Go beyond your boundaries and volunteer in South Africa! Vibrant and full of colors, South Africa is known as a rainbow nation. It's a land filled with wonders, stunning landscapes and astonishing flora and fauna. South Africa overflows with diversity and has eleven official languages in its constitution. You can get lost in the many national parks where you can see the "big five" (elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo). In addition, you can take time out to enjoy local seafood or watch the famous sardine run, where millions of sardines travel up the Indian Coast chased by gannets, dolphins, whales and sharks. You'll enjoy the amazing night skies, the garden route and some of the best wine tasting. For the adventurous, South Africa also boasts the highest bungee jump in the world.
You can experience this fascinating country intimately by participating in Global Crossroad Volunteer's Volunteering South Africa programs. We operate out of Cape Town, a city that presents visitors with glorious weather year around. You can easily immerse into local cultures and work in one of our volunteer programs to uplift lives of extremely poor people. In addition, you can join one of our well organized tours and explore the beauty of South Africa beyond Cape Town.
Volunteer in South Africa NOW! email us for more information, so you can begin your African adventure and life-changing experience. You will change your life as well as those of who you help.
For start date of Cape Town volunteer program, please click the link here to know the exact dates.
If you are tired of expensive volunteer programs but want to make a positive contribution in the world, look no further! Global Crossroad is dedicated to offering high-quality, well-organized and meaningful programs at the most affordable price in the United States. We work hard to keep costs as low as possible, focusing on the effectiveness of our projects, the safety of our volunteers and the quality of participant experiences. We currently offer the most competitive price possible in today's market including an application fee (of $299) AND a small weekly fee as follows:
| Duration | All Projects (Cape Town) | Wildlife Conservation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Week | N/A | $700 |
| 2 Weeks | $450 | $1,100 |
| 3 Weeks | $600 | $1,550 |
| 4 Weeks | $750 | $1,950 |
| 5 Weeks | $900 | $2,350 |
| 6 Weeks | $1.050 | $2,750 |
| 7 Weeks | $1,200 | $3,150 |
| 8 Weeks | $1,400 | $3,650 |
| 9 Weeks | $1,550 | N/A |
| 10 Weeks | $1,750 | N/A |
| 11 Weeks | $1,900 | N/A |
| 12 Weeks | $2,050 | N/A |
Mandatory Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day
minimum stay 4 weeks
Do you love working with kids? Would you like to help orphanages care for orphaned children, and let them receive the love and care they so desperately deserve? If so, working for Global Crossroad's orphanage project in South Africa may be just the thing for you!
The second largest city in South Africa, Cape Town sees all sorts of people. Some live the luxurious life daily while others struggle to survive. Socio-economic problems like poverty, disease, and neglect have turned many South African children into helpless orphans. South African orphanages are trying their best to feed, clothe, and educate the orphans, but many have a shortage of staff and funds. Because of this, there is great need for volunteers to assist in the care of the children. Collaborating with many local orphanages in South Africa, Global Crossroad Volunteer helps provide the quality of life these orphans deserve. As a volunteer, you will help love and care for them alongside the staff.
Volunteers will work with abused children and orphans, as well as have the opportunity to work in safe houses for women and children and care for the physically and mentally challenged children and adults. It should be noted that placements in the month of December are limited, as orphans are placed with foster parents at this time.
Volunteer duties include feeding the children, clothing the children, and playing with them. They will help the children with their homework, prepare meals for them, as well as assist with planned activities and sprucing up the orphanage. The work times will often vary, but typical hours will be from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with volunteers occasionally working until 9:00 p.m.
Though no prior experience is needed to volunteer in this project, a love and passion for working with people, namely children, is recommended. Volunteers will need to exhibit patience working with the children and helping to solve their problems. They must be willing to help whenever needed, working towards making the facility better for the kids that stay there.
Volunteers must obtain a police clearance certificate, and in some projects they must be over 21 years old committing to work in the project for at least two months. They need to have an interest in social welfare homes as well, as most of the children are in school in the mornings, allowing the volunteers to assist in these homes during that time.
Volunteer in the Community Health Project in South Africa and gain valuable experience, explore Cape Town and most importantly, help South Africans live healthy and productive lives. Many hospitals and clinics in and around Cape Town lack financial and human resources and urgently need volunteers. If you're a qualified medical professional or are in the process of becoming one, you can volunteer in this project and help local hospitals and clinics treat people who would not otherwise have access to healthcare. You will share your knowledge, time, skills and talents with the local nurses, doctors and staff, making treatment possible for hundreds who daily seek medical help. Participating in the Community Health Volunteer Project in South Africa provides tremendous opportunities for volunteers to immerse themselves in another culture while positively contributing to poorer communities where the need is the greatest.
Each volunteer in South Africa working in the community health/medical project will have varying responsibilities and tasks in the volunteer project depending on one's qualifications and certifications as a medical professional. Duties may include:
Note: In each community, projects may support orphanages, schools, HIV/AIDS projects, hospitals, etc. Volunteers may work in more than one project during the duration of their volunteer period. By multi-tasking, you will have a more varied volunteering experience and be able to reach out to more people.
Volunteers interested in joining the volunteer health program must possess health care certification, such as an ID as a medical student, EMT or paramedic certification or nursing/physician's credentials. Medical volunteers without credentials are not allowed to work in this program because of the potential risk. Local hospitals require a copy of your resume, clearly stating credentials and education before your arrival to the project.
Do you love playing sports? Would you be willing to teach youngsters to play sports in their school programs? Would you like to live in one of the most multicultural cities in all of South Africa? If you answered yes to all of these questions, the physical education project in Cape Town, South Africa is just the program for you!
Sports play an integral part in the development of a child. Not only do they add value to a quality education, allowing for recreational time and being active, they are also learning team-building skills and working together for a common goal. Many underrepresented communities lack proper sports programs for their kids, with many of them ending on the streets with bad behavior instead. As a volunteer, you will teach them the world of sports while also contributing greatly to their quality of life.
Volunteers will work in a sports coaching position at a local school or work in one of the soccer camps in the area. A volunteer's project will vary depending on location, resources available, and the level of the trained staff. Some projects are well-structured, but many lack the proper infrastructure needed for effective management. This is often because many of the sports projects are funded through subsidies, donations, and grants.
Though no prior experience is needed to volunteer in this project, a love and passion for sports is required as it is a physical education program. We also encourage a willingness to help whenever needed and have a passion for working with children, as you will be teaching them the world of sports daily.
Although English is an official language of South Africa and is widely spoken, many low-class families only speak their own language and often have difficulty speaking and writing in English. English is increasingly important to compete in local and global markets; therefore the demand for lessons is extremely high. As a volunteer in South Africa teaching English, you will have the wonderful opportunity to help young students improve their English and in turn, you will open doors for their futures. Volunteer in the teaching English project in South Africa and help children have bright futures, all while exploring all that South Africa has to offer. This project truly is the opportunity of a lifetime.
Job responsibilities as a volunteer teaching English in South Africa will vary with each school (secondary or primary). The schools provide the curriculum and teaching material. You will typically work with another teacher and report to the head teacher. Your main role will be teaching English, but other activities may include:
South Africa has 4 academic terms a year: January-March, April-June, July-September, and October-December. A minimum commitment of 2 months is required to volunteer for the Teaching English in South Africa project.
Note: In each community, projects may support orphanages, schools, HIV/AIDS projects, hospitals, etc. Volunteers may work in more than one project during the duration of their volunteer period. By multi-tasking, you will have a more varied volunteering experience and be able to reach out to more people.
There are no specific skills or qualifications needed to join the teaching English project in South Africa. However, volunteers are expected to be fluent in English. Teaching experience is beneficial (but not required). You should also be open-minded, caring, responsible and flexible.
Global Crossroad Volunteer arranges volunteer meals, accommodations and strong field support for the duration of projects and optional travel packages. In South Africa, volunteers generally stay with host families and accommodations are simple and clean homes in safe neighborhoods.
Volunteers usually have a private bedroom, but occasionally rooms will be shared with a same-gender volunteer. Our host families are well screened and are respected members of their communities who live in affluent neighborhoods. Most of our host families have experience with hosting international volunteers. A host family stay is a great chance for cultural immersion and exchange. During orientation and training program, volunteers stay in our hostel in Cape Town. Our hostel is located in the city center and volunteers will have easy access to all parts of the city.
Volunteers receive three local meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). We can provide vegetarian meal options, but needs must be detailed in a volunteer's application. Snacks and beverages outside of mealtimes are not provided; however, there are local restaurants and grocery stores near the residences in which we place volunteers.
Global Crossroad offers unparalleled field support to volunteers to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. Once in South Africa, there are many layers of support for you. The most important support comes from our country coordinator/field staff. The secondary support comes from the host project staff and members of host families. Volunteers will have access to our country coordinator's mobile number and they are available 24/7. Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. Our field staff will visit regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to make sure things are going well and as planned. However, if placement is far from our local offices, staff members will stay in touch via email/ phone. Volunteers are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time.
Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.
All of our projects are available in Cape Town, home to Table Mountain, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and the City Bowl, but volunteers interested in teaching English, working in an orphanage or working in social projects may also work in Stellenbosch, Albertinia, Knysna or Riversdale. South Africa's multicultural metropolitan cities are renowned for their deeply rooted African cultural and atmosphere where visitors are always welcomed. It's full of contrasts: from traditional culture and history to modern infrastructure. You can easily find most of the amenities you would expect from a modern city. Volunteers can organize several combinations of excursions during and after the project to visit popular tourist attractions. There is a tourist infrastructure already in place that the volunteers can use during weekends. Attractions include national parks & harbors, safari trips, hiking, markets, museums, restaurants, nightclubs, festivals/carnivals, wine tasting, art galleries, whale watching, beaches, hotels, and much more.
Please read Global Crossroad Volunteer's 5-step application
Arrival Point: Cape Town International Airport
Airport Pick-up Upon the receipt of your flight information, our in-country coordinator or other project staff will greet the volunteers in the airport and take you to your project site. The address and telephone number of the local contact hotel will be given before departure just in case volunteers miss our representative in the airport. Please make sure to e-mail your flight information to both the USA office and the local in-country coordinator's office.
Departure Point: Cape Town International Airport
Airport Drop: Available upon request, a few do request an escort back to the airport; Most are very familiar and comfortable with their stay and have great ease taking their own taxi or bus back to the airport.
Transportation: Global Crossroad Volunteer manages one-way transportation to project. Volunteers will be responsible for their own personal and return travel. We do not cover daily transportation from host family/hotel to the project. Our program is designed to save you the volunteer as much as possible.
Start Dates: Each Wednesday
Start Date: Global Crossroad Volunteers/Travelers coming to South Africa are advised to arrive one day before their program start date. If you arrive more than one day early or stay after the program, you will be responsible for your room and food expenses.
Working Hours: 30- 40 hours per week
Global Crossroad strongly suggest that all volunteers apply for a tourist visa, in a timely manner before departing for South Africa. Please call our office or contact the local South Africa embassy to learn more about visas, visa fees and visa extensions. Getting your tourist visa is your responsibility.
Being informed is your first defense against disease and safety risks. We recommend visiting some of the following websites for health and safety information:
WHO website for international travelers ( http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/ )
General Health Tips for volunteer in South Africa
We use the Center for Disease Control traveler's health recommendations (www.cdc.gov.) Your travel doctor should be consulted about current epidemics.
See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect. If it is less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see your doctor. It might not be too late to get your shots or medications as well as other information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.
Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications
The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Southern Africa. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.
Required Vaccinations
*There are no required vaccinations
Find the Exchange Rate for South African Rand at http://www.xe.com/ucc/
With a favorable exchange rate for many international currencies, you'll find South Africa a very inexpensive destination compared with Europe and North America. Conveniently, financial institutions are world-class with no shortage of banks, bureau exchanges and automatic tellers. South Africa's unit of currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5, and notes in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200. The airport offers convenient, international-standard banking.
Cash and travelers checks are suggested to settle most accounts. You will have trouble paying with traveler's checks, but you will be able to exchange them at local banks or post offices. Traveler's checks are recommended as a safe way to carry money with you, make sure you write down the check numbers and contact information you need to cancel stolen checks. Different brands of traveler's checks work better in different countries so consult your local financial institution about which company you should buy your checks from.
Travelers should have a credit card for large and emergency purchases so you won't go broke if something goes wrong. If you've requested a pin number for your credit card, you can use it to get cash advances at the ATM.
You can also carry a debit card that can be used at ATM's (Cirrus Network) to withdraw local currency. When using ATM's be advised to bring a friend along, travel directly from the bank back to your home and stash your cash in a reliable safe. When you are carrying cash, break it up into different amounts and keep it in different pockets so if you get robbed you won't lose everything.
Debit cards are the best way of getting money and ATM vendors are available. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in some of the large stores and hotels in larger cities but may not be widely accepted in smaller cities and not at all in the villages.
How much money you bring depends on your personal spending habits. Thrifty people can get by on less than $15/day. Your budget should also include money to explore during free time as well as for your personal use.
How does Global Crossroad Volunteer help me when I am in the field? How can I maintain communication? Does Global Crossroad Volunteer visit volunteers?
Our coordinators stay in touch with volunteers via personal visits, telephone calls or emails. The director of each project will serve as the participants' immediate supervisor. Global Crossroad Volunteer's in-country coordinator maintains a mobile phone so participants are able to reach him with questions and concerns.
How do I communicate with my family? Global Crossroad Volunteer staffs? Is there internet?
You will have plenty of opportunity to use the internet in Cape Town, as it is widely available. There are several 'Internet Cafes' where you can use the computer to browse the net and send email. Most hotels and hostels as have this facility. International phone calling at private phone centers provide pre-paid cash phone calling from widely available locations. The phone facilities are good, but you'll pay for it. You can expect international calls to cost around $1US per minute. Post offices are open weekdays with reliable, but slow service. Try not to mail anything of value, but sending a nice note home is definitely an option.
The climate in South Africa is generally warm and dry. In the winter, the temperature rarely falls below freezing. In the summer months - December, January, and February- the temperature in the drier regions may rise above 40C. South Africa is a land of great contrasts and includes regions that are extremely dry and some, where rainfalls are regular. The heaviest rainfall occurs along the eastern coastline. As much as 6 feet of rain may be recorded in one year in this region. In the extreme northwest part of the country, in parts of the Kalahari desert, there is virtually no rain at all.
Cape Town is located on the Atlantic coast and is South Africa's major seaport. It has pleasant and dry climate most of the year and beautiful beaches. The ocean water is cold and the constant winds create tremendously strong and unruly currents, causing most people not to swim in the ocean.
Passport and Documents
Volunteers should hold a valid passport and necessary documents while traveling in South Africa. Please carry photocopies of your passport and travelers checks while in South Africa to make replacement easy if they are lost.
Medicine
If you are under medication, please do not forget to pack enough medicine for your entire trip; your brands of medicines may not be available in South Africa.
Footwear
Normal leather shoes or tennis shoes, which can be brushed off or wiped off, are appropriate for working in the placements. You will want light comfortable footwear for evening walks and other leisure activities.
Clothes
Rule of thumb: bring things you won't be bothered losing, ruining or throwing away.
T-shirts, jeans and shorts are common. Bring your bathing suit.
Please note that while it may get quite warm during the day, it may get chilly after dark and you may need a sweater.
Medical Kit
It is always useful to carry a small personal medical kit. This should include: band-Aids, personal medication to last the duration of the program, fungicidal foot powder/cream, antiseptic cream, mild painkiller (aspirin), tweezers, scissors etc.
Insect Repellent
Do not forget to bring insect repellent and use it often to reduce the possibility of mosquito-borne illness. If you are traveling in the jungle find a repellant with DEET, the more the better; you can pick it up from a local sporting goods store like REI.
Other
Please do not forget to pack a torch (flashlight) some villages won't have electricity all day or after dark and you may have to use an outdoor bathroom (at night) at some point. Also pack a camera and music. You may wish to bring a diary, pens and pencils and a book to read on the plane. Bring a rain coat during the rainy season.
If you want to bring gifts for your project, please bring practical items and enough for everyone such as books, pencils, color pens, toys and games. If you have the ability to bring gifts, bring as much as you can.
