GVI: Sports Volunteering

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About

Sports, exercise, and health education play important roles in the fine and gross motor coordination development, and long-term wellbeing of youth. Volunteer in Kerala, India, or Cape Town, South Africa, to join locally run projects and assist community members to lead health workshops and sporting activities. Assist with a variety of sports and physical activities, as well as empowerment workshops for local youth.

You will develop leadership and facilitation skills, learn about different cultures, and volunteer in an ethically sustainable way that measures against the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. GVI has a Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy in place to maintain ethical best practices.

You could also form life-long friendships with your fellow participants from around the world. Together, explore the natural wonders of Cape Town and better understand the complex history and diverse cultures within the country, or enjoy scenic beach days in Kerala.

Highlights

Contribute to the fine and gross motor skill development of community youth, as well as their long-term wellbeing.
Support the UN SDGs and learn how to volunteer and travel ethically.
Connect with local community members and develop friendships with like-minded participants from around the world.
In Cape Town, hike up Cape Point, where the Indian and Atlantic ocean meet. In Kerala, enjoy the relaxation of tropical beach greenery and backwater canals.
Become a global citizen with greater understandings of cultures and community development issues.

GVI global programs are open!

We're thrilled to announce that nine of our global locations are now open, including Greece, Thailand, Nepal, Seychelles, South Africa, Costa Rica and Mexico. We're also taking bookings for our Thailand, Chiang Mai, Lao and Peru locations for 2021. Stay tuned for more locations coming your way soon, including a new location addition in the Canary Islands.

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Questions & Answers

Reviews

9.57 Rating

based on 7 reviews

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Volunteer

Impact 9.4
Support 9.4
Fun 9.7
Value 9.6
Safety 9.7

Showing 1 - 7 of 7

I've want to go travelling for a good few years now and decided to start my travelling with a month volunteering in Kerala with GVI. I couldn't have made a better decision. The first day I got into India before meeting GVI I was pretty worried I'd made a mistake. I was on my own, knew no one and was completely overwhelmed by the noise, hustle and bustle and general madness all around me that was day to day Indian life!
The next day GVI took me under their wing and over the next month I completely fell in love with India and Fort Kochi, where I was volunteering, in particular. The whole experience gave me a completely different view on Indian life and culture that I wouldn't have been able to experience any other way. You get to know the locals and interact with them as if you've lived there all your life, and they genuinely except you as if you have, once you get over the language barrier!
Getting to watch the different schools football skills progress and their fitness and stamina improve week by week was a real privilege also, as well as watching the vulnerable adults become more and more willing to get involved with activities and I was extremely sad to have to say goodbye to the program. I wish I had a booked on for far longer! All in all by the time I left the program I felt I had grown as a person, become more confident in myself, helped to give back to a community that had immediately accepted and been nothing but kind to me my entire stay and was ready and extraordinarily excited to explore, see, hear and experience as much of India as I could on the rest of my trip.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

I was extremely sad when the time came to finish my program, despite how excited I was to begin the further travels. So the main thing I would change would be to extend my program length!

This was my first ever volunteer trip and it was honestly amazing! The staff was so helpful in every way. If you needed anything at all you could ask them and they would help no judgements. They were able to give us information on local things as well. They recommended markets, restaurants and places that we should go see. We were able to see what it would be like to live in the townships. Our accommodations were in a secure compound so there was never any concern of safety.
Not only was everything organized well but the actual experience was outstanding. Working with the children in the school was life changing and leaving was really hard. The children were so friendly and would always come up and give us high-fives or hugs even if they didn’t know us. When we went into the classes you could see the happiness in their faces. If I could have stayed longer I would’ve. Highly recommend.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Go into it with an open mind. Things change but if you’re willing to see what happens and and try things it will be amazing.

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I had an amazing time on GVIs under 18s sports programme in Gordon's Bay (2018), the kids were great the work with and our group of volunteers was amazing. It was great to get to know people who live in different places. The project taught me lots of new sports skills which I can bring home and use as regular groups as well as teaching me a lot more self confidence and I learnt skills to travel solo. I had such an amazing time, thank you to everyone at GVI.

I went to South Africa for two weeks with GVI, the programme was amazing! I loved working with the children to teach them different sports and being able to take them surfing was a bonus. Although it was winter so the water was FREEZING! I genuinely had the best time and found the coordinators at GVI so supportive! I met amazing people who I still keep in touch with months after being back, I love hearing about how the children in the school are doing by face timing the coordinators that are still out there! GVI has been such a great organisation to volunteer with i'm already planning my next adventure! If you're thinking about travelling or volunteering go for it, GVI will support you :)

What would you improve about this program?

The engagement level of the teachers wasn't always high in the school, some teachers fully engaged and others chose to opt out. It would be great to get the teachers valuing sports as well!

I was after a new adventure for 2013 and so I decided to give Volunteering a go - I researched several programs online and GVI continued to tick all the boxes, plus they were also very informative and responded quickly to my questions or concerns.

Arriving in Costa Rica we were met at the airport by Group Leaders and were taken care of right from the get go, a week of culture and logistic training prepared us for what was ahead. The realization was completely different, however I was here for a challenge.

A typical day . . .

Up early you are either assisting with breakfast, or still asleep whilst cleaning up after breakfast. The house, chores and meals are shared by everyone. And everyone has to give it a go, no matter how terrible a cook you are!

Then it's off to the bus, a short ride and then onto the Boat (dingy) to El Cocal. An illegal immigrant town literally resting on a sand bar. As you would imagine being near the water it's a fishing town. One of our tasks within Cocal is to try and get children, especially the boys to stay in school so that they may be educated enough to work in a profession, like the service industry.

After being greeted by several of the children at the dock, and wondering why most of them are not in school today . . . We arrive at the Child Care centre, a place for kids to come hang out, sports, do art work, get help with any homework. It's also a place where we are trying to teach adult english to those that are willing.

The days are a mix of playing, educating, conflict resolution and many funny moments, especially when you are standing in a class room try to teach maths in a room full of children whom only speak Spanish. . .

We finish school at about 1.30pm and then the rest of the day is yours!

Highlights - For me it was the end of year cultural celebrations, there are so many to be involved in, Guanacasta Day, Costa Rica's Independance Day, etc, etc and I loved helping the kids decorate, dress up and be involved these celebrations!

Definitely a wonderful experience that I would recommend to anyone!

What would you improve about this program?

I would've like a bit more information on the Country and village that we were operating in, just about the geography, the people, etc.

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Being in the South Africa Sports Program was an amazing experience. I fell in love with the people, the staff, the project, and the kids. Weekend outings were so much fun but I got the most enjoyment out of working with the kids. I had three little buddies that I made and got to work with the during the week. It was a blast to see the kids grow and get ready for the track & field tournament that we prepared them for. Staff was awesome. Our safety always came first but they wanted us to have fun and experience the lifestyle and cultural differences that South Africa had to offer as well. I was so lucky to with a wonderful group of volunteer and more coordinator was such a fun-loving, personal, and outgoing person. I made great friends, learned many lessons, enjoyed my travels, and made memories that I will never forget.

Read my full story

Teaching sports & surfing to children in a Township Primary School in South Africa was incredible! I spent 10 weeks supporting this project, and from start to finish had nothing but amazing and rewarding experiences!

Each class greets you with cheers and smiles, as they become so enthusiastic and excited at the prospect of learning sports and having fun! The kids here are the most beautifully natured kids you could ever wish to meet, and supporting them is an easy task!

Loved it, cant wait to go back!

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

Since I was a child, I have always been really big into sports. Not only do I love sports, but I love the water. When my mom stumbled upon the course and it was sports and surfing in South Africa, it instantly became on the top of my bucket list. It had my two favourite things -sports and water- and not only that, but I got to see a different part of the world while doing it.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

GVI was absolutely amazing.

When you pay your fee with GVI, that covers all your housing and necessary foods. So you don’t have to worry about where you’re staying or what you’re going to eat. They also cover transport once you’re in South Africa. Plus, if you had any questions at all, you had a contact with GVI, who made sure all your questions were answered.

The only thing that I had to organize on my own was my flights.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I was surprised by how much we went out and did stuff on the weekends. We rarely stayed on base. So you for sure want to have extra spending money for while you’re down there because there are a ton of different things that you can do while you’re there. For example, I went shark cage diving, and if I hadn’t budgeted for spending money, I wouldn’t have been able to.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

So, in the mornings, you get up, have your breakfast and such, and a taxi picks you up and brings you to the township school we were working in. Then, during the da,y you take different classes out for physical education depending on the schedule.

During free periods, you plan what you want to do with the children for the next week. And then, after school finishes for the day, a taxi comes and picks you up to bring you home.

The only other responsibility you have is to help cook supper once a week.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

South Africa has a really bad reputation for crime and murder. So I was a little bit concerned about safety once I was there. GVI was amazing. They did an orientation when we got there. One of the staff took us for a walk around so that we knew the area and it was less daunting. We had a rule on base that once you left the gated community you had to walk in threes just because people are less likely to rob you that way. By the end of the trip, though, I felt comfortable in the community. You just have to be aware of your surroundings.

South Africa isn’t as scary as people say. Yes, it has crime. And poverty. You do need to be aware of your surroundings. I believe the rate is so “high” because of how many people that live there, but that’s just my opinion.

What were the other volunteers like?

So before I left, I was a little bit concerned about what the other volunteers there would be like. Would they be older? Would they be younger? Would we get along?

One thing I think you have to remember is that you guys are there doing the same thing. You’re volunteering and you’re going to help people because YOU want to. All the volunteers were kind hearted. And we didn’t necessarily always get along, but that’s going to happen when you live in the same house as other people, lol.

In hindsight, I shouldn’t have worried as much about it because there’s always going to be at least one person you click with and it doesn’t matter how old they are, as long as you get along.

Guanacasta Day at the El Cocal school in Costa Rica.

Amelia Rogers

Zoey Gilbert

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

In 2016 I spent a month and a half in southern Europe, where we would spend long hours in the car driving through the countryside, visiting small towns in Algarve in Portugal and Andalusia in Spain. It was my first time traveling as an adult and I grew up a lot on that trip.

For the last leg of our trip we flew to the Portuguese island of Madeira off the coast of Africa. This was by far my favorite part of the trip - the perfect island getaway to round off my adventures. We stayed in an apartment in the Old Town of Funchal, Madeira's capital.

There was a lot to do on the island, and many of my favorite travel memories come from the time I spent there. Whether it was hiking through the mountains along old water canals called 'Levadas' or driving on the ring highway all the way around the island to explore the small towns and unique geographical features, there was so much to see and do!

My absolute favorite memory was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean in a designated swimming area. There was a concrete platform built into the cliffside that jutted out into the water, allowing for sunbathing next to deep, calm waters. The water was a dark, sapphire blue color, and it was so clear and warm.

We spent hours swimming and relaxing, watching and talking to the locals. There was a floating plastic platform anchored a ways out that you could swim to and lay on, soaking in the sun. With the vast expanse of the Atlantic to one side and the sheer cliffs of the island to the other, I remember feeling a measure of calm, contentment and presence that I had never felt before. It was truly wonderful.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I've spent a long time looking for the right place to work, with a great culture, work I want to do, a place that will challenge me to grow, and above all, a place where I can find purpose and work towards something I believe in.

My last company wasn't so great. The culture was aggressive and competitive, there was no spirit of collaboration. It was valuable in that I learned what I'm looking for in a company.

With only a very short time spent at GVI, I already know that I've found a place built on passion, compassion, collaboration, and purpose. Since being here, I've learned the true value and benefit of working for a place that is trying to achieve a solid, meaningful purpose. I believe in this purpose, and it makes coming into work every day a pleasure. I look forward to getting in, because I know that I am contributing to something bigger than myself.

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If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Every time I think about which course I want to go on, I change my mind! It definitely needs to be one focusing on wildlife. The course in Limpopo in the Karongwe Game Reserve is one I would like to do, because I grew up in a similar ecology and it's been a long time since I've returned to the wild.

I think the one I would most love to do is a diving course in Fiji on the island of Cagalai. I've always wanted to learn how to dive, and I've never been anywhere other than Europe. To stay on a small island, experience the remoteness and tropical atmosphere, with beaches, tons of new and strange marine life, would be an experience that is very far out of my normal.

I always want to expand my view of the world, both geographically and perceptively.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

The thing that stands out at GVI for me is that no one takes themselves too seriously. I believe it has a lot to do with the fact that most of the people here believe in the purpose of GVI. It's not about getting ahead at all costs. It's about making an impact and enabling the mind and soul expanding journeys that make for better global citizens.

People here at GVI know that they are working towards something bigger than their own ambitions, which is a rare and wonderful quality.

We send people around the world and enable their growth. So many of our customers return home completely changed for the better. They have a broader, more in-depth understand of the world and of themselves.

This is something I actively pursue for myself, so it is wonderful to be a part of a team that enable this for others.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

A company that values their employees and treats them well is a company that understands its priorities. The employees are the ones doing the work to keep the company going. Happy employees contribute to a happy company culture, which directly affects the strategic and commercial success of the company.

Everything starts with a company's employees, but for some strange reason, far too many companies treat their own people poorly. The employees are the key resource in a company, and their happiness can often determine how well a company does and how the company is perceived from the outside.

About GVI

Founded in 1998, GVI runs online courses, virtual programs and travel-based education and training programs in various countries around the world. Each program is manned by our own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) – as well as the objectives of local partners. We welcome participants from all around...

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GVI: Sports Volunteering

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