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Background of the Organization
Volunteer Africa 32˚ south (VA32) was founded by Michael Denison and Sean Price in 2004 as the vehicle to further grow and implement a number of education and social transformation initiatives they were involved in through their tour company, African Heartland Journeys.
Often regarded as the “eternal optimists”, Mike and Sean, born, bred and well travelled South Africans with considerable rural development experience and a strong track record in tourism decided that an organisation encouraging responsible, participatory and authentic travel experiences that respond to genuine needs, as defined by their local communities, was necessary for the Wild Coast, and hence VA32 was formed.
VA32’s core focal areas concentrate on education, social transformation and conservation. Utilising foreign travellers and providing a strong and professional framework, VA32 in partnership with other relevant role players and stakeholders as partners, designs and implements volunteer projects.
As an organisation we have grown through our experiences, learned from our volunteers and built increasingly strong relationships with our partners. It has been an exceptionally successful model that has refined itself into a valuable contributor to schools, environmental organisations, game reserves and the broader community. This has all been a direct result of the numerous volunteers we have been privileged to host over the past five years. To track the organisations accomplishments please visit the News Archives page on this site as well as checking out our past volunteer comments. If you would like to hear more from some of our past volunteers please get in touch with us & we can arrange more in-depth communications to help you to reach a further understanding of the volunteer experience and the rewards of being part of the VA32 team.
The VA32 Team
Sean & Mike - Managing Directors
With 15 years of experience in the Price family tourism business, Sean brings a wealth of knowledge to the VA32 table. Mike (BA English & Psychology / HDip education) is very actively involved in the daily workings of VA32; driving ideas and initiatives, encouraging staff and volunteers to “think outside of the box“, as well as offering practical knowledge on getting things off the ground. Together Sean and Mike are a continuous drive behind VA32, always developing and shaping new ideas as well as keeping an ear to the ground for what may be needed in the future and maintaining the running of current projects. On top of all this they also manage to provide a strong support network for both staff & volunteers on a daily basis.
Karen - Administrator
Having joined the company 5 years ago, Karen forms a big part of the communications network for all involved in VA32. Karen is the local contact point for our international partners and manages all administration as it relates to the organization and projects. Her experience in the travel industry offers our volunteers an on the ground “SA Organizer” for all their weekend travel planning, extra activities, overland tours and her larger than life personality provides a welcome shoulder to cry on (especially for Mike!) should things get a bit rough.
Mike & Jo - Wildcoast School Co-ordinators
Mike & Jo first joined VA32 in 2007 as volunteers on the Wild Coast Schools Project. Their love for the initiative and enthusiasm towards VA’s work meant that they came back as co-ordinators for the schools project near the end of 2008. Both are from the UK: Jo (BA English/ European studies) is a qualified primary school teacher with 10 years experience. Mike (Community Education & FAETC) is a social worker with a background in working with marginalised children and women. Mike also acts as a (much needed!) computer technician in the school labs. The amount of effort and the skills and knowledge that the Fords bring to the Schools Project has raised the profile of both that specific project and of VA32 in general.
The Chintsa East Feeding Scheme was driven by Mike & is turning into a great success. Mike is also at the forefront of driving the Connectivity for All intiative.
Denver - Project Leader
Having been with VA32 for 4 years, Denver provides our volunteers with an insight into the company and our country in their 2 day adventure orientation tour. He also assists in planning, co-ordinating and facilitating on the VA32 special projects such as T2V and drives the DUNE Surfing initiative with local school children throughout the Summer.
Alongside his work with VA32 he is an Accredited International Surf Instructor (AISI) running the African Heartland Journeys surf school and multi day tours into the rural and remote Wild Coast.
Milton - Superman!
Standing above 6 foot, a gregarious smile, Milton is a man of all trades. He provides VA32 with a reliable, creative and efficient service designing, building and maintaining our labs, school buildings and facilities along with keeping the volunteer house in top order. More recently he is has developed his broader guiding skills and shares the responsibility of mountain bike tours with “Tobzy” for AHJ. Milton lives in the Chintsa East township and has been with the company for around 2 years. Both Milton and Tobz provide valuable community links between the organization and the community ensuring our objectives are aligned to genuine needs and appropriately implemented.
Thobela - Company Driver & Local Guide
Tobz , also a Chintsa East local, joined VA32 as a quiet and shy young man around 3 years ago. Over his time with the organization he has grown into a very valuable and confident resource that is vital to our success. He has received support from the organization to pursue his studies in tourism and will be qualifying as a fully accredited guide in 2010. He currently acts as a local guide for volunteers and drives to & from projects & activities. Together with Milton, they staff the twice weekly VA32 sport initiative.
Nomakwezi - House Managers
For the past 5 years Nomakwezi, known to her volunteers as Kwezi, has run the volly house; created menus, cooked and cleaned everyday, ensured there is enough food in the house & generally keeping our vollies happy at home. This trendy, beautiful young woman is full of fun, committed and generous with her maternal love (being a mother herself) as is required from our steady flow of volunteers.
April - Networking and Communications
Having originally volunteered on the Wild Coast Schools project in 2008, April returned to Chintsa at the end of 2009 to help drive VA32 forward in the communications arena. Networking with present and past volunteers through the internet as well as updating our website and other e-Communication accounts she helps us to promote an ongoing relationship with our volunteers, agencies and interested parties. From the UK, April has experience in working with special needs children in mainstream schools and alongside her communications role, volunteers in the Wild Coast schools throughout term time.
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© 2006 Volunteer Africa. All Rights Reserved
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