Zimbabwe

Location:Harare, Zimbabwe

Dates:
28 May – 8 July 2012 – 6 week program
Cost: USD2295 or GBP1485

*SPECIAL OFFER – Secure your placement before 31 January 2012 and get $150 discount

2 July – 28 July 2012 – 4 week program
Cost: USD1585 or GBP1025

*SPECIAL OFFER – Secure your placement before 31 January 2012 and get $150 discount

Harare is the capital city of Zimbabwe and home to 1.6 million people, living in a country with the lowest life-expectancy on the planet (34) due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and perhaps the worst economic crisis in recent history. Despite these horrific statistics, Zimbabwe is a peaceful, beautiful country – a country that was once the breadbasket of Southern Africa. In this traumatic socio-economic climate, Zimbabwe remains open to the gospel and has long been considered the gem of the continent. Being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls, as well as Hwange National Park (a game reserve the size of Belgium), it is a haven for travelers, game viewers and adventurers from around the globe. Unfortunately, it is also home to one million orphans (amongst many other issues), and so there is a great need for volunteers to come and assist in various orphanages and school.

ACTS Volunteers work with various different local projects and church–based initiatives. The love, time and resources poured into these projects by ACTS Volunteers massively support and empower the local ministry teams, who continue the work after volunteers have left, ensuring that the ministry done is sustainable and effective.

The exact ministry schedule will be determined by our ministry coordinators and will be adjusted closer to the time, so as to best meet the exact needs of the communities we serve in. As we get to you know you and the team, we will adjust the schedule to play to the teams strengths. Generally speaking, ministry opportunities will include:
 
Orphan Care:
Zimbabwe has an estimated 5 million children and according to the UN, 1.6 million are orphans – that’s almost one in three! In serving in this area we have adopted and work closely with a number of homes that look to cater for the needs of these vulnerable children. The various homes focus on children of differing ages, ranging from abandoned babies to school leavers.
 
The nature of the orphan care varies, but there are opportunities for a huge variety of skills and passions. Involvement usually includes child tutoring, playing games, mentoring, life-skills training, sport coaching, maintenance of the often dilapidated homes, Bible studies, day trips and outings for the kids. At times various homes don’t know where their next meal will come from, and so we show care by simple things such as cooking a meal.
 
Vulnerable Children Care:
The orphan crisis is so enormous that many kids are not able to stay in one of the children’s homes or orphanages. For these kids, often living on the street, we play a role in offering schooling and a balanced meal. There is also opportunity for children’s clubs at which adult mentoring, HIV and AIDS education and support groups are offered.
 
Youth Ministry
We partner with a number of churches in organising and running evening youth events. These are cross-cultural events serving all race groups, rich and poor. Many young adults leave the country to pursue opportunities elsewhere and never return. As a result, youth lack mentors that are a little older and that are in a position to speak into their lives, while still being able to relate.
 
We have open doors into most government and private schools at which we are able to teach life-skills classes, speak at Scripture Union club and reach out to the kids generally. This is often a useful avenue through which to invite youth to evening youth events.
 
Compassion Ministry
With the collapse of social services, the poor and destitute have no source of state assistance. This is a great opportunity for the church to step up and demonstrate the love of Christ. This is a broad area of ministry, but includes feeding widows, visiting the sick, sharing meals with the homeless and a variety of other initiatives.

ZIMBABWE YOUTH AND ORPHAN CARE SUMMER PROJECT – 6 WEEK

Full Itinerary

Project Arrival:
You must make sure that your flight arrives at Harare International Airport on either the 27th or 28th of May. Upon arrival, you will be met by an ACTS representative who will be holding an ACTS sign as you exit the arrival hall. From there you will be transported 25 minutes to your project accommodation.

Week 1: Monday, 28 May 2012 – Friday, 1 June 2012
The first part of your week will be spent on giving you a practical orientation and briefing on what the next few weeks will en-tail. A tour of some of the initiatives, team building, cross-cultural training and ministry overview set the focus for the first part of this week. To the end of the week you will receive a ministry schedule for the next couple of days. Friday will be spent doing more ‘hands-on’ ministry at one of the initiatives.

Saturday, 2 June 2012
Scheduled weekend excursion. Today we travel 90 km East of the Capital City to a private game lodge called Chengeta Safari Lodge. Here we will spend the day enjoying a buffet lunch and your choice of two pre-included activities (horse ride, clay pigeon shooting, game drives, elephant interaction, etc).

Sunday, 3 June 2012
This is your day to take some much needed rest and get out and about in the city. There are a number of excellent churches within close walking distance of your accommodation base.

Week 2: Monday, 4 June 2012 – Friday, 8 June 2012
Follow ministry schedule (as per the above ministry description)

Saturday, 9 June 2012 – Sunday, 10 June 2012
After another busy week we head off 275 km to Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands, overlooking Mozambique. Here you can put your feet up and read a book while enjoying a log fire, explore the indigenous forests in search on indigenous of birds and Sanga monkeys, or visit the famous Leopard Rock Hotel about which the Queen of England said, “Surely there can be no more beautiful place in all of Africa”. Leopard Rock also boasts a famous golf course, hiking trails and an impressive ‘high tea’.

Week 3: Monday, 11 June 2012 – Friday, 15 June 2012
Follow ministry schedule (as per the above ministry description)

Saturday, 16 June 2012
Today we visit a number of markets in Harare including ‘Doon Estate’, known for its souvenirs, traditional crafts, artwork and pottery.

Sunday, 17 June 2012
Another Sunday of rest. Take a tour, play some golf, hang out with new found friends or visit church with us.

Week 4: Monday, 18 June 2012 – Friday, 22 June 2012
Follow ministry schedule (as per the above ministry description)

Saturday, 23 June 2012
After a relaxed morning, this afternoon we will head North out of the city into rural communal land, where we will have a sundowner and a picnic supper at one of Harare’s favourite sunset spots.

Sunday, 24 June 2012
Sadly this will be our last Sunday in Harare, during which you can relax and catch up with new found church friends ahead of the final ministry week.
Week 5: Monday, 25 June 2012 – Friday, 29 June 2012
Follow ministry schedule (As per the above ministry description)

Saturday, 30 June 2012
Today we have a special treat for you. We will travel deep into communal lands, where we will spend the night in an African village and attend a village church the following morning.

Sunday, 1 July 2012
This promises to be a full and action packed day. Following the rural church meeting we will leave the village, passing through Harare to collect our bags en-route to Antelope Park in the town of Gweru. We expect to arrive in the late afternoon as the sun is setting over the lake opposite the camp. Be sure to listen out for distant lion roaring during the night, an adventure awaits…

Week 6: Monday, 2 June 2012 – Friday, 6 June 2012
We awake at Antelope Park to three days of African wilderness adventure. After our breakfast a guide will talk us through some of the many activities on offer. Antelope Park is world famous for its lion breeding program and was the base for the documentary series “Lion Country”. The park is home to a wide variety of antelope and bird species. Pre-included in your stay is your choice of one of the following activities– cub viewing, game drive, cub feeding, elephant interaction, horse safari and carriage ride. Extra activities such as lion walks, sunset cruises, canoe use and elephant swims are optional.

Saturday, 7 July 2012
As our time in Zimbabwe draws to a close, we return to Harare for our final night.

Sunday, 8 July 2012
Having said some sad goodbyes, we will take you to the airport for your return flight home.

**Please note that your return flights needs to be booked so that you depart from Harare International Airport on the 8th of July 2012. If you are only able to book your return flight for the 9th of July 2012 ,then ACTS Africa will be more than happy to help you to make alternative accommodation and airport transport arrangements for the extra night, and a transfer to the airport in the morning. This will be at an extra cost and needs to be arranged prior to your arrival. Add on trips to Victoria Falls can be arranged at the end of your stay, in which case flying home from Victoria Falls would be more appropriate.

Accommodation
Our volunteer house is a comfortable and safe home shared with other volunteers during your time here. You may be required to share ablutions and bedroom with other volunteers of the same sex. All bedding is provided, unless there are a large number of volunteers on the project simultaneously. Should you need to bring your own bedding, your project facilitator will inform you nearer to the time of your arrival. All meals and transportation to and from your projects will be provided and organised by your volunteer coordinator. Laundry is not included, but can be done for you at the project for a small fee. ACTS staff are also available to organize additional tourist activities, which will be at your own cost.

Meals
All meals will be provided for you by ACTS staff during your stay at various houses, camps and while travelling between sites.

Includes:
• Transfer from the airport in Harare to the project accommodation in Newlands
• Orientation and introductions to project work
• All daily transportation to and from the ministry and included tours
• Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day at your accommodation
• Assistance in your projects by our volunteer coordinators. Full support from ACTS throughout your time at your placement
• 10 % donation of your project fee, which entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with
• Sightseeing on Saturdays include Dombashawa, Doon Estate, Chengeta Safari Lodge (including 2 activities there)
A weekend away to the Eastern Highlands
• 4 day Antelope Park adventure vacation, including 1 medium budget activity.
• An over-night village stay

Excludes:
• Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement (expected to include cover for repatriation)
• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
• Telephone calls and soft drinks
• All visas
• Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Zimbabwe
• Any flights
• Optional activities
• Meals not mentioned in the tour itinerary

ZIMBABWE YOUTH AND ORPHAN CARE SUMMER PROJECT – 4 WEEK

Project Arrival:
You must make sure that you flight arrive at Harare International Airport on either the 30th of June or the 1st of July . Upon arrival, you will be met by an ACTS representative who will be holding an ACTS sign as you exit the arrival hall . From there you will be transported 25 minutes to your project accommodation .

Week 1: Monday, 2 July 2012 – Friday, 6 July 2012
The first part of your week will be spent on giving you a practical orientation and briefing on what the next few weeks will en-tail. A tour of some of the initiatives, team building, cross-cultural training and ministry overview set the focus for the first part of this week. To the end of the week you will receive a ministry schedule for the next couple of days. Friday will be spent doing more ‘hands-on’ ministry at one of the initiatives.

Saturday, 7 July 2012
Scheduled weekend excursion. Today we travel 90 km East of the Capital City to a private game lodge called Chengeta Safari Lodge. Here we will spend the day enjoying a buffet lunch and your choice of two pre-included activities (horse ride, clay pigeon shooting, game drives, elephant interaction, etc).

Sunday, 8 July 2012
This is your day to take some much needed rest and get out and about in the city. There are a number of excellent churches within close walking distance of your accommodation base.

Week 2: Monday, 9 July 2012 – Friday, 13 July 2012
Follow ministry schedule (as per the above ministry description)

Saturday, 14 July 2012
Today we visit a number of markets in Harare, including ‘Doon Estate’, known for its souvenirs, traditional crafts, artwork and pottery. This afternoon we will head North out of the city into rural communal land where we will have a picnic supper at one of locals favourite sunset spots

Sunday, 15 July 2012
Another Sunday of rest. Take a tour, play some golf, hang out with new found friends or visit church with us.

Week 3: Monday, 16 July 2012 – Friday, 20 July 2012
Follow ministry schedule (as per the above ministry description)

Saturday, 21 July 2012 & Sunday, 22 July 2012
Today we have a special treat for you. We will travel deep into communal lands, where we will spend the night in an African village and attend a village church the following morning.

Another Sunday of rest. Take a tour, play some golf, hang out with new found friends or visit church with us.

Monday, 23 July 2012
Today we will visit some of your favourite ministry initiatives, saying goodbye and readying ourselves for our safari

Tuesday, 24 July 2012 – Thursday, 26 July 2012
An adventure awaits, this morning we travel for 4 hours into the interior where we will be staying in rooms at Antelope Park. Once settled in, our guide will talk us through some of the many activities on offer. Antelope Park is world famous for its lion breeding program and was the base for the documentary series “Lion Country”. The park is home to a wide variety of antelope and bird species. Pre-included in your stay is your choice of one of the following activities – cub viewing, game drive, cub feeding, elephant interaction, horse safari and carriage ride. Extra activities such as lion walks, sunset cruises, canoe use and elephant swims are optional.

Friday, 27July 2012
As our time in Zimbabwe draws to a close, we return to Harare for our final night.

Sunday, 28 July 2012
Having said some sad goodbyes, we will take you to the airport for your return flight home.

**Please note that your return flights needs to be booked so that you depart from Harare International Airport on the 28th July 2012. If you are only able to book your return flight for the 29th July 2012 ,then ACTS Africa will be more than happy to help you to make alternative accommodation and airport transport arrangements for the extra night, and a transfer to the airport in the morning. This will be at an extra cost and needs to be arranged prior to your arrival. Add on trips to Victoria Falls can be arranged at the end of your stay, in which case flying home from Victoria Falls would be more appropriate.

Includes:
• Transfer from the nearest airport in Harare to the project accommodation in Newlands
• Orientation and introductions to project work
• All daily transportation to and from the ministry and included tours
• Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day at your accommodation
• Assistance in your projects by our volunteer coordinators. Full support from ACTS throughout your time at your Zimbabwe placement
• 10 % donation of your project fee, which entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with
• Sightseeing on Saturdays include Dombashawa, Doon Estate, Chengeta Safari Lodge (including 2 activities there).
• 5 day Antelope Park adventure vacation, including 1 medium budget activity.
• An over-night village stay
 
Excludes:
• Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement (expected to include cover for repatriation)
• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
• Telephone calls and soft drinks
• All visas
• Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Zimbabwe
• Any flights
• Optional activities
• Meals not mentioned in the tour itinerary

Dates:
28 May – 8 July 2012 – 6 week program
Cost: USD2295 or GBP1485

*SPECIAL OFFER – Secure your placement before 31 January 2012 and get $150 discount

2 July – 28 July 2012 – 4 week program
Cost: USD1585 or GBP 1025

*SPECIAL OFFER – Secure your placement before 31 January 2012 and get $150 discount

Project costs include

• Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as teaching materials, sports equipment, supplies, etc.
• Transfer from the airport or bus station in Zimbabwe to the project accommodation in Harare
• Orientation and introductions to project work upon your arrival
• All daily transportation to and from the project
• Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day at your accommodation
• Assistance in your projects by various ministry- and ACTS volunteer coordinators
• Full support from ACTS coordinator throughout your time at your Harare placement

Project costs exclude

• Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement (expected to include cover for repatriation)
• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
• Email/Internet, telephone calls and soft drinks
• All visas, including entry visas and visas for border crossings (on extra excursions)
• Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary
• Transport after hours and on weekends

Zimbabwe Photo Gallery           (click on photo to enlarge, click again to close)

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