It was amazing and the most worthwhile thing I have
ever done. Working in the school was totally real and everything
you did had an effect on someone's life. The rewards were obvious
from the start
The word Nholwasi means ‘to build and work together’, and this project provides the opportunity to do just that - working in partnership with the Children's Eco Training organisation, the programme focuses on hands-on environmental education amongst the youth in the Hoedspruit and Acornhoek areas.
The purpose is to make them aware, teach them how to conserve and inspire them to appreciate nature in all its intricacies. Working with the children from a number of local schools, you can help to enrich their environment, and in turn their lives. It is a truly moving and possibly even life changing experience.
Work With The Children
Many children in South Africa walk miles to school every day and they are eager to learn and gain knowledge to provide a brighter future for themselves and their family, to build a stronger and better educated nation. This is only possible when the schools have safe drinking water, good sanitation, furniture for the children and catering, which is where you, the volunteer come in.
Working at the schools, often with teachers and community members alongside children, you will improve their surroundings by helping with general maintenance of the school, vegetable food garden establishment and maintenance. You as a volunteer have an important part to play in assisting Children's Eco Training to reach specific goals set in conjunction with the local communities.
Bush Camps
During South African school holidays, you will assist in running bush based learning camps for the children in the world renowned Klaserie Game Reserve. The focus is on ecological topics. In a fun way, technical skills, awareness and literacy are transferred using the natural environment. Children learn to put into practice what they have learnt and to propagate principles beyond the Klaserie boundaries.
As a volunteer you will be integrated into the team running the course, assisting with all duties from food preparation to reading and learning sessions. During these camps you often get to learn as much about the unique environment you are living in as the children do!
The project is based in the Acorn Hoek community, which is situated near Kruger National Park. You will live in a beautiful nearby game reserve alongside other volunteers, with species such as rhino, giraffe, buffalo and the occasional leopard as your neighbours, and travel in each day to a school in Acorn Hoek. Always guided by a professional and experienced partner, Children's Eco Training, you can ensure your placement has a positive impact on the community, while you have a very rewarding experience.
Conservation Value
Nholwasi Community Project assists in providing a future for conservation in southern Africa, specifically the endemic Lowveld region of South Africa, a future to work towards for these children, and a fun way to promote learning and develop an empathy for the wildlife and environment that surrounds them.
A Typical Day at Nholwasi Community Project
6am – Wake up!
7am – Breakfast
8.30am – Travel to the local school and community where you are based. You and members of CET will then tackle the tasks for the day, such as refurbishing and renewing furniture for the classrooms, maintenance and management of a food garden and special designated projects
1pm – Lunch, during which the school day ends for the children. A game of football is often played during the lunch period where many volunteers get roped into the activities!
2.30-4.30pm – Continue working with CET on projects at the school or move to another school or community to begin a new project.
Travel back to reserve accommodation to join students from Game Capture and Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience for the evening and share experiences around a camp fire.
Read the latests News from Nholwasi
Factbox!
Duration: 2-12 weeks.
Cost: From £2190 for 2 weeks up to £5220 for 12 weeks. Includes return international flights from London, transfers, all meals, accommodation, all project-related costs and back up and support. If you do not wish to fly via London, then please see costs here .
Accommodation: Safari style tents set in a beautiful game reserve.
Time of year: From January to mid-December. During the school holidays, you will assist with ecological bush camp trips for children aged 6 to 16 years, in the stunning Klaserie Game Reserve.
