We welcome applications from people taking career breaks or sabbaticals or from retirees. Our Game Ranger Guide Course also provides an unusual 2-week break from the 9-5 routine, in addition to the longer conservation placements. If requested you can be placed with other volunteers of your own age group.
Some of the projects such as Hanchi and Nholwasi have accommodation suitable for couples or for people who would prefer private rooms.
“Volunteering in Africa - A Career Break Experience” by Pippa Goodman
Why I chose to take a career break
I've
been working in public relations in London for 11 years and have been
with my current firm, Republic, for 5 years. I was enjoying my busy
role overseeing client services and running client campaigns, and was
keen to pursue my career with Republic. However I also felt that, if I
could secure one, a 3-month career break would be a great opportunity
to get some fresh perspective on my work and personal life, and just
have a complete change of scene. My bosses are very forward thinking
and, although there are just 20 or so of us in the firm, they had
previously agreed to a 6-month sabbatical for one of my colleagues - so
my request may have seemed short in comparison! At the start of May
2004 I found myself heading off for three months.
Why I decided to do conservation work in Africa:
Although I've done a lot of travelling and lived and worked abroad, South Africa is not somewhere I'd ever managed to get to - so it was a natural destination to be top of my list, once I'd been able to confirm my sabbatical. I didn't want to travel extensively on my own so a volunteer placement on conservation projects seemed ideal. Working on a game reserve would give me the chance to combine my love of the outdoors with learning about the local wildlife, and the feeling that I might be making some kind of contribution, however small, to critical conservation projects! I also opted to spend a couple of weeks working in a primary school as it would give me a rare chance for hands-on experience of working with and teaching children (and boy, were they naughty!). Equally, the second project gave me the chance to see another part of S.A.
How it changed my outlook:
I loved my time in South Africa! First hand experience of working on a game reserve - from darting animals to clearing swathes of bush by hand - was great; as was teaching, which made me realise how incredibly patient and giving good teachers are! Both experiences provided exactly the invigorating contrast to regular office/desk-based life that I was looking for, and a great insight to conservation work. Above all, I fell in love with the landscape and beauty of S. A.
I certainly haven't rushed back to quit my job, pack up and ship out, but it's been a great step back from day to day life and a chance to take stock of my objectives and priorities. I'd recommend a career break to anyone who gets the chance - but you may find 3 months isn't enough!
