Volunteer South Africa
BUNAC believes that the best way to experience a county is to fully immerse yourself into the culture and community. Our volunteer programmes give you the perfect opportunity to do just that whilst contributing to a worthwhile project. You will be able to share your skills and knowledge with the local staff and get an invaluable insight into the lives of their community by living with a host family. Take time to share stories and life experiences, learn some of the local language and enjoy the home cooked food. It all adds up to provide you with a unique and memorable volunteer experience.
About South Africa
Often referred to as “The world in one country” South Africa is a land of extraordinary beauty, mystery and adventure. You can marvel at the variety of landscapes from its stunning coastline and cosmopolitan cities to the barren savannah and wild game parks. Diversity is evident throughout the various cultures, religions, and languages and you can witness first world development next to third world difficulties. Since the end of the Apartheid era, it has been possible not only to visit, but to see and experience the hope and pride of it’s people whom were once part of a country once divided, now standing side by side as part of a new ‘rainbow nation’.
Volunteer South Africa includes:
- Comprehensive Orientation Interview on a one to one basis
- BUNAC Volunteer South Africa Handbook and Lonely Planet Guidebook
- Personal support and travel advice from knowledgeable staff
- Group or individual flight booking service
- 24/7 support from BUNAC and our local partner organisation for the duration of your programme
- Project placement allocation suited to your skills and needs
- 7-day Orientation
- Education sessions about culture and customs; safety and accommodation and your placement
- Walking tour of Cape Town
- Excursions to: Cape Point, Robben Island, Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch (wine tasting)
- Township tour
- Seven nights hostel accommodation
- Airport pick up
- Host family accommodation in community-based projects
- Based in rural townships surrounding Cape Town
- Private or twin share with another volunteer
- Home cooked food included
- Staff accommodation in wildlife projects
- Based in rural areas in northern South Africa
- All meals included
Your arrival orientation, placement and local support services are provided by SASTS (South African Students’ Travel Services) BUNAC's partner in South Africa.
Placement options
Your placement will be influenced by your skills, placement preferences and project availability. Projects are very flexible so it’s all about using your skills and initiative where you can. Community based projects are normally in the poorer suburbs and townships of Cape Town and wildlife and nature reserve work is more rurally located. It is likely you will be working alongside one or two other volunteers from the UK or worldwide. Examples of opportunities are listed below.
| Teaching |
Childcare |
| Working as a teacher’s assistant in a Pre-school, Primary or Secondary School helping to teach English and other subjects
Organising activities from arts and crafts, sports, dance and music to extra curricular activities
|
Supervising in schools, day-care centres or orphanages
Helping with meal-times and play time
Assisting with basic education and the day-to-day running of a centre
|
| HIV/AIDS Awareness |
Environmental |
| Educating local communities on the risks of HIV infection; assisting with local workshops, awareness programmes and HIV/AIDS support sessions
Helping with the general administration and promotion of a project in the community
|
Clearing trails and monitoring flora and fauna in nature reserves.
Environmental awareness initiatives directed at school groups and visitors to the parks
|
| Healthcare/Care Work |
Tourism |
| Assisting in clinics and care homes for people with physical, emotional or mental disabilities (suitably qualified or experienced applicants only). |
Assisting with the general running and promotion of a tourism project in a rural village or local community |
| Wildlife |
Online TEFL |
| Participating in the daily activities of a wildlife reserve including animal research, maintenance work, guest relations and lodge management, as well as awareness and educational programmes that educate rural communities on the importance of animal and nature conservation. |
Most volunteers will have the opportunity to teach whilst they are away (either structured or ad-hoc). Whether or not this is the focus of your trip a TEFL course will help you to communicate in a foreign language. Find out more about the On-Line TEFL. |
For further examples of project work, please check the Volunteer diaries.