About the Childcare Project
OPEN NOW!
Zimbabwe has reopened to international arrivals and our local team are looking forward to welcoming volunteers! See the 'Additional Info.' section for procedures in place during the pandemic.
This program aims to provide care and shelter for at-risk and impoverished children of Victoria Falls. Set up in 2008 and supporting over 70 children between the ages of 2 and 17 years, the center offers a safe place for children to learn and grow. The children have often been abandoned as a result of being born out of wedlock or both parents succumbing to HIV/Aids. In addition the center is a temporary refuge for children who come from abusive home environments.
Volunteers play a vital role in empowering the children through education, care and attention. Opportunities also exist to help in the wider community with regular Women's and Girls Club meetings aimed at encouraging vocational skills and fundraising ventures.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide essential care and shelter to children in desperate need in Victoria Falls
- Empower through education, physical well-being and confidence
- Impart a view of the world in which children are valued and compassion and hope exist
How You Can Help
Volunteers play an integral role in achieving the goals of this project, facilitating the day-to- day running of the center and assisting with the educational and physical needs of the children. Volunteers can be involved at many levels including education, recreation, social interaction, helping the children with their daily tasks and assisting the staff with the administration and planning for the center.
Volunteers are also welcome to assist with a twice weekly Women's Club meeting that aims to raise funds for the community through producing locally made products for sale. Past and current projects include candle and soap making, sewing and making sanitary pads to provide to rural communities.
Volunteers contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Help to care for the children
- Engage with the children to foster positive social interactions
- Teach and assist the children with homework
- Plan and run recreational activities
- Assist with community development through the Women's Club.
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to assist in the development of Zimbabwe's next generation. While this highly rewarding project does not require participants to have a background in the field of childcare, as there are many ways you can assist, volunteers with suitable education, qualifications or experience are highly sought after. Regardless, a volunteer’s individual role can often be tailored to suit their particular skills and interests. Ideally, volunteers on this project will have at least a basic knowledge of the local language in order to communicate effectively with staff and students, though this is not a pre-requisite and English is widely spoken. All applicants must of course display a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
- Resume
Project Location
Victoria Falls is a town in the western portion of Zimbabwe, across the border from Livingstone, Zambia, and near Botswana. The town lies immediately next to the falls which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Although the falls are the major attraction, this popular tourist destination offers both adventure seekers and sightseers plenty of opportunities for a longer stay. While in Victoria Falls you will have the opportunity to undertake many leisure activities ranging from white water rafting and bungee jumping to canoeing, fishing and boat cruises. Your program coordinator can assist you if you wish to book one of these activities and they often get a better price for volunteers.
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 1 week to 12 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions.
Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Upon your arrival in Victoria Falls, you will be collected at the airport by a representative of the local project team and delivered to the volunteer house. Here you will receive an orientation to help you settle in, find out about your volunteering placement, the local surroundings and meet your fellow volunteers. A representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, and ask any last questions you may have.
- Program Arrival Day: SUNDAY
- Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Victoria Falls Airport, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (CODE: VFA)
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers joining our team in Victoria Falls are accommodated in a spacious volunteer house located 4 kms from the city center.
The shared bedrooms are equipped with air conditioning and single beds. Rooms are split by gender.
The bathroom is equipped with a flush toilet and a bath.
The lounge has a spacious lounge suite and entertainment in the form of TV with a wide range of international news and entertainment channels. Wifi is available on site (limited use).
There is a lovely outside area where you can relax with other volunteers for a quiet drink.
Our local partner resides on site, and a cook and cleaner are on site to cook your meals and take care of the house.
On working days, volunteers are provided two meals (breakfast and dinner) on a daily basis while at the volunteer house, while lunch will be provided at the partner office on weekdays. Lunch will be taken at the house on the weekend. If you’re working over your lunch break you can take a packed lunch with you.
For those social occasions with your fellow volunteers, Victoria Falls has a sprinkling of top class restaurants, several African buffets and a few coffee shops, sandwich shops, and fast food options. Easy!
For those who prefer, we can arrange accommodation with a host family. In most cases they provide the volunteer with a private room, but during busy periods you may need to share with other volunteers. The families are experienced in hosting international volunteers and will take very good care of you.
Fees
That’s just USD 63 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.
Additional Info
COVID-19 requirements:
All international arriving flight passengers will need to adhere to the following:
- Provide a negative Covid-19 test result, taken no more than 48 hours prior to their departure.
- Those arriving without a negative test or exhibiting symptoms will be tested and placed in quarantine (at their own cost).
- If a positive test result is returned visitors will be subject to 14 day self-quarantine.