Be part of the team that halts the HIV/AIDS virus in its tracks! South Africa has been hit hard by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Many South Africans who are inflicted with the disease are living without medical treatment, and have become social outcasts. Due to this deadly disease, many families have also been plunged into poverty as they lose their sole breadwinners. There have been campaigns to stop the rate of infection but many have been unsuccessful. Our Local HIV/AIDS projects are fully supported by schools, churches, local clinics, social services and the district office for social development, as well as UNICEF. Volunteers will be assisting caretakers and working with HIV/AIDS support groups which run awareness programs. Volunteers can also help in promoting workshops addressing how to live with a positive HIV/AIDS diagnosis and also addressing legalities and human right concerns surrounding HIV/AIDS patients. Volunteers will counsel HIV/AIDS infected people and help rehabilitate them in their family and society. This will strengthen the social structure. The support groups and awareness programs run by this project will restore self esteems in hopeless patients and their relatives. Also, the project will provide substantial help in checking the rapid spread of this disease. Volunteer in South Africa, and be part of the team that contributes to the fight against the virus. While you’re there, take the opportunity to explore the renowned wildlife safaris or hike Mt Kilimanjaro!

As a volunteer working in the HIV/AIDS project in South Africa, you will be providing care to patients infected with the diseases and also engage the community in educational and training activities. Depending on your skills, experience and interests, and also the needs of the local staff, your daily activities involve, but are not limited to:

• Counseling infected patients
• Travel with organization to educate communities
• Help organization give presentations
• Help in daily activities at health clinic
• Educating locals
• Assisting clinics/hospitals
• Increasing the personal risk perception through active participation in HIV/AIDS preventive education in the community
• Assisting community HIV/AIDS organizations with outreach programs such as hospice care, recreational and educational programs
• Treat small opportunistic diseases such as headaches, stomach aches, skin diseases or diarrhea
• Assisting with voluntary HIV counseling and testing
• Organizing and leading educational seminars and conferences about the virus
• Providing friendship to patients
• Take part in support groups for those who are infected
• Assisting local organizations with administrative and organizational tasks
• Fundraising
• Promote human rights and discourage discrimination
• Lead lessons on personal hygiene
• Promote health education and nutrition

By volunteering in South Africa, you'll be working alongside the local professionals to spread awareness and prevention knowledge to the community. New Hope works with the grassroots communities that are actively initiating programs that are creating awareness halting the spread of the disease. With your help, these organizations can reach out to more people through awareness and prevention campaigns. This project is very challenging, but extremely enriching for participants. This is also the perfect opportunity for you to gain experience in the healthcare industry in Africa. You'll also be able to learn about the medical system in a developing country, and gain better understanding on how healthcare is perceived.

There is no specific education, experience, skills and/or qualifications needed to join our fight against HIV/AIDS in a volunteer project. However, your understanding of the South African culture and lifestyle can help improve the experience for both you and your patients. Consider enrolling in our one-week Language & Cultural Immersion program.

Those with medical credentials will be able to help according to your certifications. If you are interested in the healthcare field, this is a good opportunity to gain professional experience. Volunteers are expected to be flexible and patient as well as passionate and have love for the poor and HIV-infected people of South Africa. Volunteers will also need to be open-minded and will need to respect to local culture and customs.

The project is located in the capital city of South Africa, Cape Town. Not only is Cape Town South Africa’s second largest city, it is also the most popular tourist destination in all of Africa. Cape Town is the quintessential melting pot of South Africa; a city alive with creativity, color, sounds, and tastes. When strolling through the city streets of Cape Town, you will fall in love with the natural beauties that surround you, the creative freedom of the locals, and the ambiance of it all.

There is a lot to do and see in your free time in and around Cape Town. You can visit many popular sites such as Table Mountain National Park, City Bowl, various popular beaches, Chapman’s Peak Drive, The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Two Oceans Aquarium, and much more. You can also see places like Bo Kaap, a historical area inhabited by slaves from the Southeast, also known for colorful buildings, quaint streets, mosques, and the prettiest views of Cape Town. The Castle of Good Hope, the oldest surviving building is another attraction you can visit. There is also the Kistenbosch botanical gardens and Robben Island, two ocean aquariums if you are into glimpsing wildlife and water. You will never get tired of visiting and exploring the beautiful city! If your weekends are free, you can also take trips to the wine countries like Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Frankschoek.