Information & Programme Guide

Transcription

1 Information & Programme Guide Vervet Monkey Foundation Volunteer Experience Quick Guide Project Overview South Africa Guide Weather Guide Afrikaans Essentials Travel & Safety Tips

2 Vervet Monkey Foundation Volunteer Program Quick Guide Daily interac,ons Loca,on: Working Day: Arrivals: Transfers: Help with care of primates at the centre,enrichment ac3vi3es and learn about rehab protocols Vervet Monkey Founda3on, Nr Tzaneen From approx 08h00 to 17h00-6 days a week To Johannesburg Airport on Sundays Volunteers should arrive to Johannesburg Airport on the Sunday prior to their start date for overnight accommoda3on in Johannesburg to take a coach transfer to the project on Monday morning. Dura,on: Volunteer at Vervet Monkey Founda3on for 2 weeks or longer Age Limit: 18 years old + Programme Overview What s Included? Included: Excluded: 3 meals daily - all vegan based and a big hit with volunteers Tips and gratui3es Accommoda3on is cabin style huts onsite at the centre Full 3me coordinator to assist throughout your stay All ac3vi3es and necessary training Selected off site visits, dependent on the season Full support and assistance from VWI from our Cape Town base before, during and auer your stay! Medical Insurance Flights and Visas Monthly S3pend Entertainment in free 3me and weekends Airport transfers and overnight accommoda3on in Johannesburg prior to Monday transfer to the project

3 Vervet Monkey Foundation Volunteer Program Overview (1/2) VWI are proud to offer our volunteers the opportunity to spend 3me at one of the largest centres of its type in the world and undertake hugely rewarding and massively beneficial work wholly geared towards the conserva3on and preserva3on of these amazing primates welcome to the first step towards volunteering at the Vervet Monkey Founda3on and the life changing experiences that are possible as a result! Founded in 1993, The Vervet Monkey Founda3on are a South African NPO (Non Profit Organisa3on) and one of the first animal organisa3ons in South Africa to have developed a volunteer program and to benefit from interna3onal volunteer visits! The Founda3on was ini3ated by its commi^ed founders with the purpose of providing sanctuary to non releasable Vervets and rehabilita3on back into the wild for individuals with the ability to survive and has grown to such an extent that today, the sanctuary now look auer in excess of 500 animals at any given 3me! The work undertaken by volunteers here is invaluable to the sanctuary, massively beneficial and hugely appreciated by the staff and primates with whom you will find yourself working this leads to a real family atmosphere in and around the program and one our volunteers can be excep3onally proud to be a part of!

4 Vervet Monkey Foundation Volunteer Program Overview (2/2) Volunteers to the Vervet Monkey Founda3on Program are afforded the privileged opportunity of assis3ng with the valuable work undertaken at this highly respected centre - your daily ac3vi3es may include any of the below: Collec3ng and prepara3on of food for the monkeys Hands on care of baby monkeys (Nov- Feb) Assis3ng with introduc3ons and rehabilita3on of new primates Monitoring and report wri3ng on the monkeys around the sanctuary Assis3ng with educa3onal outreach programs Good at graphic design? The VMF can always use help for development of fundraising ini3a3ves and newsle^ers! Clearing of vegeta3on for fire breaks and alien species control Maybe even help with basic medical prac3ces and administering of medica3ons!

5 Accommodation ACCOMMODATION FACT FILE Shared cabins on site at the centre in the volunteer village Max 2 persons per cabin Tradi3onal bush living experience with eco toilets! Storage, sheets and pillows are provided - bring a sleeping bag though! Gas heated shower Laundry service is provided (Mon- Fri) Private cabins are available (ideal for couples) - enquire for more info!

6 How to book STEP 1: Choose your program and fill in the application form (don t worry - its obligation free!) STEP 2: We confirm back to you availability - if youre 100% happy, pay a 20% deposit to reserve your place STEP 3: Pay the full balance 6 weeks prior to arrival and sit back and look forward to the holiday of a lifetime! Included: Volunteering with VWI is as easy as 1-2-3! We strongly believe volunteering and the planning of your volunteer visit should be as straighiorward and easy as possible, as such, our applica3on and booking process is structured to be as simple as can be! We are also always on hand and available to offer advice or answer any ques3ons you may have and share our extensive knowledge - a major part of our full service commitment to help you make the most of your stay! Step 1 - Choose your program & send us your applica,on Step 2 - Confirma,on of availability, official quota,on and deposit payment Step 3 - Start planning, final payment and packing your suitcase! Browse through our fantas3c range of projects for the one that s right for you, decide on your dates, fill in the simple applica3on form and send it across to us. We will then check availability with your chosen program(s) and if all okay, reserve your placement with the project and send you a quota3on. We will hold this reserva3on for 1 week to give you 3me to go over the i3nerary and make sure you are 100% happy with arrangements - if all is in order, simply make payment for the deposit to finalize your reserva3on. VWI uses Paypal to accept payments offering our volunteers a range of payment op3ons, 100% security and payments in local currency! Then, sit back, start planning and looking forward to the vaca3on of a life3me! Payment of the balance is only due 6 weeks before your arrival leaving you plenty of 3me to then pack your suitcase with all the last minute essen3als!

7 The Weather Report Tzaneen, a tropical garden town is situated in South Africas subtropical North East and thus enjoys a great year round climate with consistently warm temperatures governed by the warming influence of the Indian Ocean. The regions weather consists of mostly sunshine with long summer days and pleasant winters where average day3me highs rarely drop below around 20 degrees celcius. During the summer months, temperatures regularly reach the high 30s and it is during this 3me that rainfall is at its highest though this is largely to sporadic heavy auernoon thunderstorms rather than consistent rain. A great loca3on and year round climate combined with hugely rewarding program makes the Vervet Monkey Founda3on a great choice for any volunteer and especially for anyone with a love for primates! Tzaneen Climate Summer Autumn Winter Spring Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Average Low Average High Rainfall

8 Travel & Safety Tips Fortunately, tourists visi3ng South Africa on the whole enjoy very safe, memorable experiences whilst enjoying all this amazing country has to offer. As with travelling to any foreign country though, a common sense approach and understanding of local cultures will generally ensure your stay remains hassle free - the below guide should help in assuring your stay remains one to remember for a life3me - and for all the right reasons too! COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Is AIDS/HIV an issue? AIDS/HIV is an issue within South Africa but fortunately one that can be easily avoided. Standard precau3ons and a common sense approach will ensure that this issue is never a problem for our volunteers. Is Malaria an issue? Are there any inocula,ons needed? Is it safe to drink the water? Is crime an issue? OTHER GENERAL ADVICE Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance! Sunburn Pack light and embrace the backpacking culture Leave,me to explore South Africa Tzaneen is in a malaria affected area and as such, we highly recommend all volunteers seek region appropriate medical advice regarding prophylaxis prior to departure. Yes. Whilst there are no specific inocula3ons required for travel to South Africa we recommend you are up to date on Polio vaccina3ons. To work with the monkeys, an An, Tetanus injec,on is required and Tuberculosis test (available on arrival at ZAR390). Yes - South Africa has some of the best treated and safest tap water anywhere in the world. Very rural areas may be an excep3on to this but at all of our projects, the drinking water is 100% safe. No. Volunteers should remember though to exercise a common sense approach to travel outside of their chosen projects and avoid unnecessary display of expensive jewellery, cameras etc. Peace of mind is priceless and unfortunately, accidents can and do happen. Make sure you are fully covered for any eventuality - for further advice, check out our travel insurance page on the website. Even in the depths of winter, sunburn is likely to be the biggest health hazard you will face on your trip and luckily, is completely avoidable! Be sensible, pack and apply appropriate factor sun cream regularly to avoid unnecessary discomfort! Volunteering isn t about lugging round heavy suitcases full of designer clothes - leave the unnecessary luxuries at home and give yourself the chance to find out who you really are. Make the most of your visit and see all that South Africa has to offer - from Table Mountain to the Kruger Park, there are opportuni3es not to be missed for everyone here both on and off projects!

9 South Africa - Useful Info: SOUTH AFRICA FACTS - KEY INFO Time Zone GMT + 2 Currency: South African Rand (ZAR) US $1 = Approx. 10 ZAR Popula,on Circa 52 million (2013) Capital City Ethnic Groups Official Languages Interna,onal Dial Code +27 Pretoria (Execu3ve) Cape Town (Legisla3ve) 80% Black African 9% Coloured 9% White Afrikaans, English, Xhosa + local tribal dialects Included: Drive on the: Electricity (plug) type: LeU 220/230V - 3 Round Pin Plug

10 Afrikaans Essentials Goeie more! Baie dankie! Asseblief Totsiens! Wat is jou naam? Dankie! Some useful Afrikaans phrases: Goeie more Good morning Goeie middag Good auernoon Goeienaand Good evening Dankie Thanks! Hallo Hello Totsiens Goodbye Wat is jou naam? What is your name? Volunteer World Interna3onal strongly encourages our volunteers to take the opportunity Included: to develop an understanding of the local peoples and cultures you will experience throughout your stay in South Africa as we believe this will thoroughly enhance your visit. Whilst by no means essen3al as most South Africans do speak excellent English as at least a second language, what be^er way could there be to immerse yourself in the local culture to get the most out of your volunteering trip than to learn some of the local language? Ja Nee Asseblief Hoe gaan dit met jou? Goed, dankie Kan jy Engels praat? My naam is Waar is Hoe feel? Yes No Please How are you? Fine thanks Do you speak English? My name is Where is? How much?

11 Suggested Packing List Through experience, we highly recommend avoiding packing everything but the kitchen sink! South Africa, especially with current rates of exchange against the major currencies, is a great place to shop and with great malls and plen3ful access to ATMs so you should always be able to find anything you may need. Remember before you leave though to let your bank know that you are travelling so you will be able to use your cards abroad - likewise your cell phone! Data and roaming costs can be high so we highly recommend purchasing a local SIM card upon your arrival for cheap local calls and internet access - these are easy to top up at a variety of garages/malls and provide a great way of sending texts or instant message to loved ones back at home! DOCUMENTATION Passport Flight 3ckets Trip I3nerary & Documents Included: Visas (if required and for stays of 90+ days) Contact details for us here at VWI SUITCASE ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST Insurance Policy Documents Camera (+ memory card & spare ba^eries!) Sleeping bag - required especially for winter! Personal Medica3on Driving Licence (for car hire - if required) Basic First Aid Kit Cell Phone (make sure to ac3vate interna3onal roaming* prior to departure!) A warm jacket/jumper - it can get cold in the evenings, even in summer! MP3 Player & Charger/Laptop Plug adaptors (3 round pin) Credit Card + Wallet Currency (we suggest carrying approx R3-500 in change) Polarising Sunglasses High factor sun cream - don t forget, even in winter South Africa has hot sunny days and it is very easy to burn! A cap (essen3al for midday game viewing!) Appropriate clothing. Remember, you will be living and working in the heart of the South African bush which is no place for high heels or expensive trainers! Sturdy walking shoes and hard wearing trousers are definitely the order of the day, especially for the bush walks!

12 Contact Numbers to Note: Useful Local Numbers: Important numbers to bring with you: VWI Office +27 (0) Your bank/card issuer VWI 24/7 Emergency +27 (0) Travel Insurers Find us on Social Media Included: Ambulance Next of kin Police Cell phone company Fire Service Local consulate Volunteering is a sociable thing and we re no different here at VWI. Connect with us on social media for updates from our projects, news from around South Africa - even occasional special offers to reward our followers! UCkvxQ4zaZZSTHLiG07ujUVw /+Voluntee rworldintlsouth_africa/posts volunteer-world-international

13 And finally, from all at VWI To You, The Volunteer We know you wont find be^er pricing, knowledge or service for volunteering in South Africa - we hope you like what you see and choose to spend your stay in South Africa with Volunteer World Interna3onal to enjoy the very best this spectacular country has to offer! Yours in volunteering, The VWI Team Cape Town