South Africa Group Programme

What better way to spend a few weeks this summer than by getting on a plane and traveling to South Africa to volunteer on a local community project while discovering the beautiful Cape Town area?

By volunteering in South Africa your group can help a township community while experiencing the warmth and hospitality of local people, the richness of their culture and learn more about the challenges they are facing.

By choosing EIL, the oldest non profit educational organisation in the world, you make sure that your group will undertake this challenging experience within a supporting environment.

Main Features

Predeparture workshop in Ireland
Group leader
Volunteer work in a local community
Accommodation and meals included
Recreational activities
Flexible start dates and length of stay

Foroige group: A photo of a Foroige group of volunteers in South Africa.

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Project background

Country background

South Africa is a land of extraordinary beauty, magnificent wildlife and rich cultural diversity. It is also a country where the two extremes of economic development live side by side. Only since the end of Apartheid in 1994 has it been possible to visit South Africa. This is an exciting time for the country as it overcomes the legacy of the past and looks with optimism towards the future.

Volunteering in South Africa gives participants a first hand experience of a new nation working towards a vision of unity and prosperity. Many serious problems need to be tackled if this vision is to be realised, such as poverty, AIDS and inequality, and this is where volunteers can make a real contribution.

Cape Town Area

There is nowhere like Cape Town. Perched between the ocean and the mountains, with a national park as its heart, it's a place to renew and reconnect. Cape Town, the "Mother City", is the oldest city in this country and has a cultural heritage spanning more than 300 years. It also has the top five national attractions in South Africa that should appear on every visitor´s itinerary all year round. It is in Cape Town that the Rainbow Nation is really evident. Between beautiful Cape Dutch homesteads, traditional dancers with painted faces performing in the streets, the smell of spicy Malay cooking and the taste of a well-made wine, this city will fill your senses.

A general perspective of education in South Africa

The challenge facing the post-apartheid government is to create an educational system that provides quality education to all citizens of South Africa. The educational legacy left by the apartheid government has not been easy to dismantle. Literacy rates among blacks remain low, and educational facilities in the townships and rural areas need to be upgraded. During the apartheid government, education for whites was free and compulsory between the ages of 7 and 16 while attendance was not generally compulsory for blacks. Adult literacy was close to 100% for whites and about 50% for blacks in the mid-1980s.

Example of a community in need: Atlantis

Atlantis was developed on the farms known as Melkpost, Hartebeeskraal and Witzand. The town is located slightly inland from the beach on the R27 route northwards towards Langebaan. The total combined population of Atlantis and the surrounding area is close to 500 000 people of which approximately 46% are unemployed. Families are struggling to make ends meet and as a result of this, crime, substance and drug abuse, teenage pregnancies and health issues are having a negative impact on family life and communities.
Historically industries in Atlantis were the main providers of jobs for the people in the area, but after the establishment of new industries closer to Cape Town a number of factories closed their businesses in Atlantis leaving a huge number of people unemployed. Recent studies show that approximately 60% of these communities earn less than 1000 Rand per month (approximately 65 EUR). Atlantis as a young, struggling, poverty-stricken community, has in the last few years in the local media been mostly portrayed as a town struggling with social issues, yet there are many unsung heroes and as many success stories in the local community.

Example project: Early Childhood Development in Atlantis

The prospective community placement is focused on early childhood development in local creches, which focuses on the encouragement and supervision of educational play, rather than simply providing childcare. Creches provide for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years of age, all of whom come from various backgrounds. Some of the children come from middle class families and others from very poor families. Most creches are fairly well structured and managed but our programmes targets the crèches which are most in need of support. Due to financial constraints most creches have very limited sports and recreational facilities and tools available at the project. In South Africa early childhood education and development focuses on the following areas:

Personal, social and emotional development of children
Language literacy and communication
Knowledge and understanding of the world
Physical development and creative development

Role of the volunteers

The volunteer will be part of a team which will be closely involved with the local people. Within this context of cultural immersion, the volunteers will be expected to participate directly in the activities organised for the project. Even if the time in the field will be relatively short, at the end of the project we want each volunteer to feel that they have made a difference! No matter what your skills are, you will be working on a task that will suit your profile and capacities.

Programme details

Outline of the programme

Your adventure begins with a four day orientation in Cape Town, the "Gateway to Africa". The comprehensive four day orientation which will include tours and excursions introducing you to the cultural diversity of South Africa, incorporating its struggle against apartheid to the miraculous transformation to democracy.

Tours will include a Township tour, a walking city orientation affording you a cultural opportunity to experience the city as locals do, as well a boat trip to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years of imprisonment.

The group will return to the city after the two week placement in the local community. During the debrief sessions you will have an opportunity to reflect on your journey as well as discuss and share your experiences. During this time you will visit Cape Point, the tip of southern Africa as well as participating in a traditional drumming experience as part of your farewell.
(For these nights participants will stay in a hostel in Cape Town)

Volunteer Activities

Flexibility and adaptability are extremely important as the volunteers need to be able to assist on various levels in the project. The volunteers will work alongside teachers and assist with basic teaching and child care. Staff are very friendly and willing to help you familiarise yourself with the project and get to know the children. You will also find that the work load will vary from day to day. Should you find that you would like to do more than the allocated tasks, you need to be proactive, think creatively and communicate regularly with the teacher assigned to you.

Proposed activities:

Assisting teacher and local staff
Painting of building, including equipment in park
Helping with the production of teaching materials
Cleaning of play area and park
Assisting on excursions
Present workshops
Pay special attention to slow learners

Other activities in the community:
Feeding schemes, including soup kitchens and providing food parcels for families in need. Youth development programmes are also available, educating youth on healthy living, the dangers of peer pressure, sex education, HIV AIDS and drug awareness.

Visas

Upon entry into South Africa you will receive a tourist visa, valid for 90 days.

Becoming advocates for change

On return to Ireland we support volunteers to follow up their engagement and to be advocates on behalf of these communities. Together we can raise awareness about the difficulties these people face and the ways in which the international community can assist the thousands of similar communities dotted across the world.

Cost & Details

What is included

Predeparture orientation and support including a predeparture workshop
Ongoing support from an EIL co-ordinator from Ireland
Ongoing support from local staff and local coordinator
Accommodation
All meals
Excursion and activities (except the optional week end)
Entrance fees
All internal transportation
Debrief workshop

What is not included

Flights
Personal expenses
Project donation
Medical and travel insurance, available for €10 per week and per person

Start Dates

Start dates are flexible with possible departures all through the year

Costs

3 weeks programme prices (per participant)
Number of participants	Cost
25 - 21	€1220
20 - 16	€1291
15 - 11	€1396
10 - 8	€1508

Depending on the age and experience of group members, a special discount can be offered if the group does not require the ongoing support from a group coordinator from EIL Ireland.

Optional excursion: Darling and West Coast Fossil Park Weekend: between €65 and €90.

Protect the environment: EIL Carbon offset system

Compensate for the CO2 that your flight will generate by helping to plant trees in Guatemala.

Photos & Videos

Photos:

Stories from the field

Stories from groups:

Currently there are no reports to display for this section, please check back soon as we're updating them as we receive accounts from our participants constantly.

Stories from individual volunteers:

The Betrayal of Tea

23 Aug 2010 - 9:55am

People at home have stopped asking if I would like a cup of tea, simply because they know my reply will be yes! All my family, friends and even most acquintances know how much I love my tea! Before I left for South Africa my mom asked if I was going to bring tea bags with me and when I replied no, she was shocked.

Cape Town and The Cape: Orientation Overdrive

23 Aug 2010 - 9:37am

My first week here in South Africa was hectic. It started as it meant to go on as well! After being in Cape Town for a few hours, and just meeting my orientation group, we all decided to hike to the top of Table Mountain for our first day.

In Good Hands at the HIV centre in Kayamandi

13 Aug 2010 - 12:13pm

I’m into week three at this stage, which means I'm starting to get used to the place. By no means would I say that I know the ins and out of Kayamandi, the shacks are like mazes with only tiny routes going through them all. My mental GPS is quite confused still when it comes to navigating around the shacks, shack E157 could be right in front of you and then, shack D89 beside it. So it's safe to say I'm still getting the hang of things.

South Africa : Chicken feet for dinner?! Kayamandi so far..!

27 Jul 2010 - 2:39pm

Once I had got to the volunteer hostel in Cape Town I met lots of other volunteers,and ofcourse the generic volunteer conversation was had, this little almost interview like chat is generally to break the ice and to find out the core details. It goes along the lines of your name, where your from, how long you are here from and then; what project you are working on. Generally, I managed to get by the first 3 parts with no problems, I can say that most of the time, I succesfully managed to tell people my name, nationality and length of stay with absolutely no problems!

Mmm...

23 Feb 2010 - 11:47pm

I am a great believer in alternative medicines. Anyone that knows me, knows my stance on the pharmaceutical industry. I am a nutritional therapy student, who believes in homeopathy, herbal remedies... I could go on. However, the introduction of ARVs has been instrumental in the treatment of HIV & AIDS.

Unfortunately though, not enough people have access to the medications.

Promiscuity, the polio vaccine and HIV

3 Jan 2010 - 6:37pm

When I chat with people about the prevelance of HIV & AIDS in Africa, usually their first response is to suggest that Africans are more promiscuous than Westerners.

Some good news this time!!

20 Dec 2009 - 1:03pm

A few months ago, there seemed to be noone willing or able to look after I and as for L, it was thought that he would be in hospital for years.... but now...

Why has South Africa been SO badly affected by HIV?

13 Oct 2009 - 12:59pm

Global HIV experts believe that a combination of: 1. POLITICAL UNREST 2. POOR GOVERNMENT SUPPORT 3. POLITICAL DENIAL has fueled the HIV & AIDS epidemic in South Africa.

The HIV & AIDS epidemic emerged in South Africa in the early 1980s.

HIV & AIDS in South Africa

13 Oct 2009 - 11:17am

Some facts about HIV & AIDS in South Africa:

It is estimated that 5.5 million people are living with HIV, over 10% of the population
1/4 people aged between 15 and 50 years are HIV positive
Every day more than 1,700 people die AIDS-related deaths
Currently it is estimated that there are 600,000 AIDS orphans
A 2004 survey reported that South Africans spend more time at funerals than weddings, haircuts, or grocery shopping

De-mything the Myths

29 Sep 2009 - 10:41pm

Last week I was speaking to a gentleman who recently volunteered with an organisation that builds houses in Africa. He returned from his experience convinced that sharing a bottle of water with a HIV+ person spreads the virus. IT DOES NO SUCH THING!!!! A person CANNOT become infected with HIV by shaking a HIV+ person's hand, by hugging them, by using the toilet after them or drinking from the same glass, OR by being exposed to coughing or sneezing. Saliva carries a negligible viral load, so even open-mouthed kissing is considered a low risk.

Country info

Overview

Often referred to as "the world in one country" South Africa is a land of extraordinary beauty, mystery and adventure. Although this expression alludes to the varying climatic conditions, vegetation and the abundance of animals, it can also be used to describe the diversity of cultures, languages and religions, and the extremes of first world development next to third world difficulties. Diversity is now a key feature of South Africa, where 11 languages are recognised as official, where traditional healers practice their trade across the road from stockbrokers, and where housing varies from mud huts to luxurious homes with swimming pools.

From 1948 to 1994 South Africa was dominated by apartheid, a policy of segregation that classified every individual by race, and whereby one's race determined where you could live, work, pray and learn. There was intense widespread suffering as black people were forcibly dispossessed and relocated to the so-called ‘Homelands', which had a shortfall of infrastructure and industry, and were therefore incapable of producing sufficient food for the black population. Black resistance developed in the form of strikes, acts of public disobedience and protest marches, and was finally supported by international opinion, including economic and political sanctions, from the 1960s.

Despite the scars left over from the past, South Africa has made considerable progress since the end of apartheid and it is now, not only possible to visit South Africa, but also to become part of a nation once divided, now standing together. In the 21st century, South Africa is a democratic country representing a diverse population, and is for that reason often referred to as the "rainbow nation". Very much Africa's superpower, South Africa has the continent's largest economy, being a leading exporter of minerals, and a popular tourist destination. But, while South Africa is making up for decades of social disruption and lost education, high unemployment and the AIDS crisis are significant impediments to economic and social progress. Economic inequality remains an overwhelming problem, and South Africa actually has one of the largest gaps between rich and poor - over 50% of the total population are living below the poverty line and two-thirds of South Africa's total income is concentrated in 20% of the population.

General facts

Land Area: 1,219,912 sq km
South Africa extends nearly 2,000km from Limpopo River in the north to Cape Agulhas in the south, and nearly 1,500 km from Port Nolloth in the west to Durban in the east. Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland run from west to east along South Africa's northern border. Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa, and is situated in the east.
Population: 44,344,136
Capital: Pretoria
Ethnic groups: Black 78%, White 10%, Coloured (mixed race) 8.7%, Indian 2.5%
Languages: 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Major religions: Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs
Literacy: 86%
Life expectancy: 52 years
Infant mortality rate: 61 per 1,000 live births
Adult HIV prevalence: 21.5%
Currency: Rand
GDP per capita: US$12,000
Economy: Industry: mining (platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery.
Agriculture: corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, beef. Exports: gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment.

Climate

Cape Town enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. With ocean and mountains at the end of practically every street, the city's weather is ever changing and unpredictable. You can read the local press or contact the weather forecast centre for a local's best guess. During the summer it is important to wear sun block of at least SPF15."The Cape Doctor" is the name given to Cape Town's South Easterly wind which roars over Table Mountain and through the City Bowl out to sea, literally ‘cleaning the air' of pollution. This wind also often produces the white cloud, which pours over the tip of the mountain, giving it a ‘tablecloth' effect. The weather across the Cape Peninsula varies greatly and might be 30C in the city bowl but at Cape Point it could be raining. Try to dress in layers to suit all temperatures.

Adventure Activities in Cape Town

Table Mountain, Lion's Head, Signal Hill: Magnificent walks, magnificent views, try not to go after dark as mugging have occurred, always go in a group.
Wine route - Delicious sites and sips in the luscious valleys of Paarl & Stellenbosch.
Cape Point - The most south-westerly tip of Africa where baboons steal ice cream.
Hikes - There are tons! Contact Gal or Johnny for escorted hikes at 082 576 4013.
Waterfront - A classy hangout where you will find restaurants, bars, the Imax theatre, movies, shopping, the aquarium, craft markets, the Hard Rock Café and more.
Gardens - The central park is beautiful and relaxing, home to numerous museums and the South African National Gallery.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens - A delightful place for a stroll and a tea if you fancy it. (In summer there are regular concerts of music and dance on Sunday evenings)
Museums - art, religion, war, science, and politics - you name it. Some fascinating exhibits.
Robben Island - Ferry to the island & prison tours by former political prisoners.
Hout Bay - Fresh fish and chips is a Cape Peninsula speciality not to be missed!
For River Adventures, as well as kloofing and abseiling in the mountains. Downhill Extreme and Bushwhacked Outdoor Adventures on 027 7618953
The Zoo and Aquarium are favourite spots for both locals and travellers.
Check out the small towns outside of Cape Town (Simon's Town, Fish Hoek, and more.)
Garden Route - a popular trek from Cape Town up the east coast through gorgeous bays and forests, with thriving backpackers and thrill seeker adventures along the way.

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