PRESS RELEASE
7 September 2011
Spotlight on Swaziland
i-to-i Volunteering Launches Brand New Volunteer Destination
The smallest country in Southern Africa is on the lookout for the biggest travel hearts to lend a helping hand – and now thanks to i-to-I Volunteering it is possible.
The leading volunteer specialist has just launched an exciting new range of projects in Swaziland, where thousands of travellers are flocking every year to experience a side of Africa that remains well off the beaten track.
Meaningful travel junkies have been spoilt for choice with four new i-to-i Volunteering projects to choose from, each aimed at helping Swazi kids and families in need. Swaziland has the world’s lowest life expectancy at just 31.3 years.
The Care for Orphans in Swaziland project involves working with a number of small care centres and non-profit organisations in the legendary Ezulwini Valley of Swaziland, providing vulnerable children with better shelter, food and education. Due to the high rates of HIV/AIDS, many of the children have lost their parents and have been left to fend for themselves, without anybody to take care of them.
A similar project involves Teaching Underprivileged Children in Swaziland, working as a teaching assistant at schools in the semi-rural area of Ezulwini-Lobamba. With around 800 children per school and 40 per class, schools are overcrowded, under-resourced and in desperate need of support.
Travellers can volunteer at both projects without any previous experience for between four and twelve weeks. Four weeks at each project is now priced from £1485 per person.
Sports coaching may be more appealing? Volunteers can coach football, swimming, bike riding and other sports at the Sports Development for Vulnerable Children in Swaziland project, as well as organise sporting events and competitions. Again, you don’t need to be a sports star to make a difference here. Travellers can spend between two and twelve weeks keeping the kids focused, fit and healthy, now from just £999 per person.
The Build Homes for Underprivileged Children in Swaziland project helps the families of orphaned children by building basic shelters, gardens, water systems and other physical structures both at households and care centres. Volunteers will work across a variety of tasks from clearing and levelling, digging foundations, making mud bricks, building the structure, painting and more. Tools and equipment are provided and no experience is necessary. Travellers can spend between two and twelve weeks building, from just £1050 per person. All placements are located in the Ezulwini Valley, in the ancient town of Lobamba – which, as well as boasting a long history as the country's royal capital, is the spiritual home of the Swazi nation.
Each new i-to-i Volunteering package includes shared accommodation, all meals, return airport transfers, in-country orientation, airport pick-up and 24hour support. For more information visit www.i-to-i.com or call 1-800-352-1793
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Jenny Spires – Marketing Director
T +44 (0) 1892 701 058 M +44 (0) 7534 650543
jenny.spires@i-to-itravel.com
Jennifer Vieira - Marketing Executive
T +44 (0) 1892 701 888
jennifer.vieira@i-to-itravel.com
1 Meadow Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN1 2YG
About i-to-i
Since 1994, i-to-i Volunteering has provided meaningful volunteer trips for up to 50,000 volunteers. As the original volunteer company i-to-i Volunteering offer one of the broadest ranges of volunteer opportunities with a choice of over 150 projects in 21 countries. Volunteer options include: working with wildlife; working with children; community development; teaching; building and conservation across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Australia.
