The Maldives is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean. It is made up of a double chain of twenty-six atolls. This chain consists of 1200 islands stretching over 750km. Most of these Islands are uninhabited and supply visitors with quintessential tropical panoramas. Coconut palms draping over crystal clear blue waters that extend to amazingly diverse tropical reefs. During your placement, you will be located on the Island of Thinadoo, the capital of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll located 450km south of the capital Malé.
PROJECT WORK
Your placement will include three key areas:
1. Assisting teachers in the local school (both primary and secondary)
2. Swimming coaching for local women and girls
3. Rowing coaching - for specialists
Teaching
During the day you will assist at the local pre-school, primary or secondary school. You will help with the development of English in the schools by assisting in reading, writing, speaking and listing activities, working with the local Maldivian teacher in a formal manner. Depending on your personal skills and experience, you may also be able to assist in other areas e.g. Maths, Geography, Science, Art etc. The school follows London Edexcel syllabus for A/level and Cambridge syllabus for O/level. As this is an English medium school, all the teachers and students are able to communicate in English. Lesson planning to prepare for the teaching day is advantageous for our Antipodeans students. This placement would suit students studying education or with prior teaching experience.
Sports coaching
It may surprise you to learn that a fair proportion of the Maldivian population cannot swim, and have a fear of the water.
To escape the heat and humidity of the middle of the day, you will conduct swimming lessons in the mornings and evenings. These sessions will mainly involve young women but young boys who cannot swim may also get involved. You will be supplied with lesson plans and lesson ideas that will help the participants gain confidence in the water, with fun and participation being the main aim.
Rowing Coaching
If you have rowing experience you may be able to assist in the development of this sport in the region. Once again this sport is focusing on women as it is being used as a stepping-stone to develop their confidence both in and on the water.
ACCOMMODATION
Get to know your fellow volunteers whilst staying in a local guesthouse. Every room is a twin share that has an ensuite with a western-style toilet. There is no hot water available in the showers yet the heat does not make this a problem. The accommodation has a common room, fridge, TV, fans, laundry, as well as tea and coffee facilities.
What’s included?
Pre-departure training
Meet and greet on arrival
Transfers to and from airport and placement
Food and accommodation
Orientation
Volunteer project work
24-hour back up and emergency support
Wide range of additional optional activities
What’s not included?
Airfares
Visas
Vaccinations
Travel Insurance
FREE TIME SUGGESTIONS
- Snorkeling
- Fishing
- Rowing
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
Maldives photos
UniBreak dates & prices