Start your South Africa volunteer experience with the cultural immersion program! Program starts with informative video session and discussion on the role of volunteers/field staffs. The program also covers informative session on demographic, health and safety issues. As a part of program, you will start your journey of the mind into the cultural and demographic diversity of South Africa. Program features orientation drive to downtown Cape Town , stunning photo stop, Visit of two unique cultures and communities, and Question and answer time

Proposed Itinerary

Day 1 (Wednesday): Arrive in South Africa, Cape Town International Airport 

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport. Meet our local representative waiting to receive you, transfer to accommodation in Cape Town. You can email your family that you have arrived in South Africa. There is a store up the road where the volunteers can go to purchase special or any additional supplies. This morning you will start your orientation program

09h00 - 11h00: “Making Mandela's Dream Work” - One person can make a difference: A talk program conducted by our partner's staff member on the philosophy and work approach in the communities which has resulted in a high level of success. The talk program will include two DVD presentations “A Brave New World” and “Changing Lanes” followed by one on one discussion, and question and answer session.  Then you take a break to enjoy lunch.

12h00 – 13h00: Orientation Manual and Material Review

14h30 – 15h30: Information session – The role of the local site mentor and communication facilities on the site and with local partner that includes communication availability with volunteer's family, the general “culture and pecking”, structure and hierarchy in the local communities where the volunteer will work and the profile of the home-stay host and volunteer community.

At this time there are also two informational sessions: “Safe and Streetwise” and a Health Issues review Q&A

16h00: Free time
* If the volunteer would like to learn some basic indigenous language of the community they will be working in – the optional 2 of the 4 hour interactive language session can be arranged at an additional cost of R180 ($1=6.25 R) per two hour session on Day 2.

Day 2 (Thursday): Start your journey of the mind into the cultural and demographic diversity of South Africa

09h00 - 11h00:  Early in the morning, your tutor, Lisa Steffen will host an information session titled “The Demographics and Geographics of South Africa.”

11h15: Depart for an orientation drive to downtown Cape Town. Ascend Bloemndal for a stunning photo stop en route to Cape Town city. (You can ascend Table Mountain at your own costs and bring along your student card if you have one for discount as you pay this yourself and it is weather permitting).

Drive through downtown Cape Town, the Bo Kaap (Malay Quarters), then depart to the sprawling townships in the great Cape Flats where the reality and importance of your contribution as a volunteer will become apparent.

Drive through Khayelitsha, ascend The Look-Out Hill – to take another picture of Table Mountain from a starkly different and unique vantage point. The importance of rebuilding post Apartheid South Africa, the eradication of poverty, combating HIV/AIDS, skills, teaching and business and economic development issues reveal itself. You too can Make Mandela's Dream for a better life from the bitter life, work!

Visit two unique cultures and communities and immerse yourself in their lifestyle. Witness the resilience and inspirational progression of Yellow the Wireman and his family (Khoi/Bushman culture) in Klapmuts and that of Esme or Lily the Cook-up Kamammas in Kayamandi Stellenbosch, both situated in one of the most beautiful and richest regions in South Africa. You will enjoy a fun lunch of traditional Xhosa cuisine with Cook-up Kamamma (an experience which has earned international recognition) and break and eat indigenous Xna bread with Yellow the Bushman and his wife Pasqualine.

Question and answer time with the two cultures. Share your culture and exchange ideas and information. Enjoy your gradual integration into the cultures of South Africa. Lunch and snack included.

16h00: Transfer to your home-stay at Kayamandi, Stellenbosch for dinner, bed and breakfast.

Day 3 (Friday): Transfer to Work and Play in South Africa host volunteer community. Arrangements to be made as per the volunteer's project placement. Arrive at project site. Meet and be greeted by your Local Site Mentor, and transfer to your host accommodation - orientation on your local community and free time in the evening.

Day 4 & 5(Saturday & Sunday): Experience/settle in host family and community.

Proposed Itinerary is a sample and subject to change to meet the changes in field conditions