The Cape Town centre is fortunate to have approximately 180 volunteers who serve in various capacities: instructors, physiotherapist, helpers with both pupils and horses, as members of management and fundraising committees. This community involvement and co-operation is a special part of the project`s make-up, and both pupils and volunteers benefit from the communication and friendships which develop. Working with horses is incredibly rewarding, volunteers will learn a lot about this very creative form of therapy, and the location of the project is very beautiful.
The volunteer adds value to the disabled child`s life by treating them with dignity and giving them confidence to ride on the horse. Without a large number of volunteers (local and international) it would not be possible to offer these horse-riding classes, as some children require 2 adults walking next to them and supporting them while they are on the horse. Obviously, the horses also need care and grooming, and for their stables and surrounding areas to be kept clean.
Caring for horses is physically strenuous, and volunteers must be ready to work hard. Working hours are Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 18:00.
This project is closed during the South African school holidays.
2019
20 September - 1 October 2019
6 December - 2 January 2020
2020
23 March - 1 April 2020
15 June - 8 July 2020
21 September - 30 September 2020
7 December - 13 January 2021
However, if there are holiday camps running, there will be work during the school holiday periods. Just contact your travel advisor who can check this for you.
- Airport transfers
- Cape Town Orientation Package: 3 nights' accommodation, orientation that covers everything the volunteers need to know about staying in South Africa (from social skills to transport and safety), two meals per day, bus trip into town, lunch (on the Friday), walking tour of the city, a train ride back to the accommodation and day trip (on the Saturday)
- Transfer to project
- All paperwork, placement and liaising with your volunteer program
- Appointed supervisor for the duration of program
- Accommodation
- Food budget for meals
- Donation per month to the volunteer project to assist in their funding
- A South African sim card that works on a pay-as-you-go top up system
- Monthly socials for volunteers to get together and meet other volunteers (cost depends on the social)
- Certificate & report on volunteer`s program should this be required for studies or other purposes
- FREE 2-hour surf lesson
- Minimum age of 18
- Police clearance required
- Volunteer application form with your reason for choosing this project
- Horsemanship is an advantage, though all new volunteers are adequately trained
- There is a lot of physical work involved so one needs to be physically fit
- One needs to have a desire to be part of this program as the hours are long.
- Easy to medium physical work
- Large emotional investment
Yes, there is an element of risk with the work. Horseback riding is registered as an extreme sport by insurance companies. Volunteers need to lift children properly to avoid back strain. This is not a good environment for those suffering from allergies and asthma. Generally, HIV/AIDS is extremely prevalent in South Africa, so it is your personal responsibility to take care with regards to health and safety, as well as sexual relationships. All personnel are to assume that anyone at the centre could be HIV positive. Precautions are to be taken when handling blood in the event of an accident.
Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.
Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.
Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.