This project is based on Cape Town Southern Peninsula, in view of Cape Point Nature Reserve, on the coastline of Cape Town. Volunteers will become involved in pre-school and possibly primary school education, as well as a number of community development initiatives. A wonderful opportunity to work with young disadvantaged children and help on valuable programmes that will benfit the community for years to come.
Duration & Fees
- £825 - 2 weeks
- £995 - 3 weeks
- £1,195 - 4 weeks
- £1,535 - 6 weeks
- £1,875 - 8 weeks
Start Dates
2012 Start Dates: 9 Jan | 16 Jan | 6 Feb | 20 Feb | 5 Mar | 19 Mar | 2 Apr | 16 Apr | 7 May | 21 May | 4 Jun | 18 Jun | 2 Jul | 16 Jul | 6 Aug | 20 Aug | 3 Sep | 17 Sep | 1 Oct | 15 Oct | 5 Nov | 19 Nov | 3 Dec | 17 Dec
Payment
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
What's Included
- Financing that goes directly back into the project with which the volunteer is placed including funding of teachers' wages, building materials and equipment. These fees can also be used to buy vehicles, equipment and even new housing for volunteers in order to expand the project.
- Airport transfers to and from Cape Town International Airport on arrival and departure
- Full orientation programme. "On-the-job" educational activities and support from your volunteer coordinator and local staff
- Daily transfers to and from projects for the duration of the placement
- Weekly laundry service during your stay
- Full board and lodging at the volunteer house including 3 meals a day
- Outings to Cape Point - the most south-western tip of Africa; Boulders Beach to see the African Penguin Colony; and world famous Table Mountain
What's not included
- Travel insurance to cover your placement (to include cover for repatriation)
- Personal items eg clothes, travel goods
- Return flights to nearest International Airport
- Email/internet and all telephone calls
- Visas and any trips undertaken other than in the planned programme. For example volunteers may wish to travel down the Garden Route, do some shark diving etc. The local project managers can help plan these for you
- Soft drinks, wines and spirits
Project Highlights
- assist in teaching lessons in rural community pre-schools, planning your own lessons and conducting your own classes
- work with disadvantaged and vulnerable children
- introduce new cultures to these children through singing songs, dancing and telling stories
- help to keep the young people off the streets with afternoon reading clubs, homework clubs and craft clubs
- help the local community through education, health care and building projects
- become immersed in the local culture and make friends for life
Pre-School Teaching Programme
This project is based at Red Hill, a vibrant rural community within site of The Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point the most South-Western tip of the African Continent. It is open to all volunteers aged 17 years and over and no previous teaching experience is required. Most of the schools are ill-equipped but the children are so keen to learn. Volunteers will help the teachers to provide a better education for these disadvantaged children.
Volunteers will be working at one of the following schools:
Red Hill Community Pre-School
This little pre school has been running for over 10 years in Red Hill and has 26 children from the community who have been taught for the past five years by a very dedicated lady called Vuyiseka. She has been assisted by Ntombi, the cook and Aviwe. The children, all of whom come from a Xhosa background, range from 2 - 6 years of age. The school, which is run out of several containers, has very limited resources. The children are given two meals a day, breakfast and lunch, which are sponsored through a "Sponsor a Child Initiative". The wages for the teacher and the cook are totally financed from the volunteer project fees.
Children of Hope Edu-care Centre
This little pre-school, located on the upper slopes of Red Hill, caters for 29 youngsters who come from a more Afrikaans background and whose ages range from 3 months to 6 years. This school has been in its current location since 2006 and is led by Sophia, Ntokbi and Maria - three amazing ladies who care for these precious little children. The facilities here are much better than at the rural pre-school thanks to a generous donation, but the children need as much care and attention as others in this disadvantaged community.
Noordhoek Valley Edu-care Centre
This small school, with 60 pupils, is situated on the campus of a local job creation and adult skills training compound on the edge Masiphumelele township. English is so important and the work of volunteers is invaluable in promoting learning and development. There are two classrooms, where two different age groups of 30 children each are taught. The children range in age from 3 - 6 years and they only have one teacher!
Daily Tasks may include:
- assistant teaching - giving individual attention and help to children during normal lessons
- helping with crafts, painting, reading and games
- helping to organise special needs classes for children who have fallen behind the pace of the class
- helping to give the children their meals - the two meals they receive at school may be the only meals that day
- helping to promote personal hygiene through hand washing before meals and teeth brushing in the mornings
- helping to clean and maintain the classrooms, most of which are quite run down
All volunteers will spend their mornings assisting in one of the schools, but the afternoons will be spent rotating between the following community projects. Volunteers should understand that projects are constantly evolving and adapting to the needs of the local communities so they will change from time to time.
Community Projects
Building and Painting Schools
Schools in Red Hill lack classrooms and facilities, and as a result are limited in the number of children they can take. Volunteers will help with general maintenance - fixing fences, mending windows, rebuilding and painting - hard but rewarding work! This project will also involve community litter, glass and rubbish collection.
Educare Centre
Volunteers will assist teachers with the after school care - helping to play games, reading on a one-to-one basis or during story time - or have the opportunity to use any particular skills they may have, either with the children - perhaps in art, music or dancing or with the teachers in computing, administration or finance.
Masiphumelele Library
Masi is very lucky to have a wonderfully-resourced library and great facilities. The library offers many services to the community and volunteers can help on a great deal of existing programs including arts and crafts, puzzles, games, literacy, one on one reading, homework club and maths club.
HIV and AIDS Orphanage
This is a home for children who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. It is situated in the heart of one of the townships and provides a safe and healthy home for children whose parents and family are unable to look after them. Volunteers may spend some time with these wonderful children, perhaps supervising their homework or playing educational games with them. Everyone has a really great time at this community project.
Mini Farming Projects
An intiiative has been developed to allow schools to grow a sustainable source of food to contibute towards the two meals a day provided for the hungry children. The children and teachers look after the vegetable garden and grow carrots, beetroot, cabbage, onions, spinach and lettuce. Volunteers may get the chance to get involved in this project - either working in the vegetable garden or perhaps helping to build an underground drainage system to save on irrigation.
Children's Safe House
Volunteers will also be involved in this wonderful house - with crafts, games, dressing up and really getting to know the different little personalities who live here. Some help with homework is appreciated by the older children but generally support and encouragement and laughter is the order of the day.
Day in the life...
Volunteers should see this as a typical day but itineraries may differ depending on the needs of the project and number of volunteers at any one time, but this is a good example:
| 7am |
Get up, have breakfast of cereals, toast, tea/coffee and get ready for the project |
| 7.45am |
Head off on the short drive to the project |
| 8am |
Start work at the pre-school where you will spend the morning assisting, teaching and interacting with the children. |
| 12.30pm |
After serving the children their lunch, volunteers will be picked up and taken back to the volunteer house for their own lunch |
| 2pm |
Volunteers will leave for one of the community projects where they will spend the afternoon playing with the children at the schools or building and painting the classrooms. |
| 4.30pm |
End of the working day - when volunteers will be collected from their projects and taken back to the volunteer house. There the work of the day will be evaluated and the schedule for the following day discussed, followed by some free time. |
| 6.30pm |
Dinner at the volunteer house, following which volunteers are free to do as they please, perhaps watch a film, go to the shopping mall etc |
Volunteers will be accommodated in a fully furnished house in the rustic town of Noordhoek, at the foot of Chapman's Peak. The house, which is spacious and comfortable, is set on a private and secure one acre property and is within easy walking distance of a shopping mall. The house has satellite tv and there is a lock-up safe for valuables. All rooms sleep up to four people and all bedding is provided but not towels. The house is staffed with a cook to prepare meals and a cleaner to service the rooms.
Three meals a day will be provided. Breakfast is self-service and consists of cereals or porridge, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals and are prepared by the chef at the volunteer house. Volunteers will cook their own meals at weekends (ingredients provided) when staff will have time of. Weekends are usually a good time for tourist activities and volunteers are often out and about then.
South Africa
Why visit South Africa?
Every country in the world displays some diversity, but South Africa, stretching from the hippos in the Limpopo River to the penguins waddling on the Cape, takes some beating. There’s the deserted Kalahari, Namakwa’s springtime symphony of wildflowers, iconic Table Mountain and Cape Point, Africa’s biggest game reserve - Kruger National Park - boasting the most mammal species of any game reserve, and the magnificent peaks and plunging valleys of the escarpment of Drakensberg.
Cape Town is widely described as one of the world's most beautiful cities. Some of its more famous landmarks include Table Mountain, Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for decades), Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak, Kirstenbosch Gardens and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. A combination of historical coastal charm and urbane sophistication, Cape Town has some of the finest beaches and is also the gateway to the lush Cape Winelands, famous for world-renowned wines. From here, it is an easy journey to the Whale Route, where Southern Right whales can be seen (June - November) and humpback whales, Bryde's whales, Minke whales and bottlenose dolpins can be viewed year round.
The Garden Route is renowned for its beaches, indigenous forests, nature reserves, lakes, mountain ranges, adventure opportunities and hiking trails. Plettenberg Bay is a relaxed beach paradise with spectacular walks and hikes where one can watch dolphins and whales on eco-marine cruises. With some of the world's finest beaches, the Eastern Cape's untouched and pristine coastline also has a rich social, cultural and political history. Port Elizabeth is the gateway to the Eastern Cape, and the perfect complement to the Garden Route. Cape St Francis is situated on the Indian Ocean coastline, in and around Africa's largest man made web of canals and waterways, and is renowned for its long, sandy beaches, surfing, rock fishing and tranquil lifestyle.
Kruger National Park is the flagship of South Africa's game reserves, offering an unrivalled wildlife experience over two million-hectares. Private concessions operating within and alongside Kruger National Park feature luxurious, exclusive game lodges with many exciting safari activities. Some of these lodges are unfenced, allowing for the free movement of wildlife. Madikwe Game Reserve, in the North West province, is one of South Africa's largest private Big Five game reserves and features numerous lodges and camps. The Waterberg area in the northwest is also malaria-free and is aptly named for its strong streams that flow even in dry seasons, making for excellent game viewing. Both reserves are great for those seeking an accessible malaria-free wilderness experience.
Durban is a sub-tropical city and the gateway to KwaZulu-Natal. It offers a unique mix of Zulu, Indian and colonial cultures. Visit the Anglo-Zulu battlefields, take a fascinating glimpse into Zulu culture, hike in the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains, dive the reefs, marine and coastal reserves of Maputaland, as well as experience Big Five game reserves. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is renowned for saving the white rhino from the brink of extinction, and Phinda Private Game Reserve is well known for its award-winning lodges and conservation initiatives.
Johannesburg meaning "Place of Gold", is South Africa's economic powerhouse. This vibrant and cosmopolitan city is home to many attractions including the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, and also offers shopping from world-class to atmospheric curio markets. Known as the "Jacaranda City", the state capital of Pretoria features beautiful blossoming trees, significant old buildings and fascinating museums, including the Transvaal Museum, home of Mrs Ples, the australopithecine fossil found at the Cradle of Humankind.
Highlights of South Africa
- Breathtaking scenery, quaint coastal villages, cosmopolitan cities, wine routes and exclusive bush lodges.
- Exciting Big Five safaris in unspoilt wilderness areas.
- Malaria-free game viewing and sunshine all year round.
- See Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held in prison for 27 years.
- Go up Table Mountain by cable car for stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and beautiful Cape Town.
- Whale watching and great white shark cage diving.
- Beautiful, pristine beaches perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
- The Cradle of Humankind: Sterkfontein is one of the world's most productive and important palaeoanthropological sites.
Climate
For Johannesburg:
| Seasons | Max | Min |
| Summer (September - April) |
25 °C |
10 °C |
| Winter (May - August) |
19 °C |
4 °C |
| Rainfall: October to March, with November to January heaviest |
South Africa has typical seasons of weather for the southern hemisphere, with the coldest days in July-August. The Benguela Current, a cold motion that moves from the lower South Atlantic Ocean, causes moderate temperatures on the West Coast. On the central plateau, which includes Free State and Gauteng provinces, the altitude keeps the average temperatures below 30 °C.In winter, also due to altitude, temperatures drop to freezing point, and in some places, even lower. Heavy snows have fallen recently for the first time in decades in Johannesburg. During winter, it is warmest in the coastal regions, especially on the Eastern Indian Ocean coast and Garden Route, where it has year round mild weather with occasional rain. As winter is cooler and drier, it is more suitable for hiking and outdoor pursuits, and is also a good time for game viewing as vegetation is less dense and thirsty animals congregate around rivers and other permanent water sources.
In summer, South Africa experiences the hottest temperatures and this is generally when most rain falls, October – March. However, there is one exception - the Western Cape, which is a winter-rain area that enjoys a Mediterranean climate (average 26°C).
Christmas to mid-January, and Easter are the height of the peak season for visitors.
Autumn (April/May) and Spring (mid-Sept to November) are ideal almost everywhere.
Key Facts
Population – 50 million
Capital – Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative)
Currency – Rand (ZAR)
Official Language(s) – Afrikaans, English (South African English), Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Time difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 27, international access code 00
Great memories, it all worked out really well. The volunteer house is lovely, and all volunteers get on very well together. The work is very well organised. We spend every morning in a pre school (plus a visit to a medical center) and get to know the routines and teachers very well. In the afternoons we do different community projects depending on what needs doing, such as making curtains. At the Teaching Project I sensed a real care for the volunteers and a desire to make sure that the volunteers had a good experience as well as the benefits to the projects.
Mourjin, Holland, aged 51 (Cape Town Teaching Volunteer, Cape Town School Feeding Programme)
I loved this project. I had an amazing time and look forward to my next visit. All of the projects you do here are great. There are so many great people that I have met. I have gained some friends that I will never forget.
Lauren, USA, aged 19 (Cape Town Teaching Volunteer)
I have really enjoyed my time at this project, I have had the most amazing time. Thank you so much for help with organising it for me. I do feel that I have made a positive impact on the under-privileged communities that I have worked with through this project and I thoroughly enjoyed teaching at Red Hill and the Children of Hope pre-schools. It was lovely to work with and get to know the young children who have so little but are always so enthusiastic to learn. I particularly enjoyed spending time helping the young children with their reading one to one in the library. I've also gained valuable skills that will be beneficial in other volunteer programs that I am undertaking over the next four months. These will also be beneficial in my future career, I would recommend doing a volunteer project like this to anyone. Our home in Fishhoek was lovely and I met some amazing people who I hope will be friends for life. Cape Town is an amazing city with so much to do, it was great being able to unwind at the local beach after a day’s work. I have left this project with some fantastic memories that I will never forget!
Tracey, UK, aged 28 (Cape Town Teaching Volunteer)
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The highlight was the general interaction with the children and the contribution that I made to their learning in what was a relatively short time. The people I have met even though they have limited material possessions are very positive and happy and it has been a real and genuine pleasure to meet them. I can honestly say that there is nothing that sticks out that has been a major issue in terms of something that I have not enjoyed. I have only been on the project for 3 weeks but I have got more than I imagined out of my participation. I have met some genuinely nice people and I think my whole experience will prompt a career change into a more social orientated role. The project as a whole is well run and structured. I would have no hesitation in recommending it to others. The Project has made me realise what is really important in life. I would also like to say that the people involved in running the project who I have met on a day to day basis are a real credit to the organization generally.
Robert, UK, aged 33 (Cape Town Teaching Volunteer)
It was very humbling.
I went out to Ukhanya Primary school and worked with 180 grade 5 students teaching English, Sport and some Art during my day projects. It was a privilege to be welcomed into a school and allowed to work alongside some great teachers and independently creating schemes of work and teaching lessons. This was incredibly rewarding and I miss all of the students that I got to know so well over the course of the month. Was a pleasure teaching young people with a real desire to learn, such a shame that the schools don’t have the necessary resources. In the afternoons I helped with building projects in the townships to construct an adult literacy building and jungle gym. It was great to have a permanent impact on the landscape of South Africa that will hopefully improve the lives of different generations. I also organised and helped out with work for preschools and the local library – arts and crafts was always a particular favourite with kids!
In terms of the accommodation and other volunteers this project was amazing – I feel like I have made some friends for life and the sense of camaraderie and unity within the houses was superb. It made the weekend and downtime just as much fun as the project work. I was fortunate enough to go shark diving, sky diving, watch a rugby match, go on a wine tour, climb up and down Table Mountain, go on a one day safari, visit Boulders Beach, Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, Robben Island, Simmons Town and countless other places. I can honestly say that I made the most of every second of my stay and had such a great time. Amanzi was so organised and instantly put me at ease.
I would highly recommend that anyone considering working in Africa should check out the available projects. It was honestly the best month of my life!
Tom, UK, aged 21 (Cape Town Teaching Volunteer)