Orphan Day Care & HIV/AIDS Education, South Africa

We offer you the opportunity to become involved at the grass roots level by assisting care givers to offer medical treatment and care, provide people with advice on health matters and helping them build a better life in their homes.

With HIV being such an impact on the communities, raising awareness and educating people on this virus to people young and old is also an important part of this project. This project with its variety and direct positive impact on individuals and families really is an unforgettable, life changing experience.

Surrounding the beautiful area of St. Lucia are rural villages inhabited with many children, some of who are orphans, in need of education and care.   With nearly 70 percent of the local population believed to be infected with HIV, a large orphaned community ensues as affected people are often cast out of their communities.  The prevalence and impact of HIV in these communities reflects the importance of the work you will do as a volunteer to educate and raise awareness in the community.  We aim to increase provisions by partnering with caregivers in the community, providing direct assistance to Orphan Day Care Centres as well as Educational Forums about leading a healthier lifestyle.    This project gives you the opportunity to engage with people – young and old – to make a positive impact while at the same time undergoing an unforgettable, life-changing experience.

We offer you the opportunity to interact with and educate AIDS orphans in an Orphan Day Care Centre, alongside other exciting community outreach initiatives which include: HIV / AIDS awareness programme, assisting at a local orphanage, farming to encourage positive living, refurbishment of community buildings and helping at an after-school reading club with high school students.

The highlights

    Educate and play with small children who have lost their parents as a result of AIDS
    Help raise awareness on preventing the spread of the HIV / AIDS virus in the local community
    Help improve the living conditions, nutrition, school equipment and vegetable gardens of the most needy families and the local orphanage to help them to become self sustaining
    Get involved with the local orphanage, teaching in the after school clubs and help with the refurbishment of classrooms into bedrooms to provide a place to stay
    Help build, refurbish and paint local community builidngs
    Immerse yourself in the local Zulu culture
    Make friends for life

What's included

    The project fee entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. It facilitates funding for items such as books for the orphans, building materials, and educational resources
    Transport between Richards Bay Airport and St. Lucia
    Comprehensive orientation program
    All daily transfers to and from your projects during your stay
    Full board and lodging, which includes 3 meals a day at our volunteer house
    Laundry service during your stay
    Assistance at your projects by African Impact staff and volunteer coordinators
    Any visits to other African Impact programmes based in St. Lucia

Where will I sleep?

During your placement, you will stay at our large and comfortable project house situated in St. Lucia, approximately a 10 min walk to the beach. It is a fully furnished house with a large lounge, satellite television, barbeque area, garden, swimming pool, and a jacuzzi.

The house is staffed with cooks and laundry / cleaning ladies. All bedding is provided, so you will not need to bring a sleeping bag with you, although sometimes it is useful in the colder months (June – September). You will be sharing a bedroom with one to four people.

Members of our African Impact team will be staying on the same property, so that they are always available to assist you with any questions or issues you may have.

We find that volunteers living together and working closely together with their volunteer coordinators is the surest way of ensuring their safety, and of being able to attend to their most pressing needs. For this reason, we expect all volunteers to stay only in the accommodation provided for them and do not allow volunteers to spend nights away in the town or nearby villages, unless they are away on pre-arranged sightseeing excursions.

Project meals

You will be provided with three meals a day. Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereals, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals, and will be cooked for you by one of our chefs at your volunteer house.