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Community volunteering in South Africa

Our community volunteering holidays in South Africa require commitment in terms of time, as well as the physical, mental and emotional demands of working in some of South Africa’s poorest communities. Rewards are infinite but you need to know, in advance, what you’ll be letting yourself in for. Patience, positivity and big smiles are often all that are required; however, skills and experience also go a long way.

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COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING IN SOUTH AFRICA

On community volunteering trips in South Africa, volunteers should be prepared for a pace of life that is much slower than they may be used to, so patience, respect and empathy are every bit as important as qualifications and relevant work experience. An open mind and a willingness to smile and be positive are essential for community volunteers, as well as the ability to be flexible and think on your feet when it comes to dealing with conditions that are very far removed from what you find back home. Healthcare, teaching and coaching positions require volunteers to have relevant qualifications, skills and/or work experience, whereas assistants are more likely to be given on the job training.

We recommend community volunteers sign up for a minimum of four weeks. It’s important that time is really invested when it comes to interacting with underprivileged communities in places like Port Elizabeth and Cape Town’s outer suburbs.

Volunteer in South Africa

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Our South Africa volunteering Holidays

SPORTS COACHES & TEACHING ASSISTANTS

Sports coach & teaching assistants

Anne Smellie from Oyster World:

“Physical education isn’t formally taught in many of the schools that support South African townships and, as such, volunteer sports coaches provide a much needed chance for kids to run about and enjoy themselves after sitting down in a classroom all day. Some children will never have played cricket or rugby before, and often a kick around with a flat football will be the closest they’ll get to emulating the Bafana Bafana.”

SPORTS COACHES & TEACHING ASSISTANTS

Township schools around Port Elizabeth and Cape Town are extremely underfunded with limited resources and large class sizes, and volunteering as a classroom assistant or a teacher, alongside, not in place of, local teachers, can make a real difference. Volunteers teaching assistants with experience of working with children, especially in education, are vitally important. Full training will also be given to assistants on arrival. Volunteer teachers must have an appropriate qualification, such as a TEFL certificate, a PGCE, or another relevant certification in youth work. Although weekends are free to have fun, this is not a holiday and the longer you can extend your stay past four weeks, the better.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about South Africa volunteering or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

More about South Africa volunteering

Best time to volunteer in South Africa

Volunteers are needed all year round, so check out the best time to volunteer in South Africa in terms of temperature and rainfall.

South Africa volunteering guide

Volunteering in South Africa is life changing, and not only for the communities and wildlife that you’ll be assisting.

Our top 10 South Africa volunteering holidays

We’ve picked our top 10 South Africa volunteering holidays so you can get a better understanding of what we do, and how you can help to make a real difference.

Wildlife volunteering in South Africa

Our wildlife volunteering holiday’s page breaks down the different types of tour that we offer as well as managing traveller expectations.

Volunteering holidays in KwaZulu-Natal

From endangered wildlife monitoring to community construction projects, KwaZulu Natal volunteering holidays offer a unique way to experience this vibrant South African region.

Leopard conservation holidays in South Africa

Checking camera traps and analysing photo data coupled with game drives into some of KwaZulu Natal’s most biodiverse wilderness areas; leopard conservation holidays offer volunteers a unique insight into the little-seen lives of South Africa’s most elusive big cats.