Our partner in the UK has been providing volunteer programs for 16 years to more than 5,000 people from 32 countries. Destinations for these volunteers are: China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand and Uganda.

Volunteers can teach core subjects and extracurricular activities, coach sports, conservation / environmental projects, wildlife monitoring, rural school construction and seasonal activities in local villages, among other activities.

According to our partner: "If you're after a foreign city experience with modern conveniences and nightlife to enjoy, we're not for you. If you want total immersion in a culture that will teach you to appreciate the really important things in life, we can help.

Try working in some of the world's poorest communities to discover what many have learnt before you - that rural people who own very little are the most generous and welcoming ... and have the broadest smiles.

They will also teach you far more than you can imagine but you have to experience it to know truly what we mean! We offer volunteer teaching, sports coaching, and community, environment and conservation placements for groups of up to 30 in Africa, Asia and Latin America."

TYPES OF VOLUNTEER PROJECTS AVAILABLE

Teaching: Volunteer teaching projects are available in all African countries where program is offered (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and South Africa), in the Indian Himalayas (Darjeeling and with the rural Lepcha community), Nepal, western China, northern Thailand and Mexico. Teaching placements are for three to five months, mostly in rural schools.

Coaching Sports: You can teach PE and coach sports in all of the countries offered, although it is only really in China, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Malawi that a genuine sports culture exists around schools. The majority of schools are Primary level, so you would mostly be working with 9 - 11 year old children. There are some secondary level schools where rugby, higher-level football and basketball are available. Most schools will love it if you are able to help with football and netball/basketball or volleyball as part of other teaching duties. All Gap Year sports coaching takes place outside school hours, covering some or all of the following activities: PE-Football-Rugby-Hockey-Cricket-Netball-Volleyball-Basketball-Athletics-Rounders

Environment, Community and Conservation: We try to provide as much variety in our volunteering experiences as possible. Our projects take place in villages in the Taru Desert and Conservancies of Kenya; the rainforests of Ecuador; and the turtle-laying, Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica. All of our volunteering experiences provide sustainable projects that include and benefit the communities that surround them. As with all gap year programs, work is followed by play...lots of it! It takes place as our volunteers travel in smaller groups around the region, taking in as much as possible. And, as always, all projects include a five-day safari/adventure.

PARTICIPANT QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

No particular qualification is required. However, CICD and our partner seek adaptable, committed and resilient volunteers with great personalities and a sense of humor!

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation varies from country to country and community to community, that is the nature of the developing world. "Accommodation is very basic, usually with no running water and, at best, intermittent electricity; bedrooms may be shared."

PROGRAM COST INCLUDES:

Prices include: all pre-departure information, a telephone interview, an online health check through InterHealth, accommodation, meals throughout the project stage, safaris and activities included in the itinerary, a donation towards the local project, transport and in-country back-up. If you have a group of friends who would like to volunteer with you, we offer £100/$150 per head discount on all groups of 5 or more.

Additional costs to budget:

• Return airfare to/from your project
• Your entry visa
• Travel insurance
• Vaccination/medication
• Spending money for weekends and independent travel

REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

For more information and to receive an application form, please complete our online inquiry form.