress, measuring any diagnoses and prescribing any relevant medicines. The doctor will talk through the different ways in which they take care of patients suffering from mental health issues.

 

Community Outreach – Part of the mental health volunteer in Ghana experience will see you embark on community outreach programs. These programs are led by psychiatric qualified nurses of Tafo Hospital. Such outreach work can include education talks in local schools as well as reaching out directly to people in the community. Such people who are suffering from psychiatric issues, but do not come to the hospital.

 

Community outreach work may also involve the performance of home visits. More specifically, visiting patients who had been to the hospital and checking up on their wellbeing. Please note, the outreach program usually runs on an ad-hoc basis. As such, it is not guaranteed during your volunteer work in Ghana. Various factors can influence this, including the number of patients at the time and local staff availability.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL WORK DAY

This project is designed to provide insight into mental health issues for those currently studying mental health or psychology. More specifically, it provides a platform to increase awareness and learning around psychiatric services in Ghana. This extends to developing an understanding of the history and developments of mental health in Ghana.

 

In general, volunteers work at the project Monday-Friday for around 3-4 hours every day from 9am-1pm. Usually, as a mental health volunteer in Ghana, you will take lunch at the project. Use your free time at the Volunteer House to plan questions for the days ahead.

 

Transport to and from the mental health project is not included in your Program Fee. Consequently, volunteers in Ghana will usually split the cost of a taxi. Our local team will show you how to get to and from your volunteer project location during the orientation period.

 

Most noteworthy, heavy traffic and poor road infrastructure can be commonplace within Kumasi. Subsequently, the journey to the volunteer project can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour upwards from the Volunteer House.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER AS A MENTAL HEALTH VOLUNTEER IN GHANA

Project Flexibility – As for all our volunteer in Ghana programs, it is possible to combine multiple projects. First of all, please apply for the main program start date you’d like to partake in. Secondly, then outline in your online application the details of the other projects you’d like to do. Our local team will finalise the details of your placements during your in-country orientation.

 

Hands-On Involvement – Please note this program has been specially designed for those already studying or exploring further study in psychology/mental health. Therefore it may not be appropriate or applicable for those outside this. This volunteer program provides a platform to gain insight and awareness into mental health in a new culture.

 

As a mental health volunteer in Ghana, your level of involvement at the project is dictated by a range of factors. First of all your medical experience (if any), duration of your program and willingness to get involved. The medical staff are accountable for you whilst you’re under their supervision, so it is completely up to them if you are permitted and want to get involved in hands-on procedures.

 

Generally speaking those with little or no medical experience assume a largely observational role. If you are studying a mental health-related degree, then you may have more opportunity to undertake some more basic hands-on involvement. However, to reiterate we can never guarantee or endorse hands-on experience should you choose to get hands-on, as the decision ultimately lies with the medical staff and their patients.

 

Trained Professionals – Please note this program is not suitable for trained professionals who are looking to practise overseas. This opportunity is only suitable for students looking to go into the mental health or psychology field and wish to learn about a healthcare system overseas.

 

Weekends – Your project work in Ghana runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Ghana Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend. We also run two separate weekend trips which you can sign-up to before you depart for Ghana. We offer the Cape Coast & Busua Surf Trip along with the Mole National Park Trip with opportunities running every month.

As a childcare volunteer in Tanzania with PMGY, you will brighten up the lives of young children, making a vital and important contribution to their daily lives. International volunteers with children in Tanzania work to support centres in Arusha, organising educational activities and games whilst assisting in tasks to complement the work of local staff.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM

It is estimated that around 1.4 million Tanzanians are infected with HIV. Furthermore, for every 1,000 births, almost 6 women die in childbirth. These factors along with general widespread poverty and minimal state welfare have resulted in an alarmingly high level of abandoned kids and street children in Tanzania. PMGY Tanzania childcare volunteers work with a number of centres in Arusha that strive to address this issue.

 

The day care centres you will be supporting during your time volunteering in Tanzania help to provide adequate childcare for children who often have single working parents, and cannot afford childcare. The daycare assists in allowing for their parents to be able to work to make a living whilst providing an opportunity for the children to gain early childhood education before beginning school, which they would otherwise not have.

 

Children attend the day care centres during the day and then return to stay with family, friends or relatives in the afternoon. PMGY Tanzania currently supports four centres within Arusha, where the efforts and enthusiasm of PMGY volunteers are greatly appreciated.

 

CHILDCARE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

Sunshine Day Care – This is situated in the Meru district of the Arusha region, in Machumba village, around 15 minutes away from Arusha city. The day care houses 15 kids aged 5-10 years (8 girls and 7 boys). In addition to the kids who live on-site, 30 children attend the nursery classes that are offered daily from Monday to Friday, returning home to their families in the afternoon. Sunshine Day Care employs 8 local staff, 3 house mamas, 2 nursery teachers and 3 cooking/cleaning staff.

 

Each day on this volunteer program in Tanzania will begin with very basic English lessons. During this time, volunteers with children in Tanzania are expected to create and lead activities that promote the fundamentals of the language. During the remainder of the day, participants will spend their time entertaining the children, frequently resulting in time spent in the garden! There are a number of different toys and learning tools for the children to use during their time at the childcare volunteer abroad project. In addition to assisting during mealtimes, volunteers will continue to get involved during nap time. During this period, as a childcare volunteer in Tanzania, you will assist staff with additional tasks such as gardening, food preparation or general upkeep of the centre. Naptime is scheduled after lunch to ensure the children get plenty of rest and proper nutrition for their childhood development. The responsibilities as a childcare volunteer in Tanzania noted here are similar in the two further project examples below.

 

Liberty Day Centre – Liberty Day Care tends for children too young for primary school, from the ages of one to six years old. The centre provides activities for the kids to learn and play in a fun and safe environment during the day, allowing their parents to work. When working on our abroad volunteer programs, participants support and complement the work of local staff members. This ensures that these children receive the attention and support that they deserve.

 

Happy Day Care – Founded in 2020, this centre was created with the aim to provide support to the surrounding community who were struggling to afford childcare after the pandemic. Happy Day Care hosts children from ages 1-6 and are able to provide nursery and pre-school education to local children. Based in Sombetini, this centre is located about 15 minutes from the Volunteer House. As a newer centre, the support and extra hands volunteers can offer goes a great distance in helping this centre run and expand it’s support to the local community.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL CHILDCARE DAY

Volunteers with children in Tanzania are required to support and assist with the daily care, attention and interaction with the children across the day and prepare activities accordingly. Whilst each project is different, the typical working hours are 8:30am-1pm Monday-Friday. There may be the opportunity to work up to 3pm upon request.

 

The homes PMGY Tanzania childcare volunteers work with are typically understaffed and highly overcrowded. Volunteer roles will range from teaching basic English to feeding and helping to prepare meals, organising games and sporting activities, or simply spending time with the children. Most of our volunteers play an active role in the general care of the children but have a primary focus on basic English lessons and class activities. Free time in the afternoons after the project can be used to prepare sessions, chill in the Volunteer House or to explore Arusha.

 

Transport to the childcare volunteer in Tanzania project is not included in the Program Fee. Some of the volunteer projects are within walking distance from the Volunteer House, but many are further afield. In these latter cases, you will be required to take a Dala Dala (local bus) to placement. It can take up to 45 minutes to travel to your volunteer work in Tanzania. Our local team will guide you through the local transport methods during your in-country orientation. You can also always ask them if you are unsure of how much you should be paying for a journey.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN TANZANIA

Resources – On the childcare project in Tanzania, resources can be very limited. Volunteers are recommended to bring materials to the project each day to maximise their productivity and day to day involvement. It is therefore important for volunteers to prepare well in advance to get the most out of their childcare volunteering experience in Tanzania.

 

Project Locations – Childcare and teaching participants on the Tanzania volunteer program are sometimes based at the same site. In these instances, volunteers will be able to travel together accordingly. At the volunteer project, teaching volunteers will tend to work with slightly older children. Childcare volunteers will work with children of preschool age. Although similar in nature, they each follow different daily itineraries and setups.

 

Important Visa Information – On-arrival into Tanzania you will need to obtain a Tourist Visa. This costs 50 USD (100 USD for US Citizens). You do not need to worry about this in advance since this can be purchased at the airport on arrival. Please bring US Dollars that have been issued from 2006 onwards to pay. Card payments will not be accepted.

 

Tanzanian law stipulates that all volunteers must also have a Volunteer Visa. If you’re joining PMGY in Tanzania for less than 90 days, this will cost 200 USD. Your volunteer coordinator will process this on your behalf during your orientation after arriving in Arusha, Tanzania. For the Volunteer Visa, please make sure you have 200 USD in cash (issued from 2006 onwards). Our local team will process this for you within the first couple of days of your arrival. They will then return your passport to you with the visa inside it. You, therefore, do not need to obtain this Volunteer Visa prior to arriving in Tanzania. If you are volunteering for more than 90 days, the local team will instead help arrange a Residency Permit. This permit costs 550 USD.

 

For those engaging in volunteer work in Tanzania for 90 days or less, the total visa fee is 250 USD . The cost is 300 USD for US citizens. You should bring this amount with you on your volunteer trip to Tanzania in cash (US dollars, issued from 2006 onwards). The cost would be 600 USD (650 USD for US citizens) for volunteers joining us in Tanzania for more than 90 days.

 

Yellow Fever – Recently, the Tanzania Embassy have changed legal requirements for the Yellow Fever Vaccination. The government now states that this must now only legally be obtained by:

 

• Individuals who are travelling from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission
• Individuals who are transiting through one of these at-risk countries for 12 hours or more

 

However, some participants outside of these parameters have still been asked to show evidence of the vaccination upon arrival into Tanzania. You may, therefore, wish to still obtain this vaccination to avoid any confusion or difficulties upon arrival into the country. To obtain this vaccination, you must ensure you allow yourself plenty of time to arrange this before you go.

 

There has been a lot of debate on this issue. However, from the PMGY team’s experience, we have always been asked to show proof of our Yellow Fever Vaccination. We therefore strongly advise all our volunteers to do so as well to avoid any complications on-arrival.

 

Placement Settings – PMGY does not provide volunteer opportunities in orphanages in any of our locations. Research and studies have shown that visiting and volunteering in orphanages has the potential to generate an industry that separates children from their families. In turn, putting children at increased risk of neglect and abuse. Therefore, we do not support these institutions with our volunteer network.

 

Instead, we focus on offering alternative childcare volunteer opportunities whereby children come to and from the placement setting each day. In other words, our local teams collaborate with childcare projects which do not offer any form of residential care. These are safe, responsible, and vetted projects, where participants continue to provide valued assistance supporting local staff.

 

Weekends – Your project work in Tanzania runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Tanzania Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.

As a volunteer teaching English in Tanzania, you will work to encourage students to develop a skill that will help them to achieve their future goals. Conversing with fluent, native English speakers greatly improves their language skills, essential for future employment. This project, therefore, provides the perfect opportunity for international volunteers to teach English in Tanzania. Develop your leadership skills and make a profound impact on the lives of disadvantaged children in Arusha.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE TEACHING PROGRAM

Early in this century, there was a large push from the Tanzanian government to get all children into education. This success was largely achieved through a drop in primary school education fees across the country. As a result of this movement, it’s estimated that a staggering 96% of primary-school-age children are now enrolled in a school. However, despite this progress in the education system, the average primary school class consequently host approximately 53 pupils to one teacher. This statistic is even more dramatic in rural areas. International aid is also faltering since the global recession. Together, these factors are heightening the concern towards the quality of education offered across Tanzania.

 

To make matters worse, teaching methods in Tanzania are largely based on learning through repetition and aimed at passing exams. This has led to a situation where, though the children can reel off information, they have very little understanding of what they are saying, particularly in relation to learning English. As most secondary school classes are taught in English, this way of learning causes problems later in the education system. For this reason, improving the methodologies of learning can lay the foundation for increased learning potential in later life. In turn, this can improve the employability of Tanzanian students during adulthood.

 

Over a third of people in Tanzania live below the national poverty line. Education is one of the essential skills for children to develop and is their doorway to a bright future. Tourism is big business in Tanzania. This means that typically, the ability to speak English dramatically increases the opportunities for young people to gain meaningful employment.

 

PMGY’s English teaching program in Tanzania aims to support local schools and childcare centres to maximise their impact. PMGY’s international volunteers working in Tanzania teach children English, Maths and other subjects, whilst transferring skills and sharing cultural perspectives. As a teaching volunteer in Tanzania, no previous teaching experience is required – you just need is to be creative and proactive! Our team will help you settle into a role, allowing you to make the biggest impact, and gain valuable skills yourself.

 

We predominantly support primary schools, however, volunteering opportunities within secondary school locations may be possible upon request. Additionally, many of the childcare projects we support have nursery schools for children of pre-school age. In these locations, PMGY volunteers wishing to teach English in Tanzania are also able to assist here.

 

TEACHING VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

Huruma Nursery School – This school is located on the street of Ngusero Arusha, Tanzania. This region is renowned for its poverty and lack of opportunity around education. The school has been open for over 7 years, hosting approximately 25-30 students at a time, aged between 3-5. The founders of the school recognised a great need for education for families with very little income. If a school such as this wasn’t around, there would be very little other opportunities for education. Every morning, the founder collections students from their homes so they don’t have to walk a long distance to school.

 

Upendo Nursery School – ‘Upendo’ meaning ‘love’, this nursery school was founded in 2012. The school started with a low capacity of only 6. However, having grown over recent years, the school now hosts up to 60 children per day. Within the school are two classes: Class 1 (3-4 years) and class 2 (5-6 years). Pupils at the school are incredibly passionate about learning.

 

During your time as a volunteer teaching English in Tanzania, you will be required to think and act creatively and pro-actively, to ensure that your classes as enjoyable and productive. You will be playing an important part in supporting local teachers at the school. Many of the students will also benefit hugely from having someone who is fluent in the English language teaching them in Tanzania.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL TEACHING DAY

As a volunteer teaching English in Tanzania, you are expected to plan and lead your own lessons. Volunteers sometimes work as assistants to the local staff and English teachers. However, there is usually an expectation from the staff for international volunteers to lead the majority of lessons. To teach English in Tanzania, you must use a lot of initiative and creativity to succeed in your role. There may also be times across the project where volunteers work as assistants to the local teachers in Tanzania.

 

All lessons are taught in English apart from Swahili language lessons. The schools have a basic curriculum, which is followed, however, volunteers have the freedom to introduce new ideas/topics. It is important that volunteers spend an hour or two each day preparing for the following day’s lessons

 

Whilst each volunteer program in Tanzania is different, the typical working hours are 8:30am-1pm Monday to Friday. Around 3-4 hours a day are spent teaching basic English, with the remainder spent assisting with mealtimes and/or arranging activities. As a volunteer teaching English in Tanzania, you are usually welcome to stay at the project longer if you wish to.

 

Staff shortages can be a regular occurrence in the under-resourced schools that we work with and volunteers are encouraged to adapt and be flexible with this. If you are new to teaching, your confidence will grow massively once you have taught a couple of classes! Additionally, the more time spent planning, the easier classes will be to run.

 

Transport to the childcare volunteer in Tanzania project is not included in the Program Fee. Some each English in Tanzania projects are within walking distance from the Volunteer House, but many are further afield. In these latter cases, you will be required to take a Dala Dala (local bus) to placement. It can take up to 45 minutes to travel to your volunteer work in Tanzania. Our local team will guide you through the local transport methods during your in-country orientation. You can also always ask them if you are unsure of how much you should be paying for a journey.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER TEACHING IN TANZANIA

Experience – For the English Teaching program, teaching experience is not essential as the mere presence of a native English speaker is invaluable. As long as you are creative, determined and resourceful you can have a constructive impact on the development of the children’s education.

 

TEFL Course – We encourage volunteers to prepare as much as possible for their teaching program overseas. You can make the most out of your time by completing our convenient, inexpensive and international accredited 60 hour Online TEFL Course. The cost of this course is only 150 USD.

 

Resources – On the teach English in Tanzania project, resources can be very limited. Volunteers are recommended to bring materials to the project each day to maximise their productivity and day to day involvement. It is therefore important for volunteers to prepare well in advance to get the most out of their teaching English project experience.

 

Project Locations – Childcare and teaching participants on the Tanzania volunteer program are sometimes based at the same site. In these instances, volunteers will be able to travel together accordingly. At the volunteer project, teaching volunteers will tend to work with slightly older children. Childcare volunteers will work with children of preschool age. Although similar in nature, they each follow different daily itineraries and setups.

 

It is worth noting that all the schools our volunteers work with are run privately. Tanzanian government legislation does not permit volunteers to teach within government-funded schools. This is despite the fact that these establishments often visually appear to require a greater level of support.

 

Important Visa Information– On-arrival into Tanzania you will need to obtain a Tourist Visa. This costs 50 USD (100 USD for US Citizens). You do not need to worry about this in advance since this can be purchased at the airport on arrival. Please bring US Dollars that have been issued from 2006 onwards to pay. Card payments will not be accepted.

 

Tanzanian law stipulates that all volunteers must also have a Volunteer Visa. If you’re joining PMGY in Tanzania for less than 90 days, this will cost 200 USD. Your volunteer coordinator will process this on your behalf during your orientation after arriving in Arusha, Tanzania. For the Volunteer Visa, please make sure you have 200 USD in cash (issued from 2006 onwards). Our local team will process this for you within the first couple of days of your arrival. They will then return your passport to you with the visa inside it. You, therefore, do not need to obtain this Volunteer Visa prior to arriving in Tanzania. If you are volunteering for more than 90 days, the local team will instead help arrange a Residency Permit. This permit costs 550 USD.

 

For those engaging in volunteer work in Tanzania for 90 days or less, the total visa fee is 250 USD . The cost is 300 USD for US citizens. You should bring this amount with you on your volunteer trip to Tanzania in cash (US dollars, issued from 2006 onwards). The cost would be 600 USD (650 for US citizens) for volunteers joining us in Tanzania for more than 90 days.

 

Yellow Fever – Recently, the Tanzania Embassy have changed legal requirements for the Yellow Fever Vaccination. The government now states that this must now only legally be obtained by:

 

• Individuals who are travelling from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission
• Individuals who are transiting through one of these at-risk countries for 12 hours or more

 

However, some participants outside of these parameters have still been asked to show evidence of the vaccination upon arrival into Tanzania. You may, therefore, wish to still obtain this vaccination to avoid any confusion or difficulties upon arrival into the country. To obtain this vaccination, you must ensure you allow yourself plenty of time to arrange this before you go.

 

There has been a lot of debate on this issue. However, from the PMGY team’s experience, we have always been asked to show proof of our Yellow Fever Vaccination. We therefore strongly advise all our volunteers to do so as well to avoid any complications on-arrival.

 

Weekends – Your project work in Tanzania runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Tanzania Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.

As a medical volunteer in Tanzania with PMGY, you will have a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand experience and insight into Tanzanian health care. If you are thinking of a career in healthcare, or you are studying a health-related subject at university, this program will offer you essential first-hand experience to assist in your career development. As a medical volunteer in Tanzania, you will learn from local staff. By supporting them, you will gain exposure that you are unlikely to obtain in your home country.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE MEDICAL PROGRAM

Like many African countries, Tanzania faces an acute shortage of healthcare workers. Low pay, poor working conditions and limited training programs contribute to the problem. The situation is further amplified by the rising burden of HIV/AIDS treatment. Unfortunately, health standards in Tanzania have declined so much that it trails most other developing nations.

 

The leading causes of death in Tanzania are malaria, HIV/AIDS, respiratory diseases and cardio-circulatory diseases. Many of these major causes of death and serious illness are difficult to avoid. The work of the healthcare system in Tanzania largely centres on treating immediate cases. However, it also extends to educating patients in preventative measures.

 

As a medical volunteer in Tanzania with PMGY, you will have a unique and exciting opportunity to experience health care in Tanzania first hand. PMGY collaborate with a government hospital and community clinic within the Arusha and Meru district of the country. PMGY’s medical program offers a fantastic opportunity for individuals to gain volunteer experience to further their career. The various departments across these settings that offer a variety of exposures to participants looking to further their medical background and experience. Additionally, the program allows individuals to explore one of the most amazing countries in the world!

 

MEDICAL VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

Levolosi Hospital – We place overseas volunteers at a government hospital located in the town of Arusha. This tends to be the main placement for our Tanzania medical volunteers. The hospital currently caters to all kinds of general health matters. The hospital is a 24/7 facility, treating around 50-80 patients each day. The hospital has a strong maternity ward with an average of 500 newborns delivered each month. This, therefore, makes this is a very good placement for midwifery students.

 

Tengeru Hospital – We place volunteer overseas at a government hospital located in the town of Tengeru, a neighbouring town of Arusha. This tends to be the main placement for our medical volunteers. Having started originally as a women’s health centre, the hospital currently caters to all kinds of general health matters.

 

The hospital is a 24/7 facility, treating around 50-80 patients each day. The hospital has a strong maternity ward with an average of 500 newborns delivered each month. This, therefore, makes this is a very good placement for midwifery students. There is also a recently opened Dental Ward, ideal for dentistry students who wish to promote dental hygiene education.

 

Often, we are able to place medical volunteers in Tanzania at the following departments: Dental, Diabetes Clinic, General Medical Consultation, Laboratory, HIV Awareness and Testing, Midwifery & Labour Ward, Newborn Care and Immunisations, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Optical, Paediatrics, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy (part-time), Prenatal Care & Antenatal Care, Radiology Surgery (Minor and Major) & Tuberculosis Wing. Any preferences can be noted within your application, however, please note that these can never be guaranteed.

 

Volunteers will be working alongside qualified local staff during the time spent in each department. On your first day, you will receive a full introduction from the matron. The matron will discuss with you what departments you’re interested in and devise a work schedule for you. You can choose to spend your time within a number of different departments or focus on one or two. We typically recommend volunteers to spend a minimum of one week within a department.

 

During your time, you will likely witness a range of cases you may never come across back home. This could include Typhoid and TB. There will also be the chance to learn about tropical diseases such as Malaria, Yellow Fever and Dengue. Working in a government hospital will come with its own set of challenges. You should be prepared to experience some strong emotions with the standards of the facilities and limited equipment available.

 

Things tend to be a lot more laid-back in Tanzania. This lack of urgency can be frustrating, as well as the impersonal way many of the Tanzanian medical staff treat their patients. Please, therefore, be prepared for some eye-opening experiences, which may be difficult to cope with at times. However, remember to throw yourself into the experience and challenge yourself to learn. Do this and you will have a really rewarding time, and assist in making a positive impact.

 

Community Clinic – Our second medical placement is a local community clinic. This centre offers affordable healthcare to some of the poorest people in Arusha and surrounding areas. It is the first full-service charity clinic in Arusha. The clinic sees up to 3,000 patients per month, although it is relatively small in size. At the clinic, patients are able to see a doctor. Following the consultation, if needed, patients can receive any necessary blood word or prescription treatments for a very nominal fee.

 

The clinic has the following departments: General Medical Consultation, Minor Surgeries (largely fractures), Laboratory, Pharmacy, X-ray, Ultrasound. Volunteer in Tanzania participants will have the chance to work in multiple departments. The head doctor and his team will mentor you throughout your time at the clinic. They will go out of their way to get you involved in as much as you can.

 

In the small surgery room, there may be opportunities to learn and assist as procedures. This could include circumcision, abscess/cyst/growth removal and drainage and stitching. Within the pharmacy, you will learn about the different medication prescribed – mainly antibiotics, anti-worm, or antimalarial treatments. This placement is open to people of all medical backgrounds, including school leavers and university students. You will get to witness a range of cases, largely malaria and typhoid. Other frequent cases tend to be in the area of obstetrics, basic dentistry and the urinary system.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL WORK DAY

As a medical volunteer in Tanzania, you will have the opportunity to learn and work alongside qualified staff. Those with little or no medical experience will assume a largely observational role. If you are studying a medically related degree, then you may get the opportunity to undertake some more basic hands-on involvement, at your discretion. However, the opportunity for this is dependent on a volunteer’s relationship with the doctors/nurses you work alongside and permission of patients.

 

In general, during time as a medical volunteer in Tanzania, your role should predominately be seen as an opportunity to learn about a healthcare system in a developing country. It is a chance for you to learn about differences in practice compared to those you would find in your home country. You will have the opportunity to learn about common health problems within a third world country and understand how these are dealt with. International volunteers can expect to be on the project for 3-5 hours per day. Typical working hours are 8:30am-1pm or 11am-4pm, Monday to Friday. Volunteers are usually welcome to stay at the project for longer if they wish.

 

Transport to the medical volunteer in Tanzania project is not included in the Program Fee. You will usually be required to take a Dala Dala (local bus) to placement. It can take up to 45 minutes to travel to your volunteer work in Tanzania. Our local team will guide you through the local transport methods during your in-country orientation. You can also always ask them if you are unsure of how much you should be paying for a journey.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER AS A MEDICAL VOLUNTEER IN TANZANIA

Hands-On Involvement – Your level of involvement at the medical volunteer projects is dictated by a range of factors. First of all your medical experience, but also the duration of program and willingness to get involved. The medical staff are accountable for you whilst you’re under their supervision. Ultimately, it is completely up to them if you are permitted and want to get involved in hands-on procedures.

 

Previous PMGY medical volunteer in Tanzania participants have been given the chance to administer IV injections, dress wounds etc. However, please note we can never guarantee or promote hands-on involvement regardless of medical experience or background.

 

Generally speaking those with little or no medical experience assume a largely observational role. If you are studying a medically related degree, then you should have more opportunity to undertake some more basic hands-on involvement. However, to reiterate we can never guarantee or endorse hands-on experience should you choose to get hands-on. Such a decision ultimately lies with the medical staff.

 

Trained Professionals – Please note this program is not suitable for trained professionals who are looking to practise overseas. This opportunity is only suitable for students or people looking to go into the medical or nursing field and wish to learn about a healthcare system overseas.

 

Multiple Projects – Please note you can only be placed at one medical facility during your time with us. In some circumstances, it may be possible to combine medical facilities across your time. However, note that this will incur an additional 150 USD local payment. This is a medical donation to the new facility you are transferring over to.

 

Community Volunteering – There may be the possibility to get involved in our community volunteer opportunities in Tanzania, alongside the medical volunteer program. However, this cannot be guaranteed. If this is something you are interested in, please highlight these volunteer programs in Tanzania on your application under ‘special requirements’.

 

Important Visa Information – On-arrival into Tanzania you will need to obtain a Tourist Visa. This costs 50 USD (100 USD for US Citizens). You do not need to worry about this in advance since this can be purchased at the airport on arrival. Please bring US Dollars that have been issued from 2006 onwards to pay. Card payments will not be accepted.

 

Tanzanian law stipulates that all volunteers must also have a Volunteer Visa. If you’re joining PMGY in Tanzania for less than 90 days, this will cost 200 USD. Your volunteer coordinator will process this on your behalf during your orientation after arriving in Arusha, Tanzania. For the Volunteer Visa, please make sure you have 200 USD in cash (issued from 2006 onwards). Our local team will process this for you within the first couple of days of your arrival. They will then return your passport to you with the visa inside it. You, therefore, do not need to obtain this Volunteer Visa prior to arriving in Tanzania. If you are volunteering for more than 90 days, the local team will instead help arrange a Residency Permit. This permit costs 550 USD.

 

For those engaging in volunteer work in Tanzania for 90 days or less, the total visa fee is 250 USD . The cost is 300 USD for US citizens. You should bring this amount with you on your volunteer trip to Tanzania in cash (US dollars, issued from 2006 onwards). The cost would be 600 USD (650 for US citizens) for volunteers joining us in Tanzania for more than 90 days.

 

Yellow Fever – Recently, the Tanzania Embassy have changed legal requirements for the Yellow Fever Vaccination. The government now states that this must now only legally be obtained by:

 

• Individuals who are travelling from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission
• Individuals who are transiting through one of these at-risk countries for 12 hours or more

 

However, some participants outside of these parameters have still been asked to show evidence of the vaccination upon arrival into Tanzania. You may, therefore, wish to still obtain this vaccination to avoid any confusion or difficulties upon arrival into the country. To obtain this vaccination, you must ensure you allow yourself plenty of time to arrange this before you go.

 

There has been a lot of debate on this issue. However, from the PMGY team’s experience, we have always been asked to show proof of our Yellow Fever Vaccination. We therefore strongly advise all our volunteers to do so as well to avoid any complications on-arrival.

 

Weekends – Your project work in Tanzania runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Tanzania Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.

As a childcare volunteer in South Africa, you will provide additional support to childcare projects within the Cape Town community. PMGY’s South Africa volunteer programs will see you help young children in Cape Town. Volunteer with children in South Africa to make a vital contribution in brightening up the lives of young children.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM

It is estimated that 80% of young children in South Africa’s townships do not have access to early childhood development education. As a result, many lack the support required to develop to their full potential. Since the end of Apartheid in 1994, poor government funding and flawed policies have hit the most vulnerable South Africans hardest. For instance, many of the problems for South Africa’s poorest have been exacerbated.

 

Today about 57% of South Africa’s population lives in poverty. In low-income township areas, living conditions are challenging, with high crime and unemployment rates, health problems and high population densities. A lack of childcare facilities leaves many children unattended and unprotected.

 

Affordable and accessible childcare services can be very difficult to source across Cape Town and surrounding communities. Above all, it is families from low-income backgrounds that struggle the most. Whilst this has not gone unrecognised, many centres established to accommodate for such families are inadequate. To clarify, such centres are understaffed and operate with a limited stock of resources. This makes the roles of our PMGY volunteers invaluable to the quality of care that can be offered to these children.

 

The daycare centres we support are either independent local initiatives or government subsidised community support programs. Some are home-based crèches run by local women and others are more structured organisations. They all have a common goal. That is, to help children develop to their full emotional, social and physical potential.

 

Plan My Gap Year supports a range of crèches, day-care centres and kindergartens. All based centrally in the city within Cape Town. These facilities provide essential childcare to impoverished families of nearby communities. The majority of these children come from the Townships and other underdeveloped backgrounds. In short, locations where social and health problems are rife whether it be gang violence, drugs, malnutrition and HIV/Aids.

 

Most parents or relatives of these children from vulnerable communities work in the city. Consequently, they are able to bring the children with them in the morning to drop them off at the daycare centres. Other children arrive each day by bus. The teachers and assistants communicate to the children using a mixture of Afrikaans, English and Xhosa. Some of the centres provide meals for the children so volunteers can assist with feeding times.

 

Volunteer opportunities in South Africa provided by PMGY will provide you with a platform to make a positive impact. When working at our childcare volunteer projects in South Africa, it is important to maintain energy, enthusiasm and creativity. For the reason that many of these children will be seeking the care and attention that you as a childcare volunteer in South Africa can bring. To volunteer with children in South Africa, you will need to donate your time and skills effectively. This is to ensure you can maximise your impact on the local people.

 

CHILDCARE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

The Kiddies College – A cross between a crèche and a Kindergarten, the Kiddies College was established in 1997. The project supports children from 2-6 years old. Volunteers aid local staff with the day to day schedule and supervising the children. Kiddies College was formally a preschool closed down by the local council. However, the passion of one of its former staff members led to its re-emergence. As a result, local employment benefits and many spacious rooms and a nice garden area are utilised.

 

Meals are provided for the children at the project. In addition, activities such as visits to the library, swimming and karate lessons or speech and drama classes also take place. Volunteers can support such activities if placed at this specific volunteer project. PMGY volunteers ease the workload of the understaffed team by providing the children with extra care and attention.

 

Mini Einsteins Crèche – Home to around 160 learners, Mini Einsteins crèche can be a hectic environment! Most of the children are aged from 3 months to 6 years old. However, some of the children can reach up to 12 years old. The crèche aims to provide a safe, secure, supportive and stimulating environment for all children to discover their full potential naturally.

 

There is a strong philosophy at the crèche that children’s development is based on playing and growing. Volunteers are encouraged to support and embrace such a philosophy. Subsequently, international volunteers help with homework and games. In addition, volunteers will also get involved in creative arts activities or even support in the two designated baby rooms.

 

Many of the children at the crèche come from broken homes and deprived backgrounds. As a result, the children highly appreciate the extra care and attention that PMGY volunteers contribute. In the same vein, contributions made by childcare volunteers in South Africa are also highly appreciated by the staff and the local community.

 

Gingerbread House Educare – Located in one of the oldest suburbs of Cape Town, Gingerbread House Educare can be found in the Mowbray district. A serious shortage of affordable childcare facilities in the area led to its initial opening in 1993. Since then, the centre has grown year-on-year. Moreover, the centre now provides care for more than 110 children in the morning. In addition to this, 30 primary school children join the centre in the afternoons!

 

The facility aims to provide its learners with a well-balanced education. Emphasis is placed on building up the children’s overall character and self-confidence. As a volunteer in South Africa at the Gingerbread House, you will assist in every facet of the projects daily routine. This involves helping the local teacher run lessons and dance/creative arts, to food preparation and feeding. General playtime is everyone’s favourite time of day!

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL CHILDCARE DAY

As a childcare volunteer in South Africa, you can expect to participate in a range of activities. Most noteworthy, you will be supporting the local staff with daily duties (whether this is cleaning activities and/or admin work). Furthermore, you will assist with food preparation and feeding, supervising during free playtime and nap-times.

 

When you volunteer with children in South Africa, you will also have the opportunity to carry out some teaching. Examples will include helping with basic maths, reading and arts & crafts activities. Most importantly, you will become a positive role model for the children. Sadly, this is something that many of the children are lacking. Ultimately, as you complete volunteer work in South Africa, you will be providing invaluable assistance to the overstretched local staff.

 

The typical working hours are 8am-1pm Monday-Friday with a lunch break in between. The children usually have nap time in the early afternoon. If volunteers wish too, they can return after until the project closes. Weekends are your own free time.

 

Volunteers will need to make their own way to the childcare project each day. Moreover, this usually involves taking public transport but sometimes projects can be walking distance from the Volunteer House. On average, it takes around 30 minutes to get to the childcare project. Our local team will instruct you as to how to get to and from the project each day. Alternatively, you will be paired with a volunteer who has already been working at the placement you have been assigned to.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN SOUTH AFRICA

Township Projects – Please note, most projects we support are centrally based in the city within Cape Town. Projects in the township area represent a much more challenging experience both logistically and structurally.

 

Consequently, we do not promote or endorse projects in these locations. Should volunteers wish to experience projects in the townships this may be arranged on an ad hoc basis. This is dictated by the discretion of the local team. Volunteers are best to discuss such options with the team upon arrival into South Africa.

 

Resources – On the childcare project in South Africa, resources can be very limited. Volunteers are recommended to bring materials to the project each day to maximise their productivity and day to day involvement. It is therefore important for volunteers to prepare well in advance to get the most out of their childcare volunteering experience in South Africa.

 

Placement Settings – PMGY does not provide volunteer opportunities in orphanages in any of our locations. Research and studies have shown that visiting and volunteering in orphanages has the potential to generate an industry that separates children from their families. In turn, putting children at increased risk of neglect and abuse. Therefore, we do not support these institutions with our volunteer network.

 

Instead, we focus on offering alternative childcare volunteer opportunities whereby children come to and from the placement setting each day. In other words, our local teams collaborate with childcare projects which do not offer any form of residential care. These are safe, responsible, and vetted projects, where participants continue to provide valued assistance supporting local staff.

 

Weekends – Your project work in South Africa runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our South Africa Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.

As a volunteer teaching English in South Africa, you will play a vital role in developing local children’s English skills. Consequently, as the students English levels improve, so will their future prospects. PMGY’s South Africa volunteer programs will see you help young children in Cape Town. Teach English in South Africa and a range of other subjects to underprivileged children from government schools. All within the stunning setting of cosmopolitan Cape Town.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE TEACHING PROGRAM

South Africa adopts 11 official languages. It is a nation with huge potential. Much of its future hope lies with the youth of this great country. Huge steps have been made by the post-apartheid regime to implement a fully inclusive and comprehensive education system for all. However, the sad reality is that the quality of education received is largely dependent on location and family wealth.

 

Those with high-income families and a low cost of living correlate to more prosperous opportunities. Examples include private school and language school learning opportunities. Consequently, direct gateways are provided for children of a more advantageous background to get the top jobs in South Africa.

 

On the other hand, many young ones from disadvantaged communities don’t have it so easy. More specifically, they don’t receive a sufficient level of education to prepare them for the future.
Furthermore, the influx of refugees to emerging cities such as Cape Town is causing further conflicts. In the same vein, extra burdens are being placed on already under-resourced and overcrowded government schools. Most classrooms are filled with 40+ children to only one local teacher.

 

Many of the children that attend public schools we support come from broken homes. These are places where criminality and illiteracy are commonplace. Far too many children become a product of their environment and so become largely disengaged with formal education.

 

The further difficulty lies in the fact that the schools seriously lack manpower and the resources to tackle these issues. In addition, the schools will offer little or no recreational activities to help integrate some of the less enthusiastic learners.

 

PMGY South Africa volunteers provide assistance to primary schools in and around the popular tourist destination of Cape Town. The children are aged 6-13. Primary school teaching will be largely focused on core subjects such as maths, art and science. Above all, there is a focus on students to improve in English.

 

The primary schools are government based schools. In addition, class sizes vary from 15-40 pupils and ages from around 5-12 years old. As a volunteer teaching English in South Africa, you can expect to participate in the following activities. For example, supporting with lesson planning and execution as well as one-on-one support for students.

 

Furthermore, as a volunteer teacher in South Africa, you may be required to substitute for the main teacher. Other tasks expected when you teach in South Africa include leading physical education lessons and administration duties. In addition to this, you will be providing assistance for fundraising and annual functions/events.

 

Volunteer opportunities provided by PMGY offer a platform to make a positive impact when you teach English in South Africa. When working at our English teaching volunteer projects in South Africa, it is important to maintain energy, enthusiasm and creativity. Many of these students will benefit from having someone who is fluent in the English language teaching them in South Africa. As a volunteer teaching English in South Africa, you will need to donate your time and skills effectively. This is to ensure you can maximise your impact on the local people.

 

TEACHING VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

Chapel Street Primary School – The majority of the 800 students who attend Chapel Street primary come from disadvantaged local communities. For instance, many of the students arrive at the school from the townships of Cape Town that suffer great poverty. This means that classrooms are often overcrowded and resources limited.

 

With only 24 staff members, the approximate ratio is 1 teacher to 30-40 students. Despite this strain, the teachers do their utmost to combat the economic and social hardships the learners face. Typically, the teachers achieve this through education, information and communications technology.

 

Most of the students who attend the school are between 6-13 years of age. Firstly, volunteers primary role is to assist the local teachers in the classroom. Secondly, volunteers will also be expected to lead lessons and support with sports education. Finally, volunteers may also have the opportunity to help with swimming lessons and art classes. PMGY volunteers provide invaluable support to overburdened local teachers and can build great bonds with the students along the way.

 

St. Pauls Primary School – Located in the iconic and historic Cape Malay community of Bo-Kaap, St. Pauls primary school is surrounded by colourful houses and steep cobblestone streets. The school is conveniently located within walking distance of the Cape Town city centre. However, most of the students come from townships. These are areas that are home to some of the city’s most impoverished communities. Most noteworthy, these townships often face challenges such as substance abuse and high crime rates. Consequently, schools such as St. Pauls primary are often seen as ‘places of safety’ for these children.

 

Volunteers at this school are placed in the younger/lower grades with children aged between 6-8 years. For these students, the focus is placed on language, basic math, art/music and physical education. Volunteers that teach English in South Africa largely work as a teaching assistant. Tasks include coordinating tasks such as reading groups and performing admin duties. In addition, teaching jobs will also see you work one-on-one with students who require an additional hand. Occasionally, volunteers may be given the opportunity to lead their own class. Moreover, volunteers may also be called upon to help in older classes.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL TEACHING DAY

As a volunteer teaching English in South Africa, you provide an important pair of extra hands. Subsequently, you play a vital role as a volunteer in South Africa in reducing burdens placed on local staff. In addition, extra support and teacher presence help improve discipline and overall class productivity. Troubled students and those with learning difficulties greatly benefit from the individual attention provided by international volunteers.

 

Volunteers will usually work as a teaching assistant. However, please note there may be times where you are required to lead a class yourself. It is not uncommon for this to happen when participants complete volunteer work in South Africa. Therefore, volunteers encouraged to prepare lessons accordingly in advance if so. Ultimately, it is essential volunteers spend time planning and preparing for each day. Consequently, this will allow you to get the most out of your project time.

 

The typical working hours are 7:45am-2:30pm Monday-Friday with a lunch break in between. Upon request, additional working hours/duties can be assigned. We expect volunteers to spend at least 1 hour each day planning activities and lessons for the following day. Weekends are your own free time.

 

Volunteers will need to make their own way to the English teaching project each day. Moreover, this usually involves taking public transport but sometimes projects can be walking distance from the Volunteer House. On average, it takes around 30 minutes to get to the English teaching project. Our local team will instruct you as to how to get to and from the project each day. Alternatively, you will be paired with a volunteer who has already been working at the placement you have been assigned to.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER TEACHING CHILDREN IN SOUTH AFRICA

Experience – For the English Teaching program, teaching experience is not essential as the mere presence of a native English speaker is invaluable. As long as you are creative, determined and resourceful you can have a constructive impact on the development of the children’s education.

 

TEFL Course – We encourage volunteers to prepare as much as possible for their teaching program overseas. You can make the most out of your time by completing our convenient, inexpensive and international accredited 60 hour Online TEFL Course. The cost of this course is only 150 USD.

 

Township Projects – Please note, most projects we support are centrally based in the city within Cape Town. Projects in the township area represent a much more challenging experience both logistically and structurally.

 

Consequently, we do not promote or endorse projects in these locations. Should volunteers wish to experience projects in the townships this may be arranged on an ad hoc basis. This is dictated by the discretion of the local team. Volunteers are best to discuss such options with the team upon arrival into South Africa.

 

Resources – On the teach English in South Africa project, resources can be very limited. Volunteers are recommended to bring materials to the project each day to maximise their productivity and day to day involvement. It is therefore important for volunteers to prepare well in advance to get the most out of their teaching English project experience.

 

Weekends – Your project work in South Africa runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our South Africa Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.

As a South Africa Wildlife Reserve Volunteer, you will get the opportunity to work behind the scenes on a world-class wildlife reserve. In addition, you will gain a rich education in conservation management. PMGY’s South Africa volunteer programs provide a fantastic opportunity to engage in meaningful wildlife volunteer work in South Africa. If you have a real passion for animals then this South Africa wildlife volunteer program is the opportunity for you.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE WILDLIFE PROGRAM

The South Africa wildlife volunteer program is home to vast populations of the incredible ‘Big 5’. In Africa, the Big 5 game animals are the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo. The term originates from hunters. More specifically, hunters would refer to the animals as the five most difficult to hunt on foot in Africa.

 

Poaching of wild animals is on the rise in most parts of Africa. Consequently, more species are becoming endangered. Most noteworthy, the Big 5 species represent the highest-profile examples being threatened with extinction. Other threats come in the form of diseases from domestic animals. Cattle and dogs can easily spread disease into wild animal populations.

 

Alien species of animals and plants introduced to Africa represent another threat to the extinction of flora and fauna. Whether introduced deliberately or accidentally, alien species compete with native species for limited food and water. Furthermore, the earth’s changing climate is making much of Africa more prone to drought. This puts even more pressure on all species to compete for scarce water. In the same vein, the human population are diverting rivers for their own needs, leaving many other species high and dry.

 

All of these are exacting a terrible toll on Africa’s once-thriving wildlife. Game reserves and their conservation efforts in South Africa aim to play a role in counteracting these threats. They provide a large area of land where wild animals can live safely. Not only this, they represent a managed ecosystem that encompasses many miles of beautiful terrain.

 

The focus of a game reserve is specifically animals (fauna). However, there can be an equal concern with all aspects of native biota of the area (flora, fungi, etc.). Volunteer support in conservation-based activities at the game reserve provides big support to maintaining the flora, fauna and biodiversity.

 

This project was established to return the natural land to its former glory. This includes being home to the wildlife species that once roamed freely here. Since its beginning, the project has worked hard to successfully reintroduce native wildlife and flora. To help sustain the environment, volunteers take part in a variety of conservation and maintenance based activities on the reserve.

 

WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT

South Africa Big 5 Wildlife Reserve – This fabulous South African game reserve is situated on the Eastern Cape and spans over 6,000 hectares. This experience aims to give volunteers a holistic experience of life on a game reserve. Consequently, as you complete wildlife volunteer work in South Africa, opportunities and exposure will come in abundance. Not only will you be exposed to the majestic Big 5 family but also conservation of all types of fauna and flora. They all go hand in hand.

 

The game reserves education and rehabilitation centre is home to a number of species of endangered predators. For example, lions, Bengal tigers and cheetahs. The dedicated conservation team are committed to the preservation of these elusive creatures. Subsequently, this is done through rehabilitation and releasing them back into the wild. The team will conduct such a process whilst considering the effects on a managed ecosystem.

 

The work is exciting and varied with lots to learn! Naturally, due to the wild and predatory nature of the animals, this is not a hands-on experience. Furthermore, interaction and close-up monitoring of these animals is not an option as a South Africa wildlife reserve volunteer.

 

Big cats like the Bengal tigers are also found at the centre. Their population has deteriorated at an alarming rate. Over the last 100 years, hunting and deforestation have reduced tiger populations from hundreds of thousands to perhaps fewer than 2,500. The centre has been lucky enough to see the birth of a Bengal tiger cub. This was after an arduous 4 years of work and research at the wildlife sanctuary.

 

This is a program designed for volunteers interested in having a true African wildlife experience. In other words, on the South Africa wildlife volunteer program, you will make a difference to the local wildlife and environment. Activities for this program vary on a day to day basis and are dependent on weather and other factors (so please expect the itinerary to change from time to time!).

 

The itinerary is designed in such a way that volunteers are divided into groups of up to 10 volunteers per group. Naturally, this is dependent on the number of South Africa wildlife reserve volunteers at the time. Each group will have an outdoor volunteer coordinator as a leader and mentor.

 

The groups will be engaged in different daily activities. However, each group will all do the same type and number of activities by the end of the week. In some cases, all the groups might do the same activity at the same time depending on the type of activity.

 

So it is a busy yet highly rewarding and exciting program from start to finish. The dedicated volunteer coordinator will ensure that you have a wonderful learning experience. In addition, the local staff will ensure you make a real contribution to the conservation work at the reserve. Ultimately, you will leave with a stronger understanding of the conservation issues in South Africa.

 

The volunteer tasks are largely a combination of land management and animal management program activities. Here is just a small selection of the volunteer opportunities you can expect to get involved in during the week on the wildlife conservation program!

 

• Lion monitoring
• Rhino monitoring
• Educational lectures and classroom activities within local communities
• Removal of alien vegetation
• Planting of indigenous trees
• Landscaping
• Re-establishment of vegetation and vegetation management
• Fence and anti-poach patrols
• Fence repairs and road maintenance
• Monitoring of predators in the rehabilitation centre
• Game counts

 

Your efforts will help to make sure the reserve is a safe and suitable environment for these animals to not just survive but thrive. The activities for the week are extremely varied so no two days will be the same. It’s not all work and no play as the program is designed to provide a physical and fun experience every day.

 

YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL WORK DAY

Each volunteer in South Africa participant will play a big part and benefit to the conservation efforts of the reserve. All your day to day activities is shown on the itinerary which will be displayed on the volunteer notice board. The itinerary will show you what activity your group will be doing and at what time. If you have any suggestions around working with animals in conservation, you can discuss these with the local team.

 

On the South Africa wildlife volunteer program, you will play a key role in saving the precious wilderness. This is not just for the here and now, but also in protecting it for future generations. So, if you fancy rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty in a once in a lifetime setting then this is the program for you. Whether it be for 1 week or part of a gap year, there is no better place to volunteer with animals in conservation when you complete volunteer work in South Africa.

 

Working hours as a conservation volunteer are generally quite fixed across Monday-Friday. They are split into a morning and afternoon session. The morning session is often more physically demanding where temperatures are relatively cooler running from around 9:30am-1:00pm. A lunch break then follows with the afternoon session usually running 2:30pm-4:30pm thereafter. Please note that times are subject to change based on summer/winter times and the activities. Finally, as volunteers are based on the reserve, they are only ever a short jeep drive or walk from where their daily volunteer tasks take place. Any project transport required is included in the Program Fee.

 

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Additional Opportunities – On an ad-hoc basis, the local team sometimes arrange evening reptile shows, lectures, and cross-cultural dance shows. Additionally, volunteers may also have the opportunity to experience extra major conservation activities. Examples can include capturing of wildlife animals, game introduction and fire management activities. These activities take place on an ad-hoc basis but certainly provide volunteers with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

 

Free Time – It is important to note that the reserve is based remotely. Therefore, volunteers are encouraged to embrace all facilities and aspects of life on the reserve. During free time on the reserve, volunteers have great amenities around them. For example, volunteers can relax in the lounge and swimming pool. Alternatively, choose to enjoy the entertainment room and tennis courts. At weekends, transfers to and from Port Elizabeth run complementary at fixed times from the reserve.

 

Weekends – Your project work in South Africa runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our South Africa Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.