Ever dream of getting away from it all and truly immersing
yourself in another culture, a conservation effort or simply taking the time to
give back? If so, Namibia is the place
for you. Namibia offers a variety of
volunteer programs focused on wildlife conservation, health care, the
environment and teaching. Volunteers usually commit themselves to a period of
one year, although shorter programs are also available.
Below are some organizations that offer volunteer opportunities.
Praktika Afrika 
Praktika Afrika (PA) is a Namibian registered
Company and trading as World Intern. The aim of the organization involves
people from all ages and social classes traveling globally to give aid to
communities in need and intimately experience the culture through Voluntourism.
This combination of exploration and inspiration is growing in popularity,
mostly due to an increase in the number and variety of opportunities now
available. No longer do travelers need to stay enmeshed in a foreign land for
months to make a difference - they can now impact an entire community over the
course of a week or two, or even during their honeymoon. Praktika Afrika’s
Volunteer tourism offers new opportunities for the tourism industry. Its
development has created the need for partnerships beyond the traditional
tourist supply chain. In addition to the normal supply chain participants (i.e.
airline companies, accommodation providers, etc), there are four main actors
within the volunteer tourism chain: sending organisations; volunteers; partner
organisations, and host organisations/projects.
Making A Difference
Voluntourists who seek to make a difference have altruistic motives and want to
help affect change. They positively impact the day-to-day life of the local
community.
Cultural Immersion
Some experiences are meant to immerse you in local culture. Cultural immersion
voluntourism is for those seeking to do something to gain a new appreciation
for the flavor, characteristics and people of the local culture.
Seeking Camaraderie
Teambuilding is important for families and any group looking for a bonding
experience. Seeking camaraderie while being a voluntourist is typically
achieved by activities with a physical component. Groups that look to grow
closer will benefit from participating in an activity that will get them
working towards a common goal.
Having An Educational Experience
Sometimes when you travel, you also want to learn. Voluntourists who seek to
have an educational experience look to pair their activities with an
opportunity to learn. They may wish to learn about a new topic or history, or
develop a new skill
Cultural Exchange
You will only know, learn and understand the Namibian culture when you live
with a Namibian family by eating together, doing things together etc.
We Offer accommodation, pick ups from the air port upon arrival, drop off at
airport upon departure, organization of voluntary place, travel tips around
Namibia.
Contacts: Evelyn and Oliver Breuer
Email: praktika-afrika@web.de
Phone: 00264 61 301061
Fax: 00264 61 301428
Cell: 00264 811282094/3
Website: www.world-intern.com
Cheetah Conservation Fund
Founded in 1990, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is an internationally
recognized center of excellence in the conservation of cheetahs and their
ecosystems. CCF works with all stakeholders to develop best practices in
research, education, and land use to benefit all species, not only cats but
also the people with whom they share the land. As Namibia has the largest and healthiest
population of cheetah left in the world, CCF's International Research and
Education Centre is based in Namibia, near Otjiwarongo.
CCF offers programs to volunteers as working guests, interns and
zookeepers. Volunteers cover the costs of training, accommodation and
meals. Volunteers and student interns
participate in a variety of general tasks and operations of the program, in
addition to a focus area. Your focus area will depend on your background, areas
of interest and length of stay at CCF. The best qualification for CCF’s program
is a willingness to help out wherever needed.
Learn more here: www.cheetah.org
Harnas
The vision of Harnas is to be a sustainable nature reserve where
specific species can be released, as well as to function as a temporary
reception center and recovery station for those animals that will be released
back into the wild in different areas in cooperation with the Ministry of
Environmental Tourism of Namibia. Harnas seeks to resolve human abuse of
animals through knowledge, experience, and education. They also invite economic
investment through tourism.
The people of Harnas know that wild animals are only part of the
cycle of Namibian growth and sustainability, and so the Foundation has a policy
of employing as many people from the local community as possible, supporting
the socio-economic growth and well-being of the people and establishing
community empowerment programs. This, in turn, creates jobs and new skills for
locals who inform guests and volunteers from around the globe about
conservation awareness, research and the rescue center.
Volunteers at Harnas participate in daily activities such as food
preparation, feeding, caretaking, fence patrol, research on rehabilitating
animals and animal walks. Harnas gives volunteers the opportunity to make a difference
in the animals’ lives.
Learn more here: www.harnas.org
N/a’an kuse
Dr. Rudie and Marlice van Vuuren, along with longtime friends
Chris Heunis and Jan Verburg, started N/a’an ku sê Foundation in 2006 to
protect and improve the lives of the people and wildlife of Namibia. The
Foundation’s vision is an Africa where humans and wildlife can live and thrive
together. Their goal is to conserve the land, cultures and wildlife of Namibia
and rescue species threatened by an ever-shrinking habitat. Their work includes
incorporating indigenous San skills to identify problem animals, developing
innovative techniques and collar release and monitoring. They run several
projects including a Lifeline Clinic, school, wildlife sanctuary and a
Carnivore Conservation Research Project.
N/a’an ku sê offers four different volunteer programs, ranging
from health care and teaching to conservation. Volunteers can offer their
services to provide primary health care for the San Bushman community or assist
the teacher at the Clever Cubs School, which provides education to the San
Bushman children. By volunteering for wildlife conservation, duties include
feeding and caring for baboons, farm animals and large carnivores.
N/a’an ku sê also has a new research base in southern Namibia at
Solitaire, which offers volunteers the opportunity to spend 10 days tracking
wild cheetahs in a 500ha boma as well as conducting game counts and camera trap
analysis.
Learn more here: www.naankuse.com
People and Wildlife Solutions (PAWS)
People and Wildlife Solutions (PAWS) offers a conservation working
holiday program to restore the land from an overgrazed cattle farm back into a
game reserve. PAWS is part of Okonjima
and the AfriCat Foundation, and the restoration of land for wildlife is part of
their shared vision. The program also offers volunteers the chance to see
cheetah stalking and hunting their prey. Volunteers take part in a multitude of
activities, including leopard-tracking, visiting AfriCat and learning about the
Foundation, tracking cheetahs and hyenas on foot, Bushman walks, birding, game
drives, and sleep-outs under the stars.
The AfriCat Foundation is committed to the long-term conservation
of Namibia’s large carnivores. By working with commercial farmers, local
communities, stakeholders, communal conservancies and the youth of Namibia,
AfriCat supports environmental education, rehabilitation and welfare programs,
provides solutions to human-wildlife conflict issues and conducts constructive
wildlife research. The organization operates from two locations – one on
Okonjima farm in central Namibia, near the town of Otjiwarongo and the second,
known as AfriCat North, from Kaross farm, bordering the Etosha National Park.
For more information visit: www.pawsnamibia.org
The Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA)
The Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA) runs an elephant
conservation and volunteer project that aims to reduce elephant-human conflict
in the southern Kunene region of Namibia. Volunteers construct protection walls
around water points and join the EHRA trackers on weeklong elephant patrols.
The volunteer program is structured in 2 week rotations and you can sign up for
a maximum of 12 weeks. Volunteer group size is maximum 14 and people of all
ages and from all walks of life join the program, as part of travel plans
during a gap year, working holiday or career break through Namibia and Africa.
For more information visit: www.desertelephant.org
Elonga Internships
Looking for unique internships packed with adventures, interesting cultures, and new professional perspectives?
Namibia is a young and vibrant African country whose breathtaking landscapes and diverse culture and traditions cast every visitor under its spell.
You can make a difference and contribute directly to the development of Namibia’s civil society and political life.
ELONGA offers you lodging in Windhoek and contacts to local NGO’s, international and government organisations as well as to media, private enterprises and schools.
Depending on your interests and abilities, you can, for example,
- work with children at schools and in orphanages,
- help with editorial work in newspapers, radio stations or on television,
- support NGO’s in their fight for human rights or against HIV/AIDS
- or help develop Namibia’s tourism and cultural sector.
An internship in Namibia will give you the chance for self-fulfillment and for expanding your intercultural and linguistic knowledge, which, in turn, will improve your professional chances and social competencies.
Namibia is ideal for newcomers, it is “Africa for beginners”, and its unique nature and culture offer much to discover!
www.elonga-internship.com
Penduka Women Project
Women in Namibia suffer from a low social status, which makes it difficult for them to find a job. As a result, the entire family lives in poverty. This vicious circle is often strengthened by a physical handicap or by diseases like tuberculosis and HIV AIDS. Penduka tries to break this negative circle by providing these women with work. This way they can support their families and as a result their social status will
improve both within their family and within their
local community.
Penduka is a non-governmental development organisation working with women in Namibia. Penduka is based in Katutura, the former black township of Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.
Penduka women make beautiful products. The type of products that you would like to put as an ornament in your house, or use on a daily basis. Products that will enrich your life. In addition the women are trained so as to be able to run Penduka independently and thereby provide for themselves.
Every year Penduka offers a limited amount of students a placement. The interns are used in two of Penduka's most successful departments; product design and healthcare.
Every year there are opportunities for two healthcare students in the tuberculosis clinic. These students will do nursing work together with Namibian nurses.
Penduka also offers opportunities for students from different product design courses. Interns will look at products from a Namibian point of view. They will design products that will facilitate life in Namibia in the broadest sense of the word. They will work in response to a specific request from Penduka.
Penduka only takes on interns when there is a need for them. That means that students who are interested in a certain placement will be screened beforehand. That will assure us of your suitability for the job. It also means that it will guarantee you that there is a fitting placement for you and that you will use your time in Namibia effectively.
www.penduka.com