Best of Both Worlds Project - Penguin and Seabird Rescue

Here are some examples of what your tasks will be, they are not limited to these:
- Maintaining a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness in the rehabilitation centre
- Scrubbing and cleaning of bird enclosures, mats, crates and swimming pools
- Cleaning of equipment used in food preparation and feeding
- Washing and drying of laundry
- Assisting in maintaining the permanent bird exhibit (scrubbing rocks, raking sand and food preparation)
- Defrosting and preparing fish for a variety of seabird species
- Catching and handling of different seabird species
- Feeding (force feeding and free feeding) of different seabird species
- Hydrating (tubing) different seabird species
- Administering medication to different seabird species
- Assisting with bird release preparation
- Centre maintenance duties

Please note that duties are issues based on the volunteer's experience.

Your project starts with a 2-day orientation in Cape Town at the Volunteer House.

Day 1: Welcome to South Africa (Saturday)
You are collected from the airport and taken to your accommodation. You will be shown around and given an understanding of the area. You have the day at your own leisure so you can explore the beach, shops, bars and restaurants. In the evening you are served a welcoming meal at the hostel.

Day 2: Cape Town City Walking Tour (Sunday)
Start the day with a self served breakfast. Your friendly project leader will teach you about the bus system before you head out to Cape Town City Center.

Cape Town City Walking Tour:
Do a walking tour visiting historical sites like the Castle of Good Hope and the Grand Parade. Learn about life under apartheid in South Africa at the Parliament Buildings and the District Six Museum. Shop for African arts and crafts in Greenmarket Square and St George’s Mall.

After the listed activity, you can take a bus or walk to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Sit back and sip a delicious coffee, enjoy some fresh fish and watch the ships in the busy working harbor or walk around and visit the shops, markets and listen to the musicians on the sidewalks.

Alternatively, you can take the cable car up Table Mountain and enjoy breath-taking views of the city, or visit the famous Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held in prison during the apartheid era. (Own Expense)

In the evening head back on the local bus to Table View where you can join the staff, guests and the locals at one of the restaurants or bars along the beachfront in Table View - all within rolling distance from the hostel where you will be staying the night.

The Volunteer Coordinator creates a monthly schedule that assigns volunteers to work no more than five days per week, which includes weekends and public holidays.

A typical workday runs from 08:00 to 17:30, with a lunch break from 13:00 to 14:00 and short tea breaks in the morning at 11:00 and in the afternoon at 15:30.

However, these times may vary based on the center's capacity needs and the number of birds in their care. Please note that some days may require volunteers to assist until 6:30 pm, so being willing to go the extra mile during busy times will be essential.

The different areas a volunteer could be assigned to each day are:

Food Preparation Kitchen - Area responsible for fish defrosting, preparation of fluids/formula and cleaning of food preparation and feeding equipment.
Laundry - Area responsible for the washing and drying of laundry.
Cleaning Station - Area responsible for cleaning of large equipment with the use of a high-pressure hose. Example mats from bird enclosures and bird crates.
Aviary - Enclosures designated for flying birds that require daily cleaning of the enclosure and feeding of the birds (free feeding). Some birds may require hydration (tubing), medication or force-feeding.
Intensive Care Unit - Staff and interns are mostly responsible for the care of birds in the ICU, but volunteers could be asked to assist with cleaning in ICU.
Rehabilitation pens - Main enclosures for birds undergoing rehabilitation, mostly African penguins. Areas require daily cleaning and feeding birds (force feeding). Some birds may require hydration (tubing) and medication.
Home Pen - Exhibit for permanent and long-term temporary birds at SANCCOB. Assisting in maintenance of the exhibit, include scrubbing rocks, raking sand and food preparation.
Jobs - Various jobs required around the centre, crucial in the daily running of the rehabilitation centre. Jobs could include general maintenance or cleaning duties.

Cape Town
Week 1
Induction and centre rotation: Day 1 includes an induction and from there you will spend 1 day in each of the following areas: food preparation, laundry, cleaning stations, flying aviary and seabird rehabilitation.)

Weeks 2 & 3
Accelerated training includes 2 days in food preparation and 3 days in seabird rehabilitation/flying aviary. Bird record keeping/ WRMD training.

Gqerberha/Port Elizabeth
Weeks 4 & 5
Accelerated training includes 2 days in food preparation, laundry, cleaning stations and 3 days in seabird rehabilitation/flying aviary/home pen

Week 6
Accelerated training includes 1 day food preparation, laundry, cleaning stations and 3 days in seabird rehabilitation/flying aviary/home pen

With every new arrival we have a safety and orientation briefing where we discuss issues such as general safety in South Africa for example, what to do in the settlements, where not to go, what to do in case of an emergency, sea currents, HIV AIDS and crime. There is a volunteer co-ordinator with our volunteers at all times while on project to ensure the safety of the children and volunteer. We offer all our volunteers 24/7 support and assistance.

Cape Town
Airport pick up
2 day Cape Town orientation
Accommodation
Three meals a day (Monday to Friday) - Dinners not included on weekends (Cape Town only)
Weekly social events
24-hour support and supervision
2 free t-shirts
Donation to the project
Certificate of appreciation
*Transport to and from the project 2km away from the accommodation is NOT included. Volunteers can either walk or use Uber at +_ 1 EUR each way.

CPT based volunteers will be driven to their project on the first day to assist with orientation.

Local Bus ticket between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth** (to be arranged prior) is also included.

Gqerberha/Port Elizabeth
Accommodation in a well known Back Packers*
Three meals a day (family style)
24-hour support and supervision

*Transport to and from the project is provided.

A completed Application and Indemnity form
No previous experience is required
Have an up to date tetanus vaccination
A good understanding of the English language is essential
Physically fit and able to stand for a full shift
Comfortable with getting dirty and willing to work in all weather conditions, frequently outside
Able to work in a team as well as independently
Be reliable and accountable and able to follow Standard Operating Procedures
Compassionate and caring nature with a love for seabirds
Be at least 18 years of age

** Be aware that this is not for the faint-hearted. The birds in our care are wild and will bite at any opportunity. Learning how to work with birds is a bit like riding a bike....the more you practice the better you become. Potential volunteers should, therefore, know that commitment is key to learning how to handle and feed birds.

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.

It is important to remember that we are working with wildlife and nature, both of which are unpredictable. We cannot guarantee sightings of any specific species. For this reason and in case of bad weather days, when we can’t go to sea, we recommend a 2-4 week mimimum stay. If you join for a one-week stay, you might be very disappointed if you miss several days on the sea due to the weather conditions.