Projects
Projects
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-->Below are three different volunteer programs you could potentially join. These programs represent the kinds of experiences often promoted by various volunteer organisations abroad. Take a moment to look through each one, and think about how each one makes you feel and what assumptions or thoughts come to mind.
Our projects are designed to reflect the needs and local challenges of communities in your chosen destination.
Whatever your interests are, our diverse initiatives will provide meaningful ways to use your skills in creating a lasting impact. Explore and read about our carefully selected projects across Africa.
Education
Education
If you have patience, empathy and a genuine interest in helping children grow, this project is for you. You will have the opportunity to increase access to education for children of all ages by teaching various subjects e.g. Maths, English, Arts etc. In addition, you will help improve educational facilities to create a better learning experience for children and young adults.
Recommended programme
Teaching English in Rural Kenya
Description: Volunteer to teach English in a rural village in Kenya. As a teacher, you’ll work with local children and adults, helping to improve literacy and language skills.
Key Details:
Duration: 2-4 weeks
Costs: $1,500 (includes accommodation, food, and travel)
Focus: Teaching basic English to children
Accommodation: Stay with a host family in a traditional village
**Reflection Question:
What feelings or assumptions come to mind when you think about this project? Do you feel excited, eager to help, or perhaps unsure about how much impact a short-term program like this could have?
Health Care
Health Care
Are you a medical practitioner or have basic medical training? This project might be for you. You will be able to provide support in hospitals, clinics and community health programs by assisting medical staff, educating the community on health issues, organising or participating in fundraising events that supports a health related cause.
Recommended programme
Healthcare Volunteer in Remote Zimbabwe
Description: Volunteer with a medical outreach program in a remote area, providing basic healthcare services and education about hygiene and disease prevention.
Key Details:
Duration: 4-8 weeks
Costs: $2,000 (includes accommodation, travel, and basic medical supplies)
Focus: Assisting healthcare professionals in clinics and providing preventative care education
Accommodation: Shared housing with other volunteers
-->Reflection Questions:
What do you think about providing medical help in a place you’re unfamiliar with?
How important do you think it is to have local input and leadership in such programs?
Conservation
Conservation
If you are a hands-on person, have knowledge on farming or are interested in sustainable farming practices, this project will give you a rewarding experience. You will assist in fieldwork, such as planting and harvesting, assist in training farmers on sustainable farming, participate in community outreach that promotes agricultural innovation while empowering marginalised groups.
Recommended programme
Environmental Conservation in Ghana
Description: Join a team of volunteers to work on environmental conservation projects, including tree planting, wildlife monitoring, and education about climate change. The goal is to empower local communities to adopt sustainable practices.
Key Details:
Duration: 6-12 weeks
Costs: $2,500 (includes accommodation, food, travel, and supplies)
Focus: Conservation efforts and education around sustainable practices
Accommodation: Volunteer camp near the project site
**Reflection Question:
This project focuses on environmental sustainability. Do you think international volunteers can truly make a lasting impact in environmental conservation, or do you feel it’s more about the local community taking the lead?
***Exercise
Thinking Critically About The Projects
As you explored these opportunities, ask yourself the following questions:
Who benefits the most from this volunteer experience? Is it the local community, the volunteers, or the organisation running the project?
What potential risks might there be for the community in these volunteer programs? Could the project create dependency or bypass local expertise and leadership
How well do you think short-term volunteer programs align with long-term, sustainable change? Is a few weeks enough to create a meaningful impact, or does it run the risk of being “voluntourism”?
If these same types of volunteer programs were reversed—where people from the Global South travelled to volunteer in Europe—how do you think they would be perceived?
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