Zimbabwe Workcamps Association

Background and history

The Zimbabwe Workcamps Association (ZWA) is a Zimbabwean youth volunteer organisation founded in October 1993. The DSG has been in partnership with it since 1995.
This non-governmental organisation is active in intercultural education, national and international understanding through voluntary service, peace, solidarity and community development.

Workcamps are a method of development cooperation that aims to encourage local communities to carry out self-help projects, which helps improve socio-economic, cultural and physical living standards despite scarce resources.

Its aims include:

• supporting the development of local and regional communities,
• promoting the concept of voluntary service in efforts for peace, equality and international understanding,
• giving young people the opportunity to get to know and understand other cultures,
• teaching practices of self-organisation and cooperation.

Taking part in workcamps

The DSG e.V. puts you in touch with the ZWA and advises on the choice of
placement. German participants can carry out various activities, depending on their skills and knowledge. Participants can take part in a workcamp individually or as a group. It is particularly rewarding when German volunteers can work together with Zimbabwean volunteers and gain experience together.
Placements are with organisations working in organic farming, for example. There are also contacts with (language) schools that teach German, and native speakers are very welcome. Individual placements in kindergartens or children’s homes are also possible.

Participation should last at least 2–3 weeks.
The participation fee starts at €350 and depends on the length of the workcamp. ZWA representatives pick participants up at the airport and accompany them to the project site, where they live in local accommodation. Participants pay for their own flights and travel costs.

As the placements change every year, we are happy to send anyone interested the current year’s workcamps.

Ratherford Mwaruta is the director of the ZWA.
ratherford@zimworkcamps.com
www.zimworkcamps.com
https://www.facebook.com/zimbabweworkcamps