The most popular gap year activity is not partying, it is not sleeping late while your parents take care of things, nor is it working at a regular job. A gap year has become, to many students around the world, all about gaining experience while having an once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
For plenty of students, volunteering abroad during their gap year fulfills all their needs. Some individuals want to see how well they can do on their own in a strange and exotic country. They want to expand their understanding of the global community and they want to express their passion for a certain cause or ambition. Some want to work with children, teach or absorb the local culture, while others find working with animals the ideal choice for a gap year project.
African Penguins – an Unusual Choice
Most people do not put the words ‘South Africa’ and ‘penguins’ in the same sentence, so you may be surprised to know that South Africa is home to the African penguin. If you want to spend time with these delightful creatures, you can volunteer with the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). It has a reputation of being one of the world’s foremost rehabilitation centres for marine birds. African penguins comprise part of their mandate. In this atmosphere, working with animals means helping to save this wingless and endangered species of bird.
The habitat you will be heading to is Robben Island. This is a small island just off the coast of South Africa, sitting in Table Bay just off Cape Town. The island was the original home of the African Penguin until they were virtually wiped out. A new colony took shape there in 1938, and it is here you will spend time working with the penguins and learning how to take care of them.
Taking Care
This project allows a certain amount of scope to its volunteers. Working with animals in this context and environment can include addressing rehabilitation issues, helping out with general care (e.g. food preparation), learning how to catch, hold and even feed the African penguins, exercising the animals and taking care of any wounds that the penguins may have.
For those animals in captivity, recovering from wounds and undergoing rehabilitation, volunteers assist in feeding them – including by a feeding tube if necessary. You will also tend to their wounds and clean out both their pens and swimming pools. In undertaking these tasks you will learn first-hand about the life-cycle of the African penguin. You can also discover your ability to work as part of a team in the care and rehabilitation of these beautiful and unique animals – this is not Happy Feet. This is real life.
A Gift that Lasts a Lifetime