Through Go Volunteer Africa’s DR Congo teaching volunteer project, you can get involved with a complete range of teaching and development activities in Democratic Republic of Congo. You can help in taking normal classes, assisting the teaching staff, conducting extracurricular activities like clay modeling, painting, drawing, singing, art & drama, dancing, group work, games or other similar activities.
Your help and assistance will be greatly appreciated in our schools or children centers and will be a refreshing change to existing curriculum. Nursery and primary schools level provide classes to children aged 3yrs-14yrs and high schools provide education to 15-18yr olds. A volunteer participating on our DR Congo teaching volunteer project can help with teaching languages like English, French and other subjects like Math.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
- Paint educative murals
- Share your love and care with children
- Share your culture and empower children
- Provide support for extracurricular activities
- Teach English, French, Math and other subjects, organize games and arts
Almost all schools and education centers we support in Congo have need for infrastructure development and/or renovations. Volunteers can do a combination of both teaching and renovation/building work at the project they choose to work at.
PROJECT LOCATION
Uvira: is a city in the South Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, located at the extreme north end of Lake Tanganyika. There is a lake port called Kalundu at the southern end of the town, which provides links by boat to Kalemie in Katanga Province, Kigoma in Tanzania, Pulungu in Zambia and Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi.
The town of Uvira is linked by road to Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi (25 km) – The territory of Fizi (60 km) – Rwanda via Kamanyola border (80 km) – Bukavu, the capital of Sud-Kivu province (120 km) – Kalemie in Katanga Province and (385 km).
ARRIVAL & AIRPORT PICKUP
After you have booked and confirmed your placement, please book your flights to arrive at Ndadaye International Airport of Burundi-Bujumbura. The distance from Airport in Burundi to Uvira city in the Democratic Republic of Congo is 26Kilometters (35 Minutes). A member of staff from our local partner organization will meet you on arrival at Airport. This airport services numerous international carriers. Burundi has good connections to destinations throughout Europe, the Asia- Pacific region, USA and Africa.
ORIENTATION
Orientation and Placement will be done the next day. Generally, your volunteer orientation is an overview of the project’s mission, expectations and introduction to the local community and project site. Following your arrival in Democratic Republic of Congo you will be given a presentation by the co-coordinating project team to prepare you for the work you will be doing.
PROJECT DETAILS
Teaching experience is not required to get involved in our DR Congo Teaching Volunteer Project. You can begin as a teaching assistant and then work in small groups with children in need of extra attention. If you’re a native English or French, or with some teaching experience, you can be a valuable resource in these local classrooms.
With your language skills you could teach proper pronunciation and usage. Even if you’ve never formally taught a classroom subject, you can assist the local teachers in their day-to-day work at the school. You don’t need to know the local language, or the methods of the local school system. All you need is enthusiasm and a desire to share your knowledge and make a difference through our DR Congo Teaching Volunteer Project.
The objective of this DR Congo Teaching Volunteer project is to contribute to the academic development of the schools in Democratic Republic of Congo in order to provide the best opportunity for the orphans and vulnerable children to receive quality education. Volunteers support the local teachers; encourage students to learn and play and instill pride in their schooling.
A local teacher will guide volunteers during the first week of classes at the school in regard to lesson plans, schedules and teaching curriculum. If the volunteer or volunteer-intern is ready at the beginning of the second week, he or she may begin teaching independently.
Volunteers teach English and French to a wide variety of ages, ability levels, and professional orientations. Yet one of the most unique aspects of our Saturday/Weekly Evening classes is the incorporation of a cultural exchange element, which allows locals to learn about the diverse cultural backgrounds and customs of our volunteers while enriching volunteers’ own understanding of the local culture.
GROUP VOLUNTEER TRIPS
Get some friends together or organize a group from your school and embark on this incredible adventure! Discounts are offered on any group of 5+ participants on DR Congo volunteering program.
LONGTERM VOLUNTEER WORK
Please contact us for more information about our long-term volunteer work in Congo. We will guide you on the best times of the year, what to pack, and what extra health precautions to keep in mind and all logistics.
VOLUNTEER ACCOMMODATION
Volunteers are provided accommodation in a volunteer house or in a homestay accommodation managed by the local coordinating team. Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) are provided to the participants from Monday – Sunday. The accommodations are neat and clean. Accommodation is shared amongst volunteers on the ‘same gender sharing’ basis rooms. Wifi internet, warm water is not guaranteed.
The homes are close to useful amenities like banks, ATM’s, currency exchanges, restaurants, cafes and shopping places. All placements are around 10 – 30 minutes from the accommodation. At some point volunteers might be on the move and hence we suggest also bringing a sleeping mat and sleeping bag/pillow for travel and weekends away on adventures. Bathrooms are usually shared. There is a lounge area for relaxing, reading, or watching movies.
AGE REQUIREMENT
Our program is for anyone eighteen years and above who loves service above self and social experiences with people from all over the world. We also accept volunteers of 16+ years of age if they are in a group with a guardian or supervisor above 25years. Volunteers under 16 years old are only considered when accompanied by a parent/guardian. There isn’t a maximum age limit, though a reasonable fitness level is necessary. Families are encouraged to apply and are welcome!
VISAS
Visitors to the Democratic Republic of the Congo must obtain a visa from one of the Democratic Republic of the Congo diplomatic missions unless they come from a visa exempt country, a country whose nationals can obtain a visa on arrival or eligible to obtain an e-visa online https://evisa.gouv.cd or are arriving from a country with no embassy, in which case they can obtain a visa confirmation followed by a 7-day visa on arrival (extendable in the DRC). In recent years, it is possible to arrange a tourist visa for visiting the Virunga National Park (on the Eastern Border) through the park itself.
Visitors requiring a visa need to submit a legalized letter of invitation from a DRC person or organization. For tourists, a hotel booking confirmation is accepted in case the traveler has no contact in the DRC.
Since you will fly into Burundi and you’re only in transit, you don’t need to apply for a visa for Burundi. However, you must stay in the international transit area and have all the documents that prove you will be traveling to another destination. Burundi can’t be your final destination.
WEEKENDS AND FREE-TIME
Over the weekends or evenings, participants are free to eat out and explore the different delights that DR Congo has to offer. We arrange city day tours and long-weekend safaris. No matter what your interests, there is always something for everyone to enjoy!
PROJECT QUICK FACTS
| Availability: | School Term Period |
| Duration: | Minimum 2 weeks commitment |
| Age Limits: | Minimum 18yrs or older for solo travelers. |
| Minimum Age: | ——– |
| Dates: | Flexible start and end dates |
| Arrival dates: | One day before the start date |
| Airport Arrival: | Airport pickup, meet and greet by GVA partner representative |
| Working Days: | Monday – Friday – 5 days a week, 3-5 hours in a day |
| Weekends: | Travel / Sightseeing NOT included in program cost |
| Accommodation: | Host Family or volunteer house |
| Meals: | Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily |
| Support: | Pre-departure guide, In-country staff available 24/7 |
| Location: | Uvira |
| Language: | English & French |
IN A NUTSHELL
Volunteering in Democratic Republic of Congo with Go Volunteer Africa is affordable, low cost and budget friendly. The volunteer opportunities in Congo are meaningful and life changing both to the volunteer and the host community.
Go Volunteer Africa was ranked as the best volunteer organization in DRC. All volunteer programs in DR Congo are community driven and managed by the local coordinating teams and this will give you a chance to get to know local people and really help those in need.
Go Volunteer Africa is among the top NGOs looking for volunteers in Congo. Our volunteer projects in Congo are located in Uvira and in more rural areas.
Volunteer in Democratic Republic of Congo with Africa’s leading and largest volunteer travel organization. Volunteer Jobs in Congo are available throughout the year. Do volunteer charity work in Congo, empower communities and vulnerable individuals, change both your lives and the recipients’ of your generosity.
PROGRAM FEE: (USD$)
Program Fee Excludes:
- Flights
- Visas
- Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Airport Drop off (Can be arranged upon request)
APPLICATION & PLACEMENT BOOKING FEE
Please Note: An application and placement booking fee of $180 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment to secure your placement.
The fee covers: Administration Costs, Placement Booking & Confirmation, Pre-departure support & documentation, 24-hour international HQ back-up.
HOW TO APPLY
To start the process, fill Volunteer application form and submit it for consideration and book your placement. For more information on how to get enrolled for the volunteering experience of a lifetime contact us. Or give us a call | WhatsApp | Telegram | Viber | Imo at +254-796-786292 to talk to a Program Specialist.
