A.P.E.S.

Website: www.apes.org.za
E-mail: apes1@gom.co.za
Phone: +27 (0)72 306 5664

Who they are

The Vervet Monkey Rehabilitation Centre was established by Dawn and Rodney, a couple that have been working with monkeys for over 19 years. Besides monkeys, they also take care of ducks, geese, cats, dogs, and any other wildlife. Their home is Khobotho Ranch, situated deep within ‘Zulu’ country on a 3000 acre game reserve neighbouring a rural community where traditional Zulu huts are still the norm. This nature reserve is surrounded by a heavily wooded series of hills, cliffs and valleys mainly of virgin bush. The reserve includes a stone built, thatched bush camp that sleeps up to 12, where there are many species of wild animals to be seen. As a volunteer, you become a part of this big family, and you are required to assist with preparing feeds, hand-rearing infant monkeys (if and when necessary), feeding, cleaning, and many other tasks in and around the centre.

What they do

The centre is unique in its approach to rehabilitation and over the years they have had great results, seeing many vervet monkeys return to the wild. The centre rescues orphaned and injured vervet monkeys (some only a few hours old), and with care and the correct management, when they have healed or reached maturity, they are released back into their known territory or on site.

A.P.E.S. also gives medical aid to sick or injured members of the local community who cannot, or do not want, to go to the hospital. They also give treatment to any of their sick or injured animals, including injections for their livestock.

Following on from this, A.P.E.S. is about to create an environmental group at a local school in town. This and the many other activities A.P.E.S. is involved in to promote the local communities rights and access to services such as water, means the money raised by the volunteer program is vital in supporting these endeavours.

What they offer

Volunteer program
Aside from the day-to-day duties of the monkey sanctuary volunteers have the opportunity to interact with rural children on a cultural and educational level by assisting the teachers in the local school.The main role is helping teach the community about environmental issues impacting them. Other activities may include maintenance, painting, and repairing fences.

Programs to establish self-help training schemes on site for the local community:
- Rustic furniture making using local resources. XX
- Curio making XX
- Traditional medicinal plant growing/harvesting.
- Jelly/Jam/Pickle making project (Seasonal)
- Schools & community environmental awareness programmes
- Establish a Pre-school on site (Long term)
- Basic English classes on site for adults & children & assist at local schools, environmental education, recycling etc
- Teaching the Community basic animal husbandry and animal care. XX
- Assisting at our local S.P.C.A (S.A. Animal rescue shelter)
- Visiting and assisting local governmental departments. For example: Schools, parksboard, agriculture, social services.

Note: Volunteers are more than welcome to make any other suggestions regarding other projects they feel could be beneficial to the success of A.P.E.S. and the local community. XX Indicates priority projects.

Eco-tourism
A.P.E.S. works with tourists and volunteers to foster eco-tourism with the local Zulu community. Visitors are encouraged to stay with a rural Zulu family in the bush, eating local food, partaking in everyday activities and learning about their rich culture and way of life.

Location

Postal Address:
P.O. Box 443
Greytown 3250
Kwazulu/Natal South Africa

Natal is on the east coast of South Africa. Pietermaritzburg, the capital, is 90 kms inland. Durban is the principal administration centre. A.P.E.S. is situated in the Greytown area, known as Umvoti, in the Natal Midlands area. This is 200 kms west of Durban.

View on Google Maps

What you need

- Sleeping bag (if you wish to camp)
- Good strong boots and/or walking shoes
- Warm & durable clothing
- Waterproof clothing
- Sun cream
- Hat
- Sun glasses

Accommodation & Amenities

Shared volunteer accommodation, furnished, bedrooms have 2 bunk beds each, linen is provided but please bring an extra towel & sleeping bag (for outdoor camping if desired). There is also a two person tent that volunteers may use.
Shared bathroom includes toilet, bath/shower units with hot & cold running water.
There is electricity at A.P.E.S.
During homestays food will largely depend on the family you stay with, but usually the Zulu diet consists of infeno, which is a mixture of spinach or other vegetables, and putu, which is a stiff porridge made of maize. Apes can notify local families beforehand if you are a vegetarian.
The cost of the minimum 4 week volunteer posting is USD $910.00 (this covers accommodation, meals and services such as laundry etc). It does not cover transport costs.
Visitors planning a shorter stay will be required to make a donation to the sanctuary of USD $298.00 per week. This will cover the cost of accommodation, meals and services (laundry etc). It does not cover the cost of transport.
If you choose to do a homestay the recommended cost per person per night is ZAR 100.00. This will be paid directly to the family members.

Check out the current exchange rate ZAR to USD