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Program Description

Affordable Volunteer Programs in South Africa: $250/week

Description

IVHQ offers highly affordable volunteer programs in South Africa in small towns around Cape Town. Programs are available in a variety of fields including teaching, childcare, technical support, and sports development. Volunteering in South Africa is a great way to make an impact in largely impoverished communities, and learn about a variety of development issues in the process. Browse through the list of current volunteer programs in South Africa below and visit the IVHQ website for more information.

Current IVHQ Volunteer Programs in South Africa:

  • Teaching Project: Volunteers will work at one of IVHQ's community schools teaching a variety of subjects, including English.
  • Childcare: This project entails caring for children, organizing activities, and assisting in general upkeep of the childcare center where you will be placed.
  • Computer Training Project: Volunteers work with children at local townships and villages on computer literacy projects.
  • Sports Development Project: Help enthusiastic youth athletes develop their skills by coaching a variety of sports, including football, volleyball, and much more!
  • Surf Outreach Project: Teach children how to surf and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Highlights


  • Volunteer programs take place in the Capricorn/Vrygrond community in Muizenberg which is about 30-40 minutes from Cape Town.
  • Volunteer programs are offered anywhere from 1 week to 6 months
  • Projects begin on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month
  • Last year, over 300 IVHQ volunteers participated on various IVHQ volunteer programs, and the number is growing every year!
  • Explore Cape Town and the rest of South Africa during your free time!
  • Learn more about IVHQ programs by reading the great reviews and interviews IVHQ alumni have left about their incredible experiences in South Africa!

Interview with Jenny Morris, IVHQ volunteer alum

GO: Why did you decide to volunteer with IVHQ in South Africa?

Jenny: I had the itch to travel, so I began Googling cool places to travel and/or volunteer. I came across IVHQ and all of their awesome programs. I have grown up snowboarding competitively and always wanted to learn to surf, so I was really excited when I saw the surf/swim outreach program. Within a few weeks of finding the program, I was paid and had my ticket.

Volunteer in South Africa with IVHQ
Jenny with some of her students in South Africa
GO: Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.

Jenny: In the mornings, we would teach computer classes at a local school. After school, we would teach the children how to swim and surf. If the weather was too cold, we would do other sports, cook, etc. We occasionally got to visit local settlements and hand out sandwiches, toys and host an Easter egg hunt. In our down time, we got free surfing lessons and relax at SaltyCrax. On the weekends, we had the opportunity to go into Cape Town and stay at the IVHQ volunteer house, but we stayed at SaltyCrax.

IVHQ volunteer opportunities in South Africa
Jenny on top of Lion's Head, Cape Town
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?

Jenny: This experience has drastically changed my view of the world. It has made me want to travel even more and volunteer as much as possible. It has also helped me decide that I want to do some volunteer events with my cooking when I am done with school. The people in South Africa are so inspiring and amazing, such a great experience.

Further Information
Age Group: 
18-50
Languages Learned/Spoken: 
English
Living Arrangements: 
Volunteer House
Participants live with other volunteers
Accommodation is included in the program cost
Travel Arrangements: 
Participants travel to the program independently.
Application Requirements: 
Online Application
Age Requirement

Ratings and Reviews

10 of 25 people found this review helpful
Surf/Swim Outreach- Cape Town, ZA

100%

Overall Rating

100%Overall
Rating

I volunteered in the surf/swim outreach program through SaltyCrax backpacker outside of Cape Town. SaltyCrax is owned by a woman who is very involved in non-profit work. The backpacker is very nice and all of your meals are prepared for you while volunteering. It is in a much safer location in the suburbs of Cape Town as well.

For the program, we would teach computer classes at a local school in the morning. In the afternoon we would teach the kids how to swim and surf. On cold days, we would play other sports, cook, etc. In addition to our volunteer work, we received free surfing lessons through the program. I was able to surf six times in only two weeks.

The staff at SaltyCrax is awesome. They are all so friendly and very knowledgeable about excursions if you are interested. The IVHQ program also has a volunteer house in Cape Town if you wish to go into town for the weekends. The town around our program and the staff at SaltyCrax were so great that I chose to stay over the weekends.

I was there over Easter, so we were able to go to some local settlements and host an Easter egg hunt as well as hand out our gifts we had brought. The children and families that I met during this program have made a huge impact on my view of the world. This program has so many benefits.

It is a little pricey, but if you have the money I insist that it will be worth it!

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Submitted by jennymo57 on 10/31/2011
Reviewer's Bio:    Female    |   Age: 19-24    |   Boulder, CO    |    Experienced Traveler    |    University of Colorado- Boulder   

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Program Info

Country: 
South Africa
City(s): 
Cape Town
Volunteer Type: 
Teaching
Childcare
Technical Assistance
Volunteer Types: 
Teaching children
Orphanage work
Sports
Computer Literacy
Length of Program: 
1-2 weeks
2-4 weeks
1-3 months
3-6 months
Cost: 
$500-$2,000 (USD)
$2,000-$5,000 (USD)
$5,000+ (USD)

Program Photos

Coach surfing in Cape Town
Surfing Program in South Africa
Young athletes in South Africa