Volunteer In South Africa
More than a Vacation, our South Africa Volunteer Program is an Affordable, Life-Changing Adventure!
South Africa has walked a hard road. Colonization and apartheid meant that, until recently, the vast majority of South Africa’s population suffered centuries of oppression and stagnation. But the “Rainbow Nation” has emerged from those trying days, and you can now volunteer in South Africa to experience the growth of its young democracy, the amazing outcome of a bloodless revolution.
South Africa’s nature-scape includes thousands of plant species that grow nowhere else in the world. Her animal population is equally varied, from elephants in the north to her own species of penguin in the south. Eight national parks stretch across the changing topography of this country, often called the Cradle of Humanity.
Despite the progress, South Africa remains a nation of challenges. The poor of South Africa are desperately poor. The HIV/AIDS crisis has left as many as 1.2 million orphans who struggle each day to survive. Global Crossroad makes it possible for you to volunteer in South Africa through orphan care, education, health services or community development projects.
Send for information today to begin your life-changing service in South Africa!
Volunteer Programs in South Africa
- Volunteering in Orphanage (Knysna, Qwa Qwa, Upington, Worcester)
- Teaching English (Albertinia, Heidelberg, Knysna, Leliefontein, Qwa Qwa, Upington, Worcester)
- HIV/AIDS Projects (Albertinia, Heidelberg, Knysna, Qwa Qwa, Riversdal, Stilbay, Stutterheim, Upington, Worcester)
- Day Care Center Volunteering (Albertinia, Heidelberg, Knysna, Qwa Qwa, Riversdal, Stilbay, Stutterheim, Upington, Worcester, Soweto-JNB,)
- Work with Street Children (Knysna, Upington, Worcester)
Dates and Prices
All volunteer work in South Africa (Volunteer and travel options) begin Wednesdays of each month.Global Crossroad is committed to offering quality volunteer abroad programs and a very affordable price. We always strive to keep costs low in order to share these savings with our volunteers. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion and we are dedicated to perpetuating low-cost programs that enable as many volunteers as possible to cross borders and embrace the neediest souls of humanity.
Global Crossroad's application fee: US $199. The application fee covers our cost of advertising, program promotion, and office expenses (rent, utilities, and staff salaries in USA office).
In addition to the application fee, volunteers are required to pay weekly program fee. The weekly program is required to cover the cost of international travel insurance, airport pickup, transport to project, meals and accommodation, salary of local staffs, rent of local offices, hostel/home base and utilities, and other field costs
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Language and Cultural Program in South Africa
Culture shock is not an imaginary situation when volunteering in South Arica. Visiting a different country can be overwhelming, even when the culture is similar to your own! Prepare yourself to enjoy your South African experience thoroughly by attending our weeklong Cultural Information & Immersion program. Our one-week course is a learning vacation including cultural orientation and instruction, introduction to South Africa customs and sightseeing in/around Cape Town.
Global Crossroad has designed this opportunity to ease you (slowly and comfortably) into South African life rather than throwing you in without a lifejacket! During our week of exposure to South African culture, volunteers will start their mental journey into the cultural and demographic diversity of South Africa. Program features orientation, drive to downtown Cape Town tour, stunning photo stops, visits to two unique cultures and communities and many chances for question and answers.
South Africa Volunteer Program: Accommodations/Meals/Field Support
In Global Crossroad’s volunteer in South Africa program, weekly fees include management of volunteers’ meal plans and accommodations throughout projects and travel options. Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) will be provided and will consist of local ingredients and feature traditional cuisine choices for South Africa. Our meal program can accommodate vegetarian needs; however, we are not able to provide for other dietary restrictions. Food and drinks outside of mealtimes are the volunteer’s responsibility. In most cases, there are restaurants and markets nearby the homes in which our volunteers stay.
During volunteer work in South Africa, we generally place our volunteers either in a hostel in Cape Town or with a host family (aka “home stay”) elsewhere. Volunteers usually have a single bedroom, but may occasionally share a room with another volunteer of the same gender. Our host families are chosen carefully and are esteemed community members, who have experience in the realm of hosting international travelers. Host family residences are in comfortable, clean and safe neighborhoods and rooms are simply furnished and tidy. Staying with a host family can offer the support system a volunteer will crave during their program and it is a great way to learn about a host country’s culture and customs. Most volunteers who have stayed with a host family note that their stay truly enriched their entire experience abroad.
A unique and important part of Global Crossroad’s successful volunteer projects in South Africa is our in-country support to volunteers. We put safety and comfort first as we deliver enriching and consistent experiences for our international travelers. Our support is multi-faceted while volunteers are in South Africa and our staff is in contact with our volunteers on a regular basis either with face-to-face visits or via phone/email. Key support comes from our country coordinator and in-country field staff. These individuals are employed by our company and committed to ensuring your experience the best it can be. Your chosen project staff and host family offers support as well, and they are familiar with working with international volunteers and accustomed to answering questions and providing guidance. Volunteers also have access to our country coordinator’s mobile number for emergencies. With longer assignments, our field staff visits regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to ensure the experience is meeting your expectations. Sometimes an assignment may be too far to visit physically, so staff members will touch-base via phone/email. You are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time. You are never alone.
Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.
Frequently asked questions - South Africa
Application Process/ Visa
- When should I apply for a volunteer/internship assignment in South Africa?
- What happens once I submit my documents and application to Global Crossroad?
- How long does it take to process my application to volunteer in South Africa?
- What documents do I need to submit with my application for volunteering in South Africa?
- Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the South Africa based volunteer programs?
Placement Information
- Who manages the volunteer projects in South Africa?
- What are the daily schedules of the projects?
- Where are the projects located?
- What is the language spoken in South Africa?
- When are the South Africa based assignments available?
- How long can I volunteer in South Africa?
Arrival and Departure Information
- Who will arrange my flight to South Africa?
- At which airport should I arrive?
- If my assignment begins on Monday, when should I arrive in South Africa?
- Will someone pick me from the airport?
- If so, how will I know who they are and where they are?
- What should I do if my flight is delayed?
- How can I get to my accommodations from the airport, if I did not connect with Global Crossroad's local representative in the airport?
- What do I need prior to departure from my home country?
- If I want to arrive earlier than when my assignment begins, where do I stay and who will organize the accommodations?
- When should I depart from South Africa?
- From which airport shall I depart?
- Who will bring me to the airport for my departure?
Living Accomodation / Meal Information
- Who will arrange my accommodations and what are they?
- Are single rooms available?
- If I arrive with my friend, or girlfriend/boyfriend, can we stay together?
- Will there be other foreign volunteers/interns at my placement?
- What are the bathroom facilities like?
- What are the laundry arrangements?
- Can I use appliances if I bring them from my home country?
- Who manages my meals?
- Can you accommodate special diets?
- Is the running tap water safe for drink?
- Are there hot and cold-water facilities available?
- Will bottled water be provided?
Health and Safety
- How safe is South Africa?
- What are the principle health risks in South Africa?
- Is the food safe if I buy it from a street vendor?
- What are the sanitary conditions in South Africa?
Money
- Are ATMs easily available?
- If yes, which debit and credit cards are accepted?
- What is the local currency and how do I know the exchange rate?
- Where should I exchange my money?
- How much money should I bring with me?
- Is it safe to carry cash with me?
Communication
- How do I contact with Global Crossroad's local coordinator?
- How do I contact my family and friends once I arrive in South Africa?
- How can my family members contact me?
- Can I bring my telephone from my home country?
Culture and Custom
- Is there a special dress code that I should follow while staying in South Africa?
- What should I know about religious conduct in South Africa?
- How do I respect the people of South Africa?
More Information about South Africa
NOTE: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is generic information and should not be used as a definitive travel guide. Travel information and situations abroad change constantly. Participants should consult Global Crossroad or travel advisors to verify this information.
