Community / Orphan Care Volunteer

This fantastic wildlife project is situated in South Africa’s Eastern Cape and is designed for volunteers interested in having a truly African Experience while making a difference to the local wildlife and environment. The project aims to give volunteers a holistic experience of life on a "Big 5" game reserve with some exposure to the Big 5 themselves but also conservation of fauna and flora as these go hand in hand. Volunteers will work on a daily basis helping to carry out all the tasks on the reserve including rhino and lion monitoring, game counts and captures to name a few. For anyone studying or interested in the field of veterinary medicine a veterinary internship is available offering opportunities to work with the vets and wildlife experts on this Big 5 Reserve.

Shamwari Game Reserve is world famous and one of the largest Big 5 Reserves in the Eastern Cape as well as being home to the Born Free Foundation and the beautiful big cats that have found a safe home there. Volunteers have the opportunity to get behind the scenes and involved in the conservation efforts of this renowned Game Reserve.

Volunteers to this project will have a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the medical welfare of the San Bushman community as well as gaining firsthand experience of healthcare in a developing country. They will assist the medical staff at the remote rural Bushman clinic which offers primary healthcare to the local community. This is an incredible experience for anyone currently working in or thinking of a career in medicine and there is also an opportunity to work hands on with and help care for the animals at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary.

This volunteer programme offers a unique opportunity to live in the heart of Zimbabwe and share the experiences of a 10,000 acre family-run African game reserve. Volunteers will live in close proximity to black and white rhino, elephants, buffalo, giraffe and many other animals and birds and will be able to experience Africa in a safe environment, work hard and enjoy a life changing experience. With just 12 volunteers there will be plenty of time and space to form bonds with other volunteers, the animals and the spell-binding African bush. As well as working with the animals, volunteers will help with community projects and in the local school, carry out work around the game park and undertake research projects. There is also the opportunity for those who horse ride to ride on working days.

For centuries the Karen tribe cared for the elephants in the jungles of south-east Asia. Sadly unemployment within this community resulted in the elephants being hired out to trekking camps and elephant tourist shows, often with dreadful results. Now the time has come for the elephants to return to the village and their natural habitat. Here volunteers have the chance to interact with these beautiful and intelligent animals on a daily basis as well as living and working in this fascinating tribal community in the mountains of Chiang Mai. Volunteers may join this project for one week only - so why not combine a holiday in Thailand with a chance to make a real difference to the lives of the elephants and the community in beautiful Chiang Mai.

This project welcomes all volunteers, with or without previous medical experience, but who are keen to learn about healthcare in Africa and to take part in health promotion activities that will be of real benefit to the communities being served. A competent level of both written and spoken English is essential in order to communicate effectively with the patients, clinic staff and local caregivers. Volunteers who do have professional healthcare/medical training may be able to use their skills to provide more specialised assistance to these same communities.

Situated in the vibrant town of Livingstone, this project - just a stone's throw from the world famous Victoria Falls - allows volunteers to work alongside local teachers in rural primary schools that are overwhelmed with children wanting to learn. Through classroom assistance, one-to-one tutoring and fun after-school clubs, you and your fellow volunteers will provide children with a head-start in their education that they otherwise would not receive.

An exciting and worthwhile project - of particular interest to sports enthusiasts - who can get involved in coaching under-privileged, but often very talented youngsters. Resources are limited but the enthusiasm and excitement shown by the children more than makes up for the shortage of equipment. It is an opportunity for volunteers to pass on their own passion and skills to the very enthusiastic pupils.

An opportunity for volunteers to work in a small, locally run orphanage described as one big, happy family. With help and hard work from staff and volunteers alike, these children, who were affected by the 2004 Tsunami, now have a safe, happy and supportive environment in which to live. Whatever their talents, volunteers are always welcome and their contribution towards providing a better future for these young children is highly valued.

A wonderful opportunity to volunteer with wildlife and big cats on this internationally renowned wildlife conservation project in the breath-taking Khomas region of Namibia. This unique programme combines the chance to teach some of the children of Namibia who are most in need of education with the opportunity to work - hands on - with the animals who come to the Naankuse Sanctuary in need of rescue, care and rehabilitation. Volunteers of all nationalities work together and although no experience is necessary, they all share a desire to improve the lives of the children and the wildlife in this beautiful African country.

Africa would not be the same without its incredible beauty nor its majestic lions. Nothing would be more devastating to this continent and its economy than losing its natural resources and wildlife. Volunteers joining this project will not only be joining a dedicated team as they work towards restoring and maintaining 2000 hectares of a natural haven, but will also play a vital part in the lion conservation efforts by getting closer to this animal than they have ever imagined. Helping the environment and Africa's wildlife is possible with volunteers on the team.

What could be better than spending some time volunteering on the beautiful tropical island of Zanzibar. Volunteers to this project will spend their time working with local teachers to provide fun and interactive classes for nursery school children, teaching basic skills as well as the English language. Class sizes can be large which makes the assistance of the volunteers incredibly valuable as they can give the children more one-to-one guidance and attention during the lessons. The volunteers will also give English language lessons to the local community helping to improve their employment chances in the local tourist industry. Volunteers make a great impact on the local community here and although they will arrive in Jambiani as a stranger, they will undoubtedly leave as a friend.

Imagine Africa without the mighty lion - a kingdom without a king. Nothing would be more devastating to this continent and its economy than losing this iconic majestic animal. And there's no way of saving iconic African wildlife without getting the local communities involved. That's because wildlife conservation and community work go hand in hand. With this project volunteers will play a vital part in the lion conservation efforts, but also working in schools, teaching kids the importance of the magnificent wildlife alongside which they live. The key for conservation is education.

Malawi is known as the "Warm Heart of Africa" for very good reasons. This diverse project gives the oppotunity to make a difference to some of the most welcoming, friendly and underpriviledged people in the African continent. Volunteers can help in the local schools as a teacher/teaching assistant and on the sports coaching and orphan care project or in the local clinics and hospitals in a medical capacity.

Take this chance to make a real difference to the lives and futures of migrant Burmese children who come to Thailand with the hope of finding a better way of life. This Learning Centre provides their only chance of an education and desperately needs volunteers to teach them conversational English, to improve their confidence and break that family cycle of poverty. Live and work in rural Kuraburi, surrounded by lush mountainous jungle, waterfalls and deserted beaches, and return home knowing that your input has had a real impact on this wonderful small community.

It would be difficult to find a better place to volunteer than at this inspiring children's home in Northern Thailand - with a chance to help 50 children, many of whom have been orphaned through illness or accidents, or who have been abused or abandoned, and for whom this house is home. Volunteers can bring smiles to the faces of these children who will enjoy the activities that the volunteers prepare for them. Enjoy their laughter as they play knowing that you are helping in some small way to reshape their futures.

Why not put your English skills to good use teaching English to Buddhist monks at a northern Thai university! Buddhism has always been a catalyst for higher education in Asia and the monks, who come from all over Asia, attend this university that is located in one of Chiang Mai’s largest and most historic temples. This project offers a unique experience for volunteers who would like to teach English to these bright students in a stunning academic environment and perhaps learn more about the teachings of Buddhism from the students volunteers are helping.

Many Thai children grow up thinking that their English is poor. Sometimes a few confidence-building classes with someone whose first language is English is all it takes to change their minds. They often understand more than they expect to and can communicate well given a little encouragement. Volunteers provide the essential link to improving their skills and therefore the prospects for their future. An exciting opportunity to help these eager and enthusiastic children!

A life-changing experience in South Africa awaits volunteers who want to work in a vibrant Zulu community to help educate children who have been orphaned by AIDS. This project is located in the beautiful St Lucia area where nearly 70% of the local population are believed to be infected with HIV, and many of the children have lost one or both their parents. The help of volunteers in educating these children and raising awareness of HIV in these communities is very important. The project gives volunteers the opportunity to engage with people - young and old - to make a positive impact whilst living by the beautiful Indian Ocean with waters full of hippos, crocs, whales and turtles and the chance to see the Big 5 during weekend excursions with fellow volunteers.

Get behind the scenes in a Thai hospital and observe every aspect of hospital life in this carefully monitored internship. Completing such an internship is an attractive proposition for pre-med and medical students in the west as opportunities to work closely with medical professionals and their patients in Thailand are much greater than at home. Shadow doctors conducting surgeries and making rounds and return to medical training having had an incredible experience and with an advantage over your peers.

Teaching English in rural schools in Thailand is an area in which volunteers can make a real impact. Traditional values still prevail in rural communities and volunteer English teachers can make a real contribution to one of the most important pillars of Thai society - the school. These volunteers can live in the school during the week and spend their weekends in rest and relaxation in the exciting city of Chiang Mai where there are many places to visit and activities to join. A fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in rural Thailand.

Sports volunteers will have a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant township communities that many tourists don't often get to discover. Using their passion and skill for sport volunteers will assist the local coaches at primary schools and provide an opportunity for sporting activities that are so necessary for physical development and the growth of social and life skills. Free time can be used to experience the best of this incredible destination - one the most beautiful cities on the planet.

Engage, support and teach children at this Special Care Centre located near Ranong Town in Southern Thailand. All of these children have varying degrees of special needs such as autism, mental and physical handicaps and Downs Syndrome. Volunteers make a valuable and rewarding contribution by building confidence and social skills in these children through daily interaction and physiotherapy. They also help the teachers with their English and in the day to day running of the Centre.

A great opportunity to design your own volunteer project in the world's top tourist destination and one of the most beautiful cities in the world - Cape Town. Volunteers can either choose to spend all their time teaching or combine this activity with sports development or working with orphans and vulnerable children, thus broadening the volunteer experience in this exciting city.