Voluntary Work
Orphan Day Care
In the St.Lucia area some communities have up to seventy percent of people infected with the HIV/AIDS virus, resulted in a very high number of orphaned children. Although the majority of the children do still live with family members the fact that these people have jobs to go to means that the children get left on their own during the day.
The orphan day care centre currently cares for 80 children aged 1-5, a few dedicated local women doing a wonderful job educating them and keeping them off the streets. You time there, as a volunteers will be to help out where you are needed, but especially in giving the children some of the individual attention that they need. Your main duties here will includen simple English classes, feeding and bathing, refurbishing orphanage buildings and playing, reading and singing with the children.
HIV/AIDS Education
There is a pressing need to rid the St. Lucia area of the prevalent myths that still exist about HIV/AIDS. Many people believe that it is caused by witchcraft, leading to the rejection of people infected from the community or infected people being unable to admit that they have the virus. Hardly anybody knows how to prevent or how to deal with the virus and this needs to change.
Together with a locally run organisation, you will be involved in getting out into the communities to help dispel the myths and to educate people about the true nature of the disease. These education sessions with take place in schools and community centres in the local area.
You will be doing the following:
- Use a simple, UN-approved method to explain what the virus is and how it affects the body
- Teaching how the virus is transmitted and how it can be prevented
- Explaining how medication, food and lifestyle can prolong life, after infection
What’s Included in the Programme
- 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 material, and educational material.
- Transport between Richard’s Bay Airport and St. Lucia
- Three-day orientation programme
- All daily transfers to and from your project during your stay
- All accommodation and meals throughout programme which includes three meals a day at our volunteer house
- Laundry service during your stay
What’s Not Included in the Programme
- Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement
- All transport by air or bus to Richard’s Bay Airport
- All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
- E-mail/Internet and telephone calls
- Soft drinks, wines an spirits
- All visas for border crossings
- Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in St. Lucia
Prices & Durations
South Africa Orphans and HIV Education - 4 weeks £1,429
South Africa Orphans and HIV Education - 8 weeks £2,029
