Volunteer in South Africa - Change the World By Volunteering in South Africa... And Enjoy the Adventure of a Lifetime

Do you want to volunteer in South Africa? Would your ideal travel plan include exploring an amazing country, while also helping those in need? Do you want to make a difference to the world?

If so then the adventure of a lifetime is waiting for you on one of RCDP’s exciting, safe, and always affordable South Africa volunteer programs.

Imagine being in a country where two fabulous oceans compete with lush grasslands, and a rich ethnic mix of its people means an endless supply of diverse and delicious food choices. For many in South Africa life is good.

A strengthened economy and democratic freedom has provided opportunities for some groups of people to thrive and achieve, but sadly this is not the situation for all South Africans.

There is a huge gap between the rich and poor these days, but by joining one of our volunteer programs in South Africa you can really help the organizations who are battling to create opportunities for all.

Contact us today to find out how you can help with this noble cause.

What kind of volunteer opportunities are available in South Africa?

Sharing your time, labor, skills or experience with people who face all kinds of disadvantages is a life changing experience for all involved. It is a very important and privileged thing to be able to do, but it is also vital that your work makes a difference. That’s why we work hard to make sure all of our South Africa volunteer programs are meeting the needs of the people they aim to help.

In South Africa we offer volunteer opportunities focused on improving the lives of children, delivering basic English language education, and providing health and medical care to the marginalized.

Orphanage Project in South Africa

Every year thousands of people from all around the world visit Cape Town, but few are able to blend their travel experience with spending time helping on a volunteer South Africa orphanage program, or gain the fascinating insight such work offers into the culture of this beautiful country.

Years of chronic poverty and untreated disease have left lots of children without parents, or families unable to care for their children anymore. Orphanages struggle to adequately house, feed and clothe them on perpetually low budgets, and with constant staff shortages.

RCDP’s volunteer program supports their work, providing volunteers with willing hands and kind hearts to offer them love, time and useful skills.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: Previous childcare experience is not required to join our volunteer South Africa orphanage program, but a patient attitude, a flexible approach to work undertaken, and a desire to help children grow and thrive are.

Some orphanage projects have set a minimum age of 21 for volunteers, and all require both a current police background check, and a commitment to stay for at least eight months to allow for trust and familiarity to be established between you and the children.

Volunteer Responsibilities: Alongside helping with general tasks like household chores, studying and meals, volunteers help local orphanage staff prepare and deliver after school fun activities such as karaoke, drawing and sports.

A standard schedule for volunteers involves working between 1 – 6 pm, with the odd evening added on depending on need.

Teaching English Project in South Africa

Education should be a basic right for all children, but teaching volunteers in Cape Town South Africa will soon learn that kids in poorer areas consistently miss out.

There are many reasons for this, including inadequate, or burnt out teachers, vastly overcrowded classrooms, and little or no decent material to make learning fun.

Joining one of our volunteer teaching in South Africa projects is an amazing way to make a huge difference to the lives of these bright youngsters. Your presence means they get attention, guidance, support and validation, and also a little fun as you are free to organize art, drama or music based activities to stimulate their interest in learning.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: You don’t need to have any teaching experience, but you should enjoy being around children, be a kind, patient person, and able to work on your own initiative when required. The compulsory school system is likely to be very different from that in your home country, so it is wise to learn a little about the way things work, and the problems you may come across. If you choose to volunteer at a junior high or high school you will also have some admin tasks to do.

Volunteer Responsibilities: Tasks and duties differ depending on the age of the children you are teaching.

Crèche/Pre-K/Kindergarten

On some South Africa volunteer projects you could be helping care for and teach children aged from newborn up to aged six. The average schedule runs from 7am to 3pm every weekday, but this may differ depending on the school you are working at. During this time you will help prepare food and supervise mealtimes, enjoy free play time with the youngster, and teach them using the toys and resources provided.

Primary school (aged 6-13)

Don’t be surprised to find over forty students in one class, with a teacher who struggles to deliver a lesson which appeals and holds the attention of all of them. There isn’t much variety or fun in the children’s schedules, with lessons focusing on the textbook and few, if any, classes in subjects like art, music, sport or cookery. If you have these skills it is possible to share them with the students.

English teaching volunteers are important as classes can be split, making it easier for students to learn. At primary level volunteers are in school from 8am – 2.30pm from Monday to Thursday, with a 12.30pm finish on a Friday.

Secondary school (aged 14-18)

Conditions in secondary schools are pretty much the same as those in the primary sector. As a volunteer you can help the local teacher, or lead a class alone if able; either way, your energy and enthusiasm will brighten the school considerably.

English language skills are vital for students to get a good job, so they appreciate your classes a lot. School schedules are generally the same as for primary aged students.

Health/Medical Projects in South Africa

Whether you have a medical background, are looking to get some practical experience, or simply have a special interest in the topic of health care you are welcome to join one of our medical volunteer South Africa programs. This is a good way to help the medically disadvantaged, while exploring the popular tourist destination of Cape Town during your free time.

There are many projects in the city which cater to the poor, who must attend these government funded clinics as they cannot afford to pay for treatment at private clinics. Most projects run on low budgets, and constantly struggle due to staff shortages, and a severe lack of resources.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: No previous experience is required to participate in RCDP’s medical volunteer opportunities in South Africa, so long as you are genuinely interested in the topic. We welcome applicants from all age groups and backgrounds, so you could be a student or a senior and still take part.

Volunteer Responsibilities: Placements run in small clinics and include some time spent helping with programs raising awareness of HIV/AIDS. Your work day starts at 7am and ends around 4pm, every weekday, while typical tasks assigned to you could include measuring a patient’s pulse, blood pressure and temperature, changing dressings, and noting a patient’s basic details - such as their height and weight.

The Fee and Dates

RCDP South Africa volunteer program starts Wednesdays of each month.

Every year hundreds of volunteers arrive in South Africa to volunteer from UK- and US-based organizations and end up paying up to R2500 to volunteer for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, only a small portion of that money actually goes to host projects and host families. The local host projects (orphanages, school, and local NGOs) in South Africa are poor and need external support to run their programs. In our program, you will pay your fee directly to host families and projects upon arrival in South Africa.When you join our program, we will make sure that all of your money goes to the projects and host families. Part of your fees also helps us cover our expenses. The program fee is divided into a registration fee ($269) and weekly fee for room, food, coordination, and project donation.

Weekly fees are divided between room plus 3 local foods a day (50%) and project donation/support of local project staffers (50%). This allocation may differ depending on location, project type, etc. Our coordinator will explain these issues before you pay the fee.