About the Program
This project is run as a weekly extramural activity for disadvantaged
youth from one of the local schools. Our main goal is to keep the
children occupied and off the streets after school. The project promotes physical activity as a positive outlet for energy.
Volunteers help us
teach the youth valuable life lessons through adventure activities, teamwork,
educational classes, and sports such as swimming and surfing. The
children that cannot swim yet, receive swimming lessons. Those that have
already mastered this vital skill, are given the opportunity to learn
how to surf.
For most of the children this is the highlight of their day, which is why we also use it as an incentive for them to do well in school, giving them a better chance at a brighter future. Those that turn up for school every day, behave themselves in class and study hard, will rewarded by going swimming or surfing after school. As the project is used as an incentive, we have noticed a drastic decrease in the drop-out rate for these students from a local school.
Through community involvement and training, youth who excel in this program also have access to employment opportunities. For example, a child who completed both our swim and surf program through dedication and passion for the sport has secured an apprenticeship in board-shaping with a local company.
This is a great way for the volunteers to gain experience working with children and groups, and learn new outdoor activities like surfing – volunteers receive teaching training and surfing lessons so they can help teach the children.
*Please note that May through to September are our winter months and it can get quite chilly with an average temperature ranging from 5 degrees Celsius at night to 15 degrees Celsius during the day. So, please make sure to pack enough warm clothes if you plan your trip in that period.*
2 Day Cape Town OrientationDAY 1: Friday
You are collected from the airport and taken to your volunteer accommodation. You will be shown around and given a map of the area. Depending on your arrival time, you will meet your volunteer leader and learn more about your project, if you arrive late you will be given a time that you will meet your leader. You have the day at your own leisure so you can explore the beach, shops, bars and restaurants. In the evening we have a traditional South African BBQ, called a braai, at the hostel.
DAY 2: Saturday
Start the day with breakfast and head to Saltycrax backpackers.
A SaltyCrax staff member will teach you about the bus system before you head out to Cape Town city centre.
You have two options to choose from:
1. Walking Tour:
Do a walking tour visiting historical sites like the Castle of Good Hope and the Grand Parade. Learn about life under apartheid in South Africa at the Parliament Buildings and the District Six Museum. Shop for African arts and crafts in Greenmarket Square and St George’s Mall.
2. The hop on hop off bus pass:
Board this open rooftop bus that takes you to all the sites you need to see, such as Camps Bay, the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain… all from the comfort of your seat!
After one of the above activities you can take a bus or walk to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Sit back and sip a cocktail, enjoy some fresh fish and watch the ships in the busy working harbour or walk around taking in the shops, markets and musicians on the side walks. Alternatively, you can take the cable car up Table Mountain and enjoy breathtaking views of the city, or visit the famous Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held in prison during the apartheid era (own expense).
In the evening head back on the local bus to Table View where you can start planning your next day. We will help you book and arrange all that you need. Later, you can join the staff, guests and the locals at one of the restaurants or bars along the beach front in Table View – all within rolling distance from the hostel where you will be staying the night.
Day 3: Sunday
You will have at your own leisure to relax and get ready before your projects starts.
Typical Tasks
- Teaching kids how to swim and surf
- Teaching and skating with the kids
- Running fun days and sports programs
- Assisting with lessons on computers
- Assisting in preschools
- Educating children in life lessons such as HIV, drugs etc.
Project Highlights
- Learn to surf and teach the children how to surf
- Learn to skateboard and teach the children
- Spend most of your day outdoors and on the beach
- Learn to assist in classrooms
- Help children develop life, sport, and educational skills
- Gain experience in working with children within an organisation
- Provide children with new experiences
- Learn about South African cultures and way of life
- Develop new friendships
Typical day
Volunteers will work 5 days a week with the children. Some days volunteers will work a full 8 hours and other days 4 to 5 hours, depending on the needs of the project. The volunteers’ mornings are spent assisting in one of the schools and the afternoons are spent with the kids teaching them to swim or surf. Volunteers will also have a chance to learn how to surf with an instructor. Volunteers will receive a minimum of one surf lesson a week. Extra surf lessons can be booked for a an additional price.
Monday
A.M: School assistance / P.M: Weekly Meeting/Training
Tuesday
A.M: School assistance / P.M: Swim/Surf lessons for kids
Wednesday
A.M: School assistance / P.M: Swim/Surf lessons for kids and volunteers
Thursday
A.M: School assistance / P.M: Swim/Surf lessons for kids
Friday
A.M: School assistance / P.M: General duties
Saturday
A.M: Off or activity day with kids / P.M: Off
Sunday
Off
Free-time activities
As a volunteer you can arrange a number of activities to do in your free time such as skydiving, kloofing, quad-biking, sandboarding, and multi-day Western Cape tours. SAVE also runs weekly socials for our volunteers that can include bubble soccer, outdoor movie theatre, bowling, ice skating, etc. On weekends you can take the bus into town to explore the city of Cape Town or climb the iconic Table Mountain. We are located a mere 5 minutes walk away from the world famous Kite Beach in Tableview, as well as restaurants and public transit, so there is always something to do!
Program Requirements
Included Services
Before your journey
On-site services
Airport pick up - 2 day Cape Town orientation - Accommodation - 3 meals a day - Weekly social events - Transport to and from projects - 24 support and supervision - Donation to the project - Certificate of appreciation
Our driver will have your name written on a SAVE welcome sign. If you have any issues, please report to the Information Desk and call us directly. *Please note: only the pickup from the airport to SAVE is included, transfers back to the airport must be arranged*
As a volunteer, you will stay at one of our 2 volunteer houses. Both are a few minutes walk from each other and located about a 5 minutes walk from the beachfront. Most rooms sleep 4-6 volunteers and are co-ed. Some rooms have en-suite bathrooms and some share a central bathroom in the house. Volunteer houses are safe and secure, with common lounge areas and kitchen facilities. Double and private rooms are available upon request.
Breakfast: Self-serve including bread, cereals, milk, yogurt, coffee/tea, and spreads, Lunch: Self-serve options including sandwiches, salads, etc. Dinner: a variety of hot dishes will be provided as well as salad/vegetables/starches. Twice a week there will be a traditional South-African meal such as a braai or potije. *Complimentary tea and coffee are always available* *Vegetarian and gluten/dairy-free options available*
Program Fees
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