Gain international work experience
Develop a global understanding of sports and youth development
Gain insight into the South African health and educational system
Work with locals in the township or settlement
Discover the South African culture and challenges
Improve your organizational, teaching and project management skills by teaching the children various sports
Make a difference in the lives of the children
Gain teaching hours and a letter of recommendation
Enhance your CV
The Western Cape, where the programs are based, is a very culturally diverse area of South Africa. There is a large integration of the poor with the wealthy. The main cultures that you will be working with are English or Afrikaans South Africans. In most of the poorer areas the children are colored (this is a non-derogatory name used to describe someone of mixed race in South Africa) or black, and speak Afrikaans and English.
Day 1: Welcome to South Africa
You are collected from the airport and taken to your volunteer accommodation in Table View where you can check in and get comfortable before your welcome orientation and evening BBQ (braai). You will also receive your arrival package which includes a little bag, t-shirt, welcome book and SIM card.
Day 2: Orientation Tour of Cape Town
You will head into Cape Town with a member of staff who will take you on a walking tour of this great city together with the other new arrivals.
After the walking tour you can take a bus or walk to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Sit back and sip a cocktail, enjoy some fresh fish and watch the ships in the busy working harbour or walk around taking in the shops, markets and musicians on the sidewalks. Alternatively, you can take the cable car up Table Mountain and enjoy breathtaking views of the city, or visit the famous Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held in prison during the apartheid era (at own expense; advance booking recommended).
In the evening take the local bus back to Table View. Sunday dinner is a DIY evening, allowing everyone to showcase their local meals or join in a 'bring and BBQ'. You will also have time to relax and get ready before your internship begins.
Interns work 5 days a week from Monday to Friday. The aim of this program is to give young people who are deprived of sporting facilities the opportunity to play sports, learn about the environment and integrate - as team-mates - with other communities on the sports fields.
Responsibilities:
Coach different types of sports at several different disadvantaged schools (hockey, volleyball, soccer, rugby, basketball, tennis, cricket etc.)
Teach children (social) skills while teaching them how to play sports
It is expected that the intern can lead a group and work well together with the other coaches
Apart from the sports program, educational lessons are planned and presented to children in various age groups
For children and coaches it is most relevant that they can learn skills which will stay once you are gone; focus is on sustainability
Accompany teams and individuals to matches, trips and trials
Fetching children from their school for their sports program (children have to be collected on with a vehicle and taken back to school)
With every new arrival we have a safety and orientation briefing where we discuss issues such as general safety in South Africa for example, what to do in the settlements, where not to go, what to do in case of an emergency, sea currents, HIV AIDS and crime. We offer all our volunteers 24/7 support and assistance.
Airport pick-up
Accommodation
Orientation & welcome BBQ
Walking tour
24-hour support and supervision
Donation to the project
Certificate of appreciation
Minimum age of 20
The position is a contract for 10-20 weeks
Police clearance certificate
Experience in coaching and/or playing sports
Good (spoken) English
Good team player
Attention to detail, efficiency, good people skills, high energy, independent, pro-active
Valid drivers license (PDP license a bonus)
Copy of return flight itinerary
Acceptance subject to availability
The most important things to bring are a sense of humor, patience, an open mind and a positive attitude!
Internships and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.