Cape Town Region
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THE ORPHAN PROGRAM

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
The Orphanage is a home away from home for about 80 children that have been found in need of care and intervention. The home also tries to set up extra mural activities for the children. At present, the home is running a very successful gardening project, which aims at teaching the children to care for and respect their environment. But the home needs help in setting up more extra mural activities for the children.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVIIES & PROJECTS:
The Volunteers are greatly needed at this program and there is plenty to keep volunteers busy as the home is in need of some extra hands to carry the load. The volunteers would be asked to set up and run simple activities for the children as well as helping to run the existing activities. Help may also be needed from time to time with the upkeep of the buildings, which would involve some minor maintenance work. The home is looking for strong mature candidates who will be sensitive to the children's emotional, social and behavioural needs.

NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS:
The program requires a maximum of 4 volunteers at a time.

PROGRAM LENGTH:
The volunteers are required to stay on the program a minimum of 4 weeks.

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS:
Volunteers can either be accommodated at the orphanage with of staff members or volunteers can be placed with host families from the surrounding community. If volunteers are accommodated at the orphanage, their meals will be provided. If host families accommodate volunteers their meals will be prepared by the host families with the volunteers assistance. In both cases the meals and accommodation expenses are covered in the program fees. Please note that volunteers must not expect any luxury food. The meals are wholesome and will be a mixture of western and South African meals. Should volunteers want to have any specific food or luxury items they will be expected to purchase the goods themselves.

TRANSPORT:
Due to financial constraints the orphanage is unfortunately unable to provide volunteers with transport. Volunteers will have to organize their own transport during free time with one of the many taxi companies in the area. Volunteers will be instructed by staff upon arrival as to which companies to use.

VOLUNTEER ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES:
Volunteers need to arrange their flights so that they arrive during weekdays at Cape Town International Airport. Volunteers will then need to catch a taxi from the airport to the program, which is about a 30-minute drive from the airport. The program leaders will be at the program to welcome the volunteer and help them get settled in.

VACCINATIONS & MEDICATIONS:
Volunteers do not need any specific vaccinations to volunteer on this program. In addition, volunteers do not need to take any malaria medication either. Lean on Me does however advise volunteers to have a general check up with their doctor before their arrival. Should volunteers be taking any personal medication during their program it is advised that they bring this with them on the program

FACILITIES:
Volunteers will need to use public phones in order to make phone calls or they can use the phones at the program for an extra cost. E-mail facilities are available for volunteers to use in the local towns during their free time. Volunteers will be responsible for their own laundry during the program with local Laundromats being in close proximity to the program.

LANGUAGE & CULTURE:
Cape Town has its own rich cultural life that has been influenced in the past by many different ethnic groups. The predominant languages in the area are Afrikaans, English and Xhosa.

CLIMATE:
The Cape is the only area in South Africa that receives its rainy season during winter, which runs from June to August. The summer months run from December to February.