• Volunteers should be part of the community in which they work and they should not impact adversely on the community;
• We are actively involved in a number of water projects that conform to the standards of the UN water is life programme;
• We never force western views on our partners, we always take economic needs coupled with the environmental need into account;
• We only send volunteers when they are needed and not for simple financial gain;
• All water projects use local sourced renewable materials where possible;
• We actively support full recycling;
• Training and briefing all staff on company environmental policy and how to adopt best practice;
• Ensuring suppliers and Project Partners are fully aware of our environmental policy and that they adhere to it;
• Ensure that all of our new projects are researched fully, taking all local environmental considerations into account.

By supporting our projects, you’re influencing the local community in many ways, such as, preserving their natural environment and wildlife, bringing income to the projects. Enabling them to develop growth and education through cultural exchange.

The Positive Effects Amani Hostel and our Volunteers and Interns have on the Local Environments:

We provide our volunteers with many tips on how to be a responsible traveler regarding the environmental impact they have. We want you to be immersed in the culture, by living and working with local people. We work with local communities, local charities, local government bodies and local schools. We often partner with local organizations whom we have vetted to ensure that they are committed to the projects they run, that they have the same responsible attitude to the local community that we do, that they are eco-friendly and have ethical policies.

In our projects and in our headquarters offices, we take an environmentally responsible attitude towards recycling and reusing of waste products. Our volunteers are given pre-departure Information that encourages them to minimize waste and reduce their use of water and electricity, in other words, to live sensitively in the environment they’re working in.

Our projects enable vital conservation, research, care and education work to take place directly where it is most needed. For example, we kept a Species Survival Conservation project in South Africa afloat until completion after it was threatened by lack of funds. Our volunteers contribute, all over the world, to projects that would not exist without them. Amani Hostel also gives donations as and when required by projects. 

Our Projects are sustainable and ongoing. Your work contributes to, and helps to continue, the long chain of worthwhile achievements in the communities.

Social Responsibility:

The information we provide prepares our volunteers for their placement and how to deal with the local people. It also briefs our volunteers on the Do’s and Don’ts and ensures that they are aware of the possible impact of their behavior.

Cultural sensitivity:

Volunteers receive an induction and orientation on arrival which covers things like being sensitive to the culture you’re in, everyday processes which will be different to what you’re accustomed to, how to have the maximum beneficial imprint and the minimum negative impact. We stress the importance of responsible tourism, cultural differences and acceptable/unacceptable conduct.

Economic Responsibility:

By living in the community, you’re providing much needed income and employment to the local population. You’ll be actively encouraged to recycle, be efficient with energy and water usage and preserve the natural surroundings.

For 25 years our volunteers have lived in local communities around the world, spent their money with local traders and brought funding to the projects they work with. Amani Hostel employs local staff and works with local support staff. This helps to fund the project directly and through bringing money into the local community.

The organizations we work with often struggle to financially support and maintain the work they do, so every penny raised makes a real difference. Our aim is to create always a Win-Win-Win situation in terms of the benefits for, (a) the local communities and institutions you work in, (b) our Volunteers, i.e. you, and (c) for Amani Hostel We do not embark on any project that is not beneficial to all three of these stakeholders.