Wildlife, Community, and Education Project in South Africa

Peggy Ernest Start Date: Nov 18, 2017 - End Date: Dec 4, 2017
  • South Africa

My Travel Story

by: Peggy Ernest Start Date: Nov 18, 2017 - End Date: Dec 4, 2017
W are helping to make a difference to the communities in the St Lucia area. Located on the outskirts of a UNESCO World Heritage site, the town of Saint Lucia and neighbouring Khula Village is located in one of Africa’s most unique landscapes.
  • Construction work to build houses, classrooms, bathroom blocks etc. within Khula village
  • Wildlife conservation efforts in local sanctuaries in the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park and Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park
  • Education programs in local primary and pre-schools.
  • Cultural tour of a Zulu village including learning traditional dancing!
  • Come face to face with Africa’s ‘Big Five’ wildlife 

The volunteer work in the African program is multi-faceted and includes working with children in schools and crèches teaching English and basic sanitation, hygiene and nutrition through games and activities. Our volunteers will also renovate and revitalise the sometimes run-down facilities with fresh coats of paint, new play equipment and the construction of bathrooms or kitchens.

Secondly, the construction component varies between the construction of bathrooms and kitchens in the school and orphanage to the building of sustainable farming units; the latter allow for families and, in particular, single mothers to start a micro business and to secure an income for their family. In addition, VESA has established a program whereby the local Prince (Induna) identifies less fortunate families in dire need of help for whom we then build houses and bathrooms.

Our conservation projects were set up in conjunction with the national parks authority. Within the wetlands area around Saint Lucia, the volunteers assist with the observation, population monitoring, capture and release of crocodiles as well as general maintenance, renovation and cleaning of the enclosures at the Saint Lucia Crocodile Centre.
  • South Africa