The Missionvale Care Centre operates in the extremely poor shack township of Missionvale in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The centre was founded by kindhearted Sister Ethel, an expatriate Irish nun, who started offering help to this needy community under a tree between the shacks. Today, it is a centre that provides care, love and material support to the poor, with particular emphasis on and attention to those living with HIV/AIDS.
Missionvale Care Centre is a non-profit organisation committed to providing quality care and support to improve the lives of the residents through love, participation and self-development.
The help of all types of volunteers is desperately needed, but nursing and medical volunteers and anyone who doesn’t mind hard work, while coming face to face with extreme poverty, are especially welcome.
Your help is needed at:
Primary school: About 140 kids attend school here and need assistance with reading, writing, social skills and sports – as well as individual personal attention. Volunteers will also make sandwiches for the kids’ lunch, and their play time needs to be supervised.
Nutrition unit: Volunteers provide the people of Missionvale each day with half a loaf of bread and a scoop of nutritious soup powder; making it possible for them to go home and cook a meal for their families. This unit also distributes food parcels weekly to the families who are on the care centre’s adopted list.
Medical support and clinic: An optometrist visits the centre once a week and provides free eye tests and glasses where necessary. The centre is always looking for old glasses that can be recycled to use here because giving a person the ability to see again is an amazing gift.
The clinic acts as a one-stop facility where people can go for a check-up and other additional care – and it’s mainly aimed at people with tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. There are qualified nurses working at Missionvale, but not enough can be done and we call out to anybody with a medical or nursing background to volunteer here and make a difference so more patients can be helped.
Crafter unit: The women working here work very hard on various projects such as curtains, placemats, handbags, aprons, pillows and more. These items go on sale at Missionvale Care Centre as well as at weekly fairs. These women are taught the basics of sewing and gain experience, which increases their chances of being employed by businesses in the area. Volunteers can assist and give creative input.
Child support and development: An afternoon program is available to make sure the children stay off the streets and are able to play safely. They get a meal, computer lessons, listen to stories, learn how to play the drums and take part in cultural dances and play sports outside. Volunteers must be energetic and patient!
Clothing warehouse: Clothing donations are cleaned and sorted so that anyone in need of clothing can be assigned a parcel with clothes that fit and are clean. Give us a hand!
Community gardens: The residents can plant and grow their own fruit and vegetables and donate some of their harvest to the soup kitchen. Volunteers with a green thumb can apply it here!
Needs
As this project is a non-profit organisation, it is very dependent on its volunteers and any extra help.
Guidance and supervision
Coordinators of the different units will guide and supervise you throughout your stay.
Prerequisites
Please keep the following in mind:
You need to respect the vision and mission of the project.
Have an independent attitude and be willing to get very busy.
Be flexible in the tasks and activities and changes that will happen.
Be open minded and mentally strong, and have the will to make a difference.
Why?
Participating in this project is both challenging and diverse. You will get acquainted with circumstances in which 70% of South Africans live today. By volunteering here, you get to experience their lifestyle and Xhosa culture. We need volunteers who are independent and mature as they will be facing misery and poverty every day.
See what other volunteers say about this project
You can go here to read visitors´ review about their experiences at the Missionvale Community Centre.
Accommodation
The Khaya Beach House is located in a prime spot in Port Elizabeth, close to beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife, our Beach House is a comfortable and relaxing space that volunteers can call home. Rated as a 3-star backpackers by The South African Grading Council, The Khaya Beach House is a quiet sanctuary where volunteers can find refuge from the world and recharge their batteries after spending all day working at the project of their choice. It is a place where friendships are forged, and memories are made. Check out our article for more interesting facts!
The Beach House is fully furnished made up of various kitchens, living areas, ample bathrooms and 12 bedrooms that can accommodate those who prefer some privacy in a single room, such as older volunteers; and shared rooms for those who prefer sharing. A recent renovation project has breathed new life into the house with added features that include an entertainment area with braai facilities, a custom-made bar and a large pool that you can happily dive into on a hot day. A great area to socialize with your fellow volunteers from all over the world. The interior of the house is laid back and cosy with an African feel and boasts a panoramic sea, sunrise and sunset views for volunteers to enjoy during their leisure time.
Wireless internet is free; just bring your own laptop or any other device to access the Wi-Fi network.
We even have a fulltime cleaning lady, as we believe in offering local employment and also in offering clean and well-looked-after accommodation. All bedding is provided, but no towels, so please bring your own.
Depending on how busy it is, you will share a room with other volunteers - some rooms are very large, which offer dorm style accommodation (4 beds in a room), others are a bit smaller for only 2 volunteers sharing. Male and female volunteers will have separate rooms and bathrooms to use. We have a total of 6 bathrooms in the house.
If you would like to have a private room, we will gladly see if we can arrange that for a small surcharge per week. Couples and older volunteers will have preference for private rooms if available, but if you want to be guaranteed a private room we will charge this extra fee. Let us know if you want more information.
Meals
Three meals per day are included and we work on a set menu per week. There is free coffee, tea and cordial juice available at any time. For breakfast you will have toast, fruit yoghurt, cereal and/or eggs. For lunch you can have sandwiches with cheese, marmalade, cold meats or other spreads.
There will be variety in our dinners, since all of the volunteers have different skills and preferences. So, if you would like to show off your cooking skills, then please do!
Please tell our coordinators about any vegetarian requirements or food allergies.
Transport
Included in your fee is your daily transport. We have well-looked-after vehicles, which are properly insured and driven by our drivers who all have required Professional Driving Permits.
Transport to and from the volunteer house and the project is included, but if you want to go out after work or at the weekend, you will be able to walk during the day or use a taxi or Uber at night, at your own expense.
Your airport pickup is included in your fee when arriving on Monday or any other day of the week. If you choose to arrive on a weekend, we will gladly organize a cab to pick you up (or you can take an Uber) to any accommodation of your choice. We will collect you there on Monday morning at 9AM to start your stay with us.
If you prefer to come directly to us, or leave, over the weekend, we will charge an extra Weekend Fee of R200 (15 EUR) for your pickup or drop-off. An additional R250 (20 EUR) are charged per night for any extra nights outside of your booking dates. Please discuss your personal preference with us to make sure all is prepared for you.
Living with other Volunteers
As a volunteer from Khaya Volunteer Projects, you will be staying in a house with many different nationalities - which means you will eat together, work together and so on. We arrange an informal social on a weekly basis where you can relax and have some fun, getting to know other volunteers as well as your coordinators.
Every Friday is "Casual Day" and after your volunteering at your project we have our "Khaya Social Outing" - free of charge of course.
The outing is weather permitting. It can range from a trip to the beach where we can have a picnic and swim; we can go for a walk or a hike; to the city centre or even some retail therapy at the shopping mall. Or a pre-weekend drink at a pub - a good way to start your weekend after a long week of volunteering!
Fun stuff!
Our on-site volunteer coordinators will be there to assist with anything project-related, but we also provide a variety of fun social activities. Sandboarding down the giant dunes, having close encounters with peaceful pachyderms at Addo Elephant Park, hiking in the lush coastal countryside around Port Elizabeth…and much more. Extra costs for activities may apply. There will be something exciting on the program every weekend, so feel free to join in if you like! We are very open to suggestions - give us your ideas.
Fees & Dates
DURATION:
EURO
USD
GBP
1 Week
€ 330,00
$370,00
£300,00
2 Weeks
€ 590,00
$655,00
£535,00
3 Weeks
€ 840,00
$935,00
£765,00
4 Weeks
€ 1 085,00
$1 210,00
£985,00
Extra Weeks
€ 230,00
$255,00
£210,00
Long Term p/week (min 8 weeks)
€ 210,00
$235,00
£190,00
Surcharge: Single room p/week
€ 55,00
$60,00
£50,00
Included in your volunteering fee:
Information and assistance before departure
Pick up on arrival and drop off at the end of your stay
A welcome pack with an information guide, free SIM card and maps
All meals
Accommodation in our beach front volunteer house
Daily transport to and from the projects
City Tour and Introduction Programme
Direct donation to the project
Volunteer support and coordinating
Free social activities
Excluded from your volunteering fee:
Personal luxuries such as snacks, cold drinks and alcohol.
Costs for weekend trips
Flight tickets
Insurance
Starting dates
Volunteering starts on a Monday. We will pick you up on the Monday morning either from the airport or you could come a couple of days earlier but your program will start on Monday. After the first introduction of the surroundings and a City Tour you will start at the project on the Tuesday.
Participation is per full week only and the project will be closed for about three weeks over Christmas and the New Year period.
Add Ons To Your Trip
10% OFF on your Nomad Africa tour when booking through Khaya
Nomad Africa Adventure Tours offers organized tours over Africa. Whether you’re young or young at heart, adventurous or more relaxed, it doesn’t matter, you will always find a fitting tour with them.
Their tours ensure you safety and give you the chance to meet new friends along the way. They are an exciting way of travelling that allows you to explore the country and its surroundings at affordable rates and without having to worry about anything yourself!
And we can make it even better. If you book your next Nomad Tour with Khaya, you will get a 10% off the tour price! We have picked a few of our favorites to combine with this project, check them out below!
10% OFF on your BazBus tour when booking through Khaya
Hop-on Hop-off backpacker bus. Door-to-door. Meet interesting people. Safe and fun way to travel around South Africa. Great alternative to car hire.
Check out their travel options on their site, BazBus. By booking your Bazbus travel with Khaya, you will receive a 10% discount. If interested, please contact us and we’ll help you further with great pleasure.
10% or 20% OFF on your CapeXtreme Adventure when booking through Khaya
The best adventure company in Cape Town! They organize action packed activities and overland tours in Cape Town. On top of that they also do trips from Cape Town to Addo and the Port Elizabeth Area.
Surfing, cage diving, sandboarding, skydiving, everything is possible with Cape Xtreme. You can see the Garden Route or enjoy a day visiting the cape peninsula, or what do you think of a daytrip to Stellenbosch and Paarl for the most amazing wine tastings?
As a Khaya Volunteer, you can get an amazing discount of 10 or 20% depending on the adventure you book. After confirming your booking with us, you will get a voucher code that will ensure you your discount. Simply go to their website CapeXtreme , choose your tour and date, insert the voucher code, proceed to check-out, make your payment online, and enjoy the trip!
15% OFF on your Mzansi Travel when booking through Khaya
The most comfortable & affordable way to do Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Travel Tickets in South Africa. Meet fellow travelers. Fun stops along the way! Travelling on a small budget? Then Mzansi is definitely something for you.
Get a 15% discount on direct tickets, hop-on hop-off tickets and Mzansi Passes. After confirming your stay with us, you will get a voucher code sent to you that you can use on all your Mzansi bookings. Just go to their website Mzansi Travel, make your booking online use the voucher code and off you go!
