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Volunteer programs in Zimbabwe

Available volunteer programs in Zimbabwe

  • Teaching volunteer program
  • Community volunteer program

What is included?

  • Accommodation
  • Airport pick-up and transport to the project site
  • 3 meals a day 7 days a week
  • City tour
  • 1 orientation day
  • Introduction to Zimbabwean culture
  • 24/7 support from local staff
  • Regular evaluation meetings
  • Volunteering certificate at the end of the program (upon request)

About Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe, formerly a British colony, gained its status as an independent state in 1980. Since this point onwards, the country has been walking on its own two feet. Zimbabwe is bordered by Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. It has a surface area of 886,037 square kilometres.

Shona and Ndebele are commonly spoken languages, while English is the official language of trade, administration and higher education.

Zimbabwe’s climate

The climate varies from one location to another. While the temperature at high altitudes is very mild, the eastern region is characterised by its humidity. The average temperature ranges from 27 to 29 degrees centigrade.

In the mountainous areas of the Mutare and Chimanimani regions, the temperature tends to fall below 23 degrees centigrade at night during the months of June and July. A wet season lasts from mid-November until December, when it only rains for a few hours during the day.

Time zone and currency in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe observes Central Africa Time all year.
The official currency is the Zimbabwean dollar (ZWN). 1 euro equates to 1.09 WZN. However, the exchange rate fluctuates all the time, depending on the value of the currency on any given day.

Where are the volunteer programs located?

The volunteer programs take place in the city of Mutare, which is located close to the border with Mozambique. Mutare is famous for its green landscapes and natural features. The Bvumba Nature Resort is one of its biggest attractions.

Airport

Volunteers need to make their own way to the Harare International Airport (airport code HRE), where they will be picked up by our local staff and subsequently transported to their accommodation.

Costs

The price of the volunteer program starts at €195 for 1 week. You can consult all of the costs in Program Costs.

The volunteer can participate in the program for just one week, with an extra cost of 70 euros.

Start/Duration

Volunteer programs in Zimbabwe start every Sunday:

Volunteers must arrive in Zimbabwe on the Sunday of their arrival date between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. to be picked up at the airport. Volunteers can participate in the volunteer program for a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 3 months. If the volunteer arrives outside the scheduled pickup time/day, they will have to bear a cost of approximately €100 for the transportation.

It’s worth taking this into account!

The meals included in the project/destination will be provided at the accommodation. Meals will not be included for the journeys to the destination, the excursions undertaken by volunteers, etc.

The stay begins as soon as the volunteer is picked up at the destination.

The stipulated pick-up times for each destination/project must be respected. Volunteers who arrive outside of this day/window will have to pay an additional cost, depending on the destination.

Requirements

  • Volunteers must be older than 17 at the beginning of the volunteer program.

Gastronomy

Zimbabwean cuisine is intriguingly simple, and is based mainly on basic foods. The most common of these is sadza, a thick porridge made from white maize flour.

Sadza is for Zimbabwean people what rice is for Asian people. This features in every meal and is served with meat, sauce, vegetables and beans. It normally assumes the shape of a meatball.

Tourist attractions in Zimbabwe

Volunteers who come to work on programs in Zimbabwe will have the chance to enjoy the country’s natural wonders during their free time. Zimbabwe has multiple rivers, where volunteers can go rafting, canoeing or sailing. Zimbabwe is also home to large tourist resorts and green, natural landscapes. These include: Victoria Falls, Harare, Bulawayo and the Matobo National Park, amongst others.

Volunteers can also make the most of the opportunity to go on a safari and camping trip in the Mana Pools National Park or in the Sapi and Chewore safari areas.

Teaching volunteer program – Zimbabwe

Every child has the right to a quality education. Those who lack the opportunity to attend an educational institution can suffer long-term, irreversible consequences, potentially trapping them in poverty. Children are well aware that English can serve as a crucial tool for their future, enabling effective communication with others and enhancing their job prospects. You will be assisting in teaching English to the children at the school. English classes should be kept basic and clear, as the majority of the children do not yet speak the language. Due to limited resources and teaching materials, it is crucial to plan and organize new lessons. You will have the opportunity to either lead your own classes or work as a teaching assistant. You can choose to teach subjects that align with your profile and expertise. English lessons should remain basic and straightforward since most of the children are still learning the language. Your classes may vary depending on your background and training. The school and the children greatly appreciate your support in after-school extracurricular activities. Volunteers will be responsible for various activities, which may change over time. In general, volunteers' responsibilities include:
  • Teaching the children
  • Assisting the children with their homework
  • Helping during lunctime
  • Organizing entertainment activities for the children
  • Planning games and other activities.
  • Conducting sports coaching sessions for the children.
  • Teaching the children about the importance of personal hygiene
IMPORTANT: The above-mentioned activities will not be conducted daily but will depend on the specific needs of each activity. The work schedule will be defined and implemented according to the project's requirements and will follow the decisions of the technical team. NOTE OF INTEREST: Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own materials, pre-planned activities, games, art supplies, English-language books, educational toys, drawing or painting materials, etc. Please note that the school will be closed during August and from December to January due to school holidays.
Do you want to take part in this program? Apply

Community development volunteer program – ZIMBABWE

Volunteers will engage in various activities within the community, assisting with the tasks that families undertake daily. This promises an authentic African experience! This program is designed for volunteers seeking tranquility and a willingness to contribute to the most pressing tasks at any given time. The program offers an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in the local culture and understand the challenges it faces. Many elderly community members are eager to acquire English and business skills but lack the means to attend formal schooling. Women also have a strong desire to learn, but societal obligations often confine them to their homes, where they fulfill their roles by caring for children and managing household chores. Volunteers will gain insights into the local way of life and become more acquainted with the needs of this population. Activities. Volunteers will visit the most vulnerable families in the community, observe the various challenges they face, and work on developing solutions to address them. The most common issues include poor hygiene and a low standard of education. Volunteers will actively participate in assessing community problems and assisting in their development. They will also plan and generate ideas to support underprivileged children. Participants in this program will contribute to community education, which is a particularly effective way of reaching young people and providing career guidance to orphaned children. IMPORTANT: The above-mentioned activities will not be conducted daily and will depend on the specific needs of each activity. The work schedule will be defined and implemented in accordance with the project's requirements and the decisions of the technical team. NOTE OF INTEREST: Volunteers are welcome to bring their own materials, pre-planned activities, games, art supplies, English-language books, educational toys, drawing or painting materials, etc. The program is open year-round.
Do you want to take part in this program? Apply

IMPORTANT: Drinks are not included in the accommodation. The cost of drinks will be assumed by the volunteer.

It is recommended to bring a mosquito net and a sleeping bag for this type of accommodation.

Meals

The 3 meals will be provided by local staff (families). Volunteers will be able to enjoy typical Zimbabwean cuisine, which is similar to the gastronomy of many African countries. During their stay in Zimbabwe, volunteers will have the chance to enjoy many different flavours and dishes. If the volunteer wishes to eat outside the accommodation, the Green Coucal restaurant serves food for all tastes and budgets.

If you have any special dietary requirements (e.g. you’re vegetarian), please give us advanced notice of this so that we can cater for your needs. However, volunteers shouldn’t expect to eat what they normally do at home. We’ll do everything possible to ensure that the volunteers are well looked after, but we also ask them to be flexible. With this, we’re referring to typical African cuisine, which is served in the volunteer accommodation in Zimbabwe.

Accommodation with host families

By living with a host family, volunteers are able to socialise with other volunteers while experiencing what it’s like to live with a Zimbabwean family.

Volunteers will have a great opportunity to learn more about local culture, witnessing how families live in a traditional Zimbabwean household.

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UNIVERSITY PRACTICES

Our volunteers will be able to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.

What does volunteering focused on university practices involve?

At Cooperating Volunteers, we make agreements with different universities to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.

The specialties we work with are extensive: medical volunteering, nursing, education, social work, psychology, physiotherapy, engineering, architecture…

The practices can be carried out in our designated destinations for this purpose, as well as in Spain.

If you choose an international destination, it’s a unique way to live an unforgettable and enriching experience, as you will have the opportunity to continue your education in another country, with a completely different culture.

Stepping out of our comfort zone and being part of the various projects at the destination will allow us to grow both personally and professionally, creating a more extensive curriculum.

And we are fully convinced that this experience will accompany you throughout your life.

You will be able to visit hospitals, schools, centers, orphanages, and participate directly and actively in the daily lives of all those people at the destination, always accompanied by other professionals willing to collaborate hand in hand with you and guide you in daily tasks.

If your university is not part of the agreement with Cooperating Volunteers, you can contact cristina@cooperatingvolunteers.com so that we can get in touch and make this experience a reality. 

CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING

Corporate volunteering consists of tailored programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills.

It is proven that teamwork directly impacts productivity. 

Collective effort surpasses individual capabilities, promotes diversity of skills, stimulates creativity, and facilitates problem-solving in the face of various challenges.

Therefore, it not only maximizes efficiency but also enriches the work environment.

We conduct corporate volunteering programs that consist of customized programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills, improve performance, and foster unity among employees.

We tailor projects to the corporate identity and size of the company, and we can adjust them to any destination and time of the year.

The advantages of corporate volunteering include:

  • Improving communication.
  • Group unity.
  • Cultural integration in different situations.
  • Employee training.
  • Increased Corporate Social Responsibility.

The future is aligned with a more responsible society, and participating in social projects positions our company among the list of revolutionary businesses that want to be part of the change.

If you resonate with this message, corporate volunteering is a unique experience both individually and collectively, and at Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the process to make it a unique journey.

FAMILY VOLUNTEERING

Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. 

Spending quality time with family and being able to disconnect from our hectic routines is not only enriching but also necessary.

Sometimes we forget to communicate, connect, and dedicate time to each other. Each one of us lives focused on our jobs, schools… And it’s necessary to find the opportunity to pause and take care of ourselves.

Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. And of course, it creates lifelong positive memories.

At Cooperating Volunteers, we suggest moving away from those ‘more superficial’ trips (which can also be fantastic), but we invite you to live this experience to bring out our most empathetic and humanitarian side.

Family volunteering gives us the opportunity to be part of a positive impact, promoting values of solidarity and social responsibility.

There are many families who choose to experience these trips focused on cooperation and direct involvement with different communities around the world, where living conditions are very different and sometimes entirely precarious.

Projects are tailored to different ages, allowing us to work together.

An incredible way to fill our suitcase with memories, learning, and knowledge.

And although stepping out of our comfort zone often feels daunting, we assure you firsthand that it’s worth it.

At Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the entire experience, from start to finish, to make it unforgettable.

SENIOR VOLUNTEERING

At Cooperating Volunteers, we believe it’s never too late for anything, especially for volunteering and living a unique and unforgettable experience.

There are many people, increasingly so, who opt for responsible travel that involves social work.

Accustomed to organized and mostly touristic trips, at Cooperating Volunteers, we want to advocate for a more enriching experience, one that transforms us from within and allows us to be part of the change the world needs to see.

We can adapt both the destination and the duration of our projects to fit your needs.

It’s an opportunity full of emotions that allows us to significantly contribute to different communities and their evolution. And you can participate in different areas such as education, social support, or assistance in different centers.

Some of the benefits include:

  • Sense of purpose: Provides a sense of purpose by contributing your skills and experiences to meaningful causes.
  • Emotional well-being: Reduces feelings of isolation and establishes social connections.
  • Personal development: It’s continuous learning, skill development, and discovering new activities while keeping the mind-body active.
  • Physical health: Keeping active.
  • Stress reduction: The act of helping others reduces stress and contributes to mental health.

Living this experience will undoubtedly be a before and after. 

SOCIAL VOLUNTEERING

A volunteering initiative with leadership and impact through the educational action program.

When we talk about social volunteering, we refer to all those actions and activities carried out altruistically, selflessly, and with the aim of addressing multiple problems and needs of different communities, always focused on education and self-sufficiency.

Education is essential because it provides the tools and knowledge necessary for personal, social, and economic development.

Our goal is to create self-sufficient communities and provide opportunities for the future personal development of each member. The message is not to ‘give’, but to accompany in the process of training for self-managed provision.

At Cooperating Volunteers, many of our destinations and projects embrace this type of volunteering. Some of our projects include: community programs, education, women’s empowerment…

And although they are completely different from each other, they share a single objective: progress towards a society that can embrace us all in the same way.

If you are someone who is restless, who needs to see a change in the future, volunteering is an experience tailor-made for you.