posted by Catherine on Jul 9
Plan Your African Adventure With A Volunteer Organisation Based There.
Rather than look for a trip to Africa with a global company - why not make a bee-line for someone who has been working there - and only there.
I spoke to the company myself and asked them a few questions about their ethics and eco friendly policies - and you can read their answers for yourself:
What Is African Impact All About?
At African Impact, we see ourselves as the on-the-ground AFRICAN SPECIALISTS in volunteer travel. Whether it be a summer break, a gap year, a well earned holiday or a career break we have something for you.
Established in 2004, we are proudly African-based and have our busy Head Office in Cape Town, South Africa. We also have supporting operations offices in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This year we were proudly recognized as the 2009 World Travel Awards finalists for our involvement in Volunteering in Africa so far.
Our Mission Statement:
African Impact is a volunteer travel organisation that works towards establishing meaningful programs throughout Africa for a positive and measurable impact on local communities and conservation efforts.
African Impact aims to promote and actively consign volunteerism for various projects in Africa. As a result, we generate income to sustain and provide ongoing support and resources for community and conservation initiatives across Africa.
What Ethical Guidelines Are Most Important To You?
We aim to be an ambassador of responsible tourism and endeavour to increase the positive impact of our volunteers and operational practices on the social, cultural and physical environment within our operating countries.
What Sets African Impact Apart From Other Companies?
In 2008 we launched a UK-registered Charitable Trust, The Happy Africa Foundation which is our supporting arm for the sustainable and accountable manner in which we aspire to manage our projects.
In addition to this we have founded the UK-registered ALERT Trust (African Lion and Environmental Research Trust) to facilitate the expansion of our lion rehabilitation and release into the wild project as well as to raise awareness for conservation efforts in Africa.
In 2009 we were 2009 World Travel Awards finalists, which The Wall Street Journal refers to as the travel industry’s equivalent of The Oscars.
WYSE Travel Confederation is a not-for-profit industry association dedicated to making travel experiences affordable, accessible and exciting for young people worldwide. African Impact is a proud member of this organization and through our association with WYSE we seek to enhance the sustainability of our projects through volunteering forums and interaction with other leaders in our niche of the tourism industry.
How are your Staff qualified to assist?
The African Impact team of office and field staff is made up of people with vast experience living, working and travelling in Africa.
Our team members have an unparalleled passion and enthusiasm for their work. Many of our assistant field workers are past volunteers who came to Africa and are yet to leave!
We subject all our projects to careful sustainability planning with clear and measurable goals and objectives, as well as collaborative focus with our local partners. In addition our project managers submit detailed quarterly development reports to both African Impact and The Happy Africa Foundation.
What Sort Of Trips Do You Offer?
We offer a range of projects from short term through to much longer placements in any field from medical, teaching, wildlife conservation to sporting projects.
- Volunteer in South Africa for a Veterinary Clinic and Animal Rescue Center:
From 2 weeks to 2 months - From $990 - Volunteer in Zimbabwe & Rehabilitate Lions & Their Cubs:
From 2 weeks to 6 weeks - From $1800 - Volunteer in South Africa with Community Clinics & Child Day Care:
From 2 weeks or longer - From $990 - Volunteer in South Africa with a Coastal Biological Research Course:
4 week course - From $1520 - Volunteer in Mozambique for HIV & Aids Education:
From 2 weeks or longer - From $1390 - Volunteer on a Great White Shark Research & Conservation Project!
From 2 weeks to 2 months - From $1600
The list just goes on and on……….. Go to African Impact to see more.
Leave a Reply