In our experience there are two kinds of volunteers; PENGUIN LOVERS and the rest. If you are determined to learn about these amazing birds, if you have loved penguins for forever but never had the chance to work with them up close, if you are a hands-on kind of person and don’t mind getting your hands dirty (or fishy), this is your chance!
The South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), a non-profit organization in Port Elizabeth, South Africa; has stepped up to nurture and rescue African Penguins(also known as Jackass Penguins) and other marine birds. This project relies heavily on volunteers to keep the centre running and conserving the largest breeding colony of African Penguins in the world. (on St Croix Island, just off the shore of Port Elizabeth)
Project Needs
The centre has limited staff and relies heavily on the support of volunteers. Apart from working with the birds (which happens after sufficient training of course) the project also receives educational tours from schools and visits from the general public. There is fundraising to be done, a reception to manage, a curio shop to only mention a few. We recommend that volunteers are flexible and willing to do what is needed by the project.
Conditions
It is important that volunteers:
- Are physically fit and able to stand for a full shift
- Are comfortable with getting dirty
- Are willing to work in all weather conditions, often outside
- Are able to work in a team as well as independently
- Are able to follow Standard Operating Procedures
- Are reliable and accountable
- Are of a compassionate and caring nature with a love for seabirds
- Are able to work well under pressure
- Are at least 18 years old
- have an up to date with their tetanus vaccination
- have consulted with their doctor before volunteering if they are pregnant, on medication or allergic to animal dander or detergent.
Persons with chronic respiratory ailments or impaired kidneys or liver should avoid working around crude oil.
This project is not for the faint-hearted. The birds are wild and will bit at any opportunity. Learning how to work with birds is a bit like riding a bike… the more you practice the better you become. Volunteers should know that commitment is the key to learning how to handle and feed birds.
Working hours and days
The project is open 365 days of the year and need volunteers throughout the year. Volunteers work 5 days per week from Monday to Sunday from about 8h00-17h00 with a lunch break 13h00-14h00 and short tea breaks during the morning and afternoon. This means that you will be asked to work on weekends but then you will have two days off during the week. Some days might start earlier or later and in summertime, due to the heat, hours can change.
Guidance & Supervision
You will be supervised by our Volunteer Coordinators who will pick you up upon arrival, make sure you are settled in, show you around the city and prepare your work activities at SANCCOB. They will transfer you to and from the project, make sure the shopping is done and organize fun outings for the weekends.
At SANCCOB your work will be supervised by one of the staff members who will allocate daily tasks and activities to you. They will also be the people to report to in the mornings and sign out before you leave again at the end of the day.
Other Volunteers
You most likely won’t be alone when volunteering at SANCCOB and meet both local as international volunteers. We get volunteers from all over the world, from the USA, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the UK and many other countries.
