Volunteer in South Africa: Soweto

Soweto Program

Volunteers will be working in a primary school. Volunteers must be prepared to either assist a local teacher or to teach in a classroom by themselves. Classes usually have about 40 students who may be between 7 and 14 years old. No teaching qualification is required, but experience in subjects like English, Math, Health, Hygiene and Science are desirable. However, the school administration is flexible and happy for skilled volunteers to teach alternate subjects with school approval.

Accommodation

Volunteers will be accommodated in a local family-stay. All rooms have 1-2 beds and most volunteers will be staying in a family by themselves with neighbouring families hosting other volunteers.

Meals and Food

Two to Three meals are served at the host home. Generally bread, cereals, fruit and eggs are available for breakfast; salad, vegetables, cheese, and vegetarian dishes are found in other meals of the day. Tapped water is fine to drink, but volunteers may wish to purchase bottled water.

Free Time

Volunteers will work approximately 7 hours per day. There is a small variation in hours depending upon the time of year. The hours are generally longer during the school terms. Weekends and holidays are free time. Volunteers are free to do as they please on the weekends and after their daily volunteer duties are done for the day. We encourage volunteers to see as much of the country of South Africa as possible since there is a lot to see and do.

Communication

Internet cafes are available in the main towns, however it can be quite slow. Internet in South Africa has improved to a moderate speed. A mall in town has an internet shop where volunteers can use the internet for approximately $2 per 30 minutes. Internet access may not be comparable to the access at home.

In the towns and villages there are phone booths and telecommunications centers, the latter being the place to make international calls. Additionally, many stalls along the street, even in rural areas, have a mobile phone in them that you can use and are charged reasonably per minute.

Most South Africans however, rely on mobile phones to keep in contact with the outside world especially those in rural areas. Volunteers can bring their own phone (please check if it works with international SIM cards) and purchase a local SIM card so that it will work in South Africa. The cost of a SIM card is approximately U$10 and volunteers can buy prepaid credit to top up their phone.

Number of Volunteers

The South Africa program usually has between 2 and 5 volunteers per month, but the number of volunteers varies depending on the season. The maximum number of volunteers at a time is 14. Please note that due to variation in volunteer numbers, we are unable to confirm whether you will be placed with other volunteers until closer to your placement start date.

Costs

Application Fee – US $97

Your application fee is fully transferable and will secure your place on the program, (or any other GVN program of your choice), at a placement date that is suitable to you.*

*Your application fee provides you with access to any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years, as many times as you like without having to pay another application fee!

Children under 18 are not required to pay the application fee when volunteering together with a parent/guardian.  (Except for participants in our Youth Tour program who are required to pay a US$97 application fee.)

To return to the main South Africa (Youth) program, click here.