• Good Health And Well-Being

Early Childhood Development in rural communities

location
4 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Make a real, lasting difference in small children' lives through your participation in our early childhood development projects.
  • Gain valuable hands on experience in play based learning.
  • Experience the amazing learning opportunites from a completely different cultural perspective.

Highlights

  • Make a real, lasting difference in small children' lives through your participation in our early childhood development projects.
  • Gain valuable hands on experience in play based learning.
  • Experience the amazing learning opportunites from a completely different cultural perspective.
  • Visit Kruger National Park and get the chance to see an elusive leopard or experience the gentleness of an elephant.
  • Enjoy an authentic South African experience in food, culture and wildlife together with staff, locals and other volunteers from around the globe!

    • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    We believe we can improve someone's life by giving them the best opportunity possible, and it should start with a good education and as early as possible.

    Created in 2016, our Rise Creche is for the most vulnerable children (many from broken families) who's parents could not afford school fees. These 66 children for 2024 (from a few months old to 5/6 years old) come to the preschool daily for three meals and developmental learning.
    The Rise Creche ...

    About the program

    Created in 2016, our Rise Creche is for the most vulnerable children (many from broken families) who's parents could not afford school fees. These 66 children for 2024 (from a few months old to 5/6 years old) come to the preschool daily for three meals and developmental learning.
    The Rise Creche program focuses on Early Childhood Development, through play based learning specialized on Sensory integration.

    For us, Early Childhood Development is the best way to grow a better tomorrow!
    Volunteers involved in the program will assist in daily tasks' classroom assistance and playground based learning activities. 

    Volunteers will stay at a Backpackers situated on the same property. 
    You will spend your day working with the team, learning from them and having an amazing experience! Some days you will also accompany the Rise Creche Coordinator to outreach visits to other preschools we support. The work is very hand-on, so expect to be busy but remember to have fun!

    We believe that conservation and communities cannot exist in isolation of each other - hence our goals through all our projects to interlink, grow, conserve and uplift. The holism of our programs is important as it works with the community as a whole to see the problems in a bigger picture. 

    Our programming focuses are Education, Enterprise and Tourism.

    We have a programming structure as follows:
     
    - Green Kidz (our environmental education programme - We support 11 elementary-schools around the area)
    - Social Enterprise, where we support and grow small businesses through an incubator
    - Agro-Ecology training, very similar to permaculture, but more suited to African conditions
    - Rise creches (Our Early Childhood Development programme. We support 6 pre-schools around the area)
    - Eco Village (this includes our recycling programme and our general day to day outreach into the village around us).

    You will be immersed into the project as one of the team members to engage in the planning and running of the programs. You can combine our projects during your time with us or focusing on one (your choice). You will have the opportunity to explore our amazing area during the weekend (extra cost - We can organize it!)

    We can't wait to have you join our Family!

    Typical day

    At our Rise Creche program, you will be immersed into the project as one of the team members to engage in the planning and running of the programs, from 7:30am to 3pm with

    • Helping our staff to be ready for the day 
    • Classroom assistance
    • Supervising the activities with the kids
    • Playing with the kids
    • Outrea

    Typical day

    At our Rise Creche program, you will be immersed into the project as one of the team members to engage in the planning and running of the programs, from 7:30am to 3pm with

    • Helping our staff to be ready for the day 
    • Classroom assistance
    • Supervising the activities with the kids
    • Playing with the kids
    • Outreach assistance

    Free-time activities

    During the weekend volunteers can choose to chill and enjoy the pool with a cold drink as we do have a bar on site or exploring the area!

    We can organize activities (at extra cost), from:
    •  A Safari in the Kruger National Park 
    •  Bush Walk in a big 5 area
    •  Panorama Route (Exploring the first largest ...

    Free-time activities

    During the weekend volunteers can choose to chill and enjoy the pool with a cold drink as we do have a bar on site or exploring the area!

    We can organize activities (at extra cost), from:
    •  A Safari in the Kruger National Park 
    •  Bush Walk in a big 5 area
    •  Panorama Route (Exploring the first largest GREEN Canyon in the World! )
    •  Boat Trip
    •  Horse Back Safari
    •  Hikes
    And so much more

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 16:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Nourish Eco Village

    Included in your stay with us:
    • Accommodation
    • Three meals per day (7 days per week)
    • Pick up and drop off from Hoedspruit or Airport
    • Oversight and inclusion in your work and activities
    • Nourish T-Shirt
    • SIM card (if needed)
    • WIFI
    100% of your payment will go through our Nourish Foundation to help us to run all of our programs.

    Airport Pickup at Hoedspruit Airport

    We can organize pick up on Saturday and Sunday from Hoedspruit, in town or at the Eastgate Airport.

    Accommodation

    Volunteers will stay at Shik Shack Backpackers, situated on the same property as Nourish Eco Village.

    They will be accommodated into our Dorm, of 2 bedroom (each sleep 4 people) and a lounge.
    Each room is furnished with 2 bunk beds fitted with comfortable bedding and contains amenities such as towels, mosquito nets, fans, storage compartments.. Volunteers will access to a communal lounge, an outside seating area and an outside shower (only for volunteers)

    Volunteers will have access to all Shik Shack Backpackers facilities: 
    The communal lounge (pool table, darts, board games), 
    The communal bathroom (3 showers, 3 toilets and 4 sink)
    The bar (soft drinks and alcool available at extra cost), 
    The fire pit (perfect for story telling), 
    The swimming pool (great after a hard day at work)
    The braai facilities (barbecue style)

    Food & Beverages

    3 meals per day and 7 days per week is provided.

    Our meals are all South African dishes for a better Immersion. We can provide vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc.. options if necessary. 
    Fruits & Juice are always available.

    We do have a bar on the Shik Shack side, at extra cost. (beer, wine, spirit, soft drinks)

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) in Hoedspruit. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    We welcome volunteers all year around. 

    We ask volunteers to arrive during the weekend, where we can pick them up in Hoedspruit, in town or at Eastgate Airport.

    Volunteers can start directly the next Monday with an introduction, then they will be shown around the property of Nourish Eco Village before starting directly from one of our programs.

    Our programs run from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 4pm with 1h lunch break, volunteers will follow the same schedule.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    4 weeks (min. stay) 1,200€
    6 weeks 1,680€
    8 weeks 2,160€
    12 weeks 3,120€
    50 weeks (max. stay) 10,410€
    Average fees 254€/week

    Program fees

    254€ per week 4 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    4 - 50 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Nourish Eco Village during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

    Meet your organization

    Nourish Eco Village

    Outstanding 4.9 rating (26 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2011

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Loren

    About the project

    We engage with our communities through an Eco Village model with a variety of programming initiatives that fall under benefaction, education, enterprise and tourism.

    Meet your organization

    Nourish is a non-profit organization registered with the Department of Social Development in South Africa and has been running since 2011 in a village on the border of the Greater Kruger Park area. 

    Our focus is on growing resilient communities. We believe in fighting poaching through fighting poverty - and thus all our projects are integrated, holistic and sustainable: to grow a better tomorrow...

    Our goal is to create sustainable change - and have long-term impact in the spheres of both conservation and community upliftment. We believe that by working to grow resilient communities, that are healthy, educated, and have access to opportunities, we can break the poverty cycle and thus impact the poaching coming out of rural areas.

    Our projects are all interlinked and holistic, in order to help a community grow in all aspects. We focus on early childhood development, food security, English literacy, social integration,
    environmental education, conservation experiences, and entrepreneurial training.

    We have a programming structure at Nourish as follows:
     
    - Green Kidz (our environmental education programme-We support 11 elementary-schools around the area)
    - Social Enterprise, where we support and grow small businesses through an incubator
    - Agro-Ecology training, very similar to permaculture, but more suited to African conditions
    - Rise creches (Our Early Childhood Development programme. We support 6 pre-schools around the area)
    - Eco Village (this includes our recycling programme and our general day to day outreach into the village around us).

    26 reviews · rating4.9

    As a volunteer I really had a great time at nourish. I felt very welcome and I am grateful for this time. I really enjoyed working on the Green Kidz program. Working with the children was very rewarding work. Also all the other projects were amazing. The work nourish does is really important for ...
    I had wonderful 4 weeks at nourish. There are various ways to get involved. I was working in the creche, at green kids ( youth program) and in the sewing center. I was given an unforgettable time there. The accommodation and the property are also beautiful. Activities were organised for me every ...
    I was immediately touched by the warm welcome and the kindness of all the inhabitants. The missions are very varied and rewarding, both with the children in the crèche, as well as creative recycling activities such as jewelry making, and even helping with the farm. It was a real pleasure to be ...
    Nourish is a project with a heart. It's an excellent example of what can be accomplished by passion, hard work, creativity and determination. Its a place where people come together. Where you will learn just as much about the world as about yourself. ..
    Great experience! I was welcomed with open arms in the Nourish family, those are memories that I cherish in my heart! I did an internship at NPO Nourish and I was welcomed with open arms. Together we did various activities with the children, organized games and competitions, built a hut,... ..
    Fantastic experience - travelling from Australia to South Africa was well worth it purely for Nourish. Staff were great - professional and fun. Shout out Donald, the volunteer supervisor - our time would not have been the same without you. Meeting volunteers from diverse backgrounds was awesome, and ...

    Location

    Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Hoedspruit

    You might also be interested in

    Volunteer Abroad  >  Community  >  Childcare in South Africa
    Contact Loren
      Excellent response rate

    Most volunteers ask about

    Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Loren
    Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

    Book with Flex Option!

    Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

    Enjoy our services for dedicated volunteers!

    Enjoy a Refund Guarantee, Free Flex Option, and Emergency Assistance. Our Price-Guarantee ensures unbeatable value, and our Support Team is ready to assist.