Namibia Wildlife Rescue and School Assistant

2 Weeks School Assistant Project:
A unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the local San Bushman children
You will be living close to many wild animals in the Namibian bush and nothing beats being surrounded by a pride of lions, leopards or cheetahs and being able to spend time observing their individual traits
You will be accompanied by other people who are very passionate about teaching.
Assist with education the San Bushman Children and providing them with a better future.

2 Weeks Wildlife Rescue Project:
Volunteers will have the rare and exciting opportunity to actively participate in the conservation, rehabilitation, care and research of African wildlife.
Wildlife Conservation Volunteers are crucial in helping to care for the animals in rehabilitation or permanent captivity at the sanctuary, as well as helping to maintain and develop the sanctuary.
An exceptional opportunity to get hands on experience with African wildlife and the many aspects of their care.

Education Assistant Project:
Volunteering at the local school provides a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the local San Bushman children, whilst surrounded by Namibia’s beautiful landscapes and wildlife. Located at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary, the School co-exists with nature and is truly a place where wildlife and communities come together. All routine aspects of the program are carried out in a rotational group system to ensure that everybody gets exposed to the variety of experiences available. For the full experience and understanding of what the project does, it is highly recommend that you book at least three weeks on the project.

Volunteers will be expected to be involved in the daily activities of the school. Tasks may include:

- Assisting the teachers in preparations of lessons, develop/create teaching aids
- Classroom chores e.g. handing out of assignments, tidyingup, preparing daily presentations
- Leading / assisting children with proper conduct when (for example) going to the bathroom, tying their shoes, washing hands after playtime etc.
- Helping in the playground and ensure the safety of the children
- Actively participating in school projects
- Observing the teacher’s lessons, using this opportunity to learn
- Teaching the students new skills such as arts and crafts, music, dance, etc
- The teacher may or may not ask the volunteer to present a particular activity or classroom task, which will be in line with the curriculum. This opportunity is, however, not guaranteed
- Planning and take part in the extracurricular activities
- Assisting with homework and student school projects.

Wildlife Rescue Project:
Duties that do not directly interact with the animals are still crucial to their well-being. General maintenance and cleaning of the grounds (for example: cutting grass to ensure there are no ticks, fleas, snakes, and spiders, and poop scooping); are regular tasks on the farm for the health and safety of all the animals in our care.

As a volunteer, you will be able to experience each of the various jobs on the farm; as the tasks are rotated among the volunteers to ensure each person has an opportunity to both help with farm maintenance and interact with the animals equally.

Based on the rotation schedule, volunteers are divided into groups to work with two to three activities a day between 08:00 and 17:00. There is a short break in the morning followed by lunch from 13:00-14:30. The daily activities at the centre include:

Preparing food * and feeding the animals
Cleaning of enclosures
Providing enrichment ie. creating devices and objects that stimulate the animals' natural behaviour physically and mentally
Caring for juvenile wildlife
Physical labour such as building new facilities
Research including monitoring free-roaming carnivores, analysing camera traps and GPS data
Game counts in the bush

* While we require a lot of assistance with preparing meat for the animals, volunteers who do not feel comfortable with this task will not be forced to do so.

Working with animals requires flexibility, and while on weekends there are fewer tasks, the animals still need to be fed. Something out of the ordinary can also happen at night if it's for example your turn to look after the baby baboons. Please note the only animal interaction is with the baboons. On Saturday afternoons there will be a fun non-work related activity followed by a braai (barbeque). On Sundays you will be on food preparation duty either in the morning or in the afternoon, so you will have half the day off. All non-working hours are free time to explore the sanctuary!

Please note that from time to time there can be unavoidable changes to the project. These can be caused by weather, conservation priorities, materials supply, or because ongoing projects have progressed more quickly or slowly than originally planned. We ask you to accept the changes - we are sure that you will enjoy the replacement projects just as much.

Besides working with animals at the Wildlife Rescue Centre, you can also choose to volunteer at a local school in the community of San bushmen. Through each of our projects, the foundation provides an important source of employment, accommodation, education, and healthcare to several San bushmen families.
Volunteering at N/a’an ku sê Primary School
The colourful facility providing free education and support to all of N/a’an ku sê’s children, is possible in two ways:
As part of the Wildlife Rescue volunteer program: This allows volunteers to participate in a briefing given by the school principal, after which they design and lead a one-hour activity for the children - education and fun combined.

Namibia Teaching Assistant: Ideal for qualified teachers or those in the process of completing a teaching qualification. Volunteer on a “full-time” basis at the Primary School and let our children, all from unique and often challenging backgrounds, change your life. The minimum duration of stay is one month (4 weeks), and volunteers are only assigned to school related activities. Ask for more details

Airport pick-up on arrival & drop-off at departure (Windhoek International)
Accommodation
Three meals a day
Transport to and from the project
1 x green uniform sets (pants and shirts)
24 hour support and supervision
Donation to the project
Certificate of appreciation

Teaching experience or experience with children advantageous, but not a requirement
Completed application form
High level of competency in English
Police clearance certificate from your home country
Copy of return flight itinerary
Medium level of fitness

Code of conduct: Volunteers will sign the school’s code of conduct, agreeing to adhere to all values, rules and regulations of the school

Visa Info
You will receive a 90 day tourist visa on arrival, remember to have a copy of your supporting letter.

All volunteers must wear a Naankuse uniform upon arrival. The Uniform policy is to ensure that all adhere to a proper dress code and wear clothing that protects them in the Bush. The uniform should be worn while participating in activities at the Naankuse projects and remains the property of the volunteer. We will need your clothing sizes for trousers and shirts provided before arrival.

The volunteers will each receive one shirt and a pair of pants, however if they need more they will need to purchase extra.
Uniform costs are as follows:
- Shirt N$230
- Trousers N$520
- Jacket N$570

Get out and explore the deserts of Namibia. Activities included are hiking (approximately 5k - 10km per day), Sossusvlei day trip, sleep outs in the bush, and wine tasting.

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.