Volunteer with Cultural Embrace's H.U.G. South Africa program and support at-need children with physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and mental needs in Chinsta, South Africa. Volunteer activities include working at local crèches (community centers for poor and disadvantaged children aged 2-6 years old), or public local schools teaching computer literacy and sports, improving environmental and aesthetic conditions, gardening and environmental education.

Volunteers live in shared accommodations (two or three to a room), with meals included, in beautiful houses overlooking a beach and lagoon. Canoes and boogie boards are available, and the monkeys tend to visit daily. Breakfasts consist of buffet-style fresh fruit, cereals, tea and coffee. Lunch is usually a self-made sandwich and fruit. Dinners are home cooked sit down  meals.

Cultural Embrace's H.U.G. projects can be tailored to meet individual and group goals, budgets and schedules. Volunteers can sign up as individuals, join a prearranged C.E. group trip, or have C.E. customize a H.U.G. Kenya group trip. See below for more information on how to apply.

For first hand accounts of a H.U.G. experience, follow the adventures of past participants and learn more about our other international programs by reading the Cultural Embrace blog!

Equipped with Cultural Embrace's detailed curriculum and support, volunteers will have plenty of material to work with to guide the children to success. Volunteers are encouraged to bring along their own ideas and additional school supplies as well. Volunteers can expect to further C.E.'s community commitment to South Africa in the following ways:

1) Education: Working alongside a local non-profit organization, Cultural Embrace volunteers will work to support a computer literacy initiative. The main objective of the computer literacy program is to equalize education standards in rural and urban schools by improving computer literacy and preparing students to enter a demanding technological world. Through the computer program, lessons on all of the five H.U.G. program components will be taught to the children in interactive, engaging lessons.

2) Diversity and Leadership: The learning experience is two-fold as both volunteers and members of the community engage in cross-cultural interaction and have an opportunity to "Discover the Similarities, Share the Differences."

3) Environmental Conservation and Awareness: Our environmental service includes marine and coastal education, water sanitation, and playground development.

4) Healthy and Balanced Living: Through sports education, our volunteers also have an opportunity to guide students in developing discipline, teamwork, healthy lifestyle, and sports etiquette. Volunteers will also help prepare and serve healthy, balanced meals to the students.

5) Creativity: The children love to perform and do art projects and volunteers are always needed to bring new ideas and organize new creative projects.


Cultural Embrace Offers:

• Guaranteed Volunteer Placement Prior to Departure
  Cultural Embrace pre-arranges your volunteer project before you leave home to ensure an easy and hassle-free transition to your new life abroad.   
• Housing
  Basic accommodation is included. Volunteer housing may include: lodges, thatched log cabins, bamboo huts, camp sites, or homes, depending on the volunteer project. All meals are included, except on the first night of arrival (project dependent). 
• Visa Assistance
  Cultural Embrace will assist you with information to obtain a visa, but we have no control nor the ability to guarantee government issuance and/or visa availability.
• Arrival Assistance
  We will arrange an airport pick-up and transfer for you, depending on the project. Most projects will have accommodations arranged for first night on arrival in to host country. 
• Travel Insurance:  International Medical Coverage and Traveler's Insurance
  Our program includes international medical coverage at your volunteer location.
• Cultural Embrace Kit
  Useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the amazing adventure of living and working abroad.
• Full-time Representation
  Cultural Embrace provides representation in the United States and your host country prior to, during, and after your placement. 

---

2 weeks (minimum time required)	US $1830
Additional week	US $455

For more information about our H.U.G. South Africa group trip and to see a sample itinerary, click here.

**Can$, Aus$, Br£, Euros€ can be accepted with an additional service charge for currency conversion. 

 

---

1. Obtain Volunteer Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways: 

(a) Download the forms: Volunteer Application (pdf) and Volunteer in S. Africa Program Details (pdf)

(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be e-mailed to you within 2-3 days.

(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089 or Skype: Cultural.Embrace to have the forms mailed to you in 7-10 days.

2. Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.

3. Submit your completed application packet to:

CULTURAL EMBRACE
7201 Bill Hughes Road
Austin, TX 78745 USA 

Completed packet should include:
•    Volunteer Program Application
•    Signed Volunteer Program Agreement
•    Resume/CV
•    Cover Letter explaining why you want to teach abroad
•    Copy of your Bachelor's degree and other significant credentials
•    Copy of your passport (information page only)
•    Two Letters of Recommendations (your referrer can send it directly to us via post or email)
•    Two passport-size photos (with your name written on the back)
•    One full-length picture
•    Copy of Police background check
•    Medical report  testifying to your physical and mental fitness
•    US$250 non-refundable deposit (credited towards your program fee)

Upon receipt of your application, a Cultural Embrace coordinator will contact you for a 20-30 minutes phone interview. Once we accept you in to our program, you will receive an invoice for the remainder of your program fee. In order for us to contact our local partners to start your placement process, we require at least 50% of your program fee. To guide you throughout your placement process, take a look at our Steps of the Placement Process document.

We recommend submitting your application and program fee at least 12-16 weeks prior to your desired start date in order for us to organize and arrange your H.U.G. trip.

*Cultural Embrace requires an expedited application fee for those applying 12 weeks or less before the desired date of departure. Applications received 8-12 weeks prior to desired departure date will be charged $150. Applications received less than 8 weeks before the desired departure date will be charged $250.

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089 or Skype: Cultural.Embrace. And join our social media community, and follow our blogs, twitter, YouTube and Facebook.