NGO | Nourish
You can get involved in our creche and our afternoon library classes.
Here you can sing songs, play games, read stories, help them with english and so much more!
The educational helper will help with both our creche and our after school library.
About the Program
The creche is looked after by two local ladies that have volunteered their services to Nourish in order to make sure these kids have the best start in life that they possibly can. This area is full of unemployment and has been hit hard by HIV/AIDS which has left many children orphans or with parents that can not afford to send them to a government creche. Nourish noticed this and thus began our creche program. This project is vitally important as it gives these young kids the opportunity to come to a safe place where they can play and learn.
Our afternoon library addresses the issues of conservation, english learning, art and crafts and sports. The afternoon library classes are important for many reasons.
In regards to conservation, this area is deeply passionate about the importance of conserving our wildlife and environment and we believe the best place to start is with our children.
English is an extremely important skill to have, especially in this area that is surrounded by lodges that require their employees to speak english. By teaching the children english it will open up a world of opportunities for them when they graduate from school.
Your Role as a Volunteer
As a volunteer, you will be deeply involved with helping both our creche ladies and our two local helpers in the library.
In our library lessons, you will be involved in lesson planning as well as giving lessons. You will be helping our teachers come up with fun and exciting ways to help the kids learn about the importance of conservation, english and also have fun during arts and sports.
In our creche you will be involved in helping the creche ladies develop new fun games that helps the children with their development. You will also be involved in singing songs with the children, reading them stories and helping the creche ladies in any way that you can.
The Program Location
During your time with Nourish, you will be living in the Eco Village which is on Nourish property. The eco village is approximately 10km away from Kruger National Park, making it easy to go on a safari during you free time! The closest town to us is Hoedspruit. It is approximately a 30 minute drive away and here you will find absolutely everything that you will need.
What we expect from you
Our expectations from volunteers is that you come here with an open mind and open heart. We want you to have the time of your life and experience everything that South Africa has to offer and love it as much as we do. You can expect from us that we will do everything in our power to ensure that this experience will be one that you remember for the rest of your life!
Typical day
Every day at Nourish is different and a new adventure awaits. A brief idea of what a day at Nourish would be as follows:
8am: Creche opens, the kids and teachers arrive.
8am - 12pm: Volunteers work in the creche
12pm — 1pm: Volunteers will have their lunch
1pm - 2:30pm: Volunteers can play with the kids in the creche/help prepare for library kids arrival
2:30pm - 4pm - Afternoon lessons begin in the library - volunteers are encouraged to participate and help our local teachers with teaching english etc.
4pm - Head back to volunteer house
Details on Arrival
Volunteers are welcome anytime throughout the year. To fit in with the schedule of Nourish we recommend that volunteers arrive on Saturday so they have enough time to settle in before work begins on Monday morning.
Free-time activities
This area has so much to offer as it is surrounded by absolutely stunning scenery and wildlife.
During your weekends you can visit:
Kruger National Park - South Africa's biggest game reserve which hosts varies of wild animals in their natural habitat. Here you will have the opportunity to hopefully witness lions, elephants, buffalo, rhino and if you are extremely lucky the elusive leopard. You can spend the night in Kruger at one of the various lodges or you can just spend the day driving around and see what you can find.
Panorama Route - This is an all day drive but definitely one to experience while you are here. There are many stops along the way where you can witness some of the most beautiful sights you will ever see. At one stop, called God's Window, on a very clear day you can see Mozambique. You will also see the amazing beauty that is the Blyde River Canon which can leave you speechless at its beauty.
Wine/Gin tasting - South Africa is known for its wine as well as gin and here you can try out the many different tastes of South African wine and gin. You just can't leave South Africa without trying out the local wines and gins.
Hiking - If you enjoy hiking and exploring the great outdoors then look no further than this area. There are so many trails for all different fitness levels and each and every one of them is surrounded by stunning beauty.
Restaurants - on the weekend or even after work you can head into Hoedspruit and try out the many different restaurants that there is on offer!
We will be able to help you organise any weekend trips that you wish to do.
Program Requirements
Suitable for
Included Services
Before your journey
On-site services
Your fees help us to pay for your food, your accommodation, Transfer pick up from Hoedspruit airport/Ashtons shuttle, Continued on the ground support from our staff.
We will pick you up from either Hoedspruit airport.
The volunteer rooms are a rondarvel with two single beds in each one.
The accommodation is based on Nourish's base so is walking distance to where you will be working every day!
Since Nourish is an eco friendly NGO, and we need to save as much water as possible, the toilets will be composting toilets.
As volunteers you will be given three meals a day.
There is water available for our volunteers throughout their stay with us.
If you would like extra snacks or drinks you can buy these in Hoedspruit when you go into town.