Volunteer HIV/AIDS and Health Awareness Project

  South Africa

• Other Cities in South Africa: 
Port Elizabeth

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: 3 month and 5 week projects all year round

Description: Gap Year South Africa provides training for our volunteers to empower peer educators within our partner under resourced schools in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and health risks while motivating behavioural change amongst young people in South Africa.

Our communities are typically under-funded and under-resourced, our volunteers, and our resources, are always very much appreciated. Our projects assist in social and economic development and address priority areas such as moral regeneration and social cohesion by our volunteers engaging with the local community and providing essential life skills through raising HIV / AIDS & health awareness.

Our health projects are aimed primarily at previously disadvantaged groups, communities and individuals with a strong developmental approach. The intended beneficiaries of our health awareness projects are young people who have inherently been afforded very little exposure to good health practice.

During your HIV / AIDS & health awareness project you will communicate youth-friendly information for underprivileged young people in a number of our under-resourced partner schools in local communities. Through your role as a peer educator and your energetic presence at our partner schools you will be adding immense value to the future wellbeing of underprivileged young people. Your training will provide you with an opportunity to familiarize yourself with key health issues and the ability to communicate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Highlights:
* Project Flexibility
In addition to your HIV/AIDS & Health Awareness Project you will have the choice of including a teaching and/or sports coaching experience and/or environmental awareness experience in your project.

* Donation of Educational Resources
A portion of your funding contributes towards educational resources, various teaching aides and the renovation of classrooms and clinics enhancing the educational environment and healthcare services for the children. Our under-resourced partner schools certainly do welcome any additional contributions or resources.

* Location
You will be based in the South African coastal city of Port Elizabeth which is affectionately known as the friendly city. As a volunteer you will have the famous Garden Route on your doorstep as well as some of the world's most beautiful golden beaches, dunes and wilderness.

Port Elizabeth enjoys warm sunny days most of the year with average temperatures ranging from 17°C - 30°C and sea temperatures ranging from 16°C - 23°C.

Port Elizabeth is an ideal location to travel and experience all that South Africa has to offer. Situated 10 hours from the majority of gap year world traveller destinations, Gap Year South Africa is an ideal stop on your global adventure travel.

* Accommodation, Food and Transport
You are personally hosted by the Team of Gap Year South Africa in our comfortable accommodation for all our volunteers. The volunteer house is a very safe and friendly environment within Port Elizabeth and is located a short distance from all the golden beaches and the warm Indian Ocean. The house is nearby to a wide range of amenities for all your additional needs.

Volunteers receive three balanced meals each day prepared by our local chefs. The food prepared is very similar to that of which you enjoy in your home country. However volunteers will also have an opportunity to experience some local dishes.

On arrival you will be welcomed by our Gap Year South Africa Team and be transferred from the airport to the volunteer house where each volunteer receives a welcome pack including a pack of biltong and bottle of South African wine. All transport to and from the projects is provided as well as a selection of the volunteer group excursions.

* Travel and Adventure
Port Elizabeth is known as the water sports capital of South Africa and it's surrounding areas offer a wide range of activities and excursions including malaria free game viewing, walking with elephants, horse riding safari's, bungy jumping, mountain biking, sea kayaking, tree top canopy tours as well as a vibrant night life.

To the west of Port Elizabeth, you are within a short flights distance from the mother city of Cape Town including famous attractions such as Table Mountain, Robben Island and the world renowned Winelands. To the east of Port Elizabeth you have magnificent Wild Coast, leading to the tropical region of Kwazulu-Natal featuring the Drakensberg Mountains and the Greater St Lucia Wetlands.

* Playing Sport and Qualifications
In addition to your HIV / AIDS & health awareness project, you will have an opportunity to learn to surf and gain certificates in scuba diving and surf-lifesaving which take place along PE's golden beaches. You will also have the option of playing sport for local community sports clubs. The club teams range from social to premier league teams.

* Social Life
A very important part of your experience is the social interaction with your fellow volunteers, team members of Gap Year South Africa and the local community. Port Elizabeth offers a wide selection of restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs. The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex is located on the Port Elizabeth beach front and provides volunteers with a further selection of retail outlets, trendy cafés and cinemas all situated around a man-made lake

Our Shebeen (Local Tavern) tour always proves to be a highlight on our list of social events. The tour provides volunteers with an opportunity to enjoy a uniquely South African experience. Shebeens are the heartbeat of the local community where locals meet for a drink, music and dancing.

Qualifications: It is not a prerequisite for our health project volunteers to have qualifications, specialist skills or work experience but a passion to promote better health through knowledge transfer and behavioural change.

Gap Year South Africa ensures that you are equipped with all the required skills to promote and deliver the HIV / AIDS & health awareness project. You will discover existing skills as well as acquiring many new and valuable skills.

Cost in US$: USD 2,850 (3 months) and USD 1,700 (5 weeks)

During your project in South Africa:
- On arrival in Port Elizabeth you will be welcomed by our South African Team
- Transfer from the airport to the volunteer house
- All meals prepared by our local chefs
- Accommodation in the volunteer house in Port Elizabeth
- 24/7 assistance from our Gap Year South Africa Team
- Project induction and training prior to the commencement of your project
- Management of your project delivery
- All Transport to and from your project
- A selection of exciting volunteer group excursions and social events
- 24/7 emergency support from our UK Team
- A portion of your funding donated to your projects local community
- A chance to play sports for clubs in South Africa
- An opportunity to learn to surf, gain certificates in Scuba Diving and surf-lifesaving (Terms and Conditions apply)
- Experience a new and vibrant culture

On completion of your project:
- Entry into the "Ubuntu" fellowship our alumni (Ubuntu an African word, meaning "humanity to others" or "I am what I am because of who we all are")
- Entertaining get-together's and reunions in the UK
- Our past volunteers are welcome to ask for a reference
- The option to continue to support the community in which you volunteered through our -Partner Foundation

What is not included in your chosen project?
- Flights
- Visas (if applicable)
- Travel Insurance
- Vaccinations
- Spending money
- Additional excursions and travel

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: We seek a passionate and energetic individual with an enthusiasm for an adventure of a lifetime. If you are a post-school or post-university gap year student, a university undergraduate or postgraduate, or a career breaker, our projects are ideally suited for you. It is not a prerequisite for you to have qualifications, specialist skills or work experience but a passion to promote better health through knowledge transfer and behavioral change.

Age Range: 17 upwards

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of between 15 and 40

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Gap Year South Africa's Mission Statement: Our aim is to assist in social and economic development and address priority areas such as moral regeneration and social cohesion by our volunteers engaging with the local community and providing essential life skills through teaching and sports coaching.

Year Founded: 2007