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Care for Orphans in Mozambique

Location Mozambique
Start Date 1st Monday of every month
Duration
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The Project

Volunteer in Mozambique to help care for orphaned and vulnerable children. Emerging from being one of the world’s poorest countries after decades of civil war, many of Mozambique's children have lost their parents and face food shortages, lack of adequate shelter and care, and most of all lack of attention and love. Volunteer on this project and you will be able to assist these vulnerable children. Based at an orphanage you may help with hands-on teaching, organising of activities, caring for the children, arranging food, assessing needs, developing their life skills, helping with administration of the centre and more.

The project involves an orphanage in Inhambane, Mozambique. The aims of the orphanage are to provide orphaned and vulnerable children with basic shelter, parental guidance, food, care and education. Food is often grown in local gardens and some is donated. The centre is well organised, neat and clean and can accommodate approximately 150 children usually between the ages of 1 and 9 years. The children stay in quasi-family units of 10 children to one house mother or guardian. There is a pre-school and an attached primary school catering for the wider community. Volunteers are needed to assist the care givers, social workers, teachers and other staff in looking after the children.
Why the project needs you

These children either have no parents, are abandoned or are vulnerable, have no suitable support structure and cannot afford to attend school. Their hope for a bright future lies in the support of the orphanage, but there are limited resources here and they cannot provide the large number of children with the individual attention they need. With high unemployment (50%) and limited state welfare, many of these children's needs cannot be met without this support and volunteer involvement is needed at the orphanage across all the areas of care, education, general upkeep and maintenance and housing.

Project Location

The project lies on the beach shores of Tofo, located on the eastern shores of Inhambane Peninsula. The atmosphere within the village is exceptionally colorful, with an amazing blend of local arts, a local market, and lots of positive Latino vibes. This is a hot spot for scuba diving on the East African coastline where Whale Sharks and Manta Rays can be seen throughout the year.

Much of the entertainment here is based around the beautiful waters. So you can sail via Dhow safari to the Bazaruto Islands, or go deep sea fishing. During the evening time you can sample some of the beachfront seafood restaurants. The volunteer beach house is situated 5 minutes from the beach and local market. There are very basic shops, a few restaurants and bars and a number of beach activities available closeby.
Project Facts

• Duration: 4-12 weeks
• Cost: £1599 ($2798) for 4 weeks and £175 ($306) per week thereafter
• Requirements: age 18+
• Location: Tofo Bay, Inhambane, Mozambique
• Project activities: hands-on teaching, organizing of activities, caring for the children, arranging food, assessing needs, developing life skills, helping with administration of the center and more.
• Working hours: 08:30 - 15:00 Monday –Friday
• Project availability: Projects start 1st Monday of each month.
What is included

• Accommodation: Shared room in a volunteer house.
• Food: 3 meals per day - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (volunteers help with cooking)
• Airport pick up and drop off
• Training: Pre-departure information pack, on-site Orientation and project induction provided
• Daily transfers to and from your project.
• Support: 24 hour support from on-site coordinator
What is not included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas

Role of the volunteer

As a volunteer on this project you will be working in the orphanage to assist the care givers, social workers, teachers and other staff in looking after the orphaned and vulnerable children at the centre. Volunteers may move from one house-unit to another on a day to day basis or be stationed at one house-unit assisting the house mothers with caring for the children. This may include helping to bath and clean the younger children, prepare food, teach the children basic life-skills, arrange games and fun activities, teach at the pre-school or primary school or any other activities associated with the day to day care of the children. You may also be involved in helping with the administration and development of the centre, making improvements to the buildings and house units and even becoming a part of the outreach and identification program, developing profiles for children in the community who are at risk. You will be encouraged to use your skills to help meet the needs of the centre under the guidance of our project co-ordinator and the centre staff.

As a volunteer you may get involved in many of the following activities depending on the needs at the time and your particular skills:
·Care – give adult care, support and love to the children helping them feel wanted
·Cleaning and daily chores – cleaning the children and teaching them basic hygiene
·Games – organise games and playing activities for the children, help arrange and take them on educational outings such as visiting the beach
·Teaching – helping to teach simple English, maths and basic life skills
·Feeding programs – activities like developing trench gardens, helping to source food donations, helping to feed children
·House management – helping to improve basic needs for the children in their house-units
·Outreach and needs identification – visit homes to help find vulnerable children and develop profiles for them and identify their need
·Fundraising – organising communication and events to raise awareness and funds to help meet specific needs for vulnerable children.
Skills Required

Experience with children is preferred but is not necessary. Enthusiasm, initiative and a caring nature are the main attributes for this project.

Your life outside the project

The rural coastal town of Inhambane is one of the oldest settlements in Mozambique. The largest fleet of working dhows (traditional boats) still work out of the harbour, a short boat ride from the World Heritage Site of the Bazaruto Archipelago. Volunteers stay in a spacious communal house, 5 minutes from the beach and local markets, with wifi facilities and TV lounge.

During weekends you will be free to travel and explore as you choose. Various activities are available including horse riding, kayaking, surfing, kite surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving or just relaxing on the beach. Where possible long weekends may be arranged and expeditions to Vilanculos and the Bazaruto Archipelago, Kruger National Park and Swaziland may be available and can be booked prior. These activities are optional and extra though as a volunteer you would be given a special reduced rate. The greatest attraction in the region are the whalesharks and manta rays which you can snorkel or dive with on sea safaris.
Ideas for Independent Travel

Diving

Mozambique offers some of the best diving in southern Africa with warm waters, varied and abundant marine life, uncrowded and uncommercialized sites and excellent visibility. The most popular location is the Bazaruto archipelago that has outstanding diving and snorkeling opportunities, including Manta Reef, Two-Mile Reef, Vengies, Rainbow Runner Reef and the Greek Temple. The waters offshore of the Inhambane area are also a snorkeling and diving paradise with pristine reefs and an abundance of manta rays and whale sharks. During the winter months (June to September) there is a chance of close-up encounters with the migrating humpback whales. Situated almost 25 miles (40km) off the coast of Maputo, Inhaca Island is a popular destination boasting beautiful beaches, some of the Mozambique Channel's best coral reefs, a historic lighthouse, marine biology museum and large areas of protected forest.

Fishing

Mozambique offers some of the world's best fishing and some of the most challenging big game fishing in southern Africa, particularly around Guinjata Bay and the deep waters of the Mozambique Channel. Marlin, sailfish and other huge fish weighing over 1,000 pounds (454kg) can be caught, however a catch and release system is encouraged to protect the natural resources. A number of centres along the coast also offer rock, surf and fly-fishing.

Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park

Mozambique's wildlife population was all but decimated during the 14 years of war preceding 1990, and the country's parks have been battling to restore their game reserves ever since.

To achieve the conservation sustainability of Limpopo National Park, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe joined up three national parks crossing their borders to produce the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. A total of 147 species are known from the area, with a population of 3,000 white rhino present in the Kruger Park is the biggest anywhere, while the 300 black rhino is the second largest population. 1,500 lions, 2,000 spotted hyaenas, 8,320 elephants, 32,000 Burchell's zebra, 2,200 hippos, 5,000 giraffes, 1,500 warthogs, 17,000 buffaloes, 3,500 kudu, 1,500 waterbuck, 14,000 blue wildebeest and over 100,000 impala. It's a vast area which is largely undiscovered and is far less developed than the likes of the Serengetti.

Project Quality

Kaya evaluates every project we offer to ensure that we only commit to programmes with genuine need for volunteer aid, not just financial assistance. We develop relationships with the projects and help shape initiatives to ensure in the long run that we do not encourage dependence on outside help, but rather establish foundations on which the people can build and develop themselves. We also ensure that the members of those communities are open and eager to learn and discover our culture, as we become a part of theirs. The quality and sustainability of our programmes are very important to us. We want you to have the most fulfilling and memorable time as possible, and be part of something that is going to last into future generations.

Accommodation & Meals

Volunteers stay in a volunteer house, where, in most cases, they share their room with other volunteers. Shared rooms are usually single-sex, but requests for couples will be accommodated. Three meals a day are provided, all included in the placement fees. In the houses there will be a cook to prepare your food for you and a cleaner to ensure the house is clean and tidy some evenings, though volunteers will be expected to take part in a cooking rota a few times a weel. For more information about the amenities at the house see accommodation summary or please contact one of our advisors.

In-Country Coordinators

Each country coordinator is there to make sure your time in your programme runs smoothly. They will pick you up from the airport and take you on your orientation. All in-country coordinators are English speaking and are there to ensure you have all the information and resources for the best placement.

24/7 Emergency Support

As well as support from your in-country coordinators, you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line managed by Kaya staff, in case any problem should arise while you're overseas.

Kaya Help-desk

Each member of Kaya staff have worked, travelled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the programme placements. Their knowledge of international travel and volunteering is invaluable, and they can give you good advice and tips to make the most of your international placement.

Briefing Pack & Materials

Once you have booked a programme, an information pack will be sent out detailing everything you need to know - from specific project details and vaccinations required to the visa application process.

Airport Pickup

When you arrive at your destination a member of Kaya staff will meet you with a warm welcome at the airport and take you to your accommodation to get you set up for your stay.

Cultural Excursions

Kaya staff are at hand to help organise weekend excursions and activities, which can include visiting cultural places of significance and visiting various projects around the area (additional costs apply). This way you can learn firsthand about each project and take part in local cultural and adventure activities.

Arrival Orientation

Shortly after you arrive you will be given your orientation by one of our in-country coordinators. They will show you your placement, local transport, take you into the local town, and show you things you can do in your spare time. Information regarding safety and security will be given along with some much needed lingo when moving and travelling around the area.

Local Community Benefits

Not only is your participation on your project of great help to the local communities, but so is the boost to the local economy that volunteers create while they are visiting.

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