Description:
Five times the size of Great Britain, South Africa's position at the southern tip of Africa has created a diversity of lifestyles and a diversity of environments, from the lofty Drakensberg Mountain range to the Cape Vineyards.
Thought to be the birthplace of mankind, this land historically attracted Europeans as a gateway to Africa. At the start of the 21st century, South Africa is leading the way in African politics, and is seen as an inspiration to other countries. With eleven national languages and a variety of religions South Africa truly is the 'Rainbow Nation'.
Our projects are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a college summer break, gap year, career break or volunteer vacation.
Volunteering on a Placement Overseas in South Africa
Projects Abroad is based in the bustling cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, in the heart of the Western Cape. From its beginnings as the first European outpost at the Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town has grown into the third largest city in South Africa.
Volunteers work within Cape Town and smaller outlying towns of the Western Cape, teaching English and many other subjects in schools. Volunteers can also choose to join care projects in orphanages, childrens hospitals and crèches, or work on a unique sports project that will allow you to combine helping underprivileged youngsters with making the most of the glorious beaches surrounding the city. Those who are looking to gain experience in the field of law can also spend time interning on our law & human rights program, based in downtown Cape Town. We also offer practicums in journalism and veterinary medicine, for those interested in those fields. Conservation volunteers are based in the north of the country on the border with Botswana.
By living and working in these mixed-race communities you'll start to understand the complexities of South Africa's past and present, and help to give the younger generation the tools they need for the future.
These are the projects you can do in South Africa:
Conservation - The Trans-Frontier Conservation Project
While volunteering abroad on the Conservation Project you'll be based at up to three consecutive sites (depending on how long you're staying). You will get the chance to do really varied and hands-on work, while living outdoors in the wild bush - or highveld - amongst elephant, kudu, impala, baboons, crocodile, hawks, hyenas and not to mention the dramatic high rock outcrops so characteristic of this stunning African landscape.
On an average three month placement, volunteers would probably start with a month at the base camp near the Limpopo River in Botswana, named Legodimo - which is the Tswana word for paradise or where God is. You may then move on for two weeks to Mapungubwe Trans-frontier park, followed by a week patrolling Venetia Game Reserve in South Africa tracking wild dogs and lions, or a week in Blouberg National Reserve removing alien plants or tracking and fixing ID tags to White Backed Vultures. You may then return to Legodimo for your final month with shorter weekend trips to Malaboch National Reserve or to revisit Venetia Reserve.
Care and Community - The infamous townships are full of people desperate to create a better world for their children. Since unemployment is high; almost 40%, these poorer areas are full of basic social problems such as alcoholism and domestic violence. Parents are not keen to have their children affected by their surroundings, and attempt to keep them busy through crèches, schools and after school activities, though this is not easy with limited or no funds.
Projects Abroad provides much needed hands on support to these crèches and after school clubs, to enable them to keep their costs low while still providing a safe and stimulating environment for these children to grow up in.
Sports - Volunteers can choose from two sports options in South Africa, water-sports or community sports.
Projects Abroad volunteers work alongside a program called Gary's Surf School in Muizenburg, not far from where our other teaching and care placements are based. The Surf School aims to bring at risk youth groups and street children into the surf culture by providing them with equipment, and gradually teaching them to swim and then to surf. Once introduced to this learning environment, the children are also taught vital life skills, decision making and have the opportunity to learn basic numeracy and literacy skills.
Children growing up in the townships have few facilities for stimulating sports. Both playing and learning opportunities are severely limited, despite the best efforts of local volunteers and community leaders. Parents are desperate to keep their kids off the streets, away from drug usage and peer pressure for their safety and to enable good educational and social development. Giving their children the opportunity to participate in sports allows them to learn important lessons in working as a team, anger management and prioritizing a healthy lifestyle.
Volunteers can help to create a sporting environment and provide much needed support to local staff. Many schools within the townships are open to after school activities; coaching basketball, soccer, softball, cricket, rugby almost every sport you can think of is going on somewhere! Dedicated local volunteers can provide support in the form of an extra pair of hands, and bags of enthusiasm. Volunteers are also encouraged to help organize and referee friendly matches at the weekends and in the evenings, any way you can get involved is welcome!
Teaching - Cape Town has several schools, some of which are located in the 'township' area on the outskirts of the town. You can work with primary or secondary school children so let us know your preference. Classes tend to be scheduled conversational English lessons, but you can always organize extra-curricular activities or assist with subjects such as math if you ask. Being in the town means you are near to the local shops, transport links, and other volunteers.
The children usually speak one of the tribal languages as their first language, so having a native English speaker is particularly helpful - you will probably find many of the teachers are also eager to practice their spoken English with you.
Your presence is vital to ensure this new generation of children have the skills, enthusiasm and aspirations to continue in education or improve their job prospects and opportunities in their towns and villages, and beyond.
Also, for volunteers with specific music skills, there are also opportunities to get involved as a music teacher and/or mentor to the children of Hout Bay's "Music Academy". The academy has been set up to allow children from the townships to learn modern instruments, but also to ensure that traditional music, especially that from the colored community which is slowly dying out, is carried through to the next generation. This could run alongside any other teaching project in the afternoons during the week.
Journalism - As a volunteer on a Journalism Project in South Africa you could find yourself working on a magazine, a web journalism project, or even a prime-time television show on SABC 1! Based in cosmopolitan Cape Town, our Journalism internships are perfect for anyone wanting some extra experience to get their career off the ground.
Living and working in this stunning city, you will work at a vibrant young media company, and will no doubt have plenty of inspiration for your work.
There are a variety of different media internships available to our volunteers in South Africa and whichever branch you decide to work in, you will be given responsibilities according to your abilities and interests. Let us know what kind of reporting youd like to pursue and well give you an experience to match.
Veterinary Medicine - Volunteers shadow the full time animal workers at both centers, gaining first hand experience of the way that animal rescue centers work in South Africa. There is the opportunity to get involved with hands-on work like feeding, exercising and rehabilitating the animals under your care. As with any volunteer placement, you get back what you put in; showing initiative and a willingness to get involved will result in your experience being very rewarding.
Also, for high school students between the ages of 16 and 19, we offer a 2-week summer special on the conservation project.
Highlights:
Projects Abroad is based in the bustling cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, in the heart of the Western Cape. From its beginnings as the first European outpost at the Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town has grown into the third largest city in South Africa.
All accommodation is organized, paid for and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, and these are verified just before you arrive in South Africa.
In addition, this project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.
Qualifications / Skills Needed:
None.
Languages:
Afrikaans
and English
Cost in US$: From US$ 2545 up
Cost Includes:
Food,
Housing,
In-country orientation/Training,
In-country staff support,
Medical insurance,
Medical services,
Pre-departure orientation/Training,
Registration fees,
Travel while in host country,
Written materials abroad
and Written materials pre-departure
The price of each placement includes all your food and accommodation, transfers to and from the airport, full travel and medical insurance plus support and 24 hour back-up from our staff based around the world.
Experience Required: no
Typical Volunteer Projects:
arts,
athletics,
childcare/children,
community development,
conservation,
culture,
eco-tourism,
English teaching,
orphans,
street kids,
teaching,
volunteering
and youth
Typical Volunteer: Open-minded with a desire to travel.
Age Range: 16-70
This Program is open to
World Wide
Participants.
This Program is also open to
Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements:
Apartment/Flat
and Group living
Participants Travel to South Africa
Independently
Or
in Groups
Typically Participants Work
Independently
Or
in Groups
Application Process Involves:
- Letters of Reference
- Written Application
Typically The Application Process Time Is 10 days
Post Services Include:
- Alumni Network
- Exit DebriefingAbroad
- Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.
Year Founded: 1992