4-day Kruger Tour - Special Offer

Would you like to spend some time on Safari in the most famous game reserve on the planet?

Book and join a 4-day Kruger Adventure Tour before the December 31st to take advantage of these discounted rates:

If you are joining from Johannesburg...
R4,900 - £390 - €460 - US$640 - Can$710 - Aus$780

If you want to travel from Cape Town, we'll include your return flights for only...
R6,950 - £560 - €640 - US$900 - Can$1010 - Aus$1100

There may be a surcharge for flights booked at short notice, or on some peak holiday dates, but we will inform you of this before you commit to making any payments.

This tour is a great way to add a new dimension to your South African experience and with the package we’ve put together you’ll be able to relax and concentrate on looking for lions, elephants and other wildlife without worrying about arranging meals, transfers or accommodation.

Speak to your volunteer coordinator at AVIVA house (if you already in South Africa of course!) or book online to reserve you space...

New FAQ: What is MyTrip™?

MyTrip™ is a free personal planner that we provide to help you prepare for your volunteering adventure.

When you apply for a project, course or tour using our online booking form, we will reserve your placement(s) and email a unique MyTrip™ username and password to you by the very next working day or sooner.

When you login to MyTrip™ you will be able to check that you are happy with everything before you make a final decision about joining us in South Africa.

MyTrip™ includes a personalised 'To Do list' which shows everything you need to do, along with recommended dates to help you plan. Items on your list are automatically ticked off as you complete them so you can quickly see what's left to do.

You can use MyTrip™ to:

• Check your full detailed itinerary
• Check recommended arrival & departure dates...
• Approve your quote & payment schedule...
• Update your personal information...
• Update your travel details (when you have them!)...
• View useful information & maps...
• Make secure payments online...
• Get useful advice about our official Fundraising Pack...
• Get in touch with other volunteers that will be in South Africa with you...
• Find out how to qualify for discounts, and much more...

We believe MyTrip™ will add a great deal of value to your AVIVA experience, and provide you with the easiest way to prepare and plan your volunteering trip to South Africa.

To receive your unique MyTrip™ username & password, make a no obligation application today!

Volunteer Testimonial

Sue Roberts - 61, from the UK
Project - Masigcine Children's Home
It was a fantastic experience but, unfortunately, the 3 months I spent in South Africe passed far too quickly. Working at Masigcine was a wonderfull experience and even though the work could be quite hard at times it was lots of fun as well. All the AVIVA staff were very helpful and looked after the welfare of the volunteers which is reassuring to family and friends back home.

AVIVA launches MyTrip™ for Volunteers

After many months of hard work and preparation, we are pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new section on the AVIVA website especially for volunteers...

We believe MyTrip™ will add a great deal of value to your AVIVA experience, and provide you with the easiest way to prepare and plan your volunteering trip to South Africa.

MyTrip™ includes a personalised 'To Do list' which shows everything you need to do, along with recommended dates to help you plan. Items on your list are automatically ticked off as you complete them so you can quickly see what's left to do.

You can use MyTrip™ to:

* Check your full detailed itinerary
* Check recommended arrival & departure dates...
* Approve your quote & payment schedule...
* Update your personal information...
* Update your travel details (when you have them!)...
* View useful information & maps...
* Make secure payments online...
* Get useful advice about our official Fundraising Pack...
* Find out how to qualify for discounts, and much more...

Testing is now complete, so if you've already booked a project, course or tour with us, you should by now have received an email from Rholene containing your MyTrip™ login username and password.

If you haven't booked a placement with us yet, there couldn't be a better time to do so - book online now and we will email your MyTrip™ login username and password to you by the next working day or sooner...

We would love to know what you think of this new addition and anticipate that MyTrip™ will continue to develop as we find more ways to add value to your experience.

Please send your feedback and suggestions to ed@aviva-sa.com and we will enter your name into a special Thank You Draw for a R2000 discount - the draw will take place at the end of August and winners will be notified immediately!

Update from Cape Town

Last month we hosted the the film and production crew from SABC2's Mind the Gap TV show as they visited SANCCOB, Home of Hope, Surf School, Baphumelele & Masigcine Children's Home to interview AVIVA volunteers.

The program focuses on educating young people (17-24 years of age) about finding a way forward between finishing school and the next stage of their lives. By featuring international volunteers on the show, the producers hope to encourage more young South African's to get involved in voluntary work, not only to provide a valuable addition to their CV, but also to contribute to their own communities, learn new skills and reap the personal rewards that only a life changing volunteering experience can provide.

AVIVA will feature in a number of upcoming episodes of the show, and whilst it only airs in South Africa, we will receive copies in due course, so for all the wonderful volunteers that bravely threw themselves in front of the camera last month, you will be able to see your 15 minutes of fame on our web site before too long!

In early July I visited the Endangered Wildlife Monitoring Project, which offers volunteers a unique opportunity to track and monitor wild dogs, black rhino, cheetah and elephant amongst others. During a busy three days I was lucky enough to witness wild dogs feeding on impala, tracked cheetah on foot and watched a rhino and her calf drinking at a waterhole from a hide only a few feet away. I also spent time with volunteers on the project as they demonstrated their new found tracking and GPS skills. One of the highlights was spending some time at a wild dog den where a litter of puppies had recently been born. The project has already attracted a lot of interest in the few weeks that it's been on our web site, and we will be adding an introductory video soon...

If you're in Cape Town next month, be sure to head down to Simon's Town from September 25-27th for the annual Penguin Festival - Live shows and rides, food and craft stalls raise money for environmental organisations like SANCCOB.

New in 2009 is the introduction of African Penguin Day (Sep 26th), a SANCCOB international initiative to raise awareness of this much-loved species. On the day, visitors can watch the release of several rehabilitated penguins and learn why these charismatic creatures are increasingly vulnerable to extinction.

Our wonderful web designer has been going flat out this month to complete work on the new MyTrip™ page for our web site. The results are very exciting and we have been thrilled to see it all coming together so well. It's been a lot of work, but we believe MyTrip™ will add a great deal of value to your AVIVA experience, and provide you with the easiest way to prepare and plan your volunteering trip to South Africa.

Testing is almost complete, so if you've already booked a project with us, look out for an email later this month which will contain your MyTrip™ login username and password - we'll be looking forward to hearing your feedback on this soon!

On Facebook we have added a new Masigcine Children's Home photo album and a video of Haylee Loughran taking time out from the children's home to skydive over Cape Town. And for all you footy fans, you'll be pleased to know we have only 307 days left until the FIFA 2010 World Cup kicks off in South Africa...

Last but by no means least, we would like to congratulate two of our Surf School volunteers, Jessica & Mark from Canada, on their engagement last month. Mark planned well in advance and proposed to Jessica while they were on top of Table Mountain, how's a girl to say no?!

Wishing you an amazing August!

Ed

Home of Hope Testimonial from Amy Duff

Amy Duff - 21 from Ireland
I cannot believe my time is over in Cape Town. I settled in so well and the weeks have just flown by. This has definitely been the best time of my life. It has already changed my life in so many ways. I cannot begin to say what the past few weeks have made to me...

I worked with Home of Hope and they were the best 6 weeks of my life. All the AVIVA team are amazing, always there when you needed them, I never once felt unsafe in Cape Town. Ursula is probably one of the most kindest people I have ever met in my life. She is extremely helpful and really does have a heart of gold. She is definitely your mama Africa.

Volunteering abroad has definitely been the best time of my life. It has already changed my life in so many ways. Living and working abroad has helped me develop personally and professionally. I know I have become a more confident and caring person and finally know what career I want to go into.

The placement for me could not have been better suited to my needs. I had an unbelievable time working in Home of Hope. The warmth and generosity of the people I received from everyone was second to none.

I love South Africa. It is everything I imagined and more. This was a truly fantastic experience, physically demanding and emotionally draining but worth every second. The staff were ever so friendly and I’ve made some fantastic friends along the way and lived with some amazing people. It’s been a total eye-opening experience but I reckon if all I did as a volunteer was to make a child smile then I believe I’ve done a good job.

Perhaps the greatest experience was the children greeting you every morning with smiles on their faces. It cannot fail to change your outlook and attitude on life. I was constantly entertained and achieved a lot more than I thought possible. I got extremely attached to all the children, it’s hard not to. They really do steal your heart and make you laugh constantly.

Saying goodbye was probably one of the hardest things I’ve had to do but I accomplished what I set out to do, making a difference to some children’s lives. I know I have left them memories and skills that they will never forget. Volunteering has probably been one of the most worthwhile things I have ever done.

I know that I will look back on what I have done and I will be filled with a tremendous sense of achievement. At first I was scared but this is understandable, but the incredible memories and experience I have gained from this trip are unforgettable.

Richard and Eleanor who run Home of Hope are such an inspiration - keep up the fantastic work you do... I will most definitely be back.

Volunteering in South Africa is something everyone should do at some point in their lives. Volunteering with AVIVA though is a must.

Thanks for the great memories AVIVA, I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Lots of love
Amy xxx

AVIVA to appear on SABC2 show - 'Mind the Gap'

'Mind the Gap' broadcasts on Fridays at 11am and focuses on educating young people (17-24 years of age) about finding a way forward between finishing school and the next stage of their lives. Specifically, the show encourages young people of all income groups - and most especially those who find themselves unemployed with no plans for the future once their schooling has come to an end - to take some time to explore opportunities in South Africa.

This week, presenter Lesley Musina will be interviewing twenty AVIVA volunteers and project staff at the following projects in Cape Town:

• SANCCOB - Penguin Rehabilitation
• Home of Hope
• Surf School
• Baphumelele Children's Home
• Masigcine Children's Home

AVIVA volunteers will feature in future episodes of the show, so don't forget to tune in every Friday @ 11am!