From January 2008 to May 2009 African Impact volunteers contributed over 30,600 hours to community development in the Vilanculos area of Mozambique. Our project structures, together with the support and advice of our charitable foundation team at The Happy Africa Foundation, are continuously assessing our work and project strategies to ensure that these hours are meaningful with measurable outcomes.

The African Impact project in Vilanculos, Mozambique has succeeded in facilitating HIV testing and awareness for over 400 members of the Vilanculos community. At the rural preschool we have built a full new classroom, a large vegetable garden, a kitchen, a toilet facility, and a new shady veranda for the children’s eating area. Our home-building project has provided approximately 25 new homes to those without the means to build for themselves. We have also enrolled approximately fifty students in our English language school who are amazingly keen and dedicated learners.

Activities

* Teaching in a rural pre-school through songs, games and crafts

* Local orphanage involvement and youth development

* Build houses for individuals and families in critical situations using local materials and traditional methods

* Teaching English and life skills to a keen and motivated group of young adults and adults

* Optional once a week training sessions with our youth soccer team, aimed at keeping teenagers off the streets and out of trouble

* The opportunity to pick up some Portuguese and Xitsua, the local Mozambican language

* Immerse your senses while you learn how to cook traditional Mozambican cuisine at a once monthly Cultural Day

* Spend a night on our very own island in the centre of the Zambezi River and wake to the sounds of hippos;

* Make friends for life with the other international volunteers on the programme.

Working Hours

Working hours: 8:00am – 14:30pm (lunch break 12:30-14:00)

Details

Project Cost Includes:

* Project Fee: this is financing that goes directly back into the project with which you are involved. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as teaching materials, sports equipment, supplies, etc. as well as the development of the actual programme.

* Transfer from Vilanculos Airport to the project accommodation in town

* Orientation and introductions to project work upon your arrival

* A monthly cultural day involving an insight into the traditional lifestyles of the local area, including traditional food, dancing, and singing.

* All daily transportation to and from the project

* Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day at your volunteer accommodation

* Assistance in your projects by various staff and project managers

* Full support from African Impact and your coordinator throughout your time at your placement


Project Cost Excludes:

* Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement, which must include cover for evacuation and repatriation

* All transport by air or bus to Vilanculos

* All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)

* Email/Internet and telephone calls

* Soft drinks, wines and spirits

* All visas for border crossings (on extra excursions)

* Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary with us in Mozambique

Description

This project has a very tropical feel and involves various aspects of community work and development in and around the coastal town of Vilanculos. We support a number of different community development initiatives. We spend our mornings at a rural preschool and most afternoons teaching English. When you are not teaching or planning the English lessons, you will be involved in a number of other community initiatives, such as rural home building.