no longer required to travel to South Africa
South Africa has celebrated an end to formal apartheid but despite its rich natural resources and can-do attitude, the majority of the black population still face huge challenges. Job prospects are still in low supply, housing and the standard of living are still far below expectations, e.g. access to running tap water is limited, decent flushing toilets are shared, and millions still live in “slums”. This program provides unique opportunities to understand the challenges faced by the black majority, while also helping to improve their lives. In stunning contrast, volunteers will see “beyond-belief”, gorgeous sights, white sandy beaches, pristine wineries, rugged mountain scapes, gigantic whales and wild penguins etc, and more importantly they will get to understand the real beauties and challenges of the new South Africa.
CAPE TOWN voted world’s top destination for 2014 by New York Times, and Britain’s Guardian newspaper and yet ranks in the top 10 countries in the world for income inequality.
Article about a soccer team that did this program
PROJECT PERIOD
One week, Sunday to Saturday. Or longer by arrangement.
PICK UP/DROP OFF POINT
6:30pm on program start date, in the lobby of the Fountains Hotel, Adderley Street. (opposite main railway station and within easy walk of CPT International Airport commuter bus terminus). Safe and easily found by any taxi driver
LOCATION
Imizano Yetho township (approx population – 20,000) , within the CapeTown suburb of Hout Bay. And schools in other deprived, nearby areas.
WORK PROJECT
Much of the work and projects relate to helping the overcrowded community of Imizano Yethu township where most of the residents live in makeshift iron shacks ( some Westerners would call these – slums)sharing communal taps and toilets with hundreds of neighbors, where the roads are pot-holed and where the basic infrastructure is run-down. The projects will vary depending on weather conditions, the number of volunteers, and the projects’ needs. Volunteers will be involved in helping to improve and maintain informal community and pre-school (crèche) care centers, assisting with the refurbishment of the Community Youth Centre, helping to rebuild shacks lost due to fires, replacing simple roofing, home waterproofing, installing concrete flooring, painting and refurbishing local schools, participating in community and schools sports programs like soccer, volleyball, field hockey, Physical Education lessons.
NOTE: Schools have their long holidays from June 29 to July 17 and mid December to mid January. This means no work “within” schools between those dates, though we may be working on refurbishments during this time.
ACCOMMODATION & FOOD
Furnished modern apartments are available in Hout Bay or Cape Town, depending on which project site has the biggest needs. The former is situated within a mile of the Imizano Yetho program site, within walking distance of supermarkets, cafes, and the ocean.
The latter apartment in the central Cape Town suburb of the “Gardens”, close to the Mount Nelson Hotel. Transport provided to the program site. If the group is large enough, members will be accommodated in dormitory-style housing in central Cape Town. Hot running water, flushing toilets and access to electricity is provided.
On weekdays a local cook will prepare prepacked lunch for taking to the project site, and evening dinner. Cereal, bread and fruit are provided for breakfasts.
FREE TIME / CULTURE
The coordinator will explain the culture and traditions of her Xhosa tribe and invite volunteers to her local church service if there is interest.. Attend a local church service if interested and witness young children performing vibrant modern dances. Explore the community craft center and relax on the stunning beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton. Weather permitting, you can experience surfing at Muizenberg beach.
Optional excursions, at an additional cost, include:
- Ascend Table Mountain via the Cable Car or hike up Lions Head.
- Visit the Cape of Good Hope, praised as 'the fairest Cape in all the lands' by explorer Sir Francis Drake. Encounter wild ostriches, baboons, and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee for the penguin colony payable directly to the national park).
- Enjoy wine tasting at local estates.
- Take a boat trip to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 24 years imprisoned.
- Dare to cage dive with Great White Sharks or observe Southern Right Whales (seasonal June to December).
- Embark on a three-day adventure along the Garden Route, exploring mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, and beaches.
