The project
This crèche opened in the township of Masiphumelele almost 20 years ago by an inspirational township resident who was committed to keeping her community’s children safe while their parents went out to earn a living. Masiphumelele means “we will succeed” in the local Xhosa language, which is certainly the case for the +70 children the crèche looks after today. Aged between 3 and 6, the children who attend this crèche have days filled with fun lessons to help them prepare for ‘big school’, and receive two nutritious meals each day.
While the crèche is run by its passionate founder and some paid staff, the children attending need some extra attention to help them get the best out of their days. This is where volunteers play a vital role. By teaching, playing and giving these underprivileged children some extra attention during your volunteering experience, you really can help them go further in life.
If you’re enthusiastic, energetic and want to help teach underprivileged township children near Cape Town, our township crèche project provides the perfect volunteering opportunity for you in South Africa.
- Costs: Starting at about 695€
- Duration: 2 to 12 weeks
- Location: Masiphumelele, near Cape Town, South Africa
The township nursery in Masiphumelele is open Monday to Friday from 6:30 to 17:30. Volunteers start at 8:00 in the morning and can work until either 13:30 or 16:00. You can help directly with the full program for the children, including helping with preschool classes, singing, learning and crafts.
You will help feed the children at mealtimes and take them to their nap. As the common language on site is English, you should have a good knowledge of the language. You will teach and read to the children in English and at the same time improve your own language skills.
Voluntary work
Supporting the day care center staff in teaching the children, playing with the children, helping during meals, speaking English with the children and reading to them in English to improve their English skills.
Programme starts
First or third Monday of a month.
Volunteering hours
5 days per week (Monday to Friday, 8 – 13 o’clock or 8 – 16 o’clock).
Requirements
Minimum age 18, good English language skills, foreign travel insurance, police clearance certificate
Location
Masiphumelele, near Cape Town, South Africa
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Pick up
You will be picked up at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), please inform us well in advance of your departure when your flight will arrive (arrival before 16h)
Accommodation
Dormitory in a volunteer house or, if applicable, Backpackers near the project
Food
Dinner on the day of arrival, on all other days you can use the kitchen in the volunteer house or if necessary Backpackers
Donation to the project
We support you with a lot of information before departure
Local contact person
24 hours emergency care
In addition, you need to arrange:
a travel insurance (is obligatory)
Vaccinations (information from the Federal Foreign Office or a tropical institute)
Visa (can be obtained on arrival at the airport)
possibly travel on site or additional leisure activities
Daily transfers to and from the project (the project is only 15 minutes walk away)
Return transfer to Cape Town Airport
Starts from €695.
Duration
2 to 12 weeks
Although you are guaranteed to be exhausted after each day of work, the volunteer work will certainly be very fulfilling. The children are full of energy and hungry for attention, which they sometimes do not always get at home. The daycare center is only open on weekdays, so you will have the weekends off.
This gives you the opportunity to discover the great Cape Town, which is about 45 minutes away. There are also many smaller towns and beautiful excursion destinations along the peninsula “Cape Peninsula”. You will stay in a volunteer house or a backpacker hostel, which are only 5 minutes by public transport or 15 minutes walking distance from the project.
This volunteer work gives you the opportunity to improve the lives of the children and at the same time gives you the freedom to explore the Western Cape in your spare time. No doubt you will grow fond of the children and the special Cape Town way of life during your stay.
Security is one of the most important prerequisites when selecting our projects. That is why we take care of each of our volunteers personally and clarify all open questions regarding security before departure.
Find out more about security.