The Missionvale Care Centre operates in the extremely poor informal shackland township of Missionvale in Port Elizabeth, South Africa - part of the wider Nelson Mandela Metropole. It was founded by Sister Ethel Normoyle, from humble beginnings, under a tree donated by a resident of Missionvale. It has grown into a Centre which provides love and care for the poor and destitute, with particular emphasis on those living with HIV/AIDS.

Missionvale Care Centre is an interdenominational, non-profit organization committed to providing quality care and support to improve the life of the people of Missionvale through love, consultation, participation and self-development. We respond to the many needs of the people in the circumstances in which they live.
The help of volunteers is highly appreciated as there is a variety of projects to do and support with.

Missionvale offers the following help where volunteers can help out and support:

Primary School; appr. 140 kids in the ages of 5-12 years attend school here and need support with reading, writing, social skills, sports and individual attention.

Nutrition unit; helps the people of Missionvale each day by providing them with a half loaf of bread and a scoop of nutritious soup powder making it possible for them to go home and provide a meal for their family. This service is available to any one in need. The Nutrition Unit also distributes weekly food parcels to those families on the Care Centre adopted list.

Eye Clinic: A volunteer optometrist visits the Care Centre once a week providing optical examinations and helping to provide the people with glasses when necessary. The Centre is always looking for old eye glasses that can be recycled for use here. Giving a person the ability to see again is an amazing gift.

Crafter Unit: The ladies of the Crafters Unit work very hard every day on a variety of projects including curtains, placemats, hand bags, aprons, pillows and more. These items are then sold at the Missionvale Care Centre as well as at Art in the Park the first Sunday of each month. As the women are taught the basics of sewing and become more adept at these skills they have an increased chance of becoming employed by businesses throughout the Port Elizabeth area.

Child Support and Development; children who attend the school but also for those who do not, every day there is an offer of activities for them to stay of the streets and play safely. They get a meal, can get computer lessons, listen to stories, learn to play the drum or cultural dancing, play outside and play sports.

Clothing warehouse; all donations of clothing are cleaned and sorted so anybody in need can get a parcel with fitting and clean clothes.

Community gardens; residents of the area can plant and grow their own vegetables and fruits and donate part of the harvest to the soupkitchen.

Tasks and activities
Because of the combination of all these programmes it is possible for volunteers to help out in different ways. You can help with the distribution of food, the children in the school, do sports activities, help in the gardens and much more.

How about local guidance?
Daily guidance will be given by the coordinators of the different units.

Important!
This is a challenging and diverse project where you will learn and see many things you have never seen before. With you preferences and the need at the time of you being there you will make a plan to make the most of it. This is Africa and things don’t always happen as wished or wanted, so be flexible and have the time of your life!!

Important is that volunteers are aware of:
- Respecting the vision and mission of this project.
- Having an independent attitude
- Being flexible in the tasks and activities
- Having own transport to get to the project. ( we will help you getting a car or appoint carpooling)
- Having a open mind and will to make a difference.
- Between 18 and 60 years of age

You will have accommodation in one of the volunteer houses Khaya offers where you will spend your time with other international volunteers. You will be responsible for your own transport and costs for food and drinks, but the cost of the room is included in the price. This room will be either private or to share with maximum of one other volunteer if needed.

Transport is often something you can share with other volunteers to reduce the costs. A rental car will cost about 2000 rand/ 200 euro/ 250 USD/220 Sterling per month. The benefit of having a car is of course that you can travel in the weekends and visit places after working at the project. The volunteer houses are usually shared with local and international volunteers and students and often have a swimming pool, cleaning services and are close to facilities such as the beach, bars and restaurant and shops.
If this accommodation does not suit your preference you do have the choice to stay in a host family as well.

What are the costs ?
1 week R 1500
2 weeks R 3000
3 weeks R 4500
4 weeks R 5750
All extra weeks will be charged R 1250 per week.
Because of the currency fluctuation the donations given should be made in South African Rand (ZAR). Currency conversion information can be obtained from www.xe.com.
Your donation will not only be helpful for the support of these projects but will also be used for the maintenance of buildings in the area, food for children and for the organization of activities.

What do I get for these costs?
The costs will include the following:
- Information and support before arrival
- Personal pickup and transport to accommodation
- Information guide with free SIM card upon arrival
- Short tour of the city and facilities
- Costs for accommodation
- Food and drinks (host family only)
- Support during stay
- Arrangement of activities and weekend trips.

The costs are excluding:
- Daily transport.
- Food and drinks (when staying in volunteer house).
- Any travel expenses to Port Elizabeth.
- Insurance.
- Costs for outings and activities