Hiring Organization:
Umpalazi: Community & Wildlife Project
Date Posted:
2008-11-14
Position Description:
The Umpalazi: Community & Wildlife Project invites you to become apart of an experience that combines community upliftment with wildlife conservation. Become a part of this amazing opportunity, and give back, along with fellow volunteers from all over the world. Volunteers will have a unique opportunity to work closely with South African wildlife, primarily the South African Vervet Monkey. This will be a joint project with the Animal Protection and Environmental Sanctuary (A.P.E.S.) as co-founders, Dawn Magowan and Rodney Pendleton, will be moving to Umpalazi with their sanctuary to provide their wildlife with a better release site and to immediately get volunteers involved with wildlife conservation. Volunteers will have a direct and positive impact on the conservation of wildlife and the environment.
The property is in disrepair as it has been unoccupied for a year; therefore, there is much to work on. Some of the project duties include:
* Painting; Small-scale building; General repairs, fencing; Dam-wall reconstruction etc.
* Fixing/constructing animal enclosures
* General animal care
* Monkey food preparation & enclosure cleaning
* Rescue and rehabilitation of monkeys and other animals, both domestic and wildlife.
* Closer observation/contact with the monkeys that cannot be released due to injury.
* Visits to local Zulu schools regarding environmental education, maintenance work etc.
* Livestock food preparation & feeding (including domestic pets - dogs, cats, cows, a goat, ducks, geese, chickens, etc..)
* Snare/Trap clearing (in nearby forest/bush areas)
* Participation in an up-coming project involving more intensive snare/trap clearing in forest plantations, invasive weed removal and other environmental management activities.
* Walk & Game counting ( there is a wide variety of game in the area); Bird watching
Skills training of local Zulu community members (funds permitting)whenever possible:
* The aim is not only to create jobs to help improve the standard of living and the lives of local rural people, but also to provide long-term community upliftment.
* The local rural Zulu community members will join this initiative to learn various skills from the volunteers. This is an excellent upliftment project that will create a positive ripple effect throughout the whole community.
* The individuals involved thus have the opportunity to build on their skills, providing an income and/or the ability to teach others.
* Any help would be welcome and appreciated.
WHAT TO BRING:
* Inexpensive clothing and other supplies can be bought locally, so there is no need to overload yourself; the following list is to help get an idea of what you will need:
* Runners/hiking shoes; everyday footwear.
* Raincoat, sun block & sunhat (broad-rimmed) can be bought locally.
* Personal items that are essential.
* Sleeping bag, pillow case etc.
* Clothing for changeable weather (i.e. usually warm during the day; cold at night )
* Nothing too revealing as Umpalazi is situated in a rural and conservative area.
* Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided. This includes boots, overalls and gloves.
LOCAL FACILITIES:
* The following can be found at Greytown:
* Bank, Internet Café, Photo Developers, Supermarket & other stores (i.e. 'PEP', 'AHEERS').
* Hotel, Restaurants, Post Office, Greytown Museum.
* Doctor, Dentist, Pharmacy, Police Station.
Note: Umpalazi does not have access to electricity, therefore it does, and will provide for a more environmentally friendly way of living. Funds permitting, solar and gas facilities and a generator will be installed, supplying what little electricity is necessary.
There are also opportunities to live with a Zulu family (for a day etc.), and visit other attractions in KwaZulu-Natal (i.e. CROW, Game Reserves, St.Lucia Wetlands etc.)
Qualifications/Experience:
* A love of animals and the environment.
* A willingness to learn and be a part of a communal environment.
* Previous experience (I.e. carpenter, zoologist, etc.) is appreciated but not necessary.
Salary/funding:
Cost (GBP): £610 per month
* 50% deposit is required upon acceptance to the Umpalazi Project.
* The remaining 50% is required at least 2 weeks before intended arrival date.
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
* All meals are provided (excluding snacks, sweets etc.)
* Basic but comfortable accommodation is provided.
* Volunteers will initially stay at the Animal Protection and Environmental Sanctuary (APES) until Umpalazi is up and running.
* Male/female accommodation is separate unless in a couple.
* Laundry will be done once weekly.
* In-country orientation/Training
* In-country staff support
Term of Appointment:
Minimum 4 weeks
Application Deadline:
none
Contact Information:
Danielle Enright, KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
Website:
http://www.umpalazi.org
E-mail Address:
de@umpalazi.org