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Brilliant 4.76rating (58)

Maintenance and decoration

location
2 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Help keeping SIMABO's locations safe and functional
  • Make the difference at our very busy organization by solving everyday maintenance problems
  • Be the one that has always a solution for everything!

Highlights

  • Help keeping SIMABO's locations safe and functional
  • Make the difference at our very busy organization by solving everyday maintenance problems
  • Be the one that has always a solution for everything!
  • Use your creativity to recycle materials and used equipment
  • Contribute to the miracle of having a very comfortable and pleasant hostel with very little funds available

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    50+

    About the program

    We always need help for maintenance and decoration at our sites: dog shelter, clinic, cat shelter, volunteers' rooms, office and hostel.

    The volunteer who wants to help with maintenance and decoration must have a wide experience in manual works and also good common sense and the capacity to find quickly good solutions to problems. He/she must be able to find good solutions with the materials available, that are sometimes not exactly ...

    About the program

    The volunteer who wants to help with maintenance and decoration must have a wide experience in manual works and also good common sense and the capacity to find quickly good solutions to problems. He/she must be able to find good solutions with the materials available, that are sometimes not exactly what they would be able to use at home. The volunteer responsible for maintenance must be able to organize his/her work efficiently, finding out what he/she needs or going and get it where it is available without relying too much on the management, if not for budgetary reasons, in order not to be stuck in bottlenecks. He/she must be able to involve in his/her work other volunteers or some staff to help and to book the driver if he needs a car to get material or equipment at the right time in the right place. 




    Typical day

    A working day of a volunteer is normally of about 6 hours, but for a volunteer involved in maintenance of 4 locations with animals and tourists there is always plenty to do! Apart from bigger works that can take various hours or days, as for instance building a roof or a door, or a fence, or ...

    Typical day

    A working day of a volunteer is normally of about 6 hours, but for a volunteer involved in maintenance of 4 locations with animals and tourists there is always plenty to do! Apart from bigger works that can take various hours or days, as for instance building a roof or a door, or a fence, or painting a whole site, typical issues for the volunteer in this place are locks that don't want to open in the middle of the night, taps that begin to leak at any time of the day, water missing in a shower at the hostel, a door that breaks at the shelter and makes impossible to close the dogs safely at night, a window that breaks because of the wind (very common), and any kind of minor issues, as moving a bed from one room to the other while the room is empty, trying to repair a fan on a summer Sunday, when everything is closed and it would be impossibile to buy a new one. 

    Decoration is less demanding, there are no emergencies, but of course maintenance volunteers are always most welcome to use their creativity when it comes to decoration.

    NOTES: 
    - Information given in the Time Commitment session of this program are only orientative and they are not binding: the free day can be on any day of the week (may be on the weekend, maybe not) and the working time is per shift: one morning shift from 7,30 to 12,30 OR one afternoon shift from 13,30 to 18,30.
    - 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.  



    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)

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    The prospect for this position doesn't need any special skills out of those typical for this kind of work: problem-solving abilities, flexibility, organization/time management competence. But he/she must be able to work with animals around, as his/her work will take place in she shelters, in the clinic and at the office. Help with the animals is provided by the local staff or by other volunteers.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 07:30 - 23:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    The one-time fee covers

    - pick up from the airport at the arrival
    - accommodation in a single or shared room according to availability
    - use of the communal kitchen at our nearby hostel 
    - advice to visit the island of Sao Vicente and to organize visits to other islands, especially Santo Antao, with hotel and ferry/flights reservations  


    Airport Pickup at Cesaria Evora International Airport

    Our driver will wait for you in the airport arrival hall with a sign with your name! 
    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. 

    Vaccinations are not required nor recommended. There is no rabies in Cape Verde. 

    Accommodation

    Accommodation for volunteers is available in single rooms 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

    Volunteers are accepted throughout the year depending on availability.

    Usually the best months to come are from april o mid-July and form the beginning of OCtober to mid-December, because of the temperature and also because of the cost of the flights, that can be a expensive in the high season (Christmas, August).
    Carnaval is a highlight of Mindelo's life, volunteers are always welcome at that time of the year. 

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

    Program Fees

    $115 per week 2 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 4 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
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    Portuguese, English, Italian, German

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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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