Frequently Asked Questions

If you can't find the answer to your question here please feel free to contact us!

The Application

What are the requirements to volunteer in South Africa?

You can find the requirements for each project on this site, but in general, the requirements are:

You are enthusiastic and you have the motivation to work hard for your project
You are emotionally able to handle difficult situations
You would like to experience different cultures
You can adapt to new situations
You show initiative and creativity
You really want to volunteer
You are really looking forward to it!

What are the age requirements?

You must be at least 18 years old (some projects have higher minimum ages of 2,1 22 or 25). Make sure to thoroughly read the program notes for your chosen project. There is no maximum age.

Do I need to have any specific qualifications?

Most of our projects do not require any specific skills. A small number of our projects either require a medical background or are specifically looking for volunteers with a medical background.

I know which project I’d like to volunteer at and when I’d like to start, what do I do now?

Click here to request an application. Once you fill out this preliminary form we will send you the appropriate application forms for your chosen project.

When will I know that my application has been approved?

Once you have sent us your completed application form and all the supporting documents your application will be reviewed and we will contact you as soon possible. If your application has been successful we will send you an Email Confirmation, a Travel Pack and a Statement of Costs. You should only book your flight once you have received your Confirmation documents from us.

Dates and Availability

What are the program start and end dates?

Program dates vary for each project. Click here to find program dates for each project. You should arrive at and depart your project on these listed dates.

What is the minimum stay permitted?

The minimum stay varies per project but is at the very least 4 weeks. Stays under 4 weeks are not possible. This is because we want you to be able to make a lasting difference, to feel satisfied and to not cause too much disruption to the projects or children.

What is the maximum stay permitted?

There is no limit on how long you can stay. If you want to stay longer than stated in the project information, please contact us.

Do you have space available at the project I want to go to?

Volunteering

Can I volunteer in any other countries besides South Africa?

Unfortunately, no. At the moment, Be More is only active in South Africa. If you know of any projects in or outside South Africa that need volunteers, please contact us.

Can I volunteer on my own?

Yes. It is definitely possible to volunteer on your own. You will meet, live with and work with other volunteers at your project in South Africa.

Can I volunteer with a friend/ partner/ family member?

Yes. Just mention their name and that you are applying together on your application form.

Can I volunteer at more than one Be More project?

Yes you can volunteer at one project your first month and then at another project the next month. You must complete the minimum stay at each project ie. you cannot volunteer at both projects at the same time. You are welcome to visit our other projects though!

Costs of Volunteering

Does it cost money to volunteer with Be More?

Yes, it does cost money to volunteer. A detailed cost breakdown for each project can be found on the project pages and an overview can be found here.

How much does it cost to volunteer?

Costs vary for each project. Please check the project pages.

Why does it cost money to volunteer?

Why should I pay to volunteer. Shouldn’t they should just be grateful that I’m offering my time and skills? The reason it costs money to volunteer is simple: As much as the projects may need your help, they don’t have the money to pay for your expenses. That’s why you have to cover your own costs. We will offer you fundraising advice and materials to help you with your costs.

Do you know of any free volunteering opportunities?

Free volunteering opportunities are usually only offered by large organizations and most often require a long-term commitment of at least one or two years and specific qualifications and skills. The

Guardian Guide to Volunteering is an excellent resource on these types of volunteering opportunities.

Can I try and have my trip sponsored?

Yes, of course you can. We recommend that you to tell as many people as possible about your plans to volunteer. This is important because it gets people involved and excited about your upcoming experience and it raises awareness of the issues you will be facing in South Africa. It may also lead to financial support.

Pre-Departure

How do I get my airline ticket?

You have to book your flight yourself. Check several different websites to look for the most affordable tickets. Try travel agents ie.

Expedia,

Trailfinders,

Last Minute, as well as airlines directly. Airlines that fly to South Africa include:

KLM,

British Airways,

South African Airlines,

Air France,

Lufthansa,

Emirates and

Virgin Airlines.

Do I need any vaccinations to volunteer in South Africa?

Yes, you do need vaccinations. You should ask your doctor which vaccinations they recommend.

What kind of insurance do I need?

You are required to purchase a comprehensive travel and medical insurance policy to volunteer with Be More. Search around for the best coverage and rates possible and make sure to mention that you will be doing volunteer work. Most travel agents will offer you insurance options when you purchase your flight.

How will Be More help me prepare for my journey?

Be Buddy: You will have support from your Be Buddy who will answer any of your pre-trip questions about Be More, South Africa, or your project from the perspective of a former volunteer

Pre-departure preparation: Depending on where you live and when you are volunteering, Be More will either offer you a preparation phone call with the Volunteer Operations Manager or an in person Prep-Day. In both cases you will be able to ask us any questions you may have and we will give you lots of important advice to prepare you for your journey. You will have telephone and email support throughout your pre-departure period.

Fundraising and logistical support: You will be given access to fundraising support, practical guidance, a free personal weblog, access to the Be More Community forum and a personal menu that will allow you to download important contacts, manuals, marketing materials and more.

Who should I ask if I have questions about anything before I leave?

You can always contact us if you have questions about your stay in South Africa. You can also ask your personal Be Buddy or post your questions to other volunteers on the Be More Community Forum or the

Be More Facebook group.

While Abroad

Will I be able to stay in touch with my family/friends back home while I am in South Africa?

Yes and we encourage you to share your experiences with them as much as possible! You can easily stay in touch with your family and friends back home. Many of the projects have on site internet access or are not far from an internet café. You can use your Be More weblog to keep everyone up to date with stories and pictures of your volunteering experience. Most of the projects also have a landline, so it’s not too expensive for family and friends to call you or for you to purchase a long distance calling card so you can call them. It is also useful to buy a Sim Card while in South Africa. They are inexpensive and this way you can send text messages to your friends back home.

Can I buy a South African Sim Card for my mobile phone?

Yes. It is a cheap and easy way to keep in touch with those back home as well as other volunteers while in South Africa. Do check with your service provider to see if your phone will work in South Africa and if there’s a Sim lock on your phone, though! If you have any problems, purchasing a second hand mobile phone while in South Africa is not too expensive either.

Is it possible for me to explore South Africa, while I am volunteering?

Yes.Your weekends are free time and volunteers often plan weekend trips together to local attractions ie. wild life reserve

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, a Zulu village,

The Drakensberg Mountains,

Ithala Game Reserve, The Kingdom of Lesotho, the City Centre and Beach. You have to pay for these trips yourself, but it is certainly worth the money. Make sure to bring an International Drivers license and credit card if you plan to rent a car.

How safe is South Africa?

You have probably already heard that South Africa has a high crime rate however, if you follow the same rules that you would in any large city around the world, the chance of something happening to you is very small. For example: don’t walk alone at night, don’t go into areas that are known to have a lot of problems with crime, be aware of your surroundings etc. If you are careful and sensible, the chance of something happening is very small and there is no reason to be scared. Listen to the advice given to you during your project orientation in South Africa and also remember that fear breeds prejudice. Unfortunately, the history of South Africa means there are still many people who have prejudices and fear but it is important to overcome both.

What is the weather in South Africa like?

South Africa is a very popular tourist destination because the sun is almost always shining. In the winter, the average temperature is about 20ºC and in the summer it is about 30ºC. Because South Africa is in the Southern hemisphere, summer begins in December and winter starts in June.

What kind of support will I receive while I am in South Africa?

Volunteer Coordinator: Each of our partner projects has its own Volunteer Coordinator who will be your main point of contact. They will give you your orientation when you arrive, will answer your questions and offer you guidance.
Be More Regional Coordinator: You will also have the support of a Be More Regional Coordinator who lives in South Africa. He or she will meet with you once per week to get an update on how things are going. If you have any problems that the Volunteer Coordinator cannot solve or if you just want someone to talk with, the Be More Regional Coordinator is there to support you and help you. The Be More Regional Coordinator will also pick you up and drop you off at the airport.
Be More: Of course you can always contact Be More back in the UK if necessary. Our contact details are provided in the Travel Pack you receive with your Trip Confirmation.

Are airport transfers provided and included?

Yes, you will be picked up and dropped off at the airport. Before you leave, you must submit the Flight Details document, which can be found in the Documents section of your Be More Community account.

What is the accommodation like?

Accommodation varies per project but in most cases you will stay at a volunteer house that is not far from the project or a volunteer cottage located at the project. Running water, electricity and all major appliances and amenities will be available.

I am a vegetarian. Will this be taken into account?

Yes. Mention this in your application and to your fellow volunteers once you arrive in South Africa. As volunteers do groceries and prepare meals together you will have the freedom to eat what you like.

Will I get good medical care in South Africa?

Yes. The quality of medical care in South Africa is very good. Public hospitals however are run by the government and are not as good as the private hospitals and clinics. Be sure to go to a private hospital or clinic if you need medical attention.

Post-Volunteering

What post return support and benefits will I receive?

You will receive:

a welcome back email from us
a certificate on completion of your volunteer work
an evaluation form
continued fundraising support
newsletters
continued use of your weblog and access to the Be More Community forum so you can keep up to date with volunteers, your project and news
notification of upcoming events
encouragement to stay involved and active in raising awareness of Be More’s work
depending on where you live you may be invited to a volunteer reunion event
the opportunity to stay involved and help new volunteers as a Be Buddy
the chance to volunteer any specific skills you have to support Be More's work
the opportunity to get involved with general Info Days or Preparation Days for new volunteers
the opportunity to write articles for our newsletters

Donations and Support

I can't volunteer abroad but can I help Be More from home?

Yes you certainly can! We are a small charity and can always use help. Please contact us. Send us your CV and let us know why you want to help us. We will then contact you to determine how you can help us. We are especially looking for help from former volunteers!! Marketing support, graphic design, event planning, research work and logistical support are some of the main areas that are useful to us.

Why should I donate money to Be More?

There are several different reasons why you should donate money to Be More. The most important reason is that with your donation we can make a real difference for small development projects. Click here for more information about making a donation.

I would like to donate money to Be More. How do I do that?

You can donate online with credit or debit card, make a donation through your bank or send us a cheque in GBP. Click here for all the details.

I would like to donate money to my project. How should I do this and how will the money be spent?

If you raise any money for your project you should transfer the money to Be More before you depart and make sure to include a note of your name and project with the donation. We will then transfer the money to the project. Once in South Africa , you and your volunteer coordinator will together decide the best way for your donation to be spent to support the project. You can spend 50% of your donation while you are in South Africa, 40 % will be reserved by the project for future expenses and 10% of your donation will be reserved to support Be More’s work. You can then use your weblog to keep your sponsors informed about how their donations are making a difference.

I know a project that needs volunteers. Can I contact Be More about it?

Yes, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.

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