Care Work Volunteer Project Abroad in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

Community Work with Orphans in South Africa
Due to lack of government funding, the burden of maintaining community centres caring for preschool children from disadvantaged communities in South Africa, tends to fall on willing volunteers. Therefore, many locals and volunteers are overstretched and overworked. However, this placement will give you the chance to help a number of local community workers and make a significant difference to the level of care offered to South African children.

Your Care Work Volunteer Placement
This community work placement is based at participating care centres in Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay). Most of the centres are in desperate need of volunteer support, as they are situated in disadvantaged communities where parents are unable to contribute financially, or otherwise, to preschool care. Orphaned children often live in child-headed households or with grandparents, who battle to look after their most basic needs, such as providing daily meals.

Because of this situation in South Africa, 18% of children who start formal schooling must repeat their first grade due to being inadequately trained at preschool level. Starting off their schooling career from such a disadvantaged position, perpetuates the circle of poverty and makes it much more challenging to change the children’s lives during their formal schooling years without the base of adequate care, love and encouragement during their forming years.

The community centres where you will volunteer your services, fill an important gap and deliver essential services to the communities of Port Elizabeth by providing pre-school education, care and a meal for the children who attend the preschools and creches.

Your Care Work Role
You will be placed at the community centres for a minimum of 5 hours per day, 5 days a week, primarily working with children between the ages of 2 to 6 years assisting with general classroom activities. Your role will involve looking after the general welfare of the children, helping with meal times and meal preparation, assisting staff with educational activities – including lesson planning and teaching.

You will work alongside local staff and should be prepared for the unexpected and a sense of creativity and the ability to improvise when things don’t go according to plan will go a long way. This is a challenging placement and you will be expected to be proactive in how you approach the available resources at the centres.

Your love and attention can make a huge difference to the children you meet and whether it’s through teaching English, playing games or simply listening to them talk about their families and the heartfelt hugs and smiles you will receive in return are unforgettable.

Many of the children you will be working with at the centres speak the local languages, Xhosa and Afrikaans, and the staff are proficient in the indigenous languages, as well as English. You will almost certainly learn bits and pieces of both African languages during your stay in Port Elizabeth and you are sure to leave having made some extremely close friends and having had a truly eye-opening experience.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

Optional Teaching in South Africa
In addition to your main placement, you will have the opportunity to teach classes, or assist in teaching classes, within schools based in Port Elizabeth. With a western education, you will be able to contribute massively to the standard of tuition that the students receive. Subject areas include English (language and literature), maths, science, journalism, business, IT, RE and a whole variety of extra-curricular activities.

Gap Year Care Work in South Africa
A gap year care work project in South Africa during your gap year is the perfect way to enjoy gap year travel while giving something back through a gap year volunteer project. Our care work project will provide fantastic gap year opportunities, unforgettable gap year memories, close friendships, and the gap year experience of your life.

2025
11th Jan – 4 to 12 weeks
08th Feb – 4 to 8 weeks
08th Mar – 4 weeks
12th Apr – 4 to 12 weeks
10th May – 4 to 8 weeks
07th Jun – 4 weeks
26th Jul – 4 weeks
30th Aug – 4 to 12 weeks
27th Sep – 4 to 8 weeks
25th Oct – 4 weeks

2026
10th Jan – 4 to 12 weeks
07th Feb – 4 to 8 weeks
07th Mar – 4 weeks
11th Apr – 4 to 12 weeks
09th May – 4 to 8 weeks
06th Jun – 4 weeks
18th Jul – 4 weeks
22nd Aug – 4 to 12 weeks
19th Sep – 4 to 8 weeks
17th Oct – 4 weeks

Note 1: 4 weeks = 28 nights, 5 weeks = 35 nights, 6 weeks = 42 nights, 7 weeks = 49 nights, 8 weeks = 56 nights, 9 weeks = 63 nights, 10 weeks = 70 nights, 11 weeks = 77 nights, 12 weeks = 84 nights

Note 2: dates are based on school holidays and are subject to change.

Note 3: All programmes run from Saturday to Saturday.

Note 4: These participant dates are based on the current published school terms in South Africa. However, based on future developments they may change at short notice. We will update you as soon as any changes take place.

Road Trip to Cape Town – GBP £430
We also run a 7 night road trip from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, which may reduce your community activity by one week, so check the session you are booking. On the final day, you can either part ways from Cape Town or head back on our minibus arriving in Port Elizabeth approx. 15:00. You can stay at our accommodation that night if required.

Road Trip Dates 2025
28th Mar – 04th Apr
27th Jun – 04th Jul
22nd – 29th Aug
14th – 21st Nov

Road Trip Dates 2026
28th Mar – 03rd Apr
26th Jun – 03rd Jul
14th – 21st Aug
6th – 13th Nov

Visa
British Nationals only require a visa to enter South Africa if they intend on staying over 90 days but this can be extended once in-country. We recommend you research this yourself depending on what Nationality you are.

Equipment Donation for South Africa
We are dedicated to sustainable development. This is why part of the fee you pay goes towards buying decent equipment for beneficiary organisations in South Africa. You will often use this equipment during your project and it is always left with the community when you leave. In some cases, an equipment donation may not be appropriate so a financial contribution is made instead.

Social Life in South Africa
We believe it is important to give our volunteers the chance to unwind and have fun while they are away. Our in-country team therefore organises a variety of social activities to bring volunteers together, to share their experiences and, above all, have a good time. The social life in South Africa really is second to none and you will return home with some truly unforgettable memories and friends for life. And, if animals are your thing, volunteering in South Africa is an ideal choice. With trips to Kragga Kama Game Park, the Lion Park, the Addo Elephant Park and the Oceanarium, you will certainly experience your fair share of big game and African wildlife. You’ll also get the chance to experience a Boma (an authentic South African meal under the stars). What more could you want from a social life abroad?

Travel and Adventure in South Africa
Port Elizabeth is a hot-spot for travellers worldwide and with its abundance and variety of exciting activities there is no wonder why. You will be able to experience all the delights of the local area, including the game reserves, its renowned scuba schools and friendly nightlife, as well as its 40km of golden beaches which include Nelson Mandela Bay. We also provide access to a whole assortment of extreme sports and adventurous activities for you to try out – if you can muster up the courage! These include: mountain biking, camping, shark diving, bungee jumping, 4×4 safaris, golf, fishing, scuba diving, parachuting, horse riding, dune boarding, boogey boards, deep sea cruises, tennis, squash, kayaking, badminton, water skiing, coastal hiking, power kiting and more! Time will also be available for you to travel around Southern Africa, and beyond. Head west to Cape Town and the legendary Table Mountain, or veer north to Namibia, and the deadly skeleton coast. Our in-country staff will be able to advise on safe ways to travel and will be only too happy to suggest some of the best sights to see in Southern Africa.

Accommodation
Your accommodation is basic but comfortable and you will stay in a dormitory style room. The accommodation has a very sociable atmosphere and you will find it a great place to relax and unwind in the evenings. The accommodation is also centrally located to your volunteer project with shops and other useful amenities either a short walk or taxi ride away. With so many volunteers living together, you will soon find our communal house your new home, away from home.

Accommodation
A lodge with shared rooms (4-10 people per room); Basic but comfortable; Shared toilet and shower facilities; Communal areas for socialising and relaxation including pool, TV and games room and bar; Single and double rooms may also be available if requested and booked pre-departure.

View our accommodation photo album.

Food
3 meals a day Mon to Fri and 2 meals (breakfast and lunch) a day at weekends.

Arrival Pick-Up & Transfers
Included on arrival and departure date. Early arrival will be subject to an additional charge.

Training
Full project induction and local orientation given on arrival.

Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Donation
Part of your fee may be used to buy decent equipment for the project and community you work with. We also encourage you to bring any extra equipment that you are happy to give away but this will need to fall within your personal weight allowance with the airline you travel with. It’s important you discuss the distribution of these items with our in-country team.

Flights; Travel Insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Spending money; In country travel; Laundry service; Extra activities not on itinerary.

Preferred Duration
We would like volunteers to come on either a 5 week or 12 week trip if possible. This ensures better management of the project and also helps you get the most from the social activities and group travel opportunities on offer. Shorter durations are still available and any duration in between 5 and 12 weeks can still be arranged.

Typical Hours
Monday-Friday; 4-6 hours a day; Occasional work at weekends but usually free for personal time and travel. Please be aware that some public holidays may cause disruption to times/days during your volunteer project.

Pre-requisites
No formal qualifications are necessary but an interest and basic experience working with children would be useful.

Ideal For
Volunteer Care Work Holidays and Placements in Africa; Volunteering and Activity Breaks in South Africa; Volunteer Orphanage Care Work and Community Work Gap Years and Career Breaks.

Suitable for ages 18 to 80

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community. We have even had people in their late 70s join us so don't be put off!