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A: The projects that VA32°south are operating, notably the education programme and the conservation programme, require considerable running costs to be met. The management of the volunteers involves housing and feeding volunteers in a safe and insured establishment. Volunteers are transported by VA staff on a daily basis. VA needs to cover the cost of the vehicles, staff, insurance, licensing and maintenance of these. Transporting volunteers in South Africa requires special additional licensing and insurances on the vehicles which have a cost attached.
The VA experience is further aimed at delivering a holistic experience to its volunteers which involves hiring tour guides, cultural and environmental tours and assisting volunteers in a host of other travel and personal areas they require assistance. VA is a staffed organisation and it needs to meet the economic demand of being able to address these aspects on a continuing basis if it is to be of real value to the communities it supports.
VA is not funded by any outside organisations and therefore needs to be able to stand alone in its operational demands.
VA has manageable and measurable objectives through which volunteers are able to understand the link between their costs and their contributions.
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*Onsite Project Management also includes resource development and implementation. |
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"Why Pay to Volunteer" is a much discussed subject throughout the travel and volunteer sector. Ultimately the decision is yours. For further advice and information on the question take a look at these blogs and articles:
careerbreaksecrets.com has advice on the different types of volunteer placements and organisations, as well as advice on what questions to ask any organisation before you book.
Volunteer Global has a simple blog explaining why volunteer organisations ask you to cover your costs and contribute.
If you have any questions about the cost of our projects click here to contact our team or hook up with us on skype for an informal chat.
Q: What is it to be Fair Trade in Tourism?
A: Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) is a globally recognised brand established to encourage equitable and sustainable business practises within the tourism industry.
Under an FTTSA assessor, who visited the organisation for 4 days, every aspect of the project and company was looked into. Along with the obvious elements of business such as licences, permits, contracts, expenditure, ownership, vehicles, risk assessments, accommodations, meals and marketing, the assessment additionally covered the evaluation of our code of conduct for volunteers and staff, interaction and management of volunteers, choice of outsourced partners, craft purchase policies, staff capacity building programmes, procurement policies and volunteer work with minors policy. The final areas assessed were Corporate Social Investment, business return to community and the quantifiable outputs of the project.
FTTSA accredited VA32s Wild Coast School Project with Fair Trade status. We are very proud to be the worlds first Fair Trade certified volunteering experience, alongside Calabash Tours who are based in Port Elizabeth. We hope that this accreditation will assist in the growth of our volunteer support for the valuable Schools Project, and will help take us over the 1000 underprivaleged learners we reach per week, which is our target for 2010.
A: All of our projects are available for a minimum of 2 weeks. There is no maximum. The longer you stay the more you will achieve!
Q: Is there Malaria in your area?
A: No. If you have onward travel plans for areas such as Kruger National Park or Botswana you may need to take malaria prevention before your departure from the Wild Coast. If you have any concerns we advise you see a medical practitioner before your departure.
Q: Do foreigners need a visa, and what type of visa?
A: Yes, foreigners do need visas for South Africa. It is your responsibility to check with both your embassy and the South African Embassy with regards to appropriate visas.
Q: Is there a minimum age for volunteers?
A: Yes, volunteers need to be 18 or over
Q: Is there a maximum age for volunteers?
A: No, but there can be physical demands on our projects and it is worth discussing these with us should you feel you might have difficulties.
Q: Do we work over weekends and public holidays?
A: Weekends are designed for you to have free time. There are many adventure activities available in the area if you are looking to be active. Volunteers often book onto the beach horse rides, surfschool or mountain bike rides that happen in the Chintsa area over weekends. The beach is on your doorstep and offers good swimming, shell collecting, chilling and walking. Buccaneers has a pool and bar and volunteers are welcome to use their facilities while on a VA32 south programme.
Q: Are there trips or tours for volunteers after their placements?
A: South Africa has a very active tourism industry that caters for almost every travellers' needs. Volunteer Africa 32° South has an experienced travel team who will assist with getting you onto the best trips or tours to satisfy your travel bug. VA32 south will also help with car hire, flights and bus arrangements should you need this.
Q: What skills are necessary for Volunteer Africa projects?
A: Basic computer literacy is necessary for the usual school project placements. If you have no background in computers, discuss this before with VA32 as there are many other facits to their work and appropriate tasks can be developed for you. If you bring a desire to give of your time in a constructive way, you will usually have all the skill that is needed.
Q: Where do I stay whilst I volunteer with VA32?
A: For School, Angel and Horse volunteers VA32 has a volunteer house in the seaside village of Chintsa East. Volunteers will be stay in shared accommodation (two or more to a room) in an awesome house overlooking the beach and lagoon. The house is within a few minutes walk of the beach and volunteers will have access to canoes, boogie boards and beach accessories through the local backpackers Buccaneers. Accommodation has most mod cons including washing machine, microwave and even daily visits from the monkeys!
Our conservation and wildlife base camps are permanent Safari Tented Camps in the bush. The tents are spacious and shared, there are communal areas which become the hub for meals, relaxing, learning and socialising, all with a great atmosphere. We provide volunteers with clean and modern ablution facilities as well as access to most mod cons including a washing machine. Kettles and fridges are available to use at camp.
The camps are remote and secluded and therefore offer volunteers an authentic “living in the bush” experience, a real highlight of these projects.
Q: Do I have to pay for my meals?
A: Three meals a day are included in your project fee as detailed below:
Breakfasts are early and healthy. The volunteer house and camps are stocked with cereals, white and brown bread for toast as well as butter, jams and peanut butter. Fresh fruit is always available as are tea and coffee. Volunteers help themselves to breakfast.
Lunch is in the form of sandwiches and fruit. Each volunteer is responsible for their own lunch and they will have access to all the necessary ingredients over breakfast to make this. White and brown bread, cheese, tomato, lettuce, cucumber, jams, peanut butter and cold meats will be provided.
Dinners are scrumptious, home cooked, sit down meals. These will be prepared by VA32 staff (we cater for vegetarians on request). Volunteers will also have the opportunity to enjoy traditional food which is included in our rotation of meals. Other theme menus include Mexican and Indian and (of course) braai night!
Water is drinkable from our taps and drinking tanks. Volunteers wishing to drink mineral water will have to purchase their own as we do not supply bottled water.
Snacks, treats and between meal foods must be self purchased. The nearby shops in Chintsa East have most basic requirements and more. A communal fridge is available for volunteer use. For School, Angel ans Horse volunteers there are several restaurants and bars within walking distance who do specials for volunteers.
Volunteers will not be expected to manage the kitchen, cleaning, washing dishes or general house maintenance on a daily basis. However, basic “looking after your own mess” contributions which will assist our staff are encouraged.
Important Note and Reminder: Participants must advise VA32 of their dietary needs (e.g. vegetarian, allergic to nuts etc.) prior to their departure. Participants with very specific dietary needs may be required to supplement their meals at their own expense.
A: First Aid Kit
Sleeping Bag
You should pack the following kit for all weather conditions, including:
- 2/3 shorts
- 1 jacket / anorak
- Tracksuit / pullover
- 2 pairs of long pants / jeans
- 2 pairs of walking shoes / boots / trainers
- 1 pair of sandals
- 3-4 T-shirts
- 2-3 long sleeve shirts
- smarter change of clothes
- swimwear
- sun hat; preferably one that covers the back of your neck
- raincoat
- kikoi / sarong
Your clothing should be easy to wash and dry and should preferably not need ironing. Avoid synthetics, which can be very uncomfortable in hot weather.
Take a set of casual but smart clothes for the occasional evening out in a restaurant or pub.
If you wear glasses or contacts, it is also advisable to bring a spare pair.
Additional Items:
- towel and facecloth
- personal toiletries
- torch
- camera and film
- suntan lotion
- sunglasses
Q: What support do VA32 offer whilst I'm in South Africa?
A: All of our projects have an on-site co-ordinating team who work closely with the VA32 management team to ensure volunteers’ needs are catered for. Due to the nature of the conservation and wildlife initiatives volunteers may, at times, not have daily access to TV, internet etc. but will frequently enough have the opportunity to communicate should they wish.
Facilities available to you in the VA32 Support centre at Chintsa East include:
24 hr personalised contact person available
Internet, fax, phone and post facilities (reduced rates for volunteers)
Professional, full time VA facilitators for planning and mentoring
Weekly feedback, troubleshooting and planning sessions with co-ordinating team
Internet, fax, phone and post facilities (reduced rates for volunteers)
Transport to and from project
TV and DVD in volunteer house
Free use of canoes and boogie boards
Surfboard hire and surf school lessons at reduced rate
Airport transfers are also included in your project fee.
Q: Is there anything worthwhile to bring if one is on a VA32 south project?
A: The Wild Coast Schools' Programme deals with bottom socio-economic rural schools. These schools are all under resourced and welcome any resources.
Good things to bring include:
- Sporting equipment such as balls, bats, bibs.
- Classroom equipment, especially maps and educational posters, pens, rulers and stencils.
- Loads of enthusiasm and energy
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