SAVE Volunteering

Program Reviews

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Bryan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

One of the best experiences of my life

The staff at SAVE absolutely make this experience amazing. Cool, down to earth, helpful, I can’t say enough about them. The projects are fun and impactful. The kids are great and you can see this program is making a difference for them. I did the holiday project which consisted of beach days, surfing, educational scavenger hunts at the waterfront, hiking and more. The Table View location is a short walk from a nice beach with plenty stores and anything else you could need nearby. You will have some down time and days off to explore. There are some amazing hikes nearby like Lion’s Head and Table Mountain. Downtown Cape Town isn’t far at all. This was an experience I will be forever grateful for and hope to come back soon! Thank you SAVE!!!!!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Come with an open mind and willing to lend a hand where ever needed. Make friends and explore the area
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Alina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering at SAVE

I’ve been volunteering at save foundation for 8 weeks and I totally loved it. It was easy to get into the program as the staff is really welcoming and concerning about that everyone feels well. The orientation helped a lot at the beginning. The program itself is good organized and a lot of diverse things are going on. The organization is really open if you would like to do any adventures. Also the surf was such a fun time!! All in all it has been a very good time there and I would highly recommend to go there :)

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Natascha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Volunteer experience

I had an amazing volunteer experience with SAVE. I was on the Sunshine project and the surf project - and on both of the projects I learned a lot about my self and the world we are living in. The culture and the way of living is so diffent from what I am used to, which was really good for me to experience the difference in way of living.
The organization SAVE is a good and structured organization and I am really glad I choose them for my stay i south Africa. The staff are good at involving the volunteers and they all have a lot of creative ideas and a good heart for the job they do!
the kids are amazing and have such at big cheerfulness and as a volunteer you learn a lot from them and you really connect with them!

What would you improve about this program?
I was quite happy for my stay, so I wouldn't say anything should improves.
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Karen Cha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Hartees Animal Project - African Wildlife Protection

This project is so great! The people on this project are so friendly and dedicated (Gail, Cassandra etc.). We stayed in Hartebeesport together with our team leader Cassandra, which was very, very safe! And Cassandra is really kind.

I especially liked the project, because we did a lot of varied jobs during our stay: we worked with monkeys, cheetahs, elephants, owls, cats and dogs. And we did a very meaningful job!

I can definitely recommend this project, if you like animals and want to do a difference.

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Nanna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Nanna review

I only have one bad thing to say about saltycrax and that is that it is hard to be 11 people coming together there, when you don’t know each other yet. But if you are traveling a few people together it is amazing! The staff is so helpful and passionately about their job! The project with the children works excellent and you really fell that you get the right tools to make a difference. It is a really amazing project with amazing staff and volunteers behind it

What would you improve about this program?
Maybe more games to make the volunteers closer between the different houses, schools and programs
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Ashley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Loved it all!

I spent 4 weeks in Table View and absolutely loved spending time with very young kids in the morning and older kids in the afternoon sports. Having variety kept it interesting and each day was less repetitive. Although I traveled in the winter months and was often unable to actually do swimming and surfing with the older children in the afternoon, I still enjoyed getting to know them a bit better when things did not go as planned on a cold/rainy day. All these kids will always be in my heart, as well as all the other amazing people volunteering a part of their lives to help these children!

What would you improve about this program?
I think Monday’s are a wasted day and all volunteers should go to school, even if it is only a half day. Additionally afternoon projects are often communicated to the volunteers so late that we had to rush to ensure the equipment, food, and volunteers were all ready to go.
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Sydney
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

SAVE

SAVE volunteering opened my eyes to so many things. The amazing staff were fantastic to work with. They create a great work environment both in the schools and within the volunteer houses. I worked at Honey Bee Educare in Dunoon and had a fantastic expirience working with the teachers, kids, and other volunteers. It was a life changing expirence.
I would return to Cape Town in a hearbeat if i could. I hope to be able to some day.

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Thomas
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience

I would work more with the kids. Actually they are the reason why most of us came for. I don't understand why we don't wor on mondays for example. Then I would wish a better allocation of the volunteers. While we are until 6 person in one class, in other schools they have to control a class with 30 kids by theyr selves.
But nertheless it's a nice programm and a good opportunity to have a first experience in the world of the volunteers.

What would you improve about this program?
I would work more with the kids. Actually they are the reason why most of us came for. I don't understand why we don't wor on mondays for example. Then I would wish a better allocation of the volunteers. While we are until 6 person in one class, in other schools they have to control a class with 30 kids by theyr selves.
But nertheless it's a nice programm and a good opportunity to have a first experience in the world of the volunteers.
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Alina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best weeks of my life

I spent 3 weeks in South Africa, Cape Town as a volunteer in Adventure Surf Club project. I tutored kids with Math and English in Vissershock Primary School. It was rewarding everyday because I could see someone learning something new. The breaks were great with all the kids at the primary school.

It was crazy to see where the kids were from and how unbelievable and authenticly happy they were regardless. I loved how the kids were so positive, energetic, and just full of joy around us. Whenever I saw a kid sad, I tried my best to find out what was wrong and give my all to them.

Hundreds memories after I learned a lot more about myself that I would have ever expected. I got to live through exciting, fun, and teaching experiences. It made me realize what fills my heart; help others to feel happy inside and out. During the project I found joy and connection on a surfboard. SAVE’s project made my future more clear and I am forever grateful for that. I will never forget this project! Until we meet again! <3

What would you improve about this program?
I would love to have a ”godson/-daughter” to support afterwards when the project ends.
Razeen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

This experience was one of a kind from the volunteers to the staff to the kids. The people apart of my program were all friendly and there was never a dull moment any day. The children were excited and energetic everyday and so happy to see me and the other volunteers. It was definitely an experience being able to see firsthand the township of Dunoon in Cape Town and the lifestyle and culture. To fully enjoy the experience I’d recommend coming with an open mind and the willingness to do anything and everything to help no matter how small or big the task.