Volunteer Global

After a little bit of a delay (conference+travel), here is Part 4 of my series on regional volunteering. Today's topic: Africa!

Below are a few volunteer groups working in Africa:

Mokolodi Nature Reserve - Botswana
www.mokolodi.com

“The Mokolodi Wildlife Foundation was formed in 1991 with the aim of promoting wildlife conservation and environmental education for the children of Botswana. The first project of the Foundation was the creation of the Mokolodi Nature Reserve in 1994 on 30 square km of donated land outside Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. In addition to naturally-occurring animal species such as warthogs, steenbok, kudu and a variety of snakes, several species have been re-introduced e.g. zebra, giraffe, eland, ostrich, hippos and rhinos.”

Volunteers help in the areas of administration and business practice, environmental conservation, and wildlife care and research. For two weeks to six months, participants are able to stay in a campground for $1,200 to $5,000 depending on the length of stay. In order to apply, volunteers must be 20 or older -- or 18 or older for a two-week placement.

Life & Water Development Group - Cameroon
www.lwdgc-africa.org

“Vision: To help the local communities, under privileged women, children, improve health, education and the rural population live productive and peaceful lives and in healthy environment.”

For a week at a time, volunteers are able to work on agriculture, business development and training, community development, construction, education, and health projects. For $60 per week, participants are able to immerse themselves in local culture, staying with host families or in a shared house.

Assin Endwa Trust - Ghana
www.endwa.org.uk

"The Assin Endwa Trust is a small charity based in the U.K & Ghana, formed to help the people in the village of Assin Endwa in the Central Region of Ghana...

"Our three week working holidays are designed to give you a comprehensive view of the life in the friendly West African country of Ghana. During your time there you will work alongside local people helping with projects that are important to them, get involved with the people and learn something of their culture. This challenging and varied work is broken up by well earned breaks at some of the best holiday spots in the country."

Participants with the Assin Endwa Trust work with community development, construction, and education. For three weeks at a time, groups, families, or individuals can stay in a resort (about $650 starting price per person) as they help an underprivileged community. Individuals must be 18 or older, and for family groups, those as young as 15 may participate.

MEAC - Kenya
www.meackenya.org

“Vision:
Having a self-reliant community free from social discrimination and to improve the living standards of the indigenous people.
Mission:
Laying a strong foundation by giving people a chance to explore their human potentials for development and strengthening the gender cohesion.”

Volunteers with MEAC work with community development, cultural development, environmental conservation, gender equality, and medicine. Programs range from $250 to $2,200 depending on the length of stay (two weeks to six months). Participants stay with host families as they work to promote intercultural understanding, human rights, and development projects.

South African Education & Environmental Project
www.saep.org

“SAEP is dedicated to helping children and young adults in South Africa’s historically disadvantaged township communities develop their academic and life skills, obtain productive employment, and contribute as leaders to the economic and social development of their communities and their country. This is part of a SAEP's historic mission to help South Africa achieve environmentally sustainable development through improvement of living conditions, development of skills, and use of South Africa's natural environment to create economic opportunities for those who remain marginalized as the country's economy continues to grow.”

Volunteers help with children, education, and facilities maintenance for SAEP. While participants are asked to stay for six months to one year on their projects, exceptions can be made for those who are only able to stay for two months. Accommodations are arranged by the volunteer, who also pays for all of his or her own living expenses. Those staying less than three months are asked to pay $100 per week.

And with that, I am outtie. Back to watching Jurassic Park. Tim's stuck in a tree.