Location
The project is located in the rural coastal town of Vilanculos, Mozambique. The tropical, scenic town is located on Africa's south eastern coast.
About the project
Volunteers in this program will contribute to the community of Vilanculos through a variety of initiatives. The project in Vilanculos, Mozambique has succeeded in facilitating HIV testing and awareness for over 400 members of the Vilanculos community. At the rural preschool past volunteers have built a new classroom, a large vegetable garden, a kitchen, a toilet facility, and a new shady veranda for the children's eating area. Volunteers will also be working with the town's primary and secondary schools, orphanage, home builders, and more. The projects are always evolving so are likely to be at different stages upon your arrival. Volunteers should be prepared to be involved in a wide spectrum of project work as things progress, all of which help move the projects and the people of Vilanculos towards a more hopeful future.
Volunteer work and contribution
HIV Educational Workshops
Volunteers will work with community leaders to plan and run HIV/AIDS workshops in order to educate the community about the dangers of the disease.
Rural Pre-School Learning Centre
Volunteers visit the pre-school every morning to assist the local teachers and educate the children in creative ways. Volunteer involvement at the pre-school:
- Singing and dancing with the children in English, Portguese and Xitsua
- Developing the children's imagination and creative skills through crafts such as painting, drawing and coloring
- Teaching basic lessons about colors, numbers, letters and knowledge of the world in English with the assistance of a translator
- Giving the children the opportunity to let off some steam through fun games and structured physical education classes
- General upkeep of the school to keep it a pleasant environment in which to learn
- Some basic work at the preschool farm, aimed at providing a source of sustainable income for the preschool
Teaching English Project
We are currently teaching English to a group of students ranging in age from young adults to middle-aged adults. Volunteers are responsible for creating fun and interactive lesson plans. Volunteers encourage active participation from the students by reading out loud, role-playing writing on the board, doing written work, and playing games. Volunteer involvement in the Teaching English Project:
- Planning fun, interactive, and challenging lessons for the students
- Conducting these lessons with the help of a translator in a patient, dynamic and passionate manner
- Assigning and correction of homework assignments
- Lessons are not very advanced, but volunteers should arrive with a solid and comfortable working knowledge of English grammar basics
- Getting to know an amazing group of individuals with an inspiring dedication to learning
Orphan Care and Development
Participants visit the orphanage once a week. The orphanage is also the site of our once-monthly cultural immersion days (local cooking and song and dance!) Volunteer Involvement at the Orphanage:
- English and Portuguese lessons with the children with the assistance of visual aids and a translator.
- Developmental playtime where the children get to learn new games and play with toys to which they wouldn't normally have access.
- Constructive sports games such as Frisbee and Soccer.
- Giving the children the one on one care and attention that is so critical for their development
Rural Home-Building
In February of 2007, cyclone Favio hit the Mozambican coast and devastated much of the local area. The community has rebuilt much of the infrastructure since then, and volunteers will assist with rural home-building in the community. The project is currently able to build a home every 2 to 3 week. Other building projects that we undertake include refurbishment at the preschool, such as new classrooms and amenities.
Language Club
Saturday mornings are spent at the language club, an informal learning group open to the community just up the hill from the volunteer camp. Here, children and adults of all ages who may not have the opportunity for formal education can come to learn and practice English in fun and creative ways. Volunteer involvement at language club:
- Play creative language learning games with the youths such as bingo and pairs game to encourage fun learning.
- Arts and crafts as a means of increasing vocabulary, with themes such as sea-life and the animal world.
- More formal English lessons with advanced students interested to further their education in their spare time.
- Singing in English and Portuguese
Accommodation & facilities
Volunteers stay in simple yet comfortable thatched bungalows. The camp is situated in a great location right on the beach. Facilities include a kitchen, lounge/dining area, garden, swimming pool and fire pit/braai area. Each bungalow consists of 2 bedrooms and an en-suite bathroom with toilet and shower.
Volunteers will be provided with three meals a day.
Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereal/porridge, toast, fruit, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals, and will be cooked for you by our volunteer cook at the volunteer base. On Saturdays and Sundays lunch food is provided but also on a help-yourself basis. The cooks will be in to prepare dinner on both weekend nights.
Travel Highlights
There are many activities for volunteers to enjoy during their time off. Examples include:
- Sailing Dhow Safari to the Bazaruto Islands (. Includes snorkeling equipment, National Parks fee and a seafood lunch cooked for you on the beach)
- Deep Sea fishing excursion
- Snorkeling excursions
- Horseback rides on the beach
- Eating out at fantastic restaurants that can either give you a taste of Mozambique or a taste of home.
- Open Water 3-day PADI Certified Scuba Diving Course
Minimum Requirements
- Good level of English
- Min age 18
- Flexibility and open mindedness
- High level of independence and emotional strength
- Motivation to work with children
- Full travel &medical insurance
- Immunizations (please consult your doctor)