BACKROUND OF THE ORGANISATION
The NGO started in 2006 when the need was identified to assist in the local impoverished communities. Many communities, preschools and schools were unable to provide effective programs due to lack of funding, resources and skill levels. With the assistance of volunteers, these shortcomings were addressed and the NGO slowly grew into a large organisation that now provides assistance to several communities across Africa. We now also offer several wildlife conservation projects including pre-vet, white shark and wild cats. Our flagship projects in Cape Town have grown exponentially and we now run 10 highly successful projects where these challenges are being addressed on a daily basis.
BACKROUND OF THE PROJECT
Vision of Namibia Wildlife Project
Our vision is an Africa where humans and wildlife can live and thrive together. Our mission is to conserve the land, cultures and wildlife of Namibia and rescue species threatened by an ever-shrinking habitat.
About The Namiba Wildlife Centre
Originating as a small wildlife sanctuary nestled in the Namibian bush, just 45km from Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, the Wildlife Sanctuary Foundation has grown into a world-famous conservation organisation. We provide a safe haven and second chance for countless injured, orphaned and conflict animals. Whenever possible our goal is to release animals back into the wild - only those animals too ill, abused or habituated remain at the sanctuary. Our volunteers are critical to enabling us to continue caring for the animals. Depending on the season, volunteer numbers can range from 15 to 65
History of the Project
In 2003, The Founders set their sights on establishing a clinic in response to the tragic and unnecessary death of a San baby. As a result, the Lifeline Clinic was established in the remote village of Epukiro, Namibia to provide free healthcare to the local San Bushmen population. In 2005 along with partners, the founders bought Farm Frauenstein on the outskirts of Windhoek and transformed the farm into a wildlife sanctuary and built a lodge on the property. The main aim of the lodge was to create jobs for the very people whom the Lifeline Clinic serves. In 2007, Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary opened. The Wildlfe Project Foundations aim is to conserve the land, cultures and wildlife of Namibia. We Believe in
An Africa where humans and wildlife can live and thrive together Basing conservation decisions, advice and education on research & evidence Taking animal lives seriously & looking after those that cannot be released again Promoting and advocating that the wild belongs in the wild Incorporating cultures, especially the Bushman cultures, into our conservation projects Actively mitigating human-wildlife conflict Exploring innovative ways and concepts to advance conservation of species and their habitat
Project Highlights
• You will be able to participate in Anti Poaching efforts • 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 animals. • Learn and experience how each animal behaves, reacts and what their characters are like
Volunteer Tasks Volunteers will have the rare and exciting opportunity to actively participate in the conservation, rehabilitation, care and research of African wildlife. The sanctuary currently provides a safe refuge for orphaned, injured or conflict wildlife including several lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, caracals, warthogs, antelope and baboons as well as a host of birds, smaller African mammals and farmyard animals. Wildlife Conservation Volunteers are crucial in helping us to care for the animals in rehabilitation or permanent captivity at the sanctuary, as well as helping to maintain and develop the sanctuary. This is an exceptional opportunity to get hands on experience with African wildlife and the many aspects of their care. All routine aspects of the programme 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 we do, we highly recommend that you book at least three weeks with us.
Duties that do not directly interact with the animals are still crucial to NB! While we require a lot of assistance their well-being. General maintenance and cleaning of the grounds (for example: cutting grass to ensure there are no ticks, fleas, snakes, and with meal preparation for the animals- spiders, and poop scooping); are regular tasks on the farm for the health slaughtering and plucking chickens, and safety of all the animals in our care. skinning carcasses, and deboning meat- As a volunteer, you will be able to experience each of the various jobs on the farm; we rotate the tasks among the volunteers to ensure each person people who do not feel comfortable with has an opportunity to both help with farm maintenance and interact with this task will not be forced to do so. the animals equally.
Average Working Day
The volunteering schedule works on a rotational group system, which ensures every volunteer gets to experience as many of the activities as possible.
The groups work two to three activities a day between the hours of 8am and 5pm. Volunteers get a short break in the morning followed by lunch from 1pm-2:30pm.
Weekends are not part of the rotation schedule; on Saturdays, volunteers will participate in certain activities in the morning, and in the afternoon there will be a fun non-work related activity followed by a braai (barbeque). On Sunday, a small team will participate in food prep in the morning and a different small team will participate 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 projects. 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..
Project Details
Arrival Day: Monday Arrival Time: Any time Airport: Windhoek Hosea Kutako Airport (WHK), Namibia. Departure Day: Monday Departure time: +- 11AM – 1PM Min Duration: 2 weeks Max Duration: None Min Age: 18 years old Max Age: N/A – Medium level of fitness and healthy
NOTE: If you arrive or depart on a different day and time to that specified above, you will have to pay an additional private transfer fee of N$ 500.00 fee in cash to the project co-ordinator on arrival/departure
Volunteer Requirements ● Completed Application form ● Basic level of competency in English PS – The most important things to bring are a sense of ● Copy of return flight itinerary humour, patience, an open mind and a positive attitude! ● Medium level of fitness Packing list
Volunteer work in research and conservation involves hands-on work with the animals so you are likely to get very dirty! Old and dispensable clothes marked with your name are advisable for daily activities as well as closed-toed shoes. While we do not sell any toiletries, cosmetics, sunscreen or other items apart from snacks and drinks at the Sanctuary, Sunday trips to Windhoek are available but it is advisable to bring enough of what you need for the duration of your stay.
● Sunscreen and hat and sunglasses ● Sleeping bag: for use at our Research Sites and useful for ● Swimsuit and towel winter months at the Sanctuary, possible overnight sleep outs ● Flashlight and batteries in the field, or if you plan to travel outside of your project. ● Mobile phone set for roaming – local SIM cards are available at ● Silk or Cotton Liner: Ideal for hot nights or as an extra layer the airport or the Sanctuary to your sleeping bag. ● The evenings can be quiet so bring books, cards, iPod etc ● Travel Guide, such as Lonely Planet or Rough Guide ● Day pack/rucksack for everyday use ● Sewing kit and pocket knife for general use (not in hand ● Water bottle at least 75cl luggage!) Personal Admin: ● Camera/batteries/film or memory card • Passport, insurance certificates and personal documentation ● Plug adaptor (3 large round pins) • Project Emergency contact number ● Alarm clock / Watch • Photocopies of all the above to be left at home with your next ● Diary and pens of kin ● Toiletries – Please bring biodegradable products if possible. As • Spending money – bring Namibian Dollars or SA Rand, you the Wildlife Sanctuary uses recycled water for our sprinkling can withdraw or transfer cash from the airport on arrival system as part of our environmental awareness, we ask that • Proof of inoculations (please speak to your GP about volunteers please bring biodegradable products (i.e. shampoo, necessary immunizations) soap) for use from overseas to prevent our sprinkler system from • Secure, waterproof bag for documents and money: sealable malfunctioning. plastic bags will do
Clothing: – if possible, please mark your clothing with your name prior to arrival Sets of outdoor loose fitting cotton clothes with adequate cover for cool mornings and evenings, Sun hat / bandan, Closed-toed shoes for walks in the field, as well as boots or sturdy trainers for project work, Gardening gloves to protect your hands, Work clothes that you don’t mind getting worn and dirty, Casual clothes for day trips to Windhoek and for weekend activities, Flip flops / sandals, Underwear enough for at least seven days (laundry services are available on premises), Pajamas/nightwear, Lightweight fleece or jumper, Waterproof jacket, Warm clothes for winter and early mornings. Volunteer work at the Sanctuary includes being very hands on with animals, project work and walking with baboons, so you are likely to get very dirty! Old and dispensable clothes with your name written on it are advisable for daily activities. The type of clothing you should bring depends on time of year you visit. May to September is the winter period and can be very cold at night and in the early mornings and daytime temperatures can vary. A sleeping bag is recommended! October to April is the summer period and the rainy season is from November-February. Whilst during this time it is generally hot during the day it can rain and become chilly in the evenings, particularly at our Research Sites so do pack a jumper or fleece and waterproof jacket Medical Kit: - Hand sanitizer and wet wipes, Personal First Aid Kit, Re-hydration salts and Imodium or similar product, Any personal medication e.g. prescription drugs/inhalers, Contact lenses and solution if necessary, Lip Balm with SPF, Sanitary products if necessary, Mosquito repellent (please bring non-DEET mosquito repellent since DEET is not environmentally friendly), Ear Plugs – you may be sharing a room with 1 or 2 people and sometimes even an animal
What’s Included?
✓ Airport pick up from Windhoek International Meals ✓ Accommodation
✓ Three meals a day ✓ Weekly transport to town for shopping Accommodation ✓ Transport to and from the project ✓ 24 hour support and supervision Transport ✓ Donation to the project ✓ Certificate of appreciation
Transport On arrival day: Volunteers will be met at Windhoek International (Hosea Kutako) airport and taken to the project. On Departure Day: Volunteers will be taken to the Windhoek International Airport to catch their departure flight.
Meals Volunteers will receive 3 meals a day: Breakfast consists of cereals, fruit, yoghurts, toast and spreads Lunch varies from cold to hot meals for example: wraps, salads, pasta dishes, sandwiches Dinner consists of a hot meal such as a traditional BBQ (braai), stews, chicken dishes, etc.
NOTES: ● Tea and coffee will be available, all other drinks will be at own expense ● A generous amount of food will always be served. If snacks are desired there are several grocery stores nearby. ● There are refrigerators available for volunteers’ personal food and soft drinks
Important reminder: Participants must advise the NGO of their dietary needs (e.g. if they are vegetarian or have any allergies) prior to their arrival. Participants with very specific dietary needs may be required to supplement their meals at their own expense. Accommodation ● Volunteers will stay in rooms or tents (2 - 4 people per room) ● All linen will be provided. ● The volunteer house is roughly 1km away from the main-house, and is safe and secure. ● Swimming pool is available. ● No visitors are permitted to enter the property unless permitted by the project leader
Laundry: Laundry services are available on selected days at the Wildlife Sanctuary
Internet: There is NO Wifi at this project due to the poor reception. Please do make sure you purchase a Namibia Sim card and load data on it, you can purchase this at the airport upon arrival or at the farm (project).
General Information Location: The Wildlife Sanctuary is located just 45km out of Windhoek (Namibia's capital) and 35km from Windhoek International airport, in the Khomas region of Namibia. ● Shops/Grocery Stores: You can book a transfer to the city centre with your volunteer co-ordinator so that you can purchase essentials/souvenirs or food items at an additional cost of NAD200 per trip ● ATM´s: There is an ATM at the project (not always functional due to signal problems) We do suggest that you get cash at the ATM at the airport upon your arrival Supervision/Co- Ordination: As the nature of the work varies we will place volunteers under the supervision of various staff members. The co-ordinators will facilitate the smooth operation of the volunteers work, stay and provide guidance where necessary. Free time: Weekends are not part of the rotation schedule; on Saturdays, volunteers will participate in certain activities in the morning, and in the afternoon there will be a fun non-work related activity followed by a braai (barbeque). On Sunday, a small team will participate in food prep in the morning and a different small team will participate in the afternoon, so you will have half the day off. All non-working hours are free time to explore the sanctuary!
Activities: (Please note these are subject to availability and can change at anytime) *Safari tours *City transfer *Lunch at the lodge *Cultural Tour All can be arranged and paid for when you arrive at your project. Subject to availability & costs may change
General Information Water: Water is safe to drink. However, please be aware that there may be a shortage during dry season. Use water sparingly and have short showers or baths.
Power: Electricity is 220 Volts and the main socket type is earthed with three pins (as used in South Africa – Type M). Please bring plug adaptors so you can charge mobile phones and cameras. Power cuts do occur and can be prolonged (longer than 24 hours), particularly in the rainy season. The Sanctuary is fully fitted with electricity. Power sockets are available in the communal lapa area for recharge, however adaptors must be self supplied.
NB!! Safety Tips
Animals: ● Some animals DO NOT like direct contact. If they do approach you just remain calm and stand still. ● If you do not feel comfortable in certain places with the animals inform your team leader for assistance. ● Even if the animals appear tame we MUST still respect them at all times. ● We recommend you get all you get all your inoculations in case Camps: ● Never enter the enclosure without staff supervision ● To enter a small enclosure there must be a guide/team leader present ● All gates to all camps must be locked and checked daily to make sure they are in a working condition ● Be aware of the electric fences at all times General: ● Participants must conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner at all times ● Hitchhiking is not permitted at any time and travelling alone in the dark is not recommended ● Always be aware of your surroundings and don’t leave your belongings unattended ● Never give beggars money - speak to your coordinator if you would like to make donations ● Do not look like a tourist with your camera around your neck or walk and text ● Do not carry large amount of cash on you that people can see – Cards are accepted in most places ● Lock your room to ensure all your valuables, passport and money stay safe
Laws in Namibia
● You can only drive from the age of 18, with a valid driving license. International licenses are required for vehicle rental in order to drive in Namibia ● People under 18 years may not drink or buy alcohol ● Drinking alcohol in a public place is illegal ● It is illegal to smoke cigarettes in public places, shopping malls, businesses, public transport and restaurants. Smoking is permitted at places where permission is granted. ● It is illegal to carry, buy or use drugs, including marijuana ● The age of sexual consent is 16, and having sex with anyone under 16 is illegal
Health and Safety All participants should have informed the NPO of any medical information, including allergies, prescribed medications, or any known medical condition. It is advisable to remind your volunteer leaders again during orientation!
Insurance All participants must have medical, travel and trip cancellation insurance for the duration of their program. The NPO must receive proof of insurance prior to arrival.
Drugs SAVE has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drugs. Offenders will be removed from the program immediately without refund.
Smoking No smoking is allowed during project hours.
Alcohol A responsible level of drinking (for volunteers of legal age) during free time is allowed. However in these limited situations: ● Alcohol is never to be consumed during project hours ● Participants are never to be intoxicated during project hours ● No hangovers will be tolerated on project so please keep drinking to off days
Failure to comply will be treated as a serious matter. The NPO reserves the right to remove a participant from the project without refund if they disregard this policy. Participants who endanger their safety or the safety of others through irresponsible drinking of alcohol or negligence may be removed from the program without refund.
Important points to read
What is the difference between volunteering and regular tourism? In regular tourism the emphasis is on the tourist who expects to receive excellent service on their trip (great hotel, good food and all excursions working according to a timetable). The place and local community becomes less important with the tourist becoming the center of attention. In VOlunteer tourism (or “voluntourism”) the emphasis shifts to work contribution, goals of the program and helping the local community. It is the success of the program and the atmosphere between the community and the volunteers that helps make the trip unforgettable – not the level of service or the quality of the hotel. Many programs are underfunded and staffed so inevitably there will be some difficulties; however it is the overcoming of any challenges which creates a sense of achievement and satisfaction not found in regular tourism.
Will there be any surprises? Volunteer tourism can be unpredictable! While the NPO does the utmost to stick to timetables and examples of type of work needed by the volunteer, there are many factors that can impact these plans. For example, the weather and seasons, local holidays, mood of the wildlife and immediate needs of the programs. The information you will receive from the program is important and valuable however things can change and we urge you to use it as a guideline and expect the unexpected – this is what makes volunteer tourism so diverse and exciting. It is important that you arrive with a flexible attitude and remember that just by being at the project you will be contributing to its running, growth and success. Many of these programs are in cultures very different than yours and as such the type and length of work given may or may not seem important to you but it will be for the program.
The first few days These are the most important and can be the most difficult ones. You have just arrived off a long flight in a strange location and are living with new people. Even if the first impression might not be as you had expected. Please give yourself a couple of days to acclimatize and give the project the help it needs.
Volunteer work – some examples It is important to realize that not all the work will be easy or 'romantic'. A lot of the time you will need to roll up your sleeves and get dirty with tasks such as: ● Animal projects: working with raw meat, cage cleaning, removing ticks, etc. ● Environmental projects: manual labor, carrying heavy items, getting dirty, working in the rain, etc. ● Humanitarian projects: cleaning up after the kids, kitchen duty, changing diapers, wiping runny noses, etc. ● Building projects: mixing concrete manually, picking up garbage off site, removing vegetation, etc. Keep a positive attitude and note that even ‘boring’ tasks contribute and are also very important to the program. Also remember ‘boring’ tasks are not given to you on purpose but they form a part of the overall volunteer experience as it takes care of the needs of the overall project. Sticking to a timetable Each program asks its volunteers to stick to a timetable which helps the program run smoothly. Please follow the instructions from the program managers. However, please note that volunteer programs are usually underfunded and understaffed which can lead to multiple changes in the program timetable. Volunteer work needs to be flexible for various reasons and should not be seen as a nine to five office job even if some changes do not make sense to the volunteer. Flexibility and an 'expect the unexpected attitude' are needed – however never forget that by volunteering you are contributing immensely to the program.
Important points to read
Before you leave for project Please look after yourselves and listen to the Leaders and the program staff you are visiting. Drink lots of fluids and remember your sunscreen. Volunteer trips are what you make of them and coming with an open mind and listening to the program managers/Leaders will help you experience an unforgettable trip. Please also remember that this is an English speaking project. In order to be inclusive and for everyone to have a positive experience, we ask that volunteers speak English at all times. The Volunteer Leader Most programs will have a volunteer leader. This person is usually a volunteer who is on a long term contract or has volunteered on the same project in the past. The volunteer leader can be of great assistance when a problem arises though please approach them at a convenient time outside of busy working hours. It is important that you listen to the volunteer leader and cooperate with them.
Culture shock The volunteers you will be working with come from all over the world and may be from different religious and ethnic backgrounds. Volunteering is also a cultural experience where you can learn about different cultures, please be both tolerant and patient. Do not be shy in sharing your experiences, recipes, songs and traditions it will just add to the overall group cohesion. For example, children may be raised in ways that are very different to what you are used to. If you are ever unsure about a certain issues, please feel free to discuss it with your volunteer leader.
Extra expenses Please take into account additional expenses like tours, trips, telephone, restaurants and bars. It is a good idea to have different types of payment available to you like: cash, credit cards, debit cards and traveller's cheques.
If there are any problems during the program please speak to the volunteer leader. It is important to initially raise and discuss the issue in the program as most can be solved in this manner. The organisation and projects rely on each and every volunteer, if you leave the program in the middle (or leave unhappy and disgruntled) it could seriously damage the hard work being undertaken.
Approaching us directly will help us to resolve the issues for future volunteers or for the sustainability of the project. We want to make it an unforgettable experience for you and all others. We also want our projects to continue receiving the much needed volunteers – we can only help if we know what the concerns are! .
References and Suggested Readings
It is strongly recommended that all participants read and print out areas of interest from the websites and reference materials listed below as these will provide valuable background information and help to put project goals and activities into context.
● Website: www.freepackers.fr ● Instagram: www.instagram.com/freepackers/ ● Facebook: www.facebook.com/freepackers/
● Email: [email protected]
● Phone: +33631961240
The more positive you are, the more positive your memories will be! Your time on project will be over sooner than you know, what would you like to think back on later in your life?