The Eyes on Africa Foundation

South Africa

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Volunteer,

 

First, IÕd like to thank you for your patience while we waited to finalize the costs for the trip this summer.  IÕm extremely happy to announce the completion of that process, and we now have two opportunities for you to join us in South Africa:

 

Trip #1  May 25 – June 11, 2008

Trip #2  May 29 – June 15, 2008

 

In the Eyes on Africa FoundationÕs half year of existence, weÕve been able to raise more than $25,000, receive press in a number of campus publications, newspapers, and webzines, and spread to more than thirty college campuses.  Now itÕs time to put that work to use.  Read the attached information thoroughly to find the details of each trip including volunteer projects, Othandweni, and the safari.

 

This is a kickoff to a bigger future for the Foundation, and your involvement in the successes of these trips is sure to change your life forever.  Seeing the juxtaposition of beauty and poverty, conflict and hope, sickness and healthÉ it is truly indescribable.

 

The cost of the trips is $3700 for nineteen days in South Africa.  That includes airfare to and from South Africa, most meals, lodging, travel within South Africa, and all fees for activities.  What it doesnÕt include are the things that make the trip incredible – itÕs the experience of going beyond your comfort zone to touch the lives others that makes it all worth it.

 

Thanks!

 

 

Jeff Lakusta

President

 

(More information below)

TRANSPORTATION
Coach buses, provided by Spirit of Africa an experienced travel agency in South Africa, and flights within South Africa are provided for transportation.  Volunteers are responsible for arriving at Washington International Airport (IAD) at least 4 hours before leaving for South Africa wearing their Eyes on Africa Foundation T-shirt.  There will be an EOAF coordinator waiting at the gate to check-in all volunteers.  Volunteers are responsible for their own travel upon return to the U.S.

LODGING
Carefully selected hotels will be used throughout the stay in South Africa including the Cape Town Lodge, Town Lodge Sandton, and Kruger Park Safaris.

MEALS
Meals en route to South Africa are provided by the airlines.  Meal allocation is included on the ÒTrip InformationÓ document, but on average two meals are provided by EOAF which means that volunteers should bring extra money to pay for these ÒOn Own AccountÓ meals.  Check http://www.x-rates.com/d/ZAR/table.html for current exchange rates, but roughly $US 1 = 8 South African rand

FUNDRAISING
The Eyes on Africa Foundation recommends that participants fundraise for their respective trips by contacting friends, family, and neighbors.  Explain why you want to come to South Africa, how much the trip is, and a little about what youÕll be doing while in South Africa.  Questions you or your prospective donor may have can likely be answered at www.EyesOnAfricaFoundation.org or feel free to contact the EOAF President at jlakusta@eyesonafricafoundation.org

 

SAFETY

Volunteer safety is the Eyes on Africa FoundationÕs main concern.  The trip is highly structured, and should an occurrence make it impossible for us to offer a safe environment we will alter the schedule to ensure safety. 

 

Please check with your local health facilities to obtain appropriate shots and medications for South African travel.

 

ALCOHOL

The legal drinking age in South Africa is 18, and we encourage any volunteer who chooses to drink to do so responsibly.  The Eyes on Africa Foundation will not tolerate misconduct for any reason.  Any behavior – alcohol related or not – which either endangers oneself/others or is considered rude/culturally insensitive may result in the immediate return of the volunteer at his/her expense.

 

Please remember that you are in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people.  Actions which may be acceptable in America may be considered rude in South Africa.

 

BEHAVIOR

You are responsible for behaving in a respectful, thoughtful manner at all times.  We will be enjoying South African hospitality in our volunteer and educational activities.  Studying the culture, history, and languages of South Africa ahead of time can help you feel more comfortable more quickly.  Visit www.EyesOnAfricaFoundation.org for a brief history of South Africa and short explanations of many of the health and economic problems facing the nation.