Disability support in Tarrafal

🏡 A shared home in Tarrafal

Stay in a simple participant house, sharing your room and common spaces with others. A private room is not guaranteed. The team confirms room arrangements and laundry options before departure.

Hot showers, fans, bed linen, lockable rooms and Wi-Fi in common areas are available. Bring towels, a plug adaptor and mosquito protection. Air conditioning and a safe are not standard facilities. Look after your belongings and follow the house rules.

🍽️ Meals and daily life

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on weekdays. At weekends, breakfast and dinner are provided, while lunch is your responsibility. Drinking water is available. Share allergies or dietary needs in advance so the team can confirm what can be accommodated.

The house is a place to eat together, swap stories and rest after activities. Keep shared spaces tidy and respect other guests’ privacy and routines. Before departure, confirm any practical payments on arrival, such as a refundable key deposit.

🛡️ Respectful support, guided by staff

The standard minimum age is 18. Participants under 18 need prior approval and signed parental consent; adult accompaniment is strongly recommended. Those over 65 need a fitness certificate. HeyLocals confirms the requirements for your circumstances.

Experience supporting people with disabilities and at least basic English are required. Before confirmation the local team reviews your CV, relevant experience and languages; a passport-style photograph is required at registration. For the HeyLocals criminal-record check, complete the self-declaration in your personal account.

Follow local caregivers. Help with meals, personal care or movement exercises only when agreed and supervised. You do not replace staff or provide independent clinical care or therapy. Speak to your coordinator if a task feels beyond your abilities.

Respect privacy and confidentiality. Photos and personal stories require the centre’s permission and appropriate consent. Follow hygiene guidance and report illness, accidents or concerns promptly.

Arrange suitable insurance, ask a qualified doctor for personal health advice and read current official travel guidance. You receive local emergency contacts and support from the HeyLocals team; this does not mean a guide accompanies you continuously.

🧭 Your first days in Tarrafal

Meet the coordinator and fellow participants, settle into the house and discuss the programme. Your introduction covers documents, house rules, health and safety. Learn about Cape Verdean culture and try a few words of Kriolu.

Get practical guidance on local services, transport and phone connectivity. At the centre, meet staff and learn how the daily routines work: how to communicate, which activities you can support and when to ask for help. The needs and dignity of the people using the centre come first.

Take time to observe and clarify your boundaries. Even if you have professional training, tasks require staff agreement and supervision. You do not take on independent healthcare or therapeutic responsibilities. The coordinator confirms the daily arrangements and any shared activities outside the centre.

✈️ Arriving in Tarrafal

Fly into Praia International Airport (RAI). The standard pickup window runs continuously from Sunday at 00:05 until Monday at 02:00, covering the whole of Sunday.

Agree your flight before booking and send the details in advance. Before departure, you receive the meeting point and instructions for recognising the person collecting you. There may be a wait for other participants; the drive to Tarrafal takes around 75–90 minutes.

If you travel directly to the house, arrive on Sunday between 06:00 and 20:30 by prior arrangement. If you are already in Tarrafal, agree a meeting with the team. Arrivals outside the standard window may need a private transfer at extra cost; early nights also require confirmation and separate payment.

Report delays or changes promptly. If you cannot find the driver, stay at the agreed meeting point and use the contacts provided. Keep the instructions available offline and check with the team before arranging another vehicle.

Departure and daily transport

Check out by noon on your final Saturday. The return airport transfer is not included; plan enough time for the journey and check-in. The team can help you consider the options. Daily return transport between the house and the centre is included.

No clinical qualification is required for this support role. You help with agreed daily and creative activities under the centre’s guidance. Complete the HeyLocals self-declaration in your personal area and provide a passport-style photograph before departure. Even if you are qualified, any healthcare or therapeutic responsibility remains with the local professionals.