This is a wonderful opportunity for sports enthusiasts to help with sports coaching at the only primary school in the township of Masiphumelele - a school with more than 1300 pupils and 33 teachers. With one teacher per class of 45-49 children the contribution made by the volunteers is hugely appreciated. This is a fantastic experience in one of the most beautiful cities in the world - one never to be forgotten!
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
- the project fee includes finance that goes directly into the project to fund things like building materials, sports equipment
- Transfers to and from Cape Town International Airport on arrival and departure
- A full orientation programme
- Daily transfers between the volunteer accommodation and the project
- All accommodation including three meals a day at the volunteer house
- Weekly laundry service
- Help and assistance from the local project staff
- Outings to Cape Point - the most south-westerly tip of Africa, Boulders Beach - to see the penguins, and the world famous Table Mountain
What's not included
- Personal travel insurance which must include cover for repatriation
- All transport to Cape Town
- All items of a personal nature, curios, gifts, clothing etc
- Email, internet use and telephone calls
- Softs drinks, wines and spirits
- Visas for border crossings if required
- Any excursions over and above the project itinerary
Project Highlights
Volunteers have the opportunity to:
- give physical education lessons to disadvantaged and vulnerable children
- bring new ideas and stimulation to these children through sport
- help to coach in afternoon football clinics at grassroots level
- help to keep the youth off the streets through afternoon reading clubs, homework clubs and craft clubs
- help the community in general through education, health care and building projects
- get immersed in the local culture and make friends for life
The Masiphumelele Primary School is the only primary school in the township of Masiphumelele, which has a population of more than 35,000. It is a Xhosa speaking school with approximately 1300 pupils and 33 teachers, giving an average class size of 45-49 pupils. Physical Education lessons, each lasting 30 minutes, run from 8.30 - 12.30 each day and each grade sends two classes at a time - there will be between 90 - 100 children in each class and needless to say the help given by the volunteers is very much appreciated. Volunteers will spend their mornings in the school and in the afternoons will rotate between one of the following community projects.
The Good Sport concept is a development that starts from the bottom and by reaching out to every child offers a very strong foundation for future success in all types of sport. The concept works to improve speed and agility as well as team sports such as rugby, football, netball and cricket. Physical Education classes are held in the mornings working on speed, agility and quickness and the afternoon programme offers team sports. The programme at Masiphumelele is run by Nceba Johase, a South African trained coach, who will work with the volunteers.
Football Coaching
A local man from Masiphumelele, Thomas, has inspired local football by single-handedly training and coaching 5 youth football teams. Thomas has been involved with these teams for more than 9 years and the under 17's team is top of the local league, despite having minimal facilities or equipment. The under 9's have also stormed to the top of the league this year! There is no nice, flat, football sized piece of land on which to train - jut a sandy and rocky outcrop in the centre of the township. They don't have enough football boots for everyone but those they have are kept for those who are currently training and obviously they use what they can to be their "goalposts"! Although the coaching is very basic, Thomas is very dedicated and his enthusiasm rubs off on the youngsters and volunteers to work with Thomas and contribute to sports development in the township will be most welcome.
Volunteer Objectives
- to assist the coaches in the planning and execution of PE lessons, creating a structure and consistency for the children during lesson times that can be maintained
- to assist with any additional workload necessary on this project
- to help in the daily/weekly tasks/duties to help the teachers achieve an optimum performance
- to take the initiative in using the limited resources for the afternoon projects - creativity is useful here!
- to ask for direction from the coaching staff when necessary
Community Projects
After working in the schools and coaching programmes in the mornings, volunteers will work in the local community in the afternoons. These projects are constantly evolving to meet the needs of the local community and do change from time to time, but the work will always be necessary, rewarding and exciting.
Building and Painting Schools
Schools in Redhill have limited resources and therefore can only accommodate a certain number of children. Volunteers will help by mending fences and windows and rebuilding and refurbishing classrooms. The project will also involve community litter, glass and rubbish collection.
Educare Centre
Volunteers at this Centre will help with after school activities such as playing games, reading - both on a one-to-one basis and story telling, art, music and dancing. Volunteers with skills in computing, administration, finance or training can add great value to the lives of the teachers.
Masiphumelele Library
The town has a well-resourced library with great facilities and offers many services to the community. Volunteers slot into some of the programmes offered by the library including arts and crafts, puzzles, games, literacy, one-to-one reading, homework club and maths club.
HIV and AIDS Orphanage
This home is situated in the heart of one of the townships on the peninsula and provides a safe and healthy home for children whose parents and family are no longer able to look after them. Volunteers will spend time with these lovely children, helping them with their homework and playing games. The children make this project a real delight and lots of fun.
Mini Farming Projects
An initiative has been developed to allow the school to produce a sustainable source of food to contribute towards the two meals given to every hungry child each day. The vegetable garden is looked after by the children and the teachers and the grow beetroot, carrots, cabbage, onions, spinach and lettuce. Volunteers may get to help out with the garden or even get involved in building an underground drainage system to save water.
Children's Safe House
The children in this house love to be entertained or be entertaining the volunteers. They like crafts, games, dressing up and volunteers also help the older children with their homework and just add to the happiness that is always felt in this house.
A Day in the Life of a Volunteer
Please note that this is just an example and itineraries may differ according to the numbers of volunteers and needs of the project.
| 7am |
Get up and have breakfast of cereals, toast, tea or coffee, and get ready for the project |
| 7.45am |
Head off on the short drive to the project |
8am
|
Assist with PE lessons during the morning |
| 12.30pm |
Volunteers will be collected and returned to the volunteer house where lunch will be waiting |
| 2pm |
Leave for an afternoon community project and spend the afternoon playing with the children at the schools, assisting with the Educare Project, local library, sports coaching or building and painting classrooms |
| 4.30pm |
End of the working day when volunteers will be picked up from the project and returned to the volunteer house to evaluate the day and prepare for the next day, or enjoy some free time |
| 5.30pm |
Dinner at the volunteer house after which volunteers are free to do as they please, ie movies, shopping malls 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 a lock-up safe for valuables. All rooms sleep up to four people and are en-suite and all bedding is provided but volunteers need to take their own 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-serve and consists of cereals/porridge, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals and will be prepared by the resident chef at the volunteer house. At weekends volunteers will cook their own meals (ingredients provided) as staff will take time off. Weekends are usually good for tourist activities and volunteers are often out and about.
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
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 27 (Cape Town Sports Coaching)