Volunteer in South Africa | Most Affordable Projects From $375

I have never rode a plane or left the country before. I decided to do this on my own and travel to Cape Town. The whole experience was very pricey and I was only there for two weeks. I stayed in a hostel with the other volunteers we all became very close and we are still in contact today. The hostel mom and dad were super awesome and loving. Volunteering at the schools were not as wonderful as I expected it to be but touring around the city was definitely the highlight of my trip. I definitely would recommend traveling to Cape Town and I hope one day I can go back.

This volunteer program well exceeded my expectations. The staff were very reliant and enthusiastic. Not only did I enjoy working at my volunteer site, but I also was able to immerse myself with the culture and beauty of South Africa, all in just 2 weeks! My biggest regret is that I could not stay longer.

The sisters at the Goodwood clinic taught me a lot about how health care is run in that part of the world. They trusted me work with patients alone, so I really felt like my help went a long way. I stayed with a host family that lived near the clinic and in turn was able to get a better insight on the lifestyles of South Africans, yet I was a little distant from town. I still had time after project and on the weekends to explore...there is so much to do.

The rewards of this experience are difficult to put into words for others, but easy to reflect upon once you've experienced it for yourself. Nothing compares to waking up every day in a different country and being able to explore all it has to offer, while giving back at the same time. Not only do you learn from the places you visit, but each person you meet seems to have their own story that sticks with you. This was a huge learning experience and eye opener for me and I cannot wait to come back one day.

Going to Cape Town was the first big trip I did by myself and definitly the best thing I could do. It was just amazing to see how it is to be a teacher a primary school in Cape Town but also to work in a creche in the Township to see the difference. I really enjoyed every day of working there, helping the teacher by preparing stuff for the lessions, teaching songs and finger games, reading storys, painting and trying to give the children as much love back as they gave me. I've never expected that my time there will be so special and that I will learn so much from the children. I could never teach them as much as they taught me! After almost 2 incredible months it was very hard to say goodbye to all the friends I made there but also the lovely and crazy kids I worked with but one thing I know for shure that I'll come back some time!

I don't even know where to begin. I'm home for two weeks now and my heart literally has been aching for Cape Town and everything that came with it. First of all there is the city itself. It was incredibly beautiful, every day there was something new to discover. Every time again another breathtaking view. Second, there are the people I met. The other volunteers and travellers were all great, they gave me the time of my life. So many memories and adventures I will never forget. But most important. My kids. In the beginning I tried to keep my distance because I know I get attached easily to kids. So yes, you read it right, I tried. Of course after a couple hours I already blew it. Big time. Those sweet little babies with there endless smiles, crazy talk, big hugs, wet kisses, sparkling eyes, cutest laughs,... They stole my heart since day one. Since that day one they got into my heart every day a little more. I knew some of them had been through a lot and didn't have much at home. But seeing them smile and looking into those beautiful eyes and see some happiness... It got to me a few times. While we keep thinking about the bad things, they let go and live in the moment. They choose happiness. Every day over and over again. Because they have to. They have to fight every day for what they want, and sometimes even to survive. They're the bravest of all mankind. And that's what I will never forget. That's what changed my life and my point of view. They choose happiness, so I will choose happiness too. With my kids in my heart, I will try to choose happiness every day over and over again.

In April 2015 my adventure started. I was really ecxited to go to South Africa to make new experiences with a different culture and living standard.

I worked in a kindergarden for nine weeks. It was such an amazing time I never wanna miss.

On my first day when I came into class all the kids came to me and said 'teacher, teacher!', 'Hello, who are?' It was a great feeling to see how open-hearted the children are.

But there was one child who was withdrawn and quiet. So I decided to spend her more attention. After a while she talked much more and played with other kids, too. Her insecurity and and all her worries were reduced. To see such a development is still a unique experience for me.

-Volunteering in Southafrica, cape town -
My dream at the age of sixteen girl, being in southafrica and teaching there.

Seven years later, I couldnt believe it. I am in South Africa :D
Its is so beautiful- people, food, sun, landscape..everything.
-LIVING-
In my volunteerhouse, there were amazing people from everywhere. We spend breakfast and evening together. Noel, our father in our volunteer house, he is an amazing man. I learn about life so much. He is inspiring me for my life. I am so glad that I met him in my life.

-WORK-
My work at the ellerton primary school, it was a amazing experience. It change my view of life completly. How?
Me as a eritrean- german girl, who raised up in germany and who is origin from eritrea, could understand my life in germany over there.
Seeing girls at the age of twelve or thirteen and they doing their hair each other, my heart flourished!
Back in the days, I always wish that black girls like me are in my school. But I didnt get that. Seeing 10 years later, in southafrica, it was an amazing feeling. THIS IS WHAT I LOOKED FOR :D
At the same time, I saw that children have many problems for getting education. School money, money for studying at the university, money for themselves- the oppurtunity what I have in germany, its incomprehensibly.

Another beautiful experience is, how beautiful the kidz are. One situation, I will never forget in my life.
I : What you write it down?
The boy: I write NIKE.
I: Oh, nike. cool. Do you like Adidas, Puma, too?
THE WHOLE CLASS LAUGHING.
I: What is wrong?
Girl : We call it PuuuuMa. Not Puma. Beacuse puma means, go away.
ThEn, I Laughed.
After two weeks, one of the girls give me a cut out paper like a shoe and write abouve it: Puma.
Miss, this is your gift from our class.
I laughed the whole time. They steal my heart <3

I loved it teaching in this class. Being there. And I really appreciated everyone. People in the volunteer house and People in the school.

SOUTH AFRICA- CAPE TOWN- I AM IN LOVE WITH YOU <3

I just graduated from school this year so this trip was my first time traveling alone for such along time.
12 weeks sounds like forever but at the end it really showed me how time flies...

To be honest, my first week was the worst. On one hand I was so overwhelmed from all the new experiences but on the other hand very exhausted from meeting so many new people and finding my place in the hostel. I was laying in my bed and was asking my self how I should survive three month in Capetown.

After I was over my first and last down in my hole time in Capetown there was no space for beeing homesick anymore.
I've started to enjoy every moment of my trip.
The city is amazing! One of the most exiting and interesting cities in the world. I found some lovely friend who I will keep in touch with.
Everything was going to be easier from one day to another. In the hostel because you finally found friend but also in your project. After the first few days you know the rules in the class, you start to remember nearly every name and you know the personalities. It was one of the most amazing feelings to be part of the hole school life.
The only thing that was very hard for me to understand was the fact that you are not there to change the hole country even if you want to. I met a lot of volunteers who felt nearly the same way, useless.
It took me a while to understand to learn how to be proud of the small things I achieved. A smiling child that has a fun time because of me or a child that can finally understands how to solve easy maths stuff, is more imported than the big things. At the end three month is only a short period of time in my life and in the life of the kids. I cannot change the circumstances the kids have to live in or the way their parents treat them but I can help to built a save place at school where the kids can learn and play. After I learned that lesson it was much easier to be happy, working in my project.

I can recommend a project like this to everyone who wants to combine doing something good with having great experiances with the people in the hostel and all the great stuff you can do in Capetown. The organisation want you to also have a lot of free time so this is perfect for everyone who loves traveling and for everyone who is open minded and for everyone who thinks that he or she can handle also bad and hard experiances, but they will also change your view on life completly.

This has been an amazing experience. I got the chance to develop personally by volunteering in the day care center in Cape Town. Additionally, I met incredible fellow like minded volunteers from all over the world. We were able to build friendships following our time together. I felt safe and well taken care of. I will definitely go for it again.