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Gap Year Africa

 

GAP Year AFRICA is a 100% owned subsidiary of Mission Travel Group. Mission Travel Group is Australia’s leading travel agency for the aid and development community, short term mission and schools trips to the developing world. Mission Travel Group's GAPyear Africa program is operated and managed  by the African Encounter Group.

Our expansion to incorporate a GAP year program comes as a result of seeing the short to medium term needs of our partners in Africa and matching this with the desire for people to take time out of their regular life and make a positive and sustainable impact on an impoverished community.

OUR VISION:

To build a bridge joining the needs of Africa with people from around the world who have a passion and desire to serve these communities with their skills and enthusiasm.

 MISSION STATEMENT:

Gapyear Africa Volunteers exists to capacity-build  initiatives in Africa, and to serve the vision of projects, by providing and facilitating effective short-term volunteer placements in Africa.

CORE OBJECTIVE:

To facilitate a connection  that sees Africans and international volunteers profoundly impacted and encouraged by each other: a mutually beneficial experience.

GOALS:

  • Engender a passionate interest in the needs of Africa in a society that is seemingly losing interest in the call to traditional intercultural relations.
  • Profoundly impact African communities with the love and service we can provide  by offering hands-on assistance and support to community members at grassroots level.
  • Meet expressed needs and offer relevant assistance to afflicted communities and people groups in Africa.

OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES – HOW GapyearAfrica VOLUNTEERS WORKS:

GapyearAfrica identifies existing projects that are effective, sustainable and enthusiastic about receiving volunteer support. By attaching volunteers to serve projects that both pre-existed the volunteer’s placement, and will continue after he/she leaves, GapyearAfrica  ensures that the volunteer’s investment of resources, time and passion will have a long-term impact.

Meeting needs:
GapyearAfrica provides facilitators who are an interface between the projects and our volunteers. GapyearAfrica  facilitators are trained to meet the needs of volunteers and to ensure that volunteers are productive and fulfilled whilst making a meaningful contribution to the projects we support.

Valuable social interaction:

GapyearAfrica provides all accommodation, food, transport and other logistical requirements, making African missions accessible to a volunteer with no previous experience, and ensuring that this burden of responsibility is not carried by the projects we support. This also provides the valuable social interaction and shared experience that volunteers enjoy and benefit from.

Funding supports projects:

GapyearAfrica Volunteers are self-funded and are required to pay a fee that covers all essential needs during their time in Africa. This fee includes a substantial project donation that is channelled directly to the projects we support.

Uplifting African communities:

GapyearAfrica Volunteers contribution is always intended to uplift African communities and individuals by a combination of practical development and a commitment to growth and sustainability. We take care to ensure that GapyearAfrica -supported programs develop maturity and freedom – not dependence.

Scenic beauty and wildlife:

GapyearAfrica Volunteers are exposed to the beauty, wildlife and local attractions of the areas in which they work. Hard work is balanced with enjoying the sights, wildlife, experiences and attractions of Africa.