NEWS SOURCE: The Cultural Explorer
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 12 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — For those who seek meaning, connection, and want to make a difference as they travel, a San Francisco-based cultural and philanthropic tour company offers a unique Zulu “empowerment” volunteer tour into KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in September of 2010. This three-week trip, offered by The Cultural Explorer, gives volunteer travelers the rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant Zulu culture while participating in a variety of service-oriented projects.
Travelers will be encouraged to design a project based on their own interests and skills. Some might want to refurbish a school or tutor students in math, science, English, and art. Other volunteers might want to work with children in an orphanage or teach in a creche (day care center). And others might want to teach marketable skills to the Zulu women, or assist rural businesswomen with marketing ideas.
Volunteer travelers will stay in a lovely local hotel in a small rural town in KwaZulu-Natal. There will be excursions daily into the numerous nearby Zulu villages — with opportunities to observe both traditional and contemporary life, and attend a Zulu wedding, birthday, or healing celebration. Volunteers will visit with local sangomas (traditional healers) and spend time with the only white sangoma in South Africa. Travelers will also enjoy lively dinners with local activists, politicians, educators, and entrepreneurs who are invested in making positive change in the Zulu community.
There will also be time to explore the picturesque town of Eshowe and surrounding areas. And travelers will discover that one of best places to mix and mingle with the locals is the hotel bar.
Volunteer travelers will also spend a weekend on safari in the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve, the oldest game park in South Africa. Also planned is a side trip into the city of Durban where there will be a chance to visit the beautiful beaches along the Indian Ocean.
The Zulu Empowerment trip starts in Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city, with an in-depth history lesson and visits to the Apartheid museum, Origins Centre, the thriving township of Soweto, and downtown Johannesburg. Travelers will be treated to authentic African foods and music. The volunteer portion of the trip will be based in KwaZulu-Natal, about 7 hours south of Johannesburg, an area known for its large Zulu population and diverse terrain.
Pat Walker, founder of The Cultural Explorer, has spent several years cultivating contacts within the Zulu communities in KwaZulu-Natal. Travelers will meet with her personal contacts and colleagues.
“This is a one-of-a-kind volunteer trip,” Walker says. “We have teamed up with a local family-run organization that has been working in this area for several years. We find their projects to be authentic and they really do make a big difference in the lives of the Zulu community. We are pleased to make this volunteer trip available to adventurous travelers who want to go beyond the ordinary travel experience.”
Trip dates: Sept 4-25, 2010.
About the Zulu:
The Zulu are the largest South African ethnic group of an estimated 10-11 million people who live mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Their language, Zulu, is a Bantu language. The Zulu Kingdom played a major role in South African history during the 19th and 20th centuries and the Zulu were known as fierce and determined warriors. Under apartheid, Zulu people were classed as third-class citizens and suffered from state-sanctioned discrimination. They remain today the most numerous ethnic group in South Africa, and now have equal rights along with all other citizens. The current president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, is a Zulu.
About The Cultural Explorer:
The Cultural Explorer is a member of the African Travel Association (ATA). The company offers both group and individual trips, and specializes in authentic cultural, volunteer, and philanthropic travel experiences.
For more information, visit: http://theculturalexplorer.com/.
News issued by: The Cultural Explorer
Original Image: https://www.send2press.com/wire/images/10-0412-zuluschool_72dpi.jpg
# # #
Original Story ID: (5843) :: 2010-04-0412-001
Original Keywords: The Cultural Explorer, refurbished Zulu School, zulu tour, south africa, safari, make a difference travel, volunteer tour, KwaZulu Natal, volunteer travelers, africa, Pat Walker, Apartheid museum, Origins Centre, the thriving township of Soweto, and downtown Johannesburg The Cultural Explorer San Francisco California SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.
Alternate Headline: Explore, Experience and Empower: Unique Zulu Volunteer Trip into South Africa
NEWS ARCHIVE NOTE: this archival news content, issued by the news source via Send2Press Newswire, was originally located in the Send2Press® 2004-2015 2.0 news platform and has been permanently converted/moved (and redirected) into our 3.0 platform. Also note the story “reads” counter (bottom of page) does not include any data prior to Oct. 30, 2016. This press release was originally published/issued: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:48:02 +0000
NEWS SOURCE: The Cultural Explorer | Published: 2010-04-12 12:48:02
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ARCHIVAL CONTENT ABOVE: The above archival press release content was issued on behalf of the noted "news source" who provided the content (text and image[s]) and is solely responsible for its accuracy. Links may not work if very old; use such with caution. Send2Press does not represent the "news source" in any capacity. For questions about this content contact the company/person mentioned directly. To report fraud or illegal material, or DMCA complaints, please contact Send2Press via our main site (any such complaints must be made in writing, not by phone).
