Volunteering

Volunteer on the Garden Route South Africa

At Starling Village Backpackers we offer a variety of great volunteer programs for anyone who would like to make a difference while travelling and meeting likeminded travellers.

Our programs are affordable, fun and guarantee you will make a difference to disadvantage people or animals. Our programs are formulated so, you will have enough time to travel and explore South Africa.

The programs at Starling is set up in such away that you can build your own package and decide what and how much you want to spent on food, transport, activities and travel. All volunteers will stay at Starling Village Backpackers and can choose from a variety of accommodation options.

We will help you with arranging anything you may need while living in South Africa from car hire to travelling arrangements, food, activities, doctors and extending visas should you like to stay longer.

New Life Kids After School Programme

The New Life Kids after-school programme began in June 2008. It began with 18 children and has been rapidly growing. Currently, they have 120 children, between the ages of 3-18 years old.

The volunteer will support the children with art, traditional dance, choir, games, sports and will assisted with homework, a meal is provided to the children each day which the volunteer will help prepare.

The New Life Kids after school programme is a place of safety where children come to learn and play under the loving care of the dedicated staff and Volunteers.

The after school programme runs Monday to Friday from 14:00 to 18:00 The rest of the time the volunteers will be involved in raising funds, the feeding program and hospital/townships outreaches.

Volunteers are expected to work four days a week, so you have three days to travel. Volunteers are welcome to work more days a week and accumulate extra days for a nice holiday at the end of your stay.

Tenikwa Awareness and Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Tenikwa Wildlife Centre in Plettenberg Bay has a deeply rooted respect and love for the African landscape and its animals. They are passionate about their work and would like to share that with you. Be they big, small, spotted, and furry or feathered, the animals of Tenikwa will charm their way into your heart.

The Awareness Centre is open daily to tourists; they offer visitors and the community the opportunity to learn about South African indigenous animals. Many visitors are completely unaware of how fragile our eco-systems really is. At Tenikwa, they aim to develop an appreciation of the struggle for survival that these animals face in the wild and what we, as responsible individuals can do to assist.

A core function of Tenikwa is our fully registered Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre with a prime purpose of returning displaced or injured animals back to the wild. African Animals under rehabilitation are not viewed by the public because they need to retain a natural fear of humans if they stand a chance for survival in the wild. Tenikwa is also actively involved in the surrounding community to develop empathy towards wildlife and to question accepted practices and customs.