You will be placed with organisations in the disadvantaged Hangberg and Imizamo Yethu areas of Hout Bay. You will usually attend one project in the mornings, Monday to Friday, and a different Project in the afternoons, Monday to Thursday. The majority of morning projects we work with are child care centres for pre-school aged children. In the afternoons you will assist at a after school club for primary school aged children. Volunteers will help with lesson planning and learning activities, painting educational murals and reading/writing. You’ll work in direct contact with these children on a daily basis taking care of their basic needs and giving them much-needed love and care.
There is also the option to work at a local centre for the disabled, whose aim is to develop the skills of clients to be able to earn a small income and build self-confidence. Disability is still stigmatised in South Africa and the centre is a safe space for those who attend. You may help with the skills training, including crafts or gardening projects and also with literacy lessons. A big part of your role is to be friendly and supportive and encourage the clients. Friday afternoons and weekends are free to relax and explore. You may wish to hire surf boards to continue practicing your new surf skills, You could visit the well known surf beach of Muizenberg not too far from hout Bay, or there is no shortage of things to do in and around the beautiful City of Cape Town. Ideas for day trips include visiting the penguins at Boulders Beach and going to Cape Point National Park, hiking up Table Mountain, going on a wine tour, visiting Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or do a tandem skydive! Other ways to enjoy the vibe of Cape Town is to explore the bars and shops of Long Street, saunter the docksides of the V&A Waterfront, or take a boat out to Robben Island Museum where Nelson Mandela was held as a political prisoner for 27 years.