St. Paul, MN (Jan. 29) "“ Global Volunteers, the nation’s long-
standing “volunteer vacation” leader, will inaugurate a new international
service opportunity in South Africa beginning July, 2008. During 2007, Global
Volunteers mobilized some 2,300 volunteers on over 185 teams to work on
genuine development projects in 20 countries on six continents.

This new development partnership is with leaders of Malungeni, a small rural
community in the Ngqeleni Disrict about a three-hour drive northeast of the
coastal city of East London. Malungeni is an impoverished agricultural
community of about 5,000. Education, labor projects and capacity building
are the foundational elements of the ongoing relationship.

Educational assignments include primary school, preschool and after school
instruction at a nearby orphanage to make a significant difference in the
children’s otherwise regimented and predictable lives. Trained elementary
educators are especially needed although most volunteers, regardless of
background, can teach conversational English. The main labor project is
renovating the community center inside and out. It’s not difficult work, and
most anyone handy with a hammer or paint brush will be of service.
Volunteers with micro-business skills can immediately and directly contribute
to several exciting economic development projects such as brick making,
poultry farming, forestry, baking and catering.

Service programs dates are: Jul. 12 "“ Jul. 26, 2008, Sept.6 "“ 20, 2008, Nov.
8 – 22, 2008, Jan. 31 "“ Feb. 14, 2009, March 14 "“ April 4, 2009, May 2 "“ 23,
2009 and July 18 "“ Aug. 8, 2009. The service program fee is $2,095 for a
one-week program, $2,395 for a two-week program; and $2,695 for a three-
week program, after an internet discount. Additional discounts are available
for former volunteers, students and groups. The service program fee covers
all meals, lodging, ground transportation, emergency medical evacuation
insurance, team leader services and other project expenses. Airfare is extra
although all project-related expenses, including airfare, are tax-deductible for
U.S. taxpayers.

Global Volunteers, a private nonprofit, nonsectarian international development
organization based in St. Paul, Minn., is in its 25th year of worldwide service.
For details, call 800-487-1074 or visit www.globalvolunteers.org.

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