South Africa

Few countries have changed politically as much as South Africa in recent years.  It is a diverse and beautiful country, from the game reserve of Kruger to the stunning Kalahari Desert.  Lattitude Volunteers either assist in improving education levels of students with varying aptitudes and needs, or work in the outdoors leading adventurous activities.

Placement locations

Placement locations range from the industrialised cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town to smaller provincial towns and rural areas, click here to view a map.

Is it for me?

Challenging placements on offer include assisting students with special needs in the classroom, leading group activities in outdoor camps or providing support in school boarding houses.  These placements will suit open minded, resilient, self-starters who are culturally sensitive and mature in attitude. 

Placements explained

Schools Assistant placements vary considerably from private boarding schools and day schools, to state high schools and farm schools.  Volunteer tasks may include such things as boarding house duties, after-hours supervision of students, sports coaching, tutoring of small groups in English, maths or IT and assisting with school administration.

Teaching placements are generally in schools in rural areas where facilities are quite basic.  These are challenging placements where volunteers take responsibility for their own classroom and teach students in a range of subjects with limited aids and resources.

Outdoor Activities placements have an emphasis on skills building and teamwork.  They often involve working with children in the wilderness, and at times can be physically challenging.

Community placements are undertaken in special needs schools and care centres for either mentally or physically disabled children.  Volunteers assist with a full range of recreational activities and, in some cases, with personal care.

Some placements provide pocket money in South Africa and working hours vary according to the specific placement.

Accommodation & food

Accommodation is either provided within the school boarding house, or for all other placements volunteers are in a hotel attached to the host institution.  Food in boarding houses is supplied by the school canteen, or for other placements a system of self-catering has been established.

Need to know

• Pre departure briefing - all volunteers are invited to a group briefing prior to departure
• Some Outdoor Activities placements require a bronze medallion life saving certificate and a current first aid qualification (with CPR) to be obtained prior to arrival
• On arrival - all volunteers will attend a three-day orientation and teaching skills course (for those who require it) on arrival in South Africa

Support provided

Before you go:

• We interview each volunteer in order to find out their strengths, skills and interests, as well as identifying what they are hoping to achieve while away. This helps us select the right people to be Lattitude volunteers and after a second interview with the In Country Programme Manager (often via Skype or e-mail), we match them to a placement that is right for them.
• Once you have been accepted by the in Country Programme Manager you will be looked after by a specialised Volunteer Coordinator based in the Palmerston North office, who is responsible for all volunteers going to a particular country. They provide briefing materials, support with logistics such as flights and visas and are there to answer any questions.
• Everyone attends a pre-departure briefing to meet other volunteers and Lattitude staff, and other professionals such as our travel agent, travel doctors and insurance company representatives as well as hearing from returned volunteers.
• All volunteers sign our Term and Conditions to ensure that Lattitude's expectations of each volunteer are agreed and clear from the outset.

When you're overseas:

• We have paid staff based in each country.  Our Country Managers oversee the program and work with a team of Local Representatives who provide support in the local areas and develop close relationships with placement hosts.
• Each volunteer attends orientation on arrival and where needed, other courses such as a local language or teaching skills course.
• Each volunteer is visited at their placement soon after arrival by an in-country staff member to check how things are and provide additional support if needed.
• We work with Embassies and High Commissions to ensure we can respond to any situation and provide 24/7 emergency support from the Lattitude office in Palmerston North.

When you're back:

• We recognise that coming home can be difficult and provide one-to-one support, with onward referrals for further professional support if needed.  Volunteers are invited to debriefing events and become part of our network of alumni.

 

Costs

These costs are for Lattitude placements in South Africa in 2013

Lattitude fees (exact costs):

Lattitude Application Fee	$150
Lattitude Contribution Fee	$3100
Lattitude Teaching Skills Course (if required)	$100
Lattitude In-country Orientation	$200

 
You will also need to budget for the following (approx costs):

Travel Insurance (6 months)	$1052
Return Airfares (approx cost of group flight)	$2600-3000
Visa	$85 (AUD)
Total cost (approximate)	$7287-7687

 Travel

The main opportunity for travel will be at the end of your placement.  South Africa’s natural environment is one of the world’s most diverse, with beautiful coastlines, green valleys, towering mountains, open savannah and an incredible array of wildlife.  Spot the Big Five on a walking safari in the world-renowned Kruger National Park, hike the peaks and valleys of the Drakensberg Mountains, or explore the untamed wilderness of the Wild Coast.  If you feel like some city life after all this outdoor adventure, head to Cape Town that not only boasts cosmopolitan chic but has a mountain in its centre!