Login

Select travel dates to see prices

Brilliant 4.76rating (58)

Educating Children about Animal Care

location
4 - 8 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Get in touch with Cape Verdean culture through work with children
  • Contribute to the change of mentality through education
  • Learn some words in creole

Highlights

  • Get in touch with Cape Verdean culture through work with children
  • Contribute to the change of mentality through education
  • Learn some words in creole
  • Propel your career with international experience
  • Visit the beautiful island of Santo Antao during your free time

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    50+

    About the program

    Help make children aware of animal care!

    Working on Simabo's educational programs is a unique, authentic, and rewarding experience. Education is the only way to genuinely change society by contributing to the mentality and principles of tomorrow's adults. Working with children is one of the best ways to get in touch with the local culture. ..

    About the program

    Working on Simabo's educational programs is a unique, authentic, and rewarding experience. Education is the only way to genuinely change society by contributing to the mentality and principles of tomorrow's adults. Working with children is one of the best ways to get in touch with the local culture. You'll have fun, learn some words in creole, and - above all - live moments that will stay in your heart and mind forever.

    What to expect?

    • Do interactive activities with children (painting, telling stories, playing…)
    • Talk with students about animals 
    • Complete immersion in the local community
    Skills required
    • Speak Portuguese 
    • To like working with children and teenagers 
    • Able to be patient
    • To be independent and responsible 
    • To have organizational and time-management skills
    Tasks

    1) Workshops

    • Call schools of São Vicente to schedule workshops;
    • Think about activities to do with students;
    • Check the material that exists in SIMABO and decide if you will need to prepare more;
    • Update all paperwork: "Workshop calendar" and "Schools Database".

    2) Surveys

    • Check the existing surveys for adults and children;
    • Make inquiries;
    • Organize the output information in Excel

    3) Other communication actions

    • Post SIMABO's educational posters in hospitals, private clinics, private doctors' offices, dentists, catering, health centers
    Vaccinations are not required nor recommended. There is no rabies in Cape Verde. 

    NOTES: 
    • Information given in the Time Commitment session of this program are only an example and they are not binding:
    • Changes in shifts must be communicated with a week notice and be authorized
    • Changes in shifts can't leave shifts uncovered
    • We'll make our best to give you the morning shift on the last working day of one week and the afternoon shift of the first working day of the following week, so that you have 2 days and 2 nights off and you can visit another island if you like.  



    Typical day

    The help we need varies depending on your skills. We expect someone who is a self-starter and can work independently with a very high degree of motivation. Work is according school schedules. Workshops can be in the morning or in the afternoon or both. MAking appointments is an office activity, so ...

    Typical day

    The help we need varies depending on your skills. We expect someone who is a self-starter and can work independently with a very high degree of motivation. Work is according school schedules. Workshops can be in the morning or in the afternoon or both. MAking appointments is an office activity, so it must take place in the morning from 8 to 13. 

    Volunteers who work in the morning must have breakfast before starting, even if they work at the office or in the hostel. Lunch is after 13. Most volunteers like to have something ready from the previous day so that they can eat as soon as they finish their working shift, and then they have still time to rest and go for some free time activity on the beach or in town or visit another village on the island. Public buses go back and forth from town to the 4 villages on the coast during the whole day, with the last ones coming back from the villages at about 5 PM. Sometimes volunteers can organize shifts in the kitchen and prepare food for themselves at 12,30, before going to work, and other volunteers that finish working at 13. 
    Volunteers working in the afternoon must be ready at 1PM, so they have free time in the morning.

    For people that don't like to cook or don't want to spend their time cooking, meals can be bought for little money in a lot of local small restaurants. Everything is so close and easy to reach that there is almost no need to "organize" free time.

    Free time activities can vary according with the time of the year: in winter it is not so hot, so you can go round during the whole day. In Summer it will be difficult to do anything else than rest or being at the beach from 12 to 17. From June to October you will be able to join our partner association Biosfera to help patrolling beaches to keep them safe for turtles to lay their eggs, a wonderful experience that you will never forget!

    In general volunteers for this programme are working 2 per shift or more only if available. 


    Free-time activities

    The island is famous for its music and its partying vibe! So night activity is guaranteed! 

    • On the island you can find a diving center (in town), a windsurfing school and a kitesurfing school. 
    • Capoeira is also widely practiced and can be learned with 2 groups in lessons held in the late afternoon.
    • Hi

    Free-time activities

    The island is famous for its music and its partying vibe! So night activity is guaranteed! 

    • On the island you can find a diving center (in town), a windsurfing school and a kitesurfing school. 
    • Capoeira is also widely practiced and can be learned with 2 groups in lessons held in the late afternoon.
    • Hiking paths are very simple to follow. Every volunteer who likes hiking can't miss visiting the neighboring island, Santo Antao, with its beautiful mountains and trekking paths. 
    • If you are not so keen on hiking, you can rent a bicycles, electrical bicycles and scooters at local shops.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Education Requirements

    at High School level

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    • Pick up from the airport at the arrival
    • Accommodation in a single or double room if travelling alone or in a bigger room if travelling in group (shared bathroom).
    • Advice to organize visits to other islands, especially Santo Antao, with hotel and ferry/flights reservations  
    • One tour of the island of Sao Vicente with our staff, usually with a deworming or spaying/neutering campaign
    • Food is not provided, but volunteers can use a communal kitchen.

    Airport Pickup at Cesaria Evora International Airport

    Our driver will wait for you in the airport arrival hall with a SIMABO sign with your name! Driving time to town is about 10 min. 

    Accommodation

    Accommodation for volunteers is available in  shared or single rooms, according to availability,  with shared bathroom  

    in our volunteer house or in double or triple rooms with shared bathroom in the hostel. Both are located just a couple of meters away from our clinic, the beach, and the main square of Mindelo. Extra fee is charged for a single room in the hostel.

    Volunteers can prepare their own food in the hostel kitchen, where paying guests are hosted to raise funds for the project.
    At the hostel volunteers can meet any kind of travellers and together they can plan trips, excursions, parties, dinners, anything that makes fun and makes your volunteering time unforgettable. 

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Food & Beverages

    Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Cesaria Evora International Airport (VXE) in Sao Vicente. We assist you to find cheap flights to Cape Verde. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Cape Verde provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Cape Verde you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Cape Verde. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    This programme is running only from October to June, because schools are closed in Summer.

    Usually the best months to come are April and MAy and from the beginning of October to mid-December, because of the temperature and also because of the cost of the flights, that can be expensive in the high season (mid December-mid March).
    Carnaval is a highlight of Mindelo's life, volunteers are always welcome at that time of the year, albeit schools have also holidays on those days. 

    Be prepared to stay in a row for paying the "airport fee" that costs 32 euros. You can avoid this applying via Internet and paying in advance by credit card. All info to accomplish this will be provided in due time. EU citizens are not required to have/pay a visa, only non-EU citizens will have to buy one at the airport for 25 euros. 

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $122 per week 4 - 8 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    4 - 8 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet

    4.76
    58 reviews

    2025
    Ich bin sehr zufrieden, es war eine tolle erfahrung, sehr viele nette und tolle Menschen kennengelernt. Silvia ist super angagierr und hilft ...
    Laura Corleto

    Dog walker

    2024
    Ho fatto una settimana di volontariato al rifugio di Simabo e’ stata un’esperienza veramente bella ,ho conosciuto persone che porterò ...
    Alice Albergucci

    Animal Supporter

    2024
    I had a really good time at Simabo. I went to the shelter almost every day and walked the dogs. The dogs are super friendly and are really ...
    Julia Ottiger

    Animal Supporter

    2024
    Unforgettable experience that I recommend to everyone. If you like to share and be useful, then come. I stayed 3 weeks and would have ...
    thierry ouzelet

    Dog walker

    2024
    I had a wonderful time at Simbalo - it was a truly unforgettable experience. The dogs at the Shelter are adorable; always so happy to see ...
    Bridget Dewer

    Dog walker

    Location


    Meet your project coordinator

    Silvia
    58
    reviews
    4.76
    Brilliant
    2008
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: Portuguese, English, Italian, German
    Travel safely by using Volunteer World for your communication and bookings. This way, you can benefit from the Flex Option, Refund Guarantee, and Resolution Support.

    You might also be interested in

    Contact Silvia
      Very high response rate
    Portuguese, English, Italian, German

    Most volunteers ask about


    Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Silvia
    Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

    Book with Flex Option!

    Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

    Complete Support for Every Volunteer

    This helps us run our platform and offer essential services like Comprehensive Support, Refund Guarantee, Flex Option without rebooking costs, and Price-Guarantee. This includes VAT.

    Price details