Zimworkcamps - Important Points

Participants should arrive at least two days before the camp starts for orientation (board & lodge) at their own cost and they should not travel direct to the camp before coming to Z.W.A office. It is also important to note that project locations may change due to several reasons. There might be few applications for participation, late cancellations by volunteers or community failing to make its contribution to the project in the last minute, and finally insecure situations. On arrival at the airport, please take a taxi to our office, which is right in the city center of HARARE. It will cost you around...PLEASE NOTE: Do not leave your baggage with the taxi driver.

Food and Accommodation

This is normally provided for the duration of the project. Most of our projects are self-catering (unless it is stated otherwise) and sufficient funds are provided for the group to buy and cook food together as a family. Please bring with you traditional recipes that do not require particularly special ingredients. Accommodation is usually in classrooms, halls or tents but this is known before hand.

This is not known until you arrive, each project is made up of people of various nationalities, ages and backgrounds. On every project there is a camp leader usually chosen and trained by us. The leader depends on the full participation of each volunteer, so it is the whole group’s responsibility to ensure that the project is a success.

Participants should remember to bring suitable clothes (e.g. winter/summer clothes) depending on the geographical location of the workcamp they would have chosen, a good sleeping bag; a small mattress; working boots and gloves. Also bring with you some recipes, some music from your country as well as musical instruments if you can play one, etc. In Zimbabwe only selected currencies are exchangeable such as the British pound, US dollar, Euro. As for other currencies, inquire from your local bank first before your departure to Zimbabwe. The exchange of money is done at banks, and any other officially licensed places. Dealing on the black / parallel market is a serious offence and anyone found doing so would be arrested.

The workcamp participation fee is strictly ... and this covers simple rural accommodation, food and project expenses. Please note that this does not include travel expenses to and from the camp, so participants are asked to reserve an extra amount of money for transport which is between ...for the return journey.

Weekends are meant for free tours that the group / individuals can organize by themselves. You can decide to visit places of interest within the vicinity of the work camp. It has now become a custom in all our Workcamps to have cultural nights. This affords each volunteer the opportunity to present her/his country and culture. Please bring with you your national flag and traditional dress if possible.

What kind of work is involved?

The work greatly varies from one project to the other. It normally involves construction work in remote rural villages, nature conservation work, and restoration of historical monuments, bricks molding, sanitary and HIV / AIDS programmes, projects such as provision of water wells and erecting pit latrines / toilets. The communities may request us to perform other necessary specific tasks outside our programme agreement. This is a symbol of promoting intercultural understanding, tolerance and sensitivity of the community needs.