About South Africa

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Volunteer - South Africa

Work with Street Children in South Africa

Project Summary

Help turn lives around for street children, usually entangled in dangerous living situations and habits such as: petty crime, robbery, drug use and loitering on the streets. Local efforts have discovered that most street children are not “bad”, they are simply children without someone focused on loving, guiding and caring for them. Unless these street kids are given program education and self belief, they face a very bleak future. The goal when working with street children in South Africa is to boost self-morale and get them back in and succeeding in school. Volunteers can leave with a great sense of satisfaction knowing they helped steer these children towards the right path to success.

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  • Program:Volunteer in South Africa
  • Projects:Work with Street Children in South Africa
  • Start Dates:1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
  • Location:Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Albertinia, Knysna, Oudtshoorn & Riversdale
  • Departure and End Point:Cape Town International Airport
  • Meals:Host family and South African cuisine three times daily
  • Activities:support and encourage at risk children as they re-enter society after living on the street
  • Working Hours:25-35 hours per week
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Role of Volunteer

As a day care volunteer in South Africa, volunteers in this project are focused on improving the lives of children living on the streets. Our program helps redirect their lives that are usually entangled in dangerous living situations and habits such as stealing, robbing, doing drugs, roaming the streets and not attending school. More often than not, these children are not “bad”, but just missing adult guidance and supervision, lacking someone to love and care for them. This volunteer outreach program boosts their self-esteem and sends them back to school. This work with street children in South Africa has a high success rate and volunteers can leave with satisfaction knowing they helped steer these children back to the right path to life success.

In South Africa, we work in small communities/neighborhoods, and the majority of our projects are very closely related within these communities. All of these projects are in desperate need of volunteers. Therefore, volunteers will often be requested to work with more than one project in their community during their stay. This not only helps the projects immensely, but it also gives volunteers a unique opportunity to experience different the different issues and facets of the South African people.

Skills/Qualification Needed

There are no specific qualifications needed to join work with street children in South Africa project, but your understanding of South African culture and diversity can help improve the experience for you and the children. Consider enrolling in our five-day Cultural Immersion & Information program. Volunteers should be willing to share love, time and compassion with people, all the while maintaining great patience and high flexibility.

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Volunteer in South Africa: Project Locations and Free Time Options

The locations of Global Crossroad’s volunteer in South Africa projects are in the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces. All projects and our Cultural Program originate in Cape Town, but most placements are located are located outside of Cape Town. All placements offer access to activities that are considered “authentic South African” experiences and all locations are surrounded by breathtaking scenery and natural beauty.

 

A few of our projects are located in Stellenbosch in The Winelands. This town is the second oldest and one of the richest towns in South Africa. The wines, historical buildings, oak lined streets and university offer a beautiful backdrop for free-time excursions. Stellenbosch is centuries old and the town was founded primarily to support the region’s wine production. Historic Cape Dutch architecture rules the town and most buildings have been carefully restored. Vineyards and wineries are the main pull here, but hiking trails abound at local nature reserves.

 

Our Garden Route projects are based in Albertinia, Knysna, Oudtshoorn and Riversdale. The Garden Route is wrapped along the coastal area along the Gouritz River, up into the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains. There are a few local wineries and the local Garden Route Game Reserve offers a chance to see animals in their natural environment. The 2nd highest bungee jump in South Africa is located at the famous Gouritz Bridge. Beachside towns are only 30-45 minutes away and offer a great afternoon of relaxation and playing tourist. There are water sports and trails for hikes, horses and cyclists. Oudtshoorn is known as the ostrich feather capital of the world and also boasts caverns and caves to explore. Riversdale is the flower kingdom of the garden route and there are mountain activities as well as many local markets at which to buy local artists’ works.