Expectations and Requirements

Africa provides an ever-changing environment, power failures, water and fuel shortages, temperature fluctuations, and other uncontrollable / unexpected situations might occur. You will need to remain flexible, understanding and good-humoured. “African time” can be challenging and infuriating for those who are used to a very structured life, so this is something to keep in mind!

Once you arrive in Africa, your care is the responsibility of African Impact and our trained Project Managers. We always aim to provide you with all of your daily needs, to keep you out of harm’s way, and to support you in your intern and volunteer work. In exchange, we ask you to attend work punctually and to behave consistently in ways that reflect well upon African Impact and our Project Managers.

We ask that you dress according to local norms while in the public eye and to treat the people on the work site with kindness and respect. In addition, African Impact insists that volunteers and interns avoid any contact with drugs and any culturally inappropriate activities relating to alcohol.

Our projects rely on networks of people, and those networks are held together by good relationships. If a case should arise in which our staff feels that volunteers or interns have repeatedly behaved in ways that contradict the basic spirit of this agreement, we reserve the right to remove you from the program.

Upholding the good name of African Impact and its partner organizations

We ask that you do not bring yourself or African Impact into disrepute nor involve any other employee or intern in any behavior that might amount to disrepute. If your behavior is found to be detrimental to the program that you are involved with, you may be asked to leave immediately without compensation.

Child Protection

Our Child Protection Policy and Guidelines are to help volunteers, interns and staff be clear on our role in safeguarding children (anyone under the age of 18). It’s important to be aware of what good practice is and who to talk to if you have any concerns and you will get more information when you start your internship or volunteer placement. Any evidence of poor practice towards children will be acted on immediately and the relevant steps taken, based on our policy and code of conduct

Drugs

If you use or even come into contact with drugs, drug users, drug pushers or anyone remotely connected with drugs, illegal or otherwise, other than for medical reasons, your placement will be terminated immediately. If you are taking drugs for medical reasons and have not informed us of your medical condition the same rules and conditions apply.

Discrimination on any grounds

If you see, hear or encounter any discrimination of any kind, do not challenge that person or intervene. If you feel that you need to express your views, please tell the project manager and they will take the necessary actions. African Impact is strongly against any form of discrimination and any information given to us is taken very seriously.

Relationships

Whilst on your placement we do not encourage any sexual relationships. In addition, the program neither allows nor encourages volunteers and interns to develop intimate personal relationships with general project staff and partners. This would not promote a good working environment and could result in the dismissal of the staff member and yourself termination from the program.

HIV and AIDS

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that infects cells of the immune system, destroying or impairing their function. As the infection progresses, the immune system becomes weaker, and the person becomes more susceptible to infections. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It can take 10-15 years for an HIV-infected person to develop AIDS; antiretroviral drugs can slow down the process even further. (WHO)

We highly recommend that you do some research before arriving at your project as

HIV is widespread across Africa, with an estimated 24.7 million people living with the virus on the continent. (UNAIDS)

A good source of information is “28 stories of AIDS Africa”, by Stephanie Nolan. The book is available on Amazon.

Termination of Placement

In the event that your placement is terminated due to your failure to abide by the code of conduct laid out below, you will be required to pay for any costs incurred for your return home from the placement. If you are interested in receiving a code of conduct table please ask your booking agent. They will assist you with sending it through.