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Trip | Volunteer in South Africa
Volunteer work in Kindergarten and preschool for children with Down syndrome in Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
Quick Facts
about this position
Working hours
none
Minimum age
from 18 years
Education
not required
Language skills
English basic knowledge
About this position
Overview volunteer with disabled children in South Africa
This volunteer position is in a kindergarten with a preschool that focuses on the integration of disabled and non-disabled children. The institution was founded by mothers who were not able to find a place in a nursery or a preschool class for their Down syndrome and autism affected children. The kindergarten provides a comprehensive day care and specialized training facilities for 60 children aged from two to seven years, mostly from the Greater Cape Town city center and the Cape Flats. Meanwhile, the proportion of Down syndrome children has declined in the kindergarten to about 15-20%. You will get a good insight into the culture and traditions of the Ndebele. Maybe you can even participate in ceremonies and initiation rites. There are four groups, and all are named after insects. One of the groups consists of mixed ages. The facility is located in the district of Maitland. The institution is financed through different donations: 35% of revenue are fees collected from parents who are able to pay a small amount. The greater part, however, is funded by the Department of Social Development. The project is supported by a significant number of volunteers, even some parents help out during the day. In addition, the institution acts as a training organization for students of ergo therapy at the University of Cape Town, as well as for international students who may complete their internship here.What to expect
Description volunteer with disabled children in South Africa
The children will be picked up daily in the morning at home and brought to kindergarten with the school bus. From 10 am until lunch about 12 am are the most learning and leisure activities held. After sleeping, they will play, and from 13:00 to 17:00 pm, the children are brought back home. Your tasks Volunteers are offered the chance to help in a warm and friendly environment, and to support the staff of this institution. You have the opportunity to care for the children to play with them to participate in sports and recreational activities, or at events.Itinerary of your stay abroad
Program: volunteer teaching in a primary school in Bookap, South Africa
Start DateVolunteers can arrive throughout the year, but note that the school is closed during the holidays. We recommend to start on a Monday. Winter break: 30 June - 11 July (2 Wochen)
The kindergarten will only be closed during the winter break. It is advisable to arrive a few days before the placement begins, so you have enough time to recover from the long flight, recharge your batteries and travel in the country, before the project starts. Duration
Minimum required stay is four weeks. If you intend to work with children, a longer period of stay is usually recommended in order to build relationships and a bond of trust. Longer stays are encouraged. Arrival at the Airport
Arriving in a new country is always exciting. We want your arrival to be as relaxed as possiple. One of the staff members of our partner organization will pick you up at the airport and bring you to your host family or your shared flat. He/she will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign with your name on it. If you cannot find a flight at the desired date, don’t worry. You can choose another one a few days earlier or later. Orientation program
Within the first days of your arrival one of the team members of our partner organisation will pick you up and show you around. You will get to know the country and its people and you will be informed about Do’s and Dont’s. The program will be held with more volunteers at the same time. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know like-minded globetrotters. Your local contact person will provide you with further useful hints for a good starting point into a new lifestyle. The project starts
On the first day of your project, you are usually accompanied by a member of our local partner who will answer all of your questions. The further project days your local contact person will always be available for you via phone if you have any concerns or issues to share with somebody. Free time & weekend
The weekend is totally yours! You may ask your local contact person from our partner organisation about upcoming events, sights, shopping tips or other must see’s. On some days there will be field trips organized by our partner organization. We recommend you to join them as it is always fun to experience a new country with others. Departure
You shall contact your local contact person a few days prior to your departure to inform about options for your airport drop-off. It will not be included in the services of the volunteer projects, but our expert will help you organize it.
Ready to get started?
Volunteer work in Kindergarten and preschool for children with Down syndrome in Cape Town, South Africa
Flexible dates
min. 2 Weeks
from 18 years
English basic knowledge
from
1660 EUR
Questions? We will help you!
Contact usYour accommodation
Accommodation Volunteering in South Africa
Volunteers have the chance to live in a host family or an international living community. Please ask for an exact program fee, as living in a shared community is usually subject to an additional weekly fee. Host family: Staying with a host family is a very special opportunity to experience the daily life in South Africa. You will live with a host family in a middle class neighbourhood in Cape Town. You have a private, furnished room available, you will be supplied with 3 meals a day (on weekdays there is a lunch box) and most families also wash your clothes with free delivery. Bed linen & towels are provided. Our families are spread all over Cape Town. We personally visit all of our families before we include them in our program. We cannot always guarantee to find a family within walking distance. (you might need to take the bus, train) International living community: These are mostly houses with 4-8 rooms, which are rented by local and international students, interns, volunteers, young professionals or other young people. You can find contacts and friends very quickly. Often numerous roommates are new in Cape Town and you can visit the city together. All rooms are furnished. Bed linen are provided, towels have to be brought to the house. Wireless Internet is also usually present (in some homes with extra charge). All shared apartments are equipped for self-catering, there are fully equipped kitchens with refrigerator, stove, etc. Here you can cook alone or together. Food prices in South Africa can be compared with Germany. We work with selected providers of student accommodation in Cape Town. Please request the exact fees for an accommodation in a shared living community, because this is always associated with a higher fee. The prices listed always apply for accommodation in a host family.Our Service
Service volunteer in Cape Town – what's in and what's not in
What's included:- Placement in the volunteer project
- Assisting visa application
- Information about cheap flights, travel insurances and other important travel documents
- Airport pick up from Cape Town Airport
- Return transfer to Cape Town Airport
- Accommodation in a host family, if available for this project
- Organization of a rental car or scooter if demanded
- Orientation on site through a staff member
- Tips and information about freetime activities
- Contact person during your stay abroad
- 24-hour emergency number
- Regular meetings with all volunteers or interns
- Certificate
- Accommodation in a backpacker/shared flat (an additional fee of 70 USD on top of the placement fee and 25 USD per week apply; the prices are subject to change)
- Visa
- Flights
- Insurance
Our local team
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Our local team
Your coordinator in Cape Town
"My name is Jana Williams, I am originally from Germany, but living in South Africa for 8 1/2 years. Nearly 6 years of those I stayed in the mother city of Cape Town. I am now managing all internship and volunteer placements for Studentsgoabroad Cape Town. During my studies of Social Work I did internships abroad myself. I have been to London, India and even in Cape Town which was 12 years ago. While still living in Germany I started placing interns in Southern African countries and always enjoyed this activity. This activity is interesting, exciting, versatile and most of all positive, as a stay abroad always enlarges the personal horizon."a