Babies in the Bush

This unique Early Child Development (ECD) project is situated on a farm in a Big Five Game Reserve, one hour from Johannesburg. The project provides holistic care to support the growth and development for children of all ages. We work either directly with children or indirectly by empowering their caregivers. There are 2 main projects in Babies in the Bush:

Support day-care program

We facilitate training programs and workshops with 22 of the Day Care Centres in the surrounding area meaning we directly impact over 2000 children. As a result of limited resources, many children have not been stimulated as needed in early childhood development and lack the basic gross motor skills they need. We introduced the sport program that teaches basic movement and motor skills to these children, we have seen a big improvement already, happier, healthier children.

Baby safe house

The baby safe house was born out of a passion to create a clean, stimulating space to care for babies. Often babies would be left in their cots all day. Baby Safe House offers better alternatives that help primary development of babies and gives them the best chance at the start of life.
The facility is also a practical training centre for care givers to learn hands-on approaches to look after and stimulate small children.

What’s included

• Airport Transfers
• 3 meals a day
• Breakfast and lunch. This includes a selection of local fruit, cereal, bread and cheese with various protein options
• Supper is a cooked meal – main meal of the day
• We cater for vegetarians and certain allergies on request.
• Orientation that covers everything the volunteers need to know about staying in South Africa (from social skills to transport and safety)3 DAY Joburg orientation
• All paperwork, placement and liaising with staff at the Volunteer Program Appointed Supervisor for duration of program
• Accommodation in volunteer house Donation – contribution to the project
• A South African SIM cellphone (mobile) card that works on a pay-as-you-go top up system Monthly get-togethers (socials) for volunteers to meet other volunteers (cost depends on social)
• Certificate & Report on individual Volunteer`s Program, should this be required.

Three Day Joburg Orientation Package

Accommodation for three nights, in the best backpackers in town. Two meals per day.

Day 1:

Full day walking tour of Joburg (including a choice of museums).
Fascinating Joburg is an immigrant town – get to know the different African cultures, the hospitable and colourful people of this continent. Their craft and treasures are delightful.
Movies, music and the like can be arranged for the evenings.

Day 2:

Visit a trendy local market. Take in the ambience of the local cultures, live music and dance performances.
Take advantage of this opportunity to try the diversity of the food on offer. Evening at leisure to enjoy the entertainment in the area.

Day 3:

Late brunch; at a gourmet artisanal food market.
Transfer to Dinokeng Big Five Game Reserve, just over an hour from Johannesburg. During the course of your stay and weather permitting, a micro light flight or a two hour drive in the Game reserve is included.

What’s Not Included

• The cost of a visa in the case of your volunteer stay being longer than 90 days
• Medical Insurance which must include work and emergency evacuation. Please make sure you understand how your medical insurance works in South Africa. We are unable to pay for any medical practitioner’s accounts in lieu of being refunded by the medical scheme
• Weekend excursions
• Local Transport for social activities Catered meals
• Use of phones: either landline or mobile costs Towels and toiletries
• Accommodation if you arrive before the start date or after the end of the project Transport to accommodation if you arrive before start date or leave after the end of the project

Minimum age:

18

Police clearance:

Yes

Special skills required:

• Ability to adapt to sudden change in all areas
• Ability to work with young children
  Be self-confident and apply discipline
• Creativity and problem Solving
• Patience
• Be able to work in a group
• Entertain children with minimum resources
• Ability to adapt and to respect the different cultures

Language requirement:

Basic English; volunteer needs to be able to communicate with both staff and children.

Volunteer role

Day Care Center:

Cleaning and decorating the day care centre and playgrounds. Teaching basic movement skills for preschool children, which includes singing, dancing and playing with children. Help teachers to make teaching aids and prepare for creative activities and special events. Making food and material for special events. Sorting and distributing donations and assisting with recycling projects.

Baby Safe House:

Your role will be to play, entertain and stimulate the babies. Changing of nappies, bathing and creaming the little ones, feeding the babies, cleaning facilities, washing clothes and bedding. You will also get your hands dirty, help garden and build vegetable tunnels and fruit trees.

Dates and Duration

• Arrivals every Thursday for FREE three-day Johannesburg Orientation
• Project starts every Monday
• Project is open everyday
• Duration is minimum of 2 weeks

Price

Accommodation

• Volunteer House: shared rooms between 2 volunteers
• Communal lounge and Kitchen and bathroom