Rural Community Development Assistant

location
5 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Experience real rural Zimbabwe life and immerse yourself in the culture.
  • Make a real difference in peoples lives
  • Visit a local game park to view Zimbabwe's wildlife

Highlights

  • Experience real rural Zimbabwe life and immerse yourself in the culture.
  • Make a real difference in peoples lives
  • Visit a local game park to view Zimbabwe's wildlife


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples

    About the program

    Work with us and the community assisting with our community projects supporting the vulnerable and disadvantaged

    We are looking for volunteers that can assist us running our community projects long term.  Anyone that is eager to help coordinate and realise our empowerment projects is welcome to join us. If you would like to join us, but cannot stay for min 5 weeks, we offer a two weeks volunteer program as ...

    About the program

    We are looking for volunteers that can assist us running our community projects long term.  Anyone that is eager to help coordinate and realise our empowerment projects is welcome to join us. If you would like to join us, but cannot stay for min 5 weeks, we offer a two weeks volunteer program as well! 


    Your work will involve assisting us with all our projects, these are many and varied and you will be working with and alongside locals.


    1) Building refurbishment and repair, we have several buildings at our site including lodges, shops and outbuildings.  We need to do work on many of them to get them ready for use by the trust.  We could also be going into families homes and schools to help with maintenance and building projects.


    2) Income generating projects, we run several projects at our centre including chickens, goats, rabbits and vegetable gardening.  You will be shown how the projects work and how to manage the projects. You will be involved in training others and setting up the projects with families in the community.


    3) At certain times of the year we are planning to hold holiday clubs for our sponsored orphaned children, you will be involved in running the club and interacting with the children and their families/guardians.


    4) We will also be working with local schools and there could be the opportunity to work with the children assisting in classrooms and with games.


    There may well  be times in the year when you will be left in charge of the projects and asked to manage those working with you. 


    Free-time activities

    We are in a very rural area, most of the time we make up our own entertainment, chill out in the evenings around a fire, bbq (braai), exchange stories & play games.
    You can explore the local township and visit the local river. Possibility of local fishing.
    You will be given time to go and explore ...

    Free-time activities

    We are in a very rural area, most of the time we make up our own entertainment, chill out in the evenings around a fire, bbq (braai), exchange stories & play games.
    You can explore the local township and visit the local river. Possibility of local fishing.
    You will be given time to go and explore other areas of Zimbabwe, Vic falls, game parks etc.


    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.

    Other Skills

    Organisational skills DIY Handling animals Good with children

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Ratidzo Trust

    Includes, transfer from airport, overnight hotel in Harare B&B, accommodation & food in Sanyati, return to Harare for
    overnight hotel B&B and transfer to airport. (The cost of the trip does not include flights, insurance or visa).

    We do ask that you raise additional funds to put towards the work of the trust

    Included is a 2 night trip to a local game park, activities are bookable at the park.

    Additional trips to other areas of Zimbabwe are at your own expense.

    Airport Pickup at Harare International Airport

    Harare Int Airport, overnight hotel in Harare, Drive to site is approx 4hrs

    Accommodation

    Accommodation is basic but comfortable, there is a toilet and shower ensuite (cold water only), we can supply hot water for washing in.

    We have solar power.

    Our centre is strictly non smoking

    Food & Beverages

    Please advise us of any dietary requirements. We generally eat from the land, using what we grow, poultry and livestock.

    We will provide water & tea for drinking, any soft drinks and alcohol can be bought locally at low cost.  Coffee is fairly expensive but available for you to buy.

    You will have access to basic cooking facilities and have the option to cook for yourself if you wish.

    At this time due to our rural setting we are unable to accommodate restrictive dietary needs - i.e Vegan. (Vegetarian is ok)

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Harare International Airport (HRE) in Harare. We assist you to find cheap flights to Zimbabwe. 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 Zimbabwe provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

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

    Details on arrival

    You can start at anytime of the year - Hottest months are October - December, January and February are in the rainy season. May - July are cooler months

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

    Program fees

    5 weeks (min. stay) 1,596€
    6 weeks 1,649€
    7 weeks 1,703€
    8 weeks 1,756€
    12 weeks 1,968€
    20 weeks 2,394€
    50 weeks (max. stay) 3,990€
    Average fees 200€/week

    Program fees

    200€ per week 5 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    5 - 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 Ratidzo Trust during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Ratidzo Trust

    Brilliant 4.7 rating (9 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2015

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Richard

    About the project

    Come and experience rural Zimbabwe while working with vulnerable local communities, widows, schools, orphans and vulnerable children.

    Meet your organization

    We are a young Trust working in rural Sanyati and need your help setting up and helping run some of our community projects. We also get involved in building and refurbishing projects.  You do not need any particular skills, just a willingness to get your hands dirty, get involved & be flexible.  Things will and do change!

    You will be able to visit some of the people we are working with in their homes and see how the projects are making a real difference in their lives.   Also visit and maybe do some work in local schools, find out from the teachers and students what rural schooling is like in Zimbabwe.

    WARNING: We are in a very rural setting, with very basic accommodation and utilities.  We have solar power, running cold water (cold shower is available & can heat up water for you to wash with if you wish).  We eat from the land (no MacBurger King here!!).  Internet is limited, as is phone reception, so if you want all mod cons this is not for you, but if you want a real rural experience then look no further!

    9 reviews · rating4.7

    Roman Lavoine rating5

    2023 at Rural Community Development Assistant

    This trip was a sublime experience, and I will remember it all my life. We were very well received by very nice people, Edline and Richard. Thanks to them, they were able to do a lot of different activities to make themselves useful. Help lots of people in need, help schools, do agriculture. An ...
    Laura Mvula rating4.8

    2019 at Rural Community Development Assistant

    Volunteering with Ratidzo Foundation Trust is really such a great experience as volunteers get to learn a lot, for instance working in a team while gaining a sense of community, learning something new from the scratch, it might be the all the stages of a project from identification to project ...
    Elias Gorzewski rating3.8

    2019 at Rural Community Development Assistant

    I spent two months, from September to November 2019 with "Ratidzo Foundation Trust" in Zimbabwe. The organization focuses on community development in a rural area in Zimbabwe called Sanyati. It is run by Edline and Richard Jarman, who are both very nice and easy to work with. They are going to help ...
    This was my second time here, visiting this time with my Wife, Daughter and Grand daughter. The progress by the charity since I last visited was amazing. Due to the heat we worked from early morning until the middle of the day and then again later in the afternoon. Was nice to chill during the ...
    Elsa Kalifa rating5

    2024 at Rural Community Assistant

    This was without a doubt the best weeks of our life. My husband and I spent 2 weeks with Ratidzo Trust with Edline and Richard and we both agree that we took more than what we gave. We learned so much about gardening, construction, social work and taking care of animals. We also learned how to be ...
    Kija Mennour rating5

    2023 at Social Community Outreach Assistant

    In June 2023, I spent two eye-opening weeks in Sanyati with the Ratidzo Foundation. The organisers, Edline and Richard, gave us a very warm welcome and immediately made us part of their daily work. The work of the Ratidzo foudation trust is to improve the lives of the people of Sanyati. To do this, ...

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