African Conservation Experience: Nholwasi Community/Cultural Conservation Project in South Africa - African Conservation Experience

Nholwasi - ‘to work and build together’

The word Nholwasi means ‘to build and work together’. The project provides a truly moving and possibly even life changing experience, and gives another dimension to your understanding of Africa and its peoples. When grappling with the challenges facing conservation in modern day Africa, one needs to be exposed to, and to try and gain an understanding of, the challenges that African people face every day. Situated near Kruger National Park, the project is based in the Acorn Hoek Community. Students live in a nearby game reserve, containing species such as Giraffe, Buffalo and the occasional Leopard, and travel in each day to a school in Acorn Hoek.

The syllabus you will teach is aimed at primary school children and is easily grasped. However, at the end of each day the following day’s lessons are run though and prepared with the aid of competent and qualified co-ordinators. Many children in South Africa walk miles to school every day and they are eager to learn and gain knowledge to provide a brighter future for themselves and their family and to build a stronger and better educated nation!   

Nholwasi volunteers also give horse riding lessons to the children in conjunction with the volunteers on the Hanchi Project. The majority of the children will never have had an opportunity like this before and volunteers have a real chance to make a difference to their lives. Volunteers also visit the children’s ward of the local hospital to play and chat with the children and to host parties for them.

A Typical Day on the Cultural Project.

6am – Wake up!

7am – Breakfast

8am – Arrive at the school for the day’s lessons. These can include Environmental studies, Maths, and English.

1pm – Lunch

3pm – Nature walk with the children or a visit to the children’s hospital

5pm – Culture lesson; learning more about the community you are living in – their languages, faiths, traditional meals. Learn the National Anthem in 3 different South African languages!

Fridays are spent in Hoedspruit, the nearby town, where students are able to use internet cafes and telephones, as well as pick up personal supplies for the week ahead. Sunday is a day of organised activity with volunteers being given the opportunity to make the most of what the area has to offer. Some of these options could include a trip to the Kruger National Park, visiting nearby animal rehabilitation centres or microlighting.

Read the latests News from Nholwasi

 

Factbox! 

Duration:   2-12 weeks. However, we hope that volunteers will consider a minimum of 4 weeks duration so that the children at the school get a chance to get used to your teaching style and get to know you as a person.

Cost:   From £2050 for 2 weeks up to £4390 for 12 weeks. Includes return international flights from London, transfers, all meals, accommodation, all project-related costs and back up and support.

Accommodation:   Tented camp. Twin tents, separate ablution blocks with flushing toilets and hot showers, separate living/dining tent and brick built kitchen.

Time of year:   From January to mid-December. The project closes for the school holidays and we will work your placement around these.