Women's Empowerment Initiatives
Coordinator | Bella
Coordinator | Bella
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Get the opportunity to build relationships with local women from the community through teaching one to one lessons and small groups
Develop their own teaching skills and get to see first hand the women's progress and see the women's self esteem and confidence grow
Teaching the computer lessons gives the local women transferable skills that can then help them to gain employment
Through the girls empowerment workshops, volunteers get to work closely with a small group of girls and a gain different teaching experience
Equip young girls with important knowledge and empower the next generation of women
Assist with lessening the burden of inter-generational poverty, by working to assist women in township and rural communities
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+
The majority of people living below the poverty line are women. Many girls around the world are still denied a basic education and women continue to dominate the world's illiterate population.
By supporting women in society and giving them access to equal opportunities such as an education, jobs and health care, everyone benefits. Infant mortality rates go down, more children stay in school, incomes increase and the cycle of poverty can be broken. On this program, you will join a passionate team of international volunteers assisting on sustainable and invaluable women’s empowerment initiatives. Although gender equality has come a long way for women from disadvantaged communities in South Africa, there is still a lot that needs to be done in order to ensure women have equal opportunities and skills to participate actively and effectively in South Africa’ economy.
By supporting women in society and giving them access to equal opportunities such as an education, jobs and health care, everyone benefits. Infant mortality rates go down, more children stay in school, incomes increase and the cycle of poverty can be broken. On this program, you will join a passionate team of international volunteers assisting on sustainable and invaluable women’s empowerment initiatives. Although gender equality has come a long way for women from disadvantaged communities in South Africa, there is still a lot that needs to be done in order to ensure women have equal opportunities and skills to participate actively and effectively in South Africa’ economy.
In the traditional township and rural culture, gender discrimination stems from patriarchal cultural and religious beliefs. This has spilled over into the workplace, especially in senior management roles, with only 16% held by women.
This project aims to assist in gender equality through various educational, healthcare and income initiatives. We also aim to facilitate and encourage dialogues between empowered women, helping them to share positive stories of change and increasing the opportunity for them to become more involved in key community issues.
Health & Hygiene:
The work we contribute to across the globe remains important and new measures allow our participants to continue to join our programs and continue impacting positively on their world and the communities we work with. Changes to our existing protocols have been made by our health and hygiene team to strengthen our health and hygiene protocols and ensure that international standard safeguards are in place to protect our participants, staff and host communities. Please inquire for more information on the protocols.
Typical day
- Volunteer work is Monday through to Friday with weekends free to explore the local area
- Currently the main focus of this program is teaching computer skills by guiding local women through basic computer courses. This aims to help women have increased access to employment opportunities.
- You could also get involved in women's Empowerment Workshops with girls in the community (Grade 5 -7) covering various topics such as mental health, healthy relationships, communication and gender quality.
- The work we do on program depends on the needs of the community at the current time and so we encourage participants to remain flexible
Free-time activities
You will be based a short drive from your project site. Volunteers will be collected each morning and dropped off each afternoon by private vehicle or private taxi.
In your down time you will be free to travel in the local area and can expect weekends off. In this time we advise you could to arrange some of the optional side trips; Cape Town Cultural and Activity Weekend, Stellenbosch Wine Tour, Cape Town Wildlife Safari. Please note that you would not be able to do all of these within a 2 week duration. Before and after your program you could visit the Garden Route or travel up to Kruger National Park – the possibilities are endless!
In your down time you will be free to travel in the local area and can expect weekends off. In this time we advise you could to arrange some of the optional side trips; Cape Town Cultural and Activity Weekend, Stellenbosch Wine Tour, Cape Town Wildlife Safari. Please note that you would not be able to do all of these within a 2 week duration. Before and after your program you could visit the Garden Route or travel up to Kruger National Park – the possibilities are endless!
Water Sports
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Sports
Riding
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (intermediate level)
required
Women's Empowerment at High School level
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
No skills required, all training is provided in country
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 24-hour emergency phone
- 24-hour in-country support
- Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- All necessary project training by experienced staff provided online 8 weeks prior to arrival:
- PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION (1 hour)
- PROGRAM SPECIFIC TRAINING (1 - 5 hours)
- OPTIONAL: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COURSE (10 - 15 hours)
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Welcome meeting
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- Flights
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Medical and travel insurance
- Personal items and toiletries
- Police or background check
- Visa costs (where necessary)
Most volunteers arrange international return flights to Cape Town International Airport (CPT). If you are arriving before the scheduled meeting time you may want to arrange your own transport to the accommodation options listed below. Please ensure field staff is aware of your arrival plans.
Airport pick-ups can be arranged from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM on your project start date, please request this from your support coordinator who will be in touch after you have confirmed your spot on this program.
Please note that if you are arriving/departing later than 10 pm on the scheduled days, or outside of these days, you may need to contribute to any additional transfer costs.
Departure:
You will be transferred back to Cape Town International Airport on the final Saturday at the end of your placement. For those not traveling on after the project we recommend you book your return flight for the evening. This will allow you to enjoy the day before traveling home. However, if you are only doing the 2-week option, and would like to do both main side trips, we recommend you book your return flight for your final Sunday. You will need to arrange an additional night of accommodation for Saturday night.
Airport pick-ups can be arranged from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM on your project start date, please request this from your support coordinator who will be in touch after you have confirmed your spot on this program.
Please note that if you are arriving/departing later than 10 pm on the scheduled days, or outside of these days, you may need to contribute to any additional transfer costs.
Departure:
You will be transferred back to Cape Town International Airport on the final Saturday at the end of your placement. For those not traveling on after the project we recommend you book your return flight for the evening. This will allow you to enjoy the day before traveling home. However, if you are only doing the 2-week option, and would like to do both main side trips, we recommend you book your return flight for your final Sunday. You will need to arrange an additional night of accommodation for Saturday night.
Accommodation is in shared (mixed sex) rooms with a private bathroom. 2 large bedrooms with 4-6 people in each room. There is hot running water available for cooking and showers. Flush toilet facilities are available, and participants share house duties, including cleaning and other chores. large balcony and big patio in the garden which is used as communal space.
Dorm Room
Food is very basic, and most volunteers will prepare their own breakfasts, usually toast and cereals, and packed lunches to eat at the project site. Volunteers are split into teams to prepare the evening meal on a rotational basis, which is loads of fun, but also encourages team building. All dietary requirements will be catered for accordingly.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Due to the current situation you have the flexibility of changing the destination and start dates for this program at no extra cost.
2021
- 09 Jan 2021
- 23 Jan 2021
- 06 Feb 2021
- 20 Feb 2021
- 06 Mar 2021
- 20 Mar 2021
- 03 Apr 2021
- 17 Apr 2021
- 01 May 2021
- 15 May 2021
- 29 May 2021
- 12 Jun 2021
- 26 Jun 2021
- 10 Jul 2021
- 24 Jul 2021
- 07 Aug 2021
- 21 Aug 2021
- 04 Sep 2021
- 18 Sep 2021
- 02 Oct 2021
- 16 Oct 2021
- 30 Oct 2021
- 13 Nov 2021
- 27 Nov 2021
- 11 Dec 2021
- 25 Dec 2021
This program is paused due to COVID-19 and reopens January 2022. Apply Now!
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 - 12 weeks
Program fees
1 week
(min. stay)
$1,994
2 weeks
$2,306
4 weeks
$2,994
6 weeks
$3,681
8 weeks
$4,369
10 weeks
$5,056
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$5,744
Average fees
$1,236
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
GVI
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with GVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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Women's Empowerment Initiatives
Assist with lessening the burden of inter-generational poverty, by working to assist women in township and rural communities
$989/week
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