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Brilliant 4.76rating (58)

General helper

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

Highlights

  • Meet travellers and volunteers from all over the world and help them to have the best time with us!
  • Enjoy cheap flight fares in the low season
  • Propel your career with international experience

Highlights

  • Meet travellers and volunteers from all over the world and help them to have the best time with us!
  • Enjoy cheap flight fares in the low season
  • Propel your career with international experience
  • Make memories you'll never forget during your volunteering time
  • enjoy the nearby beach and visit the whole Sao Vicente island and the neighboring island Santo Antao during your free time!

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples

    About the program

    We always need eclectic volunteers that like to help with anything needed: hostel, animal care, social media, decoration, office work, IT, and anything you are good at!

    Our hostel was founded in 2015 to raise funds for our charity SIMABO, Association for the Protection of Animals and the Environment. Since then it doubled its rooms due to the big success we had among travellers. The hostel is listed in most booking platforms and is full most of the time, especially ...

    About the program

    Our hostel was founded in 2015 to raise funds for our charity SIMABO, Association for the Protection of Animals and the Environment. Since then it doubled its rooms due to the big success we had among travellers. The hostel is listed in most booking platforms and is full most of the time, especially in the high season (October-March, August). Cleaning staff provides cleaning during the whole day and office staff provides support for payments, so the volunteer tasks are mostly connected with checkin/checkout procedures, support to the guests, and especially the communication work linked to the hostel (updating the FB page, etc.). The volunteer will have to update the board with events going on in town, organize groups for excursions, provide information about anything useful to the guests (ferry timetables, rent a car or a scooter, beauty farm, doctor/clinic, visits of our shelters, etc.). A  checklist is provided to support the volunteer in accomplishing his/her tasks. 

    Very important: animals are the core of our mission, so it is fundamental not to have problems with this, no allergies, no fears, or anything that makes the reletionship with animals difficult. And you must be ready sometimes, when needed, to execute little tasks with the animals as well, for instance walk some dogs that live at the office or in the volunteers' house, or feed an ill animal or a puppy or a kitten. We have staff to clean and feed and walk, but sometimes we need extra help with this out of hours.

    Secondly, the hostel volunteer has no time schedule. We have staff for cleaning, but there is no time for check in, so sometimes gusts might arrive late at night. Sometimes guests arrive all in the morning, or there are very few arrivals, and you can have a lot of free time, but smetimes we have guests that arrive all in different times from 8 in the morning to 12 at night, so you must be able to take your free time when possible. 



    Typical day

    The volunteer will work per shifts, either from 7AM to 2PM or from 2PM to 9PM. The working time can also be splitted in 2 or 3 shifts according to check in times of the guests (when possible). He will have his meals at the hostel, and in general will have plenty of time during his/her duty to ...

    Typical day

    The volunteer will work per shifts, either from 7AM to 2PM or from 2PM to 9PM. The working time can also be splitted in 2 or 3 shifts according to check in times of the guests (when possible). He will have his meals at the hostel, and in general will have plenty of time during his/her duty to accomplish his/her tasks. Hostel helper must be available to check in guests also late at night, when needed.


    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 (fluently)

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    Reliability, punctuality, maturity, resilience, flexibility, organizational skills, enthusiasm, communication skills, social media, proactivity, small maintenance skills, supervisor skills.

    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 shared room if travelling alone or in a bigger room if travelling in group with shared bathroom and wifi. 
    - bedsheets and towels (no beach towels provided)
    - cleaning of the room and the communal spaces at the volunteers' house 
    - no curfew
    - free access to our international youth hostel 
    - free access to parties at the hostel with guests and staff 
    - advice to visit Sao Vicente
    - advice to organize visits to other islands, especially Santo Antao, with hostel 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 the communal kitchen at the hostel
    - certificate 

    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. 

    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, but you will be charged 60 euros!  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. 

    Accommodation

    Accommodation for volunteers is available  in double or triple rooms with shared bathroom in the hostel or in the volunteers house. 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 rooms in the volunteers' house or in the hostel, according to availability.
    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

    Volunteers that apply for this program are accepted  only in the tourist low season, depending on availability. See Availability section. They can start on any day of the week according to flights availability and costs.


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

    Program Fees

    $83 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

    2021
    Good cause for animals in the community. Management could be better in terms of planning and resources for the volunteer when they arrive. ..
    Naomi T

    General helper

    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
    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 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
    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
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    Contact Silvia
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    Portuguese, English, Italian, German

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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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