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 Orientation
DAY 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
