Orphan Care, Rural Building & Sports

Product Details

This programme involves various aspects of community work and development in and around the coastal town of Vilanculos. You will have the opportunity to be involved in the following programmes:

Orphan Care Work
Volunteers visit the Orphanage project twice a week.

The orphanage was destroyed during the February 2007 Cyclone Favio and we are now working with the local community on an Orphanage re-building project.

Volunteer Involvement at the Orphanage
Besides assisting with the Orphanage building work, we are also involved in the following areas at the current temporary shelter where the children are based.

• Higher level English lessons with the older children with the assistance of a translator.
• Basic English lessons with younger children using visual aids.
• Developmental playtime where the children get to learn new games and play with toys that they wouldn't normally have access to
• We are now teaching them craftwork such as making Rag Rugs, shell mobiles, pot decoration etc. These are mostly with the use of free materials and things that the kids can source easily in the local community, which teaches them resourcefulness.
• We also have a goal of the month for the Orphanage such as a party, treasure hunt, soccer match, and day at the Beach etc. This gives the children and volunteers something to work towards and look forward to.

HIV/AIDS Community Education Workshops
We hold forums and low-key discussions with the community focusing on prevention, how to live with it, and discussing myths and truths that are rife about a subject that is quite taboo in the rural community.
Our volunteers and project managers work with translators and visual aids in the local community and a number of local corporate organisations that employ large groups of local staff to expand the awareness of the campaign.

Sports Coaching

Football/Soccer
Volunteers are involved with 2 sessions each week with our main team of older boys and also with the coaching of younger children who are eager to be involved and learn. We work closely with a local coach who oversees all training with older boys which adds to the consistency and effectiveness of the programme.

Volunteer Involvement
Basic exercises and team-building drills such as running/fitness, stretching, team-work, skills and drills, soccer games and tournaments.

Even if you are not particularly interested in being involved in soccer, the chance to work with the younger children using the soccer field as a stage to teach them life skills and enhance their sense of self-worth is extremely rewarding, and fun! Even with the older children you can just join in doing their warm ups which is quite amusing. For the people who want to get more involved you can assist in coaching, new exercises, organising the teams and playing the matches.

African Impact Coaching Philosophy
It is our belief that each child should learn in a fun and safe environment, and that each child will develop at their own pace. Our attention is on educating the individual, through praise and encouragement.

Africa is one of the most stunning and diverse continents in the world. The people live in poverty yet thrive on the opportunity to learn.
Fun is the key word for our coaching sessions & the method of educational delivery.
Relationships - to build positive relationships with fellow coaches, children, parents, and members of the community through coaching football.
International volunteers - understanding that we all come from different walks of life and accept each other for who we are.
Coaching is the medium in which we teach the greatest life skills, create self-esteem and have a positive Impact on all people we come across.
Adversity- to overcome the problems we face by knowing and understanding that the children we coach overcome great adversity every day.
Nurture- to nurture players; socially, mentally and physically.
Improvement- How can we improve ourselves as coaches, and our players?
Motivation- players respond best to praise and encouragement.
Professional - to conduct ourselves in a professional manner in all that we do. To make sure we uphold the good name of African Impact.
Awareness - understand your audience, get to know them, where they come from, the hardships they face.
Condition - Physical, Mental and Social.
Team Spirit - We are all in it together.

Rural Home-Building

• Cyclone Favio hit the Mozambican coast in February 2007 and devastated much of the local area. African Impact was involved in the initial relief work and assisting AID agencies and through our local contacts we have continued with rural home-building for local disadvantaged and disabled villagers.
• We are currently managing to build 1 home every 2-3 weeks. They are simple and rustic structures of the same style as the local community and provide shelter for individuals who would otherwise have nowhere to call home.
• The work is sometimes grueling, but always rewarding and offers an amazing insight into rural Vilanculos and the chance to interact with locals.

Programme Highlights:

• Insights into various facets of life of underprivileged individuals in VIlanculos and the chance to make a real difference in local schools and initiatives.
• Make friends for life with other international volunteers
• Open Water 5-day PADI Certified Scuba Diving Course
• Island Safaris US$80 per day (includes snorkeling equipment, Nat Parks fee and lunch)
• Deep Sea fishing excursions (US$300 for full day)
• Snorkeling excursions
• Sunset Dhow Cruise (US$25, drinks included)

"I loved the satisfaction of playing with the Orphans and teaching the Orphans and seeing their obvious enjoyment along with the fast and visible results of the rebuilding work"
Rasmus Jakobsen, Belgium. June 2007.

"I have worked alongside many people in the community and through them have learned a lot. I have thoroughly enjoyed helping people & learning about their culture. Coming to Africa makes you realise its the not the materialistic things that matter, its what you make of your life & the effort you put in that makes you happy"
Laura Dovey, UK. July 2007.

NB: This placement runs for 2 - 4 weeks. Get in touch for more details.

If you want to make an impact, or just fancy finding out more, fill in the form below...