You'll assist the trained Carers in a children’s Safe-House in the local township by helping to care for children from abusive backgrounds. You'll work with a variety of ages, from assisting in the soup kitchen, general caring for the youngsters, and observing counselling to HIV sufferers. This is a wonderful and very rewarding project and would suit anyone keen keen on Social Work, Teaching or Child Care.

“After 3 weeks volunteering at the Safe House, I can honestly say that this was the highlight of my time in South Africa. It is owned and run by incredibly warm, friendly and helpful staff and the kids they look after (from toddlers to teenagers) are fun, playful, inquisitive and just plain adorable. There is so much to get involved in; you will genuinely leave there every day looking forward to the next”  Andrew Rintoul

►SUMMARY FACTFILE
Start Dates	All year round - you choose your start and finish dates!
Duration	From 2 weeks to 12 weeks and longer, depending on visa requirements.
Requirements	No qualifications required, just lots of enthusiasm and a love of children.
Price	From £795 / US$1,195 for 1 week, ranging to £2,895 / US$4,345 for 12 weeks. Full Price List and other Currencies
What's included	►Accommodation ►Food ►Meeting you at the Airport ►Transfer to your accommodation ►Transport to and from your project ►Full pre-departure support ►Local in-country team support and backup ►24-hr emergency support ►Free T-shirt
What's not included	Flights, Insurance, Cost of Visas (if a visa is required, but we'll provide necessary documents and assistance), Return transfer to airport
Who can do this Project?	All projects are open to all nationalities. You need to be aged between 17 and 77+

PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Safe House is situated in a local township in Knysna. It was started by two wonderful women specifically to provide a safe, warm, loving and secure environment to children who have been removed from their families due to abusive and violent situations.  The Safe House cares for children of all ages, ranging from babies to teenagers. At present they have 8 children who live there permanently and many others who stay at the Safe House during the day. Some of the children attend school and some attend a local crèche. The children who stay at the Safe House during the day are there because they're unable to attend school for various reasons, such as learning disabilities and they are too young.   

The safe house works with the local community in many ways, such as providing a free after-school Soup Kitchen for all the children In the local area. Local children who would not get adequate food can come to the Soup Kitchen after school for a meal.

The Safe House also acts as a base for the local children where they can come to play and it helps to keep them off the streets.  They also offer counselling, particularly for HIV sufferers, as well as working closely with the local animal welfare.

The staff at the house are trained carers, so you'll be able to help them and give general support where needed. Your support is excellent for the carers as well as the children, because you will be able to free up some of their time to concentrate on other important areas that are needed to keep the Safe House running, such as seeking financial support and ensuring that the day-today administration is kept up.

“Volunteering at the Safe House was one of the most inspirational and fulfilling experiences I have ever had. Over the course of four weeks, I felt a bond with the staff and kids that I do not think could ever be replaced. I miss everyone dearly and will remember my adventures there forever”  Siobhan Hennessey

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Africa and the many diverse cultures in South Africa

• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.

• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.

• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market

• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

WORK CONTENT:
During the mornings you'll look after the children that are at the House, helping with basic Reading, Writing, Maths. You'll assist with their general care as well, and also spend time playing games with the children in order to build up their confidence and give them some social skills.

In the afternoons you'll assist with the daily efforts required to run the Soup Kitchen. You'll also help the children with their homework and keeping them stimulated and entertained by providing educational activities.

The type of work you will be allocated will depend to an extent on your own abilities and capabilities, taking into consideration the children’s health and safety.

Your hours may vary, but normally you will work from 8am to 2.30pm but you can stay longer to assist with the Soup Kitchen.  Word days are Monday to Friday so you will have weekends free for any sightseeing or independent travel. Here is a list of duties that you may also be asked to help with:

• Assisting with the preparation and handing out food.  

• Helping carers and caring for the children

• Helping the children eat.

• Helping carers and caring for the children.

• General cleaning of the Care Centre.

• Washing the children, and their clothes.

• Changing nappies.

• Assisting with literacy and numeracy with the older children

• Assisting with homework

As a result of your volunteer work, the Safe House, the Carers and the community benefit directly or indirectly as follows

• Get an opportunity to interact and learn foreign cultures   

• Have access to your invaluable help and assistance

• Will improve their own traditional knowledge, skills and ideas on care work as these will be supplemented by any initiatives that you and other volunteers come up with  

• The children have access to your love and care, and these are fundamental to their growth and development.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:

• 5-DAY OR 7-DAY SAFARI from Cape Town up the renowned Garden Route: taking in Dolphin and Whale Spotting, visits to many tourist attractions, such as a visit to a brewery(!), the Bloukrantz Bungy Jump (reportedly the highest in the world), and a guided tour of the Cango Caves.

• 1 WEEK WHALES, SHARKS AND DOLPHINS Project: This is an extraordinary and exciting project in a beautiful location, surrounded by white beaches and blue ocean. And two hours from the world's third favourite city - Cape Town. What more could anyone want?

LOCATION:
Knysna is approximately 500km from the beautiful capital city of Cape Town  and voted South Africa’s favourite town 4 years in a row! Its mountainous backdrop, impressively sized estuary and indigenous forests really give the town a natural feel to it. Although it still has that ‘small-town’ feel, Knysna is growing rapidly, and has all the amenities you could ask for such as banks, hotels, internet café’s, cinemas and shopping malls.

About 20-30 minutes' drive away from Knysna you'll find Plettenberg Bay (better known simply as Plett), which is a bit smaller than Knysna, but equally stunning.  Its' pure white beaches stretch as far as the eye can see and there is a lot to do, from whale and dolphin watching, to hiking trails and awesome nightlife.

The Garden Route is famous for all sorts of activities from adrenalin sports such as bungee jumping, skydiving and shark cage diving to more relaxed pursuits such as hiking, quad biking in the forest or visiting one of the many animal sanctuaries in the area. Your local Travellers liaison will be happy to assist you in finding interesting things to do and places to see so make the most of it!

Got any questions? Please email us: info@travellersworldwide.com

Enhance your Programme with some exciting activities: