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Work with Pre-school Children and Community Awareness in Mozambique

Location Mozambique
Start Date 1st and 3rd Monday of every month
Duration
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The Project

Become a volunteer in Mozambique and work on a rural community based development project centered in and around the coastal town of Vilanculos supporting a number of different community development initiatives. Volunteers spend their mornings at a rural preschool and most afternoons conducting HIV education workshops in the secondary schools of Vilanculos. When you are not leading or planning the HIV education workshops, you will be involved in a number of other community initiatives, such as rural home building.
Why the project needs you

Cyclone Favio hit the Mozambican coast in February 2007 and devastated much of the local area. This project began with the initial relief work and assisting AID agencies. Through our local contacts we have continued with rural home-building for those who do not have the means to build for themselves (monetarily or physically), working closely with community leaders to assess the most critical housing needs. In assessing these needs, the other projects were developed to help this community get back on its feet and provide opportunities for the locals to capitalize on the small but growing tourist interest in their country.

Within these initiatives, there is a shortage of staff to conduct all the activities, provide sufficient attention for the children and to plan, set up and execute the activities. Volunteers are invaluable to the project leaders and provide much needed support to the team on the ground.

Project Location

The rural coastal town of Vilanculos, Mozambique is a short boat ride from the World Heritage Site of the Bazaruto Archipelago. Volunteers stay at a beautiful beach camp, in rustic but comfortable thatched bungalows – just a stone’s throw away from the Indian Ocean and on the outskirts of Vilanculos town, with a pool overlooking the sea, a “Chill out” deck area and TV and DVD player for cozy nights! The accommodation is right on the beach and a 15-25 minute walk to nearby restaurants and the center of town.
Project Facts

• Duration: 2 - 8 weeks
• Cost: £995 ($1741) for 2 weeks, £215 ($376) for each week thereafter
• Requirements: age 17+
• Location: Vilanculos, Mozambique
• Project activities: Teaching in a rural pre-school, conducting HIV Education workshops, possibility of being involved in a community testing and awareness day,build houses
• Working hours: 08:00 - 16:00, Monday - Friday
• Project Availability: Project starts the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Project closes from 28 November- 1 March 2012.
• During the months of June and July, this project is only available for a maximum of 4 weeks.
What is included

• Accommodation: Shared room in a volunteer house
• Food: 3 Meals a day
• Weekly laundry service
• 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: On-site coordinator providing 24 hour support
• Activities: Staff help organise weekend activities (activity price may be extra). Trips include: PADI
dive training, snorkeling safaris and horse riding on the beach
What is not included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas

Your life outside the project

During evening times and after work you can relax on the beautiful beach which is on your door step, go for a swim in the pool or wander off into town where there are some fantastic local seafood restaurants. At weekends there are plenty of things to do from Scuba Diving, sailing safaris to Bazaruto Island, deep sea fishing or horse back riding on the beach.
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. For most placements two to three meals a day are provided, all included in the placement fees. In most houses there will be a cook to prepare your food for you and a cleaner to ensure the house is clean and tidy, though in some of our locations volunteers will be expected to assist with these chores. 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. 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.