Santander Community Challenge

Luggage allowance and valuables

As no formal clothes are needed, luggage should be kept to the absolute minimum - details on what to pack are provided in your kit list. This, or your rucksack or suitcase should not exceed 20kgs in weight. On your outward journey, it’s a good idea to wear your steel toe capped boots as they are likely to be the heaviest item in your luggage. In addition, you will still be able to work on site if your luggage is delayed. Restrictions on kit are limited to a prohibition on army/camouflage uniforms.

While we will do everything to provide adequate safety for the group and security for your possessions, the general rule is that if you don’t need it, don’t bring it. This includes jewellery, necklaces, rings and even watches.  Your passport and money should be kept on you at all times.  

Emergencies

In an emergency there will be a safety vehicle that can take you to the nearest hosptial which is 10 minutes from both the hotel and construction site.

What about health and safety / insurance?

At the start of your challenge you will be given a full health and safety briefing and a specific site briefing. Any new tasks you are assigned to or new tools you will potentially use will be fully explained and training will be provided where necessary. In addition to your first aid qualified challenge leader, all trips have a full medical backup and emergency transportation provision. 

Safety

Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of its participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. In a nutshell, Our Challenge Safe brand formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the activity itself. Your welfare is paramount!

In terms of your Community Challenge South Africa, there are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:​

• It is a very humid and remote environment.
• Please keep covered up from the sun. Wear long sleeves and always apply sunscreen throughout the day.
• Keep hydrated throughout the day, especially during your time at the building site.
• Always wear correct protective clothing shoes whilst around the building site.

A building site can be a dangerous place. Listen to briefings and instructions. Aske questions if you aren't sure and if it looks dangerous, it probably is. So please tell a leader if you feel uncomfortable or concerned about anything on the build site.

Phone & Wi-Fi

WIFI and mobile phone reception will be available at the hotel you stay in. On the construction site the mobile phone signal will be limited.

Toilets

You will be in a centrally located hotel outside Pietermaritzburg with western style toilets.  On the construction site you will have access to toilets.

Clothing & equipment

No specialist kit is required. A full kit list for this challenge can be found here and once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners Outdoor Hire and Cotswold Outdoor.

Food & Drink

All meals are included throughout the week. Drinking water will be provided during the day on site. Snacks and lunch will also be delivered to the site. If you require bottled water, soft drinks or alcohol with your evening meal or on other occasions you will need to purchase these separately. The food might not always be your favourite and a flexible nature is necessary. Please let Charity Challenge know prior to departure if you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies. In addition, your team leader will be there to help you.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be provided in a hotel, guest house or B&B of around 3 star standard on a twin share with en suite basis.  If you are travelling with a friend or partner who you wish to share with, please let Charity Challenge know in advance by emailing bookings@charitychallenge.com 

How fit do I need to be?

You will need to be relatively fit to take part in this trip because it is designed to be demanding. You will be working for five full days on the project and maybe carrying out many different tasks. If one activity is too physically demanding for you (such as lifting or digging) you can easily be involved and contribute by working on another activity. You will not be asked to do anything you aren’t comfortable with.

What kind of tasks might I be asked to do?

No previous building experience is necessary. You could be digging foundations, clearing land, mixing concrete or mortar, painting, roof work or plastering. You most likely will be working alongside volunteers from the local community. It will be hard work, but you will certainly earn your sponsorship.

Typical day

You will wake up early in time for breakfast and will then be transferred from your hotel to the community (approximately 20 - 30 minures depending on traffic) where you will be allocated tasks. You will break for lunch, normally at the same time as the local community. You will typically finish at around 1600hrs and transfer back to the hotel. The evenings will be free to socialise, or on a number of evenings there will be the opportunity to take part in cultural activities or visit local restaurants.

Responsible Tourism

We aim to set responsible tourism standards, to minimise the impact of our challenges on the environment within which we operate and, above all, to ensure local people benefit from tourism. Charity Challenge operates a very robust Responsible Tourism policy. Please do contact us for more information.

Why are these programmes so important?

By taking part in this challenge and physically building houses alongside the local community, you will not only leave children with a safe, decent space to live but your hard work will also help lift the spirits of the local community. In addition, we are challenging each participant to raise as much sponsorship as possible for Age UK and Barnardo’s. 

Climate

The days will be warm and bright as it is just coming into spring time. There may be some rain, but it is before the main rainy season.  The average temperature is around 21C. Light waterproofs as a precaution should be taken.

Leadership

We employ a first aid qualified, English speaking challenge leader. They will ultimately be responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group. A separate construction supervisor will have overall responsibility whilst on the work site. We will do our very best to keep to the proposed itinerary, however, we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all circumstances, your team leader or construction supervisor will be responsible for making the decision relating to your activities which are in your best interests. 

Group Size and dynamics

Your team will consist of 35-40 people. You may face situations you have not encountered previously. You will be in a very different environment and surroundings away from people you know. You will be living in close quarters, sharing bedroom and bathroom facilities with other team members and travelling to the work site as a group. The more you put into the challenge, the more you, your team and the community will get out of it. Make the most of each moment. It is a truly unique experience.

Insurance

It is a condition of booking that you have a suitable travel insurance policy whilst participating on the challenge. We have a special policy which covers among other things, medical (emergency, evacuation and repatriation) arrangements, cancellation and curtailment of the challenge, and more specifically for the adventurous activities undertaken on this challenge. If you have your own travel insurance policy, you must ensure that it provides at least the same level of cover as our recommended policy, including protecting the charity in the event of your cancellation 56 days or less prior to departure. If you choose not to purchase our recommended policy when you book we will send you a disclaimer which you should complete and return.

For more general travel insurance questions, please refer to our main Q&As page.

Flights

You will be flying from London to Durban via Johannesburg and returning from Durban to London via Johannesburg with South African Airways. The flight will take approx. 11 hrs. Your flight tickets will be issued to you at the airport.

What is HIV/AIDS?

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a disease caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). HIV attacks the body's immune system. A healthy immune system is what keeps you from getting sick. When people have AIDS, their bodies can't fight disease. They usually die of opportunistic diseases such as tuberculosis.

HIV can only be passed from person to person through bodily fluids, like blood, semen and vaginal fluid. The most common ways HIV is passed are: by having unprotected sex with an infected person or sharing needles and syringes for injecting drugs with an infected person. Children born to infected mothers can also become infected during pregnancy.

AIDS cannot be contracted through general contact such as sharing of tools, playing football, shaking hands, or sharing food and utensils.

As is standard practice anywhere, nobody should assist with cleaning any bleeding injuries that are incurred on the construction site unless they are wearing gloves, which are provided in the first aid kits. If the wounds are small, it is better to provide the injured person with cleaning equipment and bandages and allow them to sort themselves out.

There will be a full briefing on your day of arrival, and please feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding AIDS and HIV.

Vaccinations

For up to date vaccination information please check the NHS travel website Fit for Travel at: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations.aspx 
Although the Charity Challenge team are travel professionals, they are not medical experts and we would encourage you to visit your GP or travel nurse to discuss vaccination requirements.

Visa

For UK passport holders a full passport is required but no Visa. You must have at least 30 days to run on your passport from the end of the challenge. Ensure your passport is stamped on arrival. Also see in your account area. Non UK passport holders should consult their nearest South African embassy regarding visa requirements.

Tips

Tipping is of course discretionary. However, we recommend approx. £3 per person per day at the end of the challenge, which you should give to the tour leader who will then divide it among all of the support team

Should I take gifts or clothes for the locals?

We will be co-ordinating gifts for the community and will let you know nearer the time what would be suitable to bring, if you want to help. These gifts will be distributed by your challenge leader who will ensure they are shared through the community and therefore allocated appropriately and where they are most needed.

You must not give anything to families or individuals yourself.

Money

Currency: The national currency is the Rand. For up to date currency exchange, go to www.xe.com.

Cash: There are ATMs available at the airport in Durban and near to the hotel you stay in. 

Credit Cards: Widely accepted in the larger urban centres, although a small charge can be charged.

Travellers Cheque: The only point on the trip to change travellers cheques is at the airport.

Spending Money: You will not need much spending money as you will be working on site most days and your meals will be catered for. You should budget for your UK transfers, tips (approx £3 per person per day), extra snacks for the build and evening drinks, gift shopping and any other personal items.

Is the project sustainable and who will benefit from it?

Thandanani has been meeting the needs of orphaned children in the area for a number of years. The community has been devastated by HIV and grandparents are taking in their grandchildren, to care for them after their parents have died. But their homes are inadequate, both from a health & safety and a size perspective. Thandanani have an ongoing commitment with the project because of the best practices employed and the overwhelming need of the community. The work undertaken by our volunteers will enable three families in desperate need to benefit from a safe environment to live, learn and grow. The project is mutually beneficial as volunteers will benefit from the team building experience while Thandanani will be empowered to meet the needs of more children through the ongoing support.