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Teach Sport to Underprivileged Children

Overview

This primary school on the South Peninsula of Cape Town doesn’t have much in the way of funds but it has a dedicated, hard-working staff who strive to create opportunities for their pupils to develop to their full potential. The kids might not have new clothes and shoes but they’ve got the biggest hearts and smiles and they love to learn and have fun, just like kids anywhere else in the world. Sport is one way in which they can escape from their situation, let their hair down and just be kids. It’s also so good for many aspects of their development, physically, mentally and spiritually.

When you teach these kids the sporting skills you’ve learned at school, whether it’s soccer, rugby, netball, basketball or anything else (they’re not fussy, it’s all part of the fun!) you’re offering them a chance to grow in every way. If you ever wanted to make a difference to a child’s life, this is your opportunity! We hope you grab it with both hands.

Trip Highlights:

Sharing your skills and having fun with children who really need your help

Seeing how much difference you can make to the lives of some of the poorest children in South Africa

Living in beautiful Cape Town and experiencing everything it has to offer.

At a Glance

Project duration: Two to twelve weeks

Location of project: Southern Peninsula, Cape Town

Arrival airport: Cape Town (airport code CPT) arrive by 4.15pm at the latest

Activities: Teaching sporting activities to primary school children

Working hours: Monday to Fridays 9am to 3pm.

Requirements: 17 years with parental consent, maximum decided on health and fitness of participant. CRB Check required.

Accommodation: Shared dormitory room in volunteer house, same sex rooms

Food: Food is not included; you’ll need to purchase your own food (budget approximately US$50 per week)

Airport pickup: Included on arrival date - ask us for details if you're arriving early

For you to organise: Flights, insurance, visas, return airport transfer (at the end of your trip)

Your Role

As a volunteer on this project, you’ll be assisting with sports activities at an primary school in an underprivileged community on the beautiful South Peninsula of Cape Town. With only 33 teachers for nearly 750 children, your help is desperately needed and will give the children the opportunity for more one on one attention and a chance to gain new skills that they would never have previously had the chance to learn.

There’s no limitation to what you can teach these kids – they’re lively, enthusiastic little sponges waiting to soak up new experiences! So if you know lots about the regular sports like soccer, basketball and netball, you’ll probably be building on their skills. Or if you’re a bowls guru or top dog at chess, bring it on! New skills are always good skills. But remember, the school doesn’t have fancy sporting facilities or much equipment. You’ll need to bring your imagination and creativity to help make it fun – and if you brought along a collection of old sports gear that you and your family and friends were going to throw out, it would be hugely appreciated and another way you can help these kids improve their lives.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Monday) – hello and welcome!

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport (airport code CPT) where you’ll be met at the airport and taken to our volunteer house in Fish Hoek. You’ll need to arrive before 4.15pm so that you’re in time for orientation at 5pm. The journey from the airport to Fish Hoek takes about 45 minutes and you’ll see the magnificent Table Mountain on the way! Orientation will take you through what you can expect from your project, dos and don’ts and how to stay safe. It’s also a great opportunity to ask any burning questions you’ve got. Afterwards you can relax and prepare before your first day at the project.

Note: If you aren’t able to arrange a flight to get you into Cape Town before 4.15pm then we recommend you fly in a day early. We can arrange an early airport pickup for you including one night’s accommodation. Please give us a call for more information.

Day 2 (Tuesday) – meet the kids! 

Today is the first day on the project. In the morning, the team will be on hand at your accommodation to ensure you know where to go and who to speak to. They’ll introduce you to the school staff who will be your main contacts while you’re working with them. You’ll also meet the gorgeous kids who you’ll be teaching for the next few weeks. Your journey to the school is about ten minutes long on a public bus taxi, followed by a five minute walk to the school. You’ll spend the day getting to know your way around, learning about the school and chatting to the kids and teachers. If you feel ready you can get involved straight away with physical education classes, they’ll love you more for it!

In the afternoon you will be assisting and organising after-school activities – football, soccer and netball.

Day 3-5 (Wednesday to Friday) – get stuck in!

Now that you’re familiar with the school, staff and kids, it’s time to have fun and really work on giving them everything you can offer. You’ll be teaching the kids all you know about sports – and you’ll probably learn a lot from these special children as well.

Day 6-7 (Saturday and Sunday) - it’s the weekend!

The weekends are your free time to spend as you please and, living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Within 20 minutes of the volunteer house, there’s golden beaches, surfing, hikes in the Cape Fynbos, Table Mountain, wine tasting and the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Go a bit further and there’s so much more to see and do!

Following weeks (dependent on length of stay)


You’ll be working Monday to Friday at your project. You’ll form special bonds with the kids and have an impact on their lives. You’ll learn a lot about their culture, their way of life and why your help is so important. These smiling little faces will make a permanent imprint on your heart and you’ll have an experience that you’ll never forget.

Your last day – goodbye, we’ll miss you!

After saying goodbye and Hamba kakuhle (go well in isiXhosa), you’ll head off back to the airport. The return transfer from Fish Hoek to Cape Town International is not covered within your project fee but our regular transfer company will be able to assist you to organise it, the costs will be about US$35 / R350.

About the Project

This is a government primary school which is open to the kids in the area who generally don’t have much money. Even though funds are short, the staff at this school work hard to provide these children with improved opportunities and the chance to develop to their full potential. They strive to foster initiative, individuality and integrity and provide the children with the learning to be able to tackle life head on. Within their limited means, the kids are given a chance to have a promising future and stop the circle of poverty.

While you're here

Accommodation

Our large volunteer house in Fish Hoek will be your happy home for this trip. It accommodates up to 20 people in dormitory-style, same sex rooms with bunk beds, a maximum of six people per room. There are three bathrooms with hot, running water, showers and regular flush loos. There’s also a lounge area, balcony, lush garden, and barbeque. You’ll be only a short distance from the shops and beach. You’ll find lockers at the accommodation to lock your valuables away but please remember to bring a padlock and keys with you! You’ll need to pay R1000 deposit when you arrive which will be given back to you when you leave if everything’s still as you found it.

Meals

You’ll be self-catering while in the house. The kitchen has everything you need from cookers, loads of fridge space and microwave to toaster, kettle and and kitchen utensils. You can eat at the dining room table or lounge on the balcony. There’s a barbeque outside or, as we call it in SA, a braai, which is the best way to cook on a warm evening. You can also grab takeaways at the many spots in the town, about 10 minutes’ walk away.

Note: While in the house you will be responsible for keeping the place clean so please tidy up after yourself, especially in the kitchen. Budget around US$50 per week for groceries, as prices are similar to home.

Facilities and the area

There’s a phone at the house for incoming calls, and buy local phone cards to make outbound phone calls.

Washing can be done at the laundry down the road: simply drop off your clothes and pick them up later!

Cape Town has a temperate climate but winter is still chilly so pack warm jumpers and even some cosy socks as SA doesn’t have central heating.

Bedding is provided but bring a sleeping bag for away weekends and extra warmth.

Bring along a towel

Fish Hoek’s main street is only10 minutes’ walk away where you’ll find a supermarket, serviced laundry and internet café, as well as banks and other shopping. The beach is just a stone’s throw beyond that!

Bars, restaurants, more shopping and more beautiful beaches are only 10 minutes drive away.

Fish Hoek is on the train line and trains are a great way to travel but they stop running at 7pm.

Taxis to Cape Town CBD cost around US$35/ R250 each way.

Advice & Safety

Throughout your programmes you will have the support and guidance of the programme co-ordinator and team. You will be provided with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay and someone will always be available in case of emergency.

CRB

This trip requires a Police Check to be carried out


What you get

Expert help-desk

We're always available to offer support and guidance before, during and after your trip.

Thorough project briefing materials

Once you’ve booked you'll receive a full pack of all the information you need for the project. It contains general information about volunteering, your specific project and South Africa as well as advice on safety, visas and inoculations.

Airport pickup

Don’t worry about arriving in a new country on your own. We’ll be there to welcome you and take you to your accommodation.

Arrival orientation

Soon after you arrive you’ll attend a thorough orientation with our team. It covers everything you need to know about your next few days, dos and don’ts and your safety. You can ask any questions and find out more about the fun stuff to do around Cape Town and South Africa.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation is included with all projects and meals are included with some. We only use locally-owned and operated accommodation so that part of your placement fee is filtering back into the local economy. Most projects offer homestay, guesthouse or shared volunteer houses as standard accommodation, but some offer the chance to upgrade to a more comfortable living standard.

24/7 emergency support

We’re always on hand in case of an emergency.

After you've booked

  • You will receive a welcome email confirming your booking
  • You’ll receive a full project pack with all the info you need
  • You’ll be asked for any extra info if we need it – such as doctor’s notes for medical conditions, or maybe a CV on some projects
  • You’ll need to pay if you haven’t paid already (at least 90 days before travelling)

Then the fun starts!

Next you should:

  • Book your flights
  • Arrange suitable travel insurance
  • Get a visa for your trip if it's needed
  • Visit a nurse or travel clinic for advice on inoculations and malaria prevention
  • Start packing and come and join us!

*Remember to keep our contact details in a safe place in your hand luggage in case you need to contact us during your travels.

About South Africa

South Africans are patriotic and passionate about their country. And it’s not despite the country’s famously troubled history – it’s because of it! The people of this democratic country are so proud of how far they have come from the dark days of Apartheid and it makes us grateful for the diversity of cultures and languages that make up our amazing rainbow nation.

South Africa is a country of diversity in so many ways. It’s not a big country but travelling across the length and breadth of it, you’ll encounter an incredible range of climates and landscapes. There’s beautiful Cape Town, with its Mediterranean feel, pristine white beaches, sparkling oceans and magnificent Table Mountain providing the craggy backdrop for every setting. Travel east along the Garden Route with its picture-postcard coastal villages and you’ll eventually reach Durban and surrounds, a tropical area where the sun shines almost every day, the sea is warm and the surfing is fantastic! Then there’s the rugged Drakensberg mountain range, a place of rich Zulu heritage, spectacular views and jagged sweeps of peaks.  Further north you’ll hit South Africa’s famous ‘veld’ or bush where you’ll find Africa’s big five and many thousands of other species of animals, hiding out in landscapes that are lit at sunset by the most vivid orange, pinks and purples.

There are so many things to see and do here that you’ll need years. But if your time is limited, here’s our top five must-dos:

Game viewing

You can’t come to Africa and not experience the amazing animals, the wild and beautiful African bush and the chorus of an African dawn. Kruger National Park is the most popular choice but there are a host of other parks in the northern parts of South Africa and the Free State as well as KwaZulu-Natal, offering a range of options from the most luxurious accommodation with chefs at your service to DIY game viewing and camping.

Adrenalin adventures

Adventure is the name of the game in this crazy country and if it’s outdoors and adrenalin-inducing, you’ll find it here. From the highest bungee jump and highest commercial abseiling in the world to shark cage diving, downhill mountain biking, trail running, walking safaris, big wave surfing and multi-day hiking, there’s something for ever thrill seeker.

Beaches

South Africa has thousands of miles of glorious coastline, with Blue Flag beaches and hidden gems dotted along its length. There’s beaches for the glamorous, where you can go to see and be seen, beaches perfect for families, beaches for walking, beaches for swimming and beaches for watersports. There’s probably beaches which have never been trodden by a tourist before. Go on, we dare you to find it!

Nightlife, restaurants and entertainment

No holiday would be complete without a few good nights out and South Africa knows how to entertain. With so many cultures making up our population, there’s loads of delicious food on offer full of every fresh ingredient you could think of. There are pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes to suit every taste. South Africa is famous for its wonderful wines and there’s a craft beer revolution happening right here. Pack your dancing shoes!

A taste of township and culture

South Africa has a rich, tumultuous history dotted with dismal lows and incredible highs – and full of astounding stories from amazing people. It’s what makes South Africa the colourful place it is. Museums of every shape and size document the various aspects of our human and natural history, arts and culture – you’ll find them all over the country. Or why not take a township tour and experience the true heart of South African culture?  If you’re visiting Cape Town, come to Kommetjie and visit Masiphumelele with the Township Sisters, our special Volunteer and Explore partners, and help support the sustainable development of this vibrant township.

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