Volunteer in South Africa: reviews

“First day: Orientation Day This day was an introduction for the newcomers. Program representatives went over local rules, traditions, and what will be expected of volunteers, and they also organized a 2-hour tour of central Cape Town for us. Tip of the day: One local said, “Don’t try to understand our way of life, just accept that this is how we live.” It was surprising to hear that! The country is experiencing a drought — people literally save every drop of water. I don’t know about tourists, but for locals and those who come here to work there’s a two-minute rule. Guess what that is? Yes — it’s the maximum shower time.

Second day: Getting to know the school Because the sponsor offers a wide range of volunteer projects, from working in a reserve to working in a local clinic, I should say a few words about my duties — caring for and looking after children. In my case that meant working from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at a local school. To be honest, that “job” wasn’t hard for me; all I had to do was be on hand for the lead teacher, who could step out of the classroom at any moment (for example, to organize lunch). During those times I had to entertain, teach, and keep the children organized. I worked with little kids, but their English was better than many Russian middle-school students. That day we teamed up with people from the hostel and went to Camps Bay — my first Cape Town beach.

Third and fourth day: Work time, experience time Each day, once work was over, there was a whole day left to get to know the city better. But sadly, you don’t get the same freedom of movement here as you do at home. Yes, it’s only safe to get around by Uber and to walk in a group of four or more, especially if you’re a woman. Tip of the day: The school wasn’t equipped with the latest tech, but the atmosphere (lots of kids’ work, corridor displays, drawings on the walls, friendly staff) made up for everything. Each child brought a lunchbox with a snack, and at a set time all the children sit and eat together what their parents packed; they pray before the meal. Teachers called me not by my name but “Teacher” (Teacher). I was the school’s first assistant teacher from Russia — it was unusual for them, since most volunteers come from Germany and Switzerland.

Sixth–eighth day: On weekends you have to organize yourself, since there’s no work — everyone looks for chances to travel or have fun. The hostel is practically empty on weekends. I went on a 3-day trip, visiting places like Stellenbosch, Cape Agulhas, and the Cape of Good Hope. Travel note: The sun here feels like a second sun on the planet — it’s their own, and it doesn’t warm, it burns. There’s no strict sense of time here (“African Time”) — a local won’t tell you “See you at 8:15 PM”, they’ll say “See you soon, I’m on my way!” and you can wait from 30 minutes to 2 hours — and that’s normal! P.S. The locals have the word “UBUNTU”, which means “to give without expecting anything in return.” It’s such a good word!

The following week: The last one The second week flew by and every day counted. I felt more and more attached to the children and had less time to see new places. I forgot to mention that knowing English here is the only thing that helps you fit in and opens up a lot of opportunities for new discoveries. Who would I recommend this trip to? If you want to immerse yourself in a completely new culture, see two oceans at once with your own eyes, and connect with local history. If you’re ready to help other people, have a good level of English, and have the time and means to travel, then this experience is for you!”

Polina, Perm.

Travel changes people — it makes you think and see things in a whole new way. That’s a fact. Cape Town completely changed my life. Most importantly, it made me fall in love, just like they told me. Cape Town pulls you in and doesn’t let go — it shows up in your dreams, you’re always thinking about it and can’t wait to go back. And I’ll be back! Definitely.

Mikhail, Kaliningrad.