Location
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, nestled between Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa. The project is located in the adrenaline capital of Africa, Victoria Falls! Victoria Falls is one of the seven wonders of the world, and its no wonder why considering they are over twice the height of Niagra Falls (about 108 meters) and stretch 1700 meters wide!
About the project
Join us in beautiful Zimbabwe! Volunteer's help can make a huge impact! Volunteers will assist in both the Victoria Falls orphanage and the Monde Primary School.
Volunteer's efforts will be focused on the Orphanage. The orphanage, founded by local Vicotoria Falls women in 2007, focuses on protecting, caring for, and supporting the orphaned children of the Victoria Falls community. Children of all backgrounds are welcomed, especially those who require economic and psychosocial support due to homelessness, disease, physical disabilities, sexual abuse, parental mortality, and poverty. HIV-positive children in particular, educated and treated at the Orphanage, are encouraged to integrate into the community to remove the stigma of the disease. The Monde Primary School is run by a group of very dedicated and passionate local staff members who do their best to provide for the children. Unfortunately, the school is severely underfunded and lacks staff and resources.
As volunteers, the mission is to improve the quality of life of the children, families, and caregivers of the greater Victoria Falls community by educating the children, helping students reach their full potential, and just having fun with them! It's an incredible feeling knowing that volunteering can bring just a little bit of happiness to a child whose life is harder than we can imagine.
Volunteer work and contribution
Volunteer work on this project is greatly needed and much appreciated. In addition to interacting with the orphans and school children, volunteers will have other means of getting involved. Other volunteer duties include the following and vary depending on the timing of the project as well as the needs of the placement:
- General maintenance of the orphanage (i.e. infrastructure, day-to-day maintenance)
- Assist teachers in the classroom
- Provide one-on-one learning opportunities to eager students
- Help teachers create lesson plans
- Contribute fresh ideas
- Introduce fun sporting activities to the students
- Help create sustainable initiatives for the disadvantaged community
- Play a role in the conservation efforts in the Victoria Falls area through conservation education
- Spend time playing games with the children
Accommodation & Facilities
Volunteers will be staying at the Victoria Falls Rest Camp, ideally situated in the town and very near to the falls. Volunteers will share a room with no more than 3 other volunteers, and we can also arrange for couples or groups of friends to share rooms. The accommodations are comfortable and spacious and completely suited to volunteer's needs.
The house has satellite television, a swimming pool and barbeque area and lovely green lawns!
Volunteers are provided with 3 meals a day. Breakfast and lunches will be enjoyed out at the Masuwe concession and volunteers can relax with a warm dinner back in town at the rest camp when they return at the end of the working day.
Laundry Services: Laundry will be washed, ironed and folded free of charge and volunteers will be given a laundry bag to use for the duration of their stay.
Travel Highlights
One of the greatest aspects of this volunteer project is the vast number of optional activities, trips, and excursions available to volunteers, for an additional cost. During free time, why not take advantage of the infinite adventures Africa's "adrenaline capital" offers! Helicopter flights over the falls, bungee jumping, horse-back excursions, elephant rides & swims, game drives, gorge jumps, skydiving, canoeing, sunset cruise, Victoria Falls National Park hike, and white water rafting are just some of the many activities available to volunteers.
Excursions such as a weekend trips to neighboring Botswana or a trip to the Antelope park, home of the lion breeding project.
Minimum requirements
- Min age 17
- Good level of English
- Flexibility and open mindedness
- Desire to and passion for working with children
- Full travel & medical insurance
- Immunizations (please consult family doctor)