South Africa Orphans and HIV AIDS Education

St. Lucia itself is a comfortable, charismatic town within walking distance from the beach. It is in this impressive setting that we offer you the opportunity to interact with and educate AIDS orphans in an orphan day care centre, as well as getting involved in educating the local community about the HIV virus.

Volunteer Role

St. Lucia, as an area, is heavily affected by HIV/AIDS. It is thought that in some communities, up to 70 percent of people are infected with the virus and as a result of this many children are orphaned.

Most of these children do live with relatives, but they are often left by themselves during the day, as their guardians have day jobs. The local pastor started an orphan day care centre to keep these children off the streets and to ensure they are well looked after and educated and currently up to 80 children, ages 1 to 5, are dropped off each morning.

The children are looked after by a few dedicated local women, who do a fantastic job, but unsurprisingly, are overwhelmed by the numbers. As a volunteer, you will help take care of the orphans, and give them the individual attention they desperately need. Project highlights include:

Educate and participate in games with children who have lost their parents as a result of AIDS
Help raise awareness on preventing the HIV/ AIDS virus in the local community
Assist a local Home Based Care project, and provide sick people with some help in their own homes
Help build classrooms at local primary schools
Immerse yourself in the local Zulu culture

Location

St.Lucia is situated within South Africa’s first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site- the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park. You will find a huge array of wildlife in the savannahs, wetlands, swamps, beaches, which also house the Zulu tribe and its very lively and colourful culture.

Accommodation and Meals

While on the project your accommodation will be at a large, comfortable project house. You will be staying in a bedroom based on one to four people sharing. Programme coordinators will also be staying at the house so that they will always be to hand should you need them.

Throughout the programme you will be provided with three meals a day.

Programme Overview

Prices: 4 weeks £1295

How to book & pay:
Secure with £195 deposit. The balance is due 12 wks before departure.

What is included?
Project donation
Transport
(Richards Bay Airport to St Lucia)
Orientation
Daily transfers to project
Accommodation & meals
Laundry service

What is not included?
Travel insurance
Transport to Richards Bay Airport
Personal items
Email/Internet and calls
Soft drinks, alcohol
Visas
Additional excursions

Programme Summary:
On this programme can make a real difference to the local communities of St Lucia, you will help take care of the orphans, and give them the individual attention they desperately need.
Other South Africa volunteer work

Arrival dates: Programme start 1st & 3rd Monday of each month.

South Africa Travel Advice:
Visit our South Africa Travel Advice page for useful travel information.

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