Parents Information - Africa Gap Year

With the Africa gap year information below we intend to cover frequently asked questions and advice for parents & guardians, family members and friends.

If there is anything we have missed then please read through our frequently asked questions or contact us directly. We will be glad to assist you.

Advice for Parents & Guardians - student travel

African Impact makes student travel easy and affordable. Schools arriving in the country of their choice are made to feel at ease and learn to not only have fun with the locals, but to appreciate Africa’s pure beauty.

Will my child be met at the airport?

• Yes. An African Impact volunteer manager or representative meets all African Impact volunteers at the airport.

What if my child becomes ill?

• Although this is by no means a regular occurrence, volunteers do sometimes get ill whilst on placement. The volunteer coordinator for the project will ensure that your child receives immediate medical assistance. In the event of a serious illness or accident each volunteer will be covered by their insurance policy, which is why we require all volunteers to have adequate insurance. We will keep in contact with you to advise you of their progress. Browse through the sections below to find out further useful information.
• Travel insurance
• Health and vaccinations

What if my child is homesick?

• Many of our volunteers are traveling away from home for the first time. It is not unusual for volunteers to feel homesick from time to time. We make every effort to help them integrate with the other volunteers and encourage them to fully engage with the project that they are on. We find the homesickness goes away pretty quickly!

How do I know where my child will be?

• Every African Impact volunteer is given the full details of their destination before departure. This includes the address & contact telephone numbers of their accommodation and project location, if different. Before their departure, we also provide the details of the volunteer coordinator for the project who can be contacted in case of an emergency. To get a rough idea of your child's placement location, then look below to read about each country and the volunteer program it offers. Look at our African map to find out where the countries are in relation to one another to plan your family holiday to visit your child!

How can I keep in contact with my child?

• Communication to, or within Africa is not always as it is in the Western world – it can sometimes be slow and difficult. A telephone will always be available for you to call your family member/friend, and on most of our projects there are also internet connections available. We encourage all volunteers to call home to let you know that they have arrived safely, and to regularly phone or email to tell you about all the fun they are having.

Is the project that they are on safe?

• We make every effort to ensure all volunteers are safe during their placement. All volunteers are briefed fully about the area that they are living and working in, with advice on how to go about their daily life as a volunteer. Obviously caution always needs to be taken when working with wild animals on a conservation project; however, our experienced staff will provide training and support throughout the placement to ensure the safety of every volunteer.

What support network and emergency procedures are in place?

• Throughout your placement each volunteer will have the support and guidance of our experienced volunteer coordinators. They are part of our greater African Impact support team, which will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance. In the event of an emergency, professional and skilled operators such as medical air rescue services and competent medical practitioners are available as part of the support network.

Are there any hidden extras in the cost of the placement?

• All costs include transport to and from the project specific pick-up point, as well as all accommodation and meals. Volunteers should bring money to pay for telephone calls and internet use and for items of a personal nature such as toiletries or gifts. In addition, on many of our projects, volunteers have the option of enjoying organized trips to nearby sights and attractions. There is an additional cost to be paid locally to cover these excursions, and any visas they may require for border crossings.

How do I know African Impact is a real company?

• During the last year of operation alone, African Impact has had over 300 successfully placed volunteers. Some of our projects are regarded as the most exciting in the world. If you would like details of past volunteers that you are able to make contact with about your placements, please contact us.

Are the countries safe?

• Africa is a dynamic continent, and sometimes situations can arise within a country that can give cause for concern, as they can in any country in the world. We at African Impact take the safety of our volunteers very seriously indeed. Should an unforeseen situation arise which warrants a volunteer’s removal from that country or region, we would do so immediately.
• Travel safety in Africa