The program
This program plays an essential role in improving the education of at-risk children in Cape Town. These children come from impoverished backgrounds, with many experiencing social and health issues. The schools are very under resourced, and lack teachers and basic supplies, books and equipment. Volunteers play a fundamental role in helping these children achieve a better education through their support. Volunteers may choose to assist in primary schools located throughout Cape Town, with most volunteers choosing to work within the most impoverished communities, knowing that this is where they can make the most difference to the lives of vulnerable children. Through donating their time, international volunteers are supporting children and youth who need a solid education to give them a chance at escaping the poverty cycle. Volunteers care, educational support and attention can give these children a fighting chance towards a brighter future.
Goals of this Project:
How you can help
Volunteers play an essential role in supporting impoverished children on this program. The main duties of a Volunteer Teacher will be to assist the local teachers with lessons. However, volunteer presence and involvement in every aspect of schooling will be an invaluable contribution to the children involved in this project. From English conversation and writing skills, to sports activities and games, volunteer participation and presence will have a huge and beneficial impact on these children. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to impact the children in their own way by bringing their own set of skills/knowledge/interests to teach them. There is also a need for volunteers to teach computer skills as a number of computers have been donated but go unused much of the time as there are not enough teachers to dedicate to this. A willingness to help in other areas of the project would also add value e.g. upgrades to the facility, finding creative ways to make learning aids/material.
Volunteers on this program will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:
7:00am Breakfast at the volunteer house
7:30am Walk or bus to your project site
8:45am Pre-start meeting with project supervisor
9:00am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START
A tea break and lunch break will be fitted in during the day, but often the timing of breaks will change based on the needs of the local staff and number of volunteers on hand.
3:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END
3:15pm Debrief with project supervisor
3:30pm Walk or bus back to the accommodation
Evenings Volunteers are free to explore the local area, check out the multitude of local restaurants, bars and cafes, or relax with the other volunteers!
This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 2 weeks to 12 weeks. Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
Sea Point is one of Cape Town’s more affluent cosmopolitan suburbs, characterized by high-rise luxury apartments, upmarket restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs and cafés. Located just off the Main Road, the Volunteer Hostel is ideally situated close to the city center, V&A Waterfront shopping complex, Long Street (the hub of the city’s nightlife), Cape Town City soccer stadium, and of course the famous white sandy beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay – all of these are just one 5-10min taxi ride away. Within walking distance of the hostel is the Sea Point Swimming Pool complex where a mere R20 gives you access to an Olympic-sized pool, 2 smaller splash pools and a fully-equipped springboard diving pool. There is also the ever-popular Sea Point Promenade – an attractive 11km paved public walkway that runs along the beautiful Atlantic Ocean coast, with spectacular views of the ocean, Robben Island and Table Mountain. It’s a great place to walk, jog, skateboard, or you can even rent a bicycle for a few hours and ride along. The well-manicured lawns and benches provide an ideal place to relax and enjoy the sunset.
Observatory, or “Obs” as the locals call it, is Cape Town’s most bohemian suburb and lies about 15mins (drive) east of the city center. Located just 2km from the University of Cape Town, this student town is a vibrant, multi-cultural community that attracts young travelers from all over the globe, all year round. Our hostel is a 10min walk from Lower Main Road - the main entertainment area and heartbeat of Obs. You’ll find quirky restaurants, easy going bars, live music (everything from Reggae and Afro-jazz to Contemporary) and tons of cozy little coffee shops and cafés. During the Apartheid era, Observatory was one of the few “grey” suburbs – areas where people of mixed race, religion and cultures were allowed to live together. This spirit has lived on and has resulted in a suburb unique in its diversity. Within a 5km radius of Obs, you’ll find the Newlands rugby and cricket stadiums, various shopping centers, museums, art galleries and stage theaters, hiking trails and of course The Old Biscuit Mill - this vibrant spot is home to night and day markets, designer stores, delicious farm-stalls, decadent cafes as well as an awesome line-up of festivals and events.
Upon arrival into Cape Town airport volunteers will be collected by a representative of the local project team and transported to their assigned accommodation where they will join a short welcome session. On Monday, volunteers attend the full orientation session where a representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience in South Africa. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, and ask any last questions you may have.
Both Volunteer Houses boast the following features:
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