Dukuduku Creche& Game Park

South Africa

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WHY VOLUNTEER IN SOUTH AFRICA? Two thirds of children in South Africa live in poverty. One in 15 children die from preventable disease.

“i loved every minute of this program. the experience was a life changing one, working with the kids was one of the most rewarding encounters i have ever come across.” —Jamie

83% of children under the age of 5 do not have access to a créche, day care or kindergarten. 28% of public schools do not have running water and 78% are without libraries. KwaZulu Natal has one of the highest AIDS rates in South Africa, at almost 40%.

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CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Yes! Every person has the ability to make a difference, and this is your opportunity to reach out and help! Between 2011-2013 volunteers with Reach Out Volunteers have been able to build 3 créches for over 200 children, with classrooms, play equipment, running water, toilets and sustainable vegetable gardens. From homes to classrooms, from new food sources to supplies of clean water and medications, each of our activities has made a real difference.

“I loved every minute of the program!! Mixing cement and sand to make bricks for a new creche was hard work but it was worth seeing the joy on the childrens’ faces. The creche greatly improved the quality of life for the children and was a staple for the community. I was touched by the laughter of the children at the simplest of things, they are not used to lots of attention and just wanted to play with us all day. I definitely felt like I made a big difference in the community!” —Erika

WHERE IN SOUTH AFRICA WILL I BE? Volunteers live and work in the KwaZulu-Natal province, a region of outstanding natural beauty in the north-east of South Africa. Despite its stunning mountains, sub-tropical forests, lush valleys and the blue Indian Ocean, it is also a place of great poverty. The area is inhabited by the Zulu people, and during your stay you will be able to immerse yourself in their rich culture and traditions. You will stay in a modern guesthouse in the quiet town of St. Lucia, within the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park Reserve, the largest lake in Africa. You will work in the surrounding rural communities around Dukuduku Village.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING? Week 1: Creche Building You will be involved in improving the crèche for the children of the rural Dukuduku village, where 99% of the locals live below the poverty line. Families are forced to work long hours to provide basic necessities, leaving children under the age of 10 at home alone while they go to work. The project work will include erecting new classrooms and building a soup kitchen. Once finished this will allow for volunteers to assist the local women to cook and provide meals for the children. In the past, our volunteers built classrooms, play equipment, jungle gyms, toilets and clean water facilities, as well as providing vital equipment such as chalk boards, tables, chairs, much needed medication and medical care for the children whose families cannot afford it. The World Health Organisation classifies early childhood development as the most important phase of a person’s lifespan. By providing a safe, clean and loving environment, you will help in children in the social and educational development they need to help raise themselves out of poverty.

“The activities were so amazing because you were with the animals on their turf and experiencing the intertwined relationship anD respect of nature itself!” —Bill

Week 2: Wildlife Conservation South Africa is home to many of the world’s most fascinating and best loved animals, as well as many of its most endangered. This stunning array of wildlife includes more large animals than any other continent. Only Africa maintained most of its large animals into modern times, probably because they evolved alongside humans, unlike in other continents, where large animals were vulnerable to modern humans as our species arrived. From the termite to the elephant, each organism is part of a complex system. A century ago five million wild elephants roamed Africa, now only a tenth of that number remain. Much needs to be done if future generations are to enjoy these incredible ecosystems.

“The game park was an incredible experience and I got the opportunity to get a close encounter with many different animals and to actively participate in tracking and monitoring them.” —Alana

You may be involved in a range of activities. At night the motion sensor cameras need to be set and during the day we check the game park to make sure poachers have not set traps. You will visit the cheetah rehabilitation centre as well as the Zulu reptile breeding centre. You will take two daytime treks with a professionally trained and armed guide on a nearby Big 5 Game Reserve to research and track elephants and monitor rhinos as well as cheetahs and leopards, which are also at risk. We plan to commence the construction of a “blind” at a watering hole to enable us to monitor wildlife activity up close. There are the usual activities of wood gathering for camp-fire and meal preparation as well as a possible overnight camp-out depending on weather. You may be involved in alien species eradication. This is not a standard look out the bus widow safari; it’s a hands-on behind the scenes experience on the front line of conservation in South Africa. One you will never forget!

“I thoroughly enjoyed being emerged in a different culture to my own. I was pleased when I was given a zulu name as I felt excepted into their culture.” —Laura

ACTIVITIES Your program is filled with cultural activities to help you immerse yourself in Zulu culture. These include Zulu language classes and dancing. Volunteers can also attend traditional braais (barbecues) as well as going on hippo and crocodile boat cruises, and much more! You’ll also spend an afternoon at a cat rehabilitation center, where you will meet and interact with Cheetahs, Serval Cats, African Wildcats and Caracal (Lynx), which have been orphaned or injured in the wild and need care and rehabilitation. There are also some optional activities you can join during your ROV program. These activities are at your own cost, but don’t worry, we understand that many volunteers are on a tight budget and you will always be given the option to join a free activity instead!

Optional activities include: A one-hour horse ride through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, riding alongside animals such as zebra, wildebeest and other big game. The cost for this is R250 per person (around US$25) A morning interacting with elephants, including being able to feed and touch them. The cost for this is R300 per person (around US$30)

“I love the cheetah centre, the walking track, and the best part IS the horse riding. being on a horse and stroll across Africa plain was unbelievable.” —Danni

BLOG: LIVE FROM SOUTH AFRICA! Want to know what your life will be like in South Africa? Check out current and past blogs to find out how a South African program operates.

“It was so rewarding to see our progress on the new creche. We did the foundation, built bricks, mixed all the concrete by hand, put up half the walls and the door frame. I think it will benefit the community immensely and give the children a good start, and a safe place to go.” —Kolbie

Communication with home can be tricky — but that’s where the ROV blogs can fill the void: we provide daily updates with snippets of news and lots of photos! The blogs are updated daily while you’re in South Africa so your friends and family can see what you’re up to. All they need to do is go to www.rovolunteers.com and choose your program (Volunteer South Africa: Dukuduku Creche and Game Park) and click on the “Live from South Africa” tab (on the far right).

“I would tell them it is a life changing experince where you can get right in their and make a difference. You get to meet so many amazing people from all over the world and make friendships that will last a lifetime. You also get to get right into the middle of making a difference whether your out in the middle of the Game Park cutting chrimalinia or getting covered in cement at the Creche. And the kids smiling happy faces are a highlight you wont get anywhere else. ROV was an amazing group to go with, everything was done for us and the team leaders were always up for a chat or willing to help you if you were sick. It was an amazing three weeks and i’m glad i went with ROV.” —Demi

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY The history of South Africa is still being written today with the highest number of rhino killings in the past decade and the issues of apartheid still being dealt with.

THE PEOPLE AND LOCATION

Most local people are Zulus, the largest ethnic group in South Africa, descended from Bantu groups that moved into the region over a thousand years ago, bringing a culture of farming and livestock and pushing out or absorbing the San. Except for the San peoples who inhabit the desert regions, all African languages of South Africa descend from the Bantu languages. The Zulu respect their culture and keep many ancient traditions and ceremonies. Although most Zulus are Christians, many believe in ancestral spirits, appearing in dreams or other forms. Zulus consider birth, puberty, marriage and death as times to communicate with ancestors, calling on them for blessings, fortune, assistance or guidance.

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The earliest known inhabitants of the area we work in were San peoples, who still live elsewhere in the region. Speaking languages with unique click consonants, and living in harmony with the environment as hunter gatherers, the San have been identified by geneticists as having the oldest distinct lineage of any human population in the world. Some rock paintings by San people in the Drakensberg mountains are thought to be as old as 100,000 years, and it is possible to see some of these rock paintings during the Drakensberg extension.

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Humans originated in Africa. We’re all descended from Africans!

“I couldn’t have asked for better leaders. They were both so much fun but inspiring to keep us reminded of how much we are influencing the different communities. They were the nicest people and so welcoming.” —Jordan

ZULU LANGUAGE A few words of Zulu to get you started! hello (to one person): sawubona hello (to more than one person): sanibonaan how are you? (to one person): unjani? how are you? (to more than one person): ninjani?

ngisaphila we’re ok!: sisaphila thanks!: ngiyabonga what’s your name?: ngubani igama lakho? my name is...: igama lami ngu… I’m ok!:

THE WILDLIFE Help save the Rhino The 1004 rhinos killed across South Africa in 2013 is an increase of nearly 50 percent from the 668. rhinos poachers killed in 2012. You work will go towards protecting the endangered rhino species.

African Wild Dog

“I would tell them that it is a once in a lifetime experience that will give them an adventure as well as a chance to help out communities that need it, something they don’t want to miss out on!” —Carla

There were once approximately 500,000 African wild dogs in Africa, and packs of 100 or more were not uncommon. Now there are only about 3,000–5,500.

Lions In the 1940s, there were around 450,000 wild lions in Africa. Now there may be as few as 20,000. Lions ranged throughout Africa and Asia, including the Middle East and Turkey. Lions became extinct in most of Asia during the 20th century, except for 200 wild lions in a single reserve in India. We need to make sure lions don’t go the same way in Africa as they have in Asia!

GETTING READY Weather Although the southern winter is quite mild, in June and July mornings and evenings can be cool, and night times are cold due to the effects of the nearby Drakensberg mountains, which have snow on their high peaks for four months of the year.

What to bring Think about your favourite clothes, shoes and handbags – and then discard those thoughts! Think practical, comfortable, and easy to wash. Think work clothes, work gloves, hats and sunscreen. Your program will involve lots of hard, practical work, and you won’t require precious garments or flashy jewellery. It’s about sun protection, easy wear, and no hassle. This information is also located within your “Get Ready” page, located on your Volunteer Launchpad.

Flights For flight and airport information don’t forget to check your Get Ready page which will be available when you pay your deposit. If you are extending your program it is very important that you email the ROV office to confirm your arrival and departure airports before you book your airline tickets.

Visas Citizens of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US do not need visas. If you are not a citizen of these countries please check the website of your nearest South African embassy.

Insurance Although our programs are safe, take the stress out of your trip by making sure you are fully covered for any unexpected health or travel problems that might arise, including cover for emergency flights and hospital visits.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS • Can you wear singlets (tank tops) shorts, bikinis? Yes! • Can we bring toys, sweets / candies and other small gifts? Yes! • Do we need bedding? No! • Do we need vaccinations? Ask your doctor • Do we need to arrange transport for departing flights? No! • Can I bring a suitcase? We recommend a backpack • Do I need insurance? Yes! • What things / clothing should I bring with me to donate in the village? Children’s clothes and shoes. Early childhood-development and

educational materials such as books, crayons, and pencils. Sports equipment. Running shoes and clothes. • Isn’t South Africa is dangerous? We stay in small towns and rural areas,

and look after volunteers throughout their stay. • Will I be met at the airport? We will collect you on the day you arrive,

and drop you off at the airport on the day of departure. • Will I have electricity / adaptors? Not all the time, but often enough to charge your cameras, phones and iPods. • Will there be wifi? Not all the time. •Will there be big insects / dangerous animals? This is rural Africa, so there are insects. If you use insect repellent and sleep under your mosquito net, they shouldn’t be a problem.

FUNDRAISING Because of volunteers like you, we can provide employment for local tradespeople, medication for children, materials for building projects, donations for anti-poaching activities, and money for local infrastructure (accommodation providers, activities, transport, etc.). Every cent helps the local people. We need your help to make a difference. Many volunteers fundraise for their Reach Out Volunteer program. That means not one cent has come out of their pocket. Your fundraising materials will be available to you once you have paid your deposit or uploaded your priority code to your profile. We also like using crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe — be sure to embed Reach Out videos and links to our website to give people an idea of what they’re contributing to. People will want to help you help others: all you have to do is put yourself out there!

Excited about your program? Reach Out Volunteers create Facebook groups for every program so that you can get to know your group months before leaving! You may even meet someone who lives close by to travel with.

How to meet other volunteers: 1. “Like” Reach Out Volunteers’ Facebook page: facebook.com/reachoutvolunteers. 2. “Add” ROV Adm as a friend. 3. Email [email protected] or private message us via Facebook with your full name and your program name and dates. We will then add you to the private Facebook group.

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MEET YOUR GROUP

“The program was incredible! I loved working with the kids and visiting the game park –both were amazing experiences! It is a life-changing experience, and I would highly recommend them going on a program... or two... or three!” —Celia

SAFETY Every aspect of your program has safety as its highest priority. We organise your program from start to finish. If you arrive at the airport on the day the program commences, there will be a Reach Out Volunteer representative to meet you. The Reach Out Volunteer team leader will be with your group for the entire duration of the program and will be available 24/7 to help in any situation. You will be living in a shared, same-sex room (whenever it is available), in clean, hygienic, and safe accommodations. You will have constant access to safe drinking water. If you choose an extension, Reach Out Volunteers will provide on ground transportation to the next program location, where a Reach Out Volunteer representative will meet you.

“it was a life changing experience and i would do it all over again and again. LOVED IT!!!!!” —Rikki

READY

TO JOIN? If you haven’t already applied for the program, you can do so through our website: www.rovolunteers.com/volunteer_programs.htm Once you have been accepted, you will need to pay the deposit to confirm your place. We’re waiting to welcome you to our team!

© 2014 Reach Out Volunteers Pty Ltd