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South Africa Children's Hospital Volunteers

Your time in South Africa will be spent volunteering at a local children's hopsital. The hospital has been developed into a place where not only the patients' health is of concern, but to provide an environment of happiness and well being.

Rondebosch

The project is based in Rondebosch, a suburb southeast of Cape Town and is located on the edge of Ocean View township which, true to it’s name, affords fantastic views. To get to the project you will need to take a one-hour train journey and a 15-minute taxi ride.

You will be staying in the seaside town of Fish Hoek, a short walk from the beautiful Fish Hoek beach and about a 45 minute drive from Cape Town.

Project Age Limit

Minimum Age 18

Programme Requirements

You will need to take your criminal records check with you for this project and present it on your first day at the project.

A resumé and two employment/educational references are required for confirmation with the hospital.

Programme Details

The hospital currently oversees a large volunteer workforce who either interact daily in the wards with the children, or work in the fundraising shop raising funds for the ever-increasing needs of the children. Volunteers with their brightly coloured toy trolleys continue to bring a better quality of life to the little patients.

Your typical working hours on this project will be from Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 12.30pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-4pm also. However, any extra time you can give to the project will be really appreciated - there’s always someone to share a smile with!

The children at the hospital are suffering from a range of conditions and this can be tough on both the children and the staff. You will need to be patient, understanding and have a love of children to participate in this project. You will get a lot out of your time at the hospital as the children really appreciate you being there at this time in their lives.

There is likely to be a wide age range at the hospital, so you need to be imaginative and adaptable in order to think of appropriate activities and work with the various age groups. Whilst on this project, you can expect to be involved in various areas, depending on your skills and experiences; for example you might be shadowing a physician or work in specialised treatments such as reflexology or aromatherapy.

Your assistance in the areas of play therapy, assisting on the wards and helping in the fundraising shop will be much appreciated.

Your Typical Itinerary

Day 1
You will be met at the airport and taken to the volunteer house in Fish Hoek which will take about 45 minutes. You will then have your orientation that will take you through what it’s going to be like at your project, dos and don’ts, how to stay safe and it’s your prime opportunity to ask any remaining questions that you may still have. After the orientation you’ll have an evening meal and some time to relax and prepare before your first day at the project tomorrow.

Day 2
Today our South Africa team will take you to the project so that you can get to meet the children and staff. Our team will be with you all the way to the project, making sure that you know where you are going and what you are doing. Once you arrive at the project you will be introduced to what day to what the project is like day-to-day and what they are hoping from you during your time there. You will get time with the staff to put together your timetable for the rest of your time. Now is the time to let the team know if you have a particular interest or skill you would like to share with the children.

Day 3-5
Your third day will be the first time that you can try to get into your new routine at your project, getting to know the staff and the amazing children and learn to work in your comfort zone. Over the days and weeks you will have plenty of time to build bonds with others so don’t rush things and enjoy everything about the South African pace and way of life.

Day 6-7
The weekends are your free time to chill or explore, its up to you! There are so many things to see and do in Cape Town and the surrounding area you’ll struggle to get bored! There’s a train line straight into Cape Town from Fish Hoek that take about an hour and you’re close to Boulders Beach where you can see the penguins hanging out. There’s also the stunning sights that are Table Mountain, Cape Point, Robben Island, all of which you can see without leaving the city! You could also catch a cab to the local shopping mall to catch a movie, coffee shops, internet and clothes shops! If however you simply want to relax, why not take in the sun and relax at pool or have a game of pool with a fellow volunteer back at the accommodation.

Following weeks
During your time on the programme you will be volunteering Monday to Friday at your project. Now that you have had a chance to fully immerse yourself in the daily duties at the hospital you will be looking after the children and trying to make their time at the hospital a happier one.

Your weekends will be all your own to relax or explore! The Real Gap team can help you organise trips including shark cage diving, table mountain visit, wine tours of if you prefer, a lazy day with a book is just as enjoyable!

Your last day
Once you have said goodbye to all your new friends and packed away any last minute souvenirs you’ll travel back to the airport. Your return transfer from Fish Hoek to Cape Town International Airport is not included within your project fee but our regular transfer company will be able to arrange the journey back for you for roughly US$35 / 250 Rand and is easily arranged in country.

Orientation

The project Orientation will be held on your arrival date around 17.00 and will give you a good insight into South Africa. Your detailed orientation will be done by the project manager and cover areas such as;

• An introduction to Cape Town, the surrounding Cape Peninsula and the communities you will be working in.
• The team will also cover health and safety tips
• Plus they will answer ant other questions you may have.

After the orientation you will have a traditional South African meal and have time to get to know your fellow new volunteers. The following morning the in-country team will show you how to use the local transport system works and introduce you to your project. You will also receive a project specific introduction on your first day at the project.

Project Support

Throughout your stay you will have the support and guidance of a co-ordinator and their team. They will be able to help you with any questions you may have or advice you may need. In addition, you are also able to contact our UK staff 24 hours a day should you need to via our emergency contact number.

Accommodation and Meals

Your accommodation during your time on the project are based on dormitory style with between four to eight sharing a room. There are two bathrooms that include hot water, two showers, a bath and three western style toilets. During your spare time you can relax in the lounge where there are sofas and a coffee table or challenge one of the other volunteers to a game of pool! The property is in a residential area so the living conditions are good. There is also a lovely garden to relax in, plus a swimming pool to take a dip in when you want to cool down!

Your time in Cape Town is on a self-catering basis (apart from the evening meal on the first night). There is a kitchen complete with cookers, loads of fridge space, microwave, toaster and other kitchen utensils you can use to cook tasty meals to enjoy in the large dining area. However if you are feeling a little lazy why not order takeaway instead!

Supermarket, shops, internet café, laundry and bank are all close to the volunteer house so you’ll be able to shop either in your lunch-break or after your days volunteering.

Free Time

There are many activities and excursions that you can take part in during your time in Cape Town.

Some of these include:

• Aquila private game reserve: A Big 5 game reserve two hours out of Cape Town. This costs approximately R950pp (based on a minimum of five people), including buffet breakfast and lunch at the reserve and three hour game drive.
• City hop-on hop-off double-decker bus in Cape Town
• Loads of sights to visit in Cape Town, just a short distance from Fish Hoek
• Garden Route weekend, approx R3500
• Shark Cage Diving - R1300
• Sky Diving - R1750 (including transport)
• Abseiling down Table Mountain - R495
• Surfing Lessons - R220
• Surfing, ocean kayaking, hiking, horse riding, safari at a private game reserve, wine tasting can all be arranged.

Getting There

You will need to arrange your flights into Cape Town International Airport on the arrival day before 4pm where you will be met and transferred to your accommodation for your orientation and to meet your fellow volunteers.

Project Dates

2010: May 3, 17; Jun 7, 21; Jul 5, 19; Aug 2, 16; Sep 6, 20; Oct 4, 18; Nov 1, 15.
2011: Jan 17; Feb 7, 21; Mar 7, 21; Apr 4, 18; May 2, 16; Jun 6, 20; Jul 4, 18; Aug 1, 15; Sep 5, 19; Oct 3, 17; Nov 7.

Prices and Durations

South Africa Children's Hospital Volunteers - 4 weeks £1,189
South Africa Children's Hospital Volunteers - 5 weeks £1,339
South Africa Children's Hospital Volunteers - 6 weeks £1,489
South Africa Children's Hospital Volunteers - 7 weeks £1,639
South Africa Children's Hospital Volunteers - 8 weeks £1,789
South Africa Children's Hospital Volunteers - 9 weeks £1,939
South Africa Children's Hospital Volunteers - 10 weeks £2,089
South Africa Children's Hospital Volunteers - 11 weeks £2,239
South Africa Children's Hospital Volunteers - 12 weeks £2,389

What's Included in the Programme

• Met on arrival at the airport by a representative
• Transfer from airport to volunteer accommodation in Fish Hoek
• Accommodation - shared dormitory room in volunteer house
• Training: In-country orientation
• Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

What's Not Included in the Programme

• Flights
• Visas
• Insurance
• Return Airport transfer
• Local Transport
• Food - please budget approx US$50 per week (apart from evening meal on first night)

South Africa

South Africa is the southern most country on the African continent, stretching over 2500km along the coast, from Namibia to Mozambique. It is one of the most developed countries on the continent, with very good infrastructure and excellent facilities for travellers.

South Africa has it all; from the picturesque beaches for ultimate relaxation, to bustling metropolises for some shopping and partying, to the safaris and wilderness that have made this continent so popular. Cape Town has long been a favourite spot for tourists. Overlooked by Table Mountain, its reputation for being a fun and beautiful city is something that is certified by most people who visit.

South Africa was originally inhabited by the Bantu-speaking people who migrated across Southern Africa. It was first marked on the ’map’ in the 15th Century when the Portuguese explorers arrived on the shore of the Cape of Good Hope, making settlements and establishing trade routes. As a result of this, modern South Africa has huge diversity in all aspects of life, stemming from the traditional, tribal and European influence.

The recent history is a mixed affair. As a developed country with political ties to Europe, South Africa gallantly took part in both World Wars. However, only as recently as 1994 has South Africa ended the Apartheid regime. This was engineered by the minority White race and was a horrific and suppressing existence for all who opposed it. One can now hope for a just and democratic state.

Sadly, South Africa’s diversity extends to economics, with roughly half the population living below the poverty line in shantytowns and mud huts. South Africa has one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world and also the highest number of patients being treated for HIV/ Aids in the world. The government has tripled it’s spending on HIV/Aids treatments, although it is doing little to reduce it’s prevalence. The average life expectancy for men is just 47 years old, with women outlasting them by only four years, to 51 years old.

Time
South Africa is two hours ahead of GMT.

In Africa, time is not a priority like it is in much of the western world – there is a saying that Africa works to ‘Africa Time’, which basically means you must exercise a lot of patience! If a boat is due to leave at 12pm, don’t be surprised if it still hasn’t a couple of hours later… keep an open mind, and arrive ‘expecting the unexpected’.

Climate

The weather in South Africa is some of the most temperate in Africa. Winter is cooler and drier and great for hiking and wildlife watching, whereas summer is hot and can be sticky. In the North East of the country the summer is hot and dry, but there are occasional tropical storms. In the winter the days are sunny and warm.

Please make sure you pack according to the weather!

Climate Chart for Cape Town:

Climate Chart for Kruger National Park:

If you have any further enquires, please do not hesitate to contact the team at the Real Gap office on 01892 516164 or info@realgap.co.uk

Real Gap Experience, 1 Meadow Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2YG Real Gap Experience is a trading name of Real Travel Ltd.

Company registered at Companies House UK. Registration number 3977046.

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