Join our projects in Cape Town in order to get a flavor of the incredible culture, history, and environments of the Western Cape, South Africa while volunteering to join meaningful projects in child care, teaching and youth development, and social work. 

Accommodation & Meals:  During your stay, you will be accommodated in the award winning Hout Bay Backpackers, in Hout Bay. Three meals a day will also be provided, some on a self-serve basis and others cooked for you. Enquire for private rooms. 

Project Start Dates: The start date for this project is the first Monday of the month throughout the year, with the exception of December when new participants are not accepted. 

Please ensure your flight arrives BEFORE 1:00pm.

Important Links:

- Refund & Cancellation Policy

- SDG Commitments

An intern, although unpaid, is different from a volunteer in that they are expected to bring some knowledge and/or experience in the area they are working in. There are fewer internship posts available so competition for these is higher. Interns will be working at a more career focused strategic level and developing local capacity to work effectively and with meaning, as well as gaining valuable hands-on practical experience during their placement. Interns are also expected to take on more responsibility and to create their own goals and seek activities to be involved in or lead. They will have a mentor assigned to them to guide them during the internship.

Upon arrival, our team will assist our interns with getting started, meeting their partners if they are off campus, and advising them on next steps. Our interns then have the flexibility to create their own schedule with their partners and together create a plan of action of goals to achieve whilst working together. For this reason, it is important that the word “partner” remains key throughout the experience. Our interns have a world of expertise to offer, however all goals should be created together with the in-country partner so the outcomes are sustainable even after the intern returns home. We do not expect our interns to take on a job position, but rather take on the role of advisor; offering advice, suggestions, and assistance in creating strategies that will make long-term impact.

Child Care:   Your role is primarily based in pre-schools in the communities of Imizamo Yethu or Hangberg. Some of the pre-schools are open a full day, whilst others in the morning only, which means you will participate in the afternoons at youth projects providing support to disadvantaged children. As a volunteer, you may be working in a para-parental role teaching children life skills that their missing or overwhelmed families are struggling with. At the preschools you may work with a local caregiver or teacher assisting them and taking on responsibilities as your skills and experience allow. Some of the activities you will get involved in include: 

• Teaching English and Maths and correcting worksheets
• Leading role play and imagination activities 
• Designing activities that support the syllabus
• Reading stories & facilitating learning through storytelling
• Giving support and attention to children
• Organising games & sports activities to help them learn through play 
• Assisting with preparing and serving meals
• Teaching basic life skills including teeth cleaning and hygiene

Teaching Development:  Your role is split into two parts, firstly working at a school in the morning and then in the afternoon at an after-school program or youth centre. Your role will depend on your experience and interests as well as the needs of the school. You will work with qualified teachers and youth development staff to assist students who are struggling academically or experiencing challenges. Some of the activities you will get involved in include: 

• One on one sessions to assist students who are falling behind in their schoolwork
• Helping students with their homework and their reading 
• Assisting at programs to build confidence and resistance to peer pressure
• Supporting extracurricular activities, such as drama, music, art and sports classes

Social Work & People with Disabilities (PWDs): Your role is based at a local registered care centre which provides services for 20 – 30 adults with either physical or intellectual disabilities. The centre is staffed with volunteers who provide support and community-based rehabilitation.

Some of the activities you will get involved in include: 

• Social interaction with clients and assisting them with their day-to-day activities in the centre
• Supporting the centre and their clients to generate income through making arts and crafts items and selling them within the local community
• Assisting with vocation and skills-based training
• Helping out in the kitchen and in the garden to provide nutritious meals for clients
• Tell the residents stories about your home and travels – help them explore the world despite their physical challenges

Occupational Therapy & People with Disabilities (PWDs): Your role is based at a local registered care centre which provides services for 20 – 30 adults with either physical or intellectual disabilities. The centre is staffed with volunteers who provide support and community-based rehabilitation. Some of the activities you will get involved in include: 

Photography and Videography: The role will involve reporting to the Marketing Coordinator to assist with photo and video stock for marketing and/or fundraising needs. Your videos and photos will be used on our website, social media pages, and on our other marketing material. 

Some of the activities you may get involved in may include: 

• Photographing projects & interns in action
• Creating video "trailers" of our projects for our website
• Creating video or photo blogs of your experience
• Interviewing staff or intern about their work

Marketing & Graphic Design:  The role may involve going out into the field to do market research, organizing focus groups, creating networking events or creating new marketing materials in a variety of formats. It may also involve joining our team in the office to assist our staff in strategic planning. 

Some of the activities you may get involved in may include: 

• Creating marketing materials according to your skill set.
• Market research online or in the field.
• Strategy planning with staff or partners.
• Social media and/or blog updating.

Hospitality & Accommodation:  You will have the opportunity to assist our tours team and gain experience in a busy, international tours office, working with clients from all over the globe. Some of the activities you will get involved in include: 

• Bookings & checking-in clients
• Bookkeeping & finance
• Learning about cultural highlights of the area
• Assisting the guides with group tours

 *When you work with children, you will be in the rural areas where modesty will be an important factor. Please make sure you dress appropriately- failure to do so may result in you missing a day of volunteering. More information in the dress code will be provided in the pre-flight guide.  

*Please note that the activities listed above are based on availability and may vary by season. These are samples of activities that volunteers are likely to participate in.

 7:00: Wake up to see the sunshine, jump in a hot shower, and get yourself started for the day with breakfast!

7:30: Travel to your placement and get ready to begin your day. 

8:00: Participate in your chosen project.

12:00: Lunch hour! Time to eat the packed lunch you made that morning!

12:30: Begin your afternoon’s work with a full stomach and enthusiasm!

15:00: Return back to your accommodation and share your day’s adventures with other volunteers - maybe even a quick swim in the pool!

18:30: Enjoy a delicious evening meal and relax!

By signing up with us you are donating your time and skills to work directly with communities in need through a structured project. There are many benefits to working with an organisation like ours. It is hard to find internships to support in a foreign country that are safe, worthwhile and reputable. When you sign-up for one of our projects for 2 or 12-weeks, you become part of a bigger, sustainable plan that our team of qualified staff has carefully crafted. You will also receive travel and visa support, orientation, a safe place to stay, logistical support, in addition to clear expectations of the work you will do. This is why we charge a fee for volunteering or interning abroad. 

Your project fee goes towards a company you can trust, an experience that is worthwhile and an opportunity that will make a positive and sustainable impact on the community you have chosen to serve.