Set
in the middle of Kayalethu township in South
Africa you’ll find a colourful Rastafarian
community. They are turning neighbouring land
into a garden of eden which benefits and uplifts
the local community and eco-system. You will
get to know Maxie, Paul and Leo while you help
them maintain their eco-reserve and rehabilitate
the local river system.
Necessary Skills:
Apart from a positive, open minded enthusiasm...
not much! Being moderately physically fit will
ensure you enjoy a project to the fullest as
there is often manual labour involved. Applicants
should have an interest in new cultures & the
environment as well as working with communities
in a third world country.
What You'll Experience:
Visiting the Kayalethu Township is always an
eye opening experience. The houses are brightly
painted, cows wander across the road and many
of parts of it have incredible lagoon and forest
views. The Rastafarian Community is situated
on a north facing hill looking onto a project
that they can truly be proud of: The Kayalethu
River Trail. You will be working side by side
with various members of the Rastafarian community,
including Maxie, the head of the community,
Leo and Paul- the extremely entertaining and
knowledgeable trail guides.
Through the growth of the township and development
in the area as well as the massive introduction
to non-indigenous pine and gum trees in the area,
the natural fynbos and forest habitat has been
under threat! The Rasta community is active in
conservation and awareness issues in the townships
and thought their eco project, they are creating
a sense of pride in the community. The rehabilitated
area is drawing back indigenous animal species
including sunbirds and small duiker.
Duties include:
Removal of alien invasive species
Planting indigenous species
Mending paths and walkways
Clearing river debris
Facilitating groups of tourists from abroad and
surrounding communities
The Team:
You will be hosted by The Conservation Co. Team
on arrival and during your stay. We will provide
you will all the training and support necessary
for the Rasta project. Maxie and Paul or another
member of the Rasta Community will work with
you during the day on several aspects of the
eco-reserve.
For more information on the Knysna Rasta Community, click
here
Work Hours:
We work a full day from Monday to Friday. That
means that you will have two days off a week
to explore the area and catch up on your sun-bathing.
Accommodation and Surrounds:
There will be very little "roughing it" on
this project. We place volunteers in fantastic
backpackers quite literally on the beach! Buffalo
Bay Backpackers is located next to a marine
reserve and close to Buffalo Bay Beach which
is the most popular surfing beach in the area.
Optional Trips:
We offer an optional five day trip to Storms
river mouth and Addo Elephant Park. Experience
the majesty of the Addo Elephant National Park.
This is the only national park in the world
where there is a possibility of seeing the
Big 7! Home to the world"s most concentrated
population of elephant, the Addo NP is renowned
for its beauty and now has been extended to
include a large stretch of marine reserve.
Visitors may be exposed to the Big Five: Elephant,
Buffalo, Lion, Leopard and Rhino, as well as
the Blue and Southern Right Whales which migrate
along the eastern coast.
The drive up to Addo is through the pristine
Tsitsikama forest and the Eastern Cape Farmlands.
We stop over at Storms River Mouth where there
is the option to Bungee Jump the Highest Bungee
in the Southern Hemisphere! You can also tube
down the black water river, walk in the tree
canopy and snorkel. We will be staying in chalets
in the Storms River Mouth Reserve - one of the
most beautiful marine-forest reserves in the
area!
This optional trip will cost US $350 including
all transport, accommodation, food, game drives
and guided hikes in Addo Elephant Park. Excludes:
extra activites such as bungee jumping, blackwater
tubing, etc. |
