• Reduced Inequalities

Environmental Education in rural communities in SA

location
2 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Make a real, lasting difference in young people's lives through your participation in our conservation education projects.
  • Build new knowledge around conservation issues faced in Africa from a local perspective
  • Gain real world experience in hands on projects aimed at environmental responsibility
  • 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

Our after school club welcomes around 70 up to 90 children (2024) everyday of the week from the local village and aims to grow wildly passionate young people.

Started in 2011, our Environmental Education program work daily with children from primary schools teaching environmental education and taking these learners on conservation-based field trips, to give them an understanding of nature and their role in protecting it. Poaching/illegal killing of ...

About the program

Started in 2011, our Environmental Education program work daily with children from primary schools teaching environmental education and taking these learners on conservation-based field trips, to give them an understanding of nature and their role in protecting it. Poaching/illegal killing of wildlife has become a daily threat to conservation, with rhino poaching (as well as lion, elephant, pangolin, and vulture) threatening on a daily basis. Animals are being killed for their horns, tusk, bones or skins. 

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. 


Volunteers will stay at Shik Shack Backpackers situated on the same property. The work is very hand-on, so expect to be busy but remember to have fun!

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). 

We accept curious people to join us for an immersive learning experience. If you are interested in learning about a new culture, doing research or aiming to learn a new skill, then we would love to have you join us. 

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

You will be immersed into the project as one of the team members to engage in the planning and running of the programs, from 8am to 4pm, spending the full morning to prepare everything before the kids arrive (around 1:30pm) with

- Helping our staff to be ready for the day
- Going to one of our ...

Typical day

You will be immersed into the project as one of the team members to engage in the planning and running of the programs, from 8am to 4pm, spending the full morning to prepare everything before the kids arrive (around 1:30pm) with

- Helping our staff to be ready for the day
- Going to one of our outreach school to provide our environmental lessons
- Creating content for the Green Kidz programs (Environmental Lessons, workshop, presentation etc..)
- Supervising the activities with the kids
- Helping the kids with projects
- Supervising kids on field trips, camps when they happen and external activities.
 
You will also have the opportunity to spend time and support our other programs (Early Childhood Development, Entrepreneurships center, Farms, etc) if you would like, as all of our programs are on the same property!

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 1st 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 1st largest GREEN Canyon in the World! and 3rd Largest 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 (intermediate 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 (Town or Airport)
  • Oversight and inclusion in your work and activities
  • Nourish T-Shirt
  • SIM card (if needed)
  • WIFI
  • Field trips with our Green Kidz to local spots like the Kruger National Park, or animal rehabilitation center
  • Cultural Village walking tour
  • Project and logistical support
  • Optional language workshops can usually be arranged


Not included, 
- Flights
- Insurance
- Medication/Vaccination
- Visa

Possible extras :
These are tourism options available to you in the area at additional costs. We can either host these for you or you can make alternative travel arrangements 
  • Game Drive (Kruger/Manyeleti) 
  • Bush Walk 
  • Panorama Route 
  • Horse Ride Safari 
  • Hikes 
  • Boat Trips 
  • Adventurous Activities (Quad Safari/Kloofing/Big Swing) 
  • So much more...

Airport Pickup at Hoedspruit Airport

We can organize pick up during the weekend 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, that can accommodate 8 people in 2 bedrooms (each sleep 4 people)
Each rooms have 2 bunk beds fitted with comfortable bedding, and contains amenities such as towels, mosquito nets, fans, storage compartments. They will have access to a private lounge, an outside seating area and an outside shower (only for volunteers)

Volunteers will also have access to all Shik Shack Backpackers facilities: 
The communal bathroom (3 showers, 3 toilets and 4 sinks),
The communal lounge (pool table, darts, board games), 
The communal kitchen,
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

Volunteers will received 3 meals a day, 7 days a week.

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.

You will have the opportunity to explore our amazing area during the weekend (extra cost - We can organize it!)

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

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 720€
4 weeks 1,200€
6 weeks 1,680€
8 weeks 2,160€
12 weeks 3,120€
50 weeks (max. stay) 10,410€
Average fees 284€/week

Program fees

284€ per week 2 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

2 - 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

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 ...
Volunteer at Nourish, helping with various activities such as Environmental Education Programme and sustainable farming. Nourish has a considerable impact in the community near Kruger, providing learning opportunities to kids and adults. ..
My month at Nourish Eco Village was an unforgettable experience. Everyone was so welcoming from the beginning. After having the possibility to get an insight into all the different projects run by amazing people (e.g. working in the garden or learning more about the recycling lab.), you can get ...
Staying with Nourish for a month was a great experience. Sadly, I didn't have more time to stay with them, but I definitely would have, if possible. The staff at Nourish and ShikShack is very lovely and quickly became a family away from home. The passion for the project is felt in every detail and ...
During my time at Nourish, I grown to be a better person and be more helpful not only for people and animals, but also for the environment. Il learn more about the culture and how to live back-to-basics. ..
I really enjoyed my internship with Nourish Eco Village. The staff was very nice and welcoming, I had a lot of fun during my internship and I learnt a lot ! During the day, I worked at the farm and in the evening I spent time with other volunteers. I also visited Kruger National Park which was ...

Location

Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Hoedspruit

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Contact Loren
  Excellent response rate

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