Placements
Your placement will be influenced by your skills, placement preferences and project availability. Projects are very flexible so it’s all about using your skills and initiative where you can. Community based projects are normally in the poorer suburbs and townships of Cape town; wildlife and nature reserve work is more rurally located.
It is likely you will be working alongside other volunteers from both the UK or
worldwide. Examples of opportunities are listed below.
Community Based Projects
| Education |
Childcare |
Working as a teacher’s assistant in a Pre-school, Primary or Secondary School helping to teach English and other subjects
Organising activities from arts and crafts, sports, dance and music to extra curricular activities |
Supervising in schools, day-care centres or orphanages
Helping with meal-times and play time
Assisting with basic education and the day-to-day running of a centre |
| HIV/AIDS Awareness |
Environmental/Agricultural |
Educating local communities on the risks of HIV infection; assisting with local workshops, awareness programmes and HIV/AIDS support sessions
Helping with the general administration and promotion of a project in the community |
Assisting in an urban farming co-operative or nature reserve
Environmental awareness initiatives directed at school groups and visitors to the parks
Clearing trails and monitoring flora and fauna |
| Healthcare/Care Work |
Tourism |
Assisting in clinics and care homes for people with physical, emotional or mental disabilities (suitably qualified or experienced applicants only). |
Assisting with the general running and promotion of a tourism project in a rural village or local community |
Wildlife Based Projects
Wildlife
Participating in the daily activities of a wildlife reserve including animal research, maintenance work, guest relations and lodge management, as well as awareness and educational programmes that educate rural communities on the importance of animal and nature conservation.
Orientation
To help you settle into South African life you will receive a fabulous 7 day introduction to Cape Town. This will cover:
- Education sessions:
- culture and customs
- safety
- accommodation and placement
- Walking tour of Cape Town
- Excursions to:
- Cape Point
- Robben Island
- Table Mountain
- Kirstenbosch (wine tasting)
- Township tour
- Free time
- The arrival package also includes 7 nights hostel accommodation and your airport transfer and accommodation
- A great chance to meet other international volunteers.
Accommodation
Accommodation during your placement is included as part of the programme. Volunteers can expect the following:
Community based projects
- Based in rural townships surrounding Cape Town
- Live with a host family
- Enjoy local food
- Interact with the local community.
Wildlife projects
- Based in rural areas in the Eastern Cape Region
- Live at the wildlife reserve
- All meals included
- Interact with local staff and community.
Your arrival orientation, placement and local support services are provided by SASTS
(South African Students’ Travel Services) BUNAC's partner in South Africa.
Cost
The programme cost includes:
- Full pre-departure advice and support
- Programme, administration and literature and Lonely Planet Travel Guidebook.
- Seven day arrival orientation including tours and accommodation)
- Accommodation and placement costs for the duration of programme (including meals)
- 24/7 support from our local partner organisation (SASTS) for the duration of
your stay.
Programme Costs
Community based projects
| 5 weeks |
£945 |
| 9 weeks |
£1,099 |
| 13 weeks |
£1,299 |
| 17 weeks |
£1,499 |
| 25 weeks |
£1,899 |
| 33 weeks |
£2,299 |
Wildlife projects
| 5 weeks |
£1,199 |
| 9 weeks |
£1,340 |
Additional Costs
| BUNAC membership |
£5 |
| Insurance |
£116 (3 months) |
| Flights |
£550 - £800 (approx.) |
| Spending/travel money |
£175 per month |
Eligibility
To apply to Volunteer South Africa, you must be:
- A British or Irish passport holder, resident in the UK or Ireland.
- Aged at least 18
- Adventurous, flexible, good communicator, confident and outgoing
- Wildlife programme applicants must have an environmental background (work or study).
Flights
BUNAC will arrange your group flight to coincide with your arrival orientation.
There are usually between one and ten participants on our flights.
Flexible homeward tickets will allow date changes whilst away (subject to airline
availability and an administration fee). Our departure schedule is updated on a regular basis; however if the dates below do not suit your travel plans please contact BUNAC to discuss your plans in more detail.
If you would prefer to arrange your travel
independently you may do so. You must arrive in Cape Town for the start of the orientation.
| Departure Date |
Closing Date |
25th October 2008
22nd November 2008
24th January 2009
21st February 2009
21st March 2009
30th May 2009
27th June 2009
25th July 2009
26th September 2009
17th October 2009
14th November 2009
|
15th August 2008
12th September 2008
15th November 2008
13th December 2008
10th January 2009
21st March 2009
18th April 2009
23rd May 2009
18th July 2009
8th August 2009
5th September 2009
|
Insurance
BUNAC will arrange insurance for participants. It is a fully comprehensive policy that has been arranged with Endsleigh, one of the UK’s leading insurance companies. Full details will be sent following acceptance on to the programme. Currently a three
month policy costs from £116.
Fundraising
Raising extra funds for your trip needn’t be difficult as there are loads of things you can do to raise money. For further information go to www.bunac.org/fundraising for some ideas to get you started.
To apply to the
Volunteer South Africa, please follow these simple steps:
Application process
- Written application: Download the application form and send your completed
form to BUNAC with the following:
- Programme cost: Please include a deposit of £405 (includes £5 BUNAC membership
fee); the balance will be due eight weeks before the departure date. If you are submitting your application within 12 weeks of the departure date, you must send
the full programme cost straight away with your initial application.
- Your current CV
- Copy of your passport and birth certificate
- Four passport photos
- Closing date: Applications must be made to BUNAC no less than ten
weeks before the intended date of departure in the UK.
- Interview: Before you are accepted on to the programme you will need to attend an interview in BUNAC's London office during which we will discuss all aspects of the programme to ensure that you are fully prepared. This is also an
opportunity for you to ask us any further questions.
- Acceptance: Following a satisfactory interview and receipt of two references, BUNAC will formally accept you onto the programme and provide you with details of the next stage of the application process.
- Police check: As part of your application you will need to be cleared by the Criminal Record's Bureau. We will assist you in applying for this.
- Medical: All participants are required to visit their GP to discuss their trip. BUNAC will provide a specific medical form which must be completed by the participant and the doctor prior to travel.
- Pre-departure: Your flights, insurance, accommodation and placement will be arranged by BUNAC and detailed to you in the lead up to your departure
Terms and conditions
Full terms and conditions for the programme are included with the application form.
About South Africa
With post-apartheid optimism melding South Africa into a new society of energy and significance, travellers are returning to a place that has been off the trail for most of the century. Political violence seems to be a thing of the past and among the vast majority of people there is a desire to get on with building a new nation. It’s an exciting time to visit.
For the first-time traveller to Africa, South Africa is not a bad place to start: the infrastructure is constantly improving, the climate is kind and there are few better places to see Africa’s wildlife. But if you want to understand the country, you’ll have to deal with the full spectrum. Poverty still exists alongside riches….it’s necessary to take some precautions, but balancing the downside is the almost tangible sense of pride and hope across all communities (rich and poor, black and white), particularly at the way South Africa has emerged from the nightmare of apartheid.
Copyright Lonely Planet World Guide 2004
Country highlights
- Cape Town
- Table mountain
- Robben island
- The Garden Route
- Wine Country
- Kruger National Park
- Drakensburg Range
- Jefferies Bay
FAQs
| Can I book my own flights? |
| If you do not wish to take one of BUNAC's group flight departures then you can arrange your own travel. We must see proof of outbound and inbound travel before your departure. You must make sure you arrive in South Africa in time for the arrival orientation programme that you undertake with other volunteers.
|
| Do I need to apply for a visa? |
| As a volunteer you will be able to work under a tourist visa. A 90 day tourist visa will be issued on your arrival to South Africa. You can extend your stay beyond the 90 days whilst in South Africa. Our local host SASTS will be able to advise you on this.
|
| How many people take part in the programme? |
| Numbers vary however the maximum number on each flight is approximately ten, the minimum could be two or three.
|
| Do I have to go to the orientation? |
| The orientation is covered in the programme cost and is vital that all participants
attend. The orientation is an integral part of your trip. Our local host introduce you to the country and culture and answer any questions you may have. It is also good way for you to meet other volunteers from both the UK and abroad.
|
| Can I choose my placement? |
| Community based projects: Due to the nature of the local projects we work with, unfortunately we cannot guarantee set placements for participants. However, we try to match your skills and preferences as closely as possible to a suitable placement and encourage volunteers to be as flexible as possible, open to new experiences and prepared to lend a hand where necessary.
Wildlife projects:
If you join the Wildlife programme you will do a variety of jobs based in and around the wildlife reserve. It is not possible to select any specific areas of preference.
|
| What sort of jobs will I do on the Wildlife based programme? |
You will work along side the existing staff in the wildlife park or game reserve. The types of job will vary depending on the time of year, weather and health of the animals. Typical duties can include (but are not limited to) the following:
- reserve maintenance
- animal and plant rehabilitation
- culling of animals
- involved in game drives
- game capture, depending on the animals
- darting of animals
- assisting with school groups
|
| Will I be placed with other volunteers? |
| It is possible that you may share accommodation or be working at the same project as another volunteer but we cannot guarantee this as it is based on individual placement preferences and availability. Ultimately BUNAC's volunteer programmes offer a lot of support, but they are intended to be independent experiences where the individual can gain a considerable amount.
|
| Can I go for less than the required programme minimum? |
| Volunteer South Africa is a flexible programme with placements running for a period of between 5-17 weeks. We believe that a volunteer would not be able to accomplish much or feel satisfied with their participation on a project if they were there for a period shorter than the required minimum.
|
| Why do I need an interview?
|
| We ask all applicants to attend an interview in our London office. It is not a formal interview, but a chance for us to get to know more about you and your reasons for volunteering. We can discuss the types projects you are interested in and in turn give you more information about South Africa. It is also an opportunity for you
to ask us any questions you mihgt have. If you would like to apply and cannot travel
to London for an interview, please call us on 020 7251 3472 to discuss your situation. |
| Will there be chance to travel during my stay? |
| During your placement you will generally have weekends free to travel. We encourage volunteers to take time out at the end of their placement to see more of the country. It is quite common for volunteers to travel together.
|
| What medical advice does BUNAC offer?
|
| We provide a medical leaflet for South Africa with recommended injections for you to have. We advise you to visit your GP as soon as possible for the most up to date requirements and Malaria advice. Each participant must complete our medical form. One side is to be filled in by yourself about health history. The second part is to be filled in by your GP detailing your immunisation history and they must
carry out a medical examination to deem you fit and well to travel. This is at the participant's
own expense
|
If you have any further questions on Volunteer South Africa, please call us on 020 7251 3472 or e-mail: enquiries@bunac.org.uk