Volunteer Teaching Sports to disadvantaged Children in South Africa
Go for an African Adventure and teach children as an South Africa sports volunteer.
In this project you will be teaching and helping with sports activities at a primary school situated on the South Peninsula of Cape Town, part of a disadvantaged community.
South Africa Sports Volunteer at a School
Your presence is desperately needed as there are only 33 teachers for almost 750 children. Your help with give the children access to more one-on-one attention and offer them the possibility of improving and gaining new skills that previously they would never have had the opportunity to learn.
These children are energetic and enthusiastic and so keen to learn. If you put in the effort there is no limit to what you can teach them.
Teach Football and Basketball
You can help develop their capabilities with more popular sports like football and basketball. Moreover, if you’re a guru at bowls or have a secret passion for ballet, bring it on!
Just remember that the school won’t have access to expensive equipment, so you will need to have an imagination and patience to think of creative ways to make sure everybody has fun. Also any old sports gear that you, your family or friends could provide as a donation would make a huge difference, and would be another way of improving these children’s lives.
Start Dates & Duration
Our programs to volunteer in South Africa start on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. Therefore, you should plan to arrive before 4:15pm. If you can’t make it, we suggest you fly in a day early. We can arrange airport pickup and extra night of accommodation.
- Location of project: Southern Peninsula, Cape Town
- Arrival airport: Johannesburg – Cape Town (code CPT)
- Shared dormitory room in volunteer house, same sex rooms
- Food is not included. You will need to purchase your own food (budget approximately US$50 per week)
- Available from 2 to 12 weeks.
Fees
- The program fee is paid directly to the host organization.
- All of the projects incur a registration fee of U$ 149.00 on top of the program fee.
What is included in the volunteer program fee?
- Airport Pickup
- Orientation
- Accommodation for all projects
- Meals are included in most programs (please check the description of your chosen project)
- Support from local staff & Program supervision
- In-country 24/7 support throughout your stay
- In-country administration costs
- Donation to support the local project
There are no hidden costs. Most of these projects are the most affordable to volunteer in South Africa.
Iko Poran is an NGO based in a developing country. We are dedicated to helping you help others, at the lowest possible price. We are interested in making volunteering abroad more accessible so that more people can help do really important work.
Participants in our South Africa programs normally find US$100 to be sufficient for weekly expenses in the country.
The program fee should be paid to the host country and it is due 30 days before the project start date.
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteer House - on the Terrace
Our large volunteer house in Fish Hoek will be your happy home for this trip. It accommodates up to 20 people (our volunteers only) in dormitory-style, same sex rooms with bunk beds, a maximum of six people per room. There are three bathrooms with hot, running water, showers and regular flush loos. There’s also a lounge area, balcony, lush garden and barbeque. You’ll be only a short distance from the shops and beach. You’ll find lockers at the accommodation to lock your valuables away but please remember to bring a padlock and keys with you! You’ll need to pay R1000 deposit when you arrive which will be given back to you when you leave if everything’s still as you found it.
Meals
You’ll be self-catering while in the house. The kitchen has everything you need from cookers, loads of fridge space and microwave to toaster, kettle and kitchen utensils. You can eat at the dining room table or lounge on the balcony. There’s a barbeque outside or, as we call it in SA, a braai, which is the best way to cook on a warm evening. You can also grab
takeaways at the many spots in the town, about 10 minutes’ walk away.
Note: While in the house you will be responsible for keeping the place clean so please tidy up after yourself, especially in the kitchen. Budget around US$50 per week for groceries, as prices are similar to home.
Facilities and the area
There’s a phone at the house for incoming calls, and buy local phone cards to make outbound phone calls.
Washing can be done at the laundry down the road: simply drop off your clothes and pick them up later!
Cape Town has a temperate climate but winter is still chilly so pack warm jumpers and even some cosy socks as SA doesn’t have central heating.
Bedding is provided but bring a sleeping bag for away weekends and extra warmth.
Bring along a towel
The Neighborhood
Fish Hoek’s main street is only10 minutes’ walk away where you’ll find a supermarket, serviced laundry and internet café, as well as banks and other shopping. The beach is just a stone’s throw beyond that!
Bars, restaurants, more shopping and more beautiful beaches are only 10 minute’s drive away.
Fish Hoek is on the train line and trains are a great way to travel but they stop running at 7pm.
Taxis to Cape Town CBD cost around US$35/ R250 each way.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Minimum age is 17 (with parental consent).
- DBS – Disclosure and Barring Service check required.
- All participants in our volunteer in South Africa programs must have adequate travel insurance and are required to provide a criminal background check to local staff on arrival in South Africa or during orientation,
- You must love spending time with children and have a positive attitude.
Treat animals and humans with respect.
Most importantly, pack in energy, a positive attitude, love in your heart and a spring in your step!
Some projects also have specific requirements, therefore please check the description of your chosen program.
Language Skills required to volunteer in South Africa
Fluency in English is required in all the projects.
Safety
You will have competent support and advice from the local team and project leaders. Someone will always be available in the case of any emergency. Please keep in mind that you are in a different country and should take some precautions to avoid exposing yourself to certain risks.
The local coordinators will give you all the information to have a safe and unforgettable experience.
Reviews
The definitions of love have been updated: Michael Antônio at Doreen’s Crèche, South Africa
The most intense experience I’ve ever lived: Alessandra in South Africa
Jonas from Brazil works with the children at the daycare in South Africa
Melissa’s Volunteer Experience in Cape Town
Mayara from Brazil, sharing her love in a kindergarten in South Africa
Playing Samba Rhythms and Teaching Children in South Africa
South Africa Volunteer Programs
Find out about all the programs for volunteer teachers in South Africa here.
In Cape Town, you can also learn and teach surfing in Muizenberg.
If you love to work with children, you can also volunteer as a parenting teacher at Doreen’s Crèche, in Cape Town.
More international sports programs
Find all the international sports volunteering programs here.