Project Description
The evidence is clear – investing in adolescent girls will not only help them realize their human rights, but is essential to reducing poverty and improving health, and future economic growth. Securing the rights of adolescent girls and their access to health, education, and protection from violence and abuse ensures they have the chance to achieve their potential and can go on to become empowered women who can support their families, communities, and countries. In post-Apartheid South Africa, girls are in real need of support; issues surrounding access to and staying in education restricted access to healthcare, high abuse rates and a patriarchal system where men hold primary authority all mean that girls are often left behind.
Location Highlights
Cape Town is an internationally renowned destination and has something for everyone. The “Mother City” is home to iconic Table Mountain, beautiful beaches, stunning vineyards, and a very rich history. During your free time, you could enjoy some of the most scenic drives in the world, spot exotic marine life along the coast, or sample some of the eclectic restaurants and markets which has seen Cape Town recently been named the number one food city in the world. Don’t forget that it’s also an adrenaline-junkie’s paradise, so you could dive with sharks, go sky-diving or even try out sand-boarding.
Volunteering Highlights
- Experience the real, un-cut Cape Town as a responsible traveler and volunteer daily in the township communities surrounding the city.
- Genuinely impact the lives of disadvantaged girls and young women, empowering them to become leaders in their community and advocates for real gender equality in South Africa.
- Through art therapy, educational workshops and youth groups, engage boys in the conversation about gender equality.
- Be a positive role model for children at girls’ and boys’ clubs, encouraging trust and positive relationships through the discussion of topical subjects.
- Engage with groups of vulnerable teenagers and young adults, delivering skills workshops and support groups that help them deal with early pregnancy and finding a job.
- See for yourself why Cape Town has been named the Most Beautiful City in the World for the past 5 years.
- Live like a true ‘Capetonian’ by exploring the many diverse food markets, restaurants, live music events, and world-class beaches.
- Take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime activities this city has to offer, including cage-diving with Great white sharks, whale watching, visiting Nelson Mandela’s prison cell, or snorkeling with seals.
How We Make An Impact
Job Readiness Group For Young Adults
In a township community where lack of employment, crime and poverty prevail, our volunteers focus on training female and male unemployed youth, teenage mothers, high school drop-outs and ex-offenders, by delivering workshops and activities to guarantee confidence, self-assurance and self-belief; everything that is so important in landing a job.
Through mentorship, our Girl Impact volunteers provide job readiness skills to participants aged 16 – 31 who are studying computer programming and coding, in order to help them attain employment and in return, mentor new participants and surrounding youth.
Delivering CV-writing skills, interview techniques and knowledge on workplace ethics is only a part of the bigger picture here, which is to provide a safe space for participants to talk openly and challenge each other views. We encourage the participants to discuss relevant subjects, including women’s role in the workplace and the meaning and importance of securing a job to sustain their family.
Support Group For Early Pregnancy And Young Mothers
Through pre-natal support, our volunteers provide pregnant youth with physical, emotional and educational skills that enable them to continue to strive for – and attain – their dreams and goals once they become mothers.
In the first stage of the program, young pregnant women receive support from our volunteers by exchanging information and receiving workshops on health and wellbeing, both physical and emotional. After the women of the group give birth, they stay a part of the group and start addressing different subjects, such as the importance of finishing education, re-gaining employment, finding childcare and understanding different ways of achieving their life goals after having children. From here, this group are able to mentor others and create a positive cycle where they can exchange their experiences.
This is our most recent project in Cape Town and volunteers will have the amazing experience of being a pivotal part of it and making it grow! They will have the opportunity to visit the different clinics in the townships, reaching out to mothers and pregnant women, clearing out their doubts and concerns, and encouraging them to join the group! Patience is key!
Art Therapy Youth Group
In a country where 22% of children are exposed to abuse by a family member, the Girl Impact volunteers create a safe afterschool space where children are free to express themselves. Through art therapy, volunteers play a huge role in developing confident individuals who acknowledge their issues and stresses concerning safety.
Topics such as health, early pregnancy and safety are delivered, which gives volunteers a real opportunity to be positive role models to the children, helping to shape their futures
Girls’ And Boys’ Clubs
Volunteers partner with an after-care center in the township of Khayelitsha, offering a physically and emotionally safe place for boys and girls to go after school. This is extremely important as the immediate hours after school are when children are most at risk, with parents or caregivers often away at work.
At the after-school center, volunteers hold Girls’ and Boys’ Clubs, delivering educational workshops that support the UN’S Sustainable Development Goal of Gender Equality. By equipping the girls with the tools to make educated decisions, they can go on to become empowered women among their friends, family, communities and country.
As an integral part of shaping society’s beliefs and attitudes towards women, we also aim to educate boys and men on gender equality. Volunteers assist in this by delivering workshops on self-confidence, bullying, teamwork, healthy friendships, sex education, gender based violence and how to treat women.
What Else Will I Be Involved In?
You may also be involved in our Girls’ Sports Club, which provides physical education opportunities and health talks to disadvantaged kids, or in our Youth Dance Support Group. This is a group of 10-19-year-old adolescents (bonded by their passion for traditional dance), who face key challenges in their daily life, including limited access to education, early pregnancy and a lack of confidence in themselves.
Once a week, you will also provide English and computer skills sessions for the “mamas” of an emergency foster care home who dedicate their lives to supporting the children in their care. By teaching them English and computer literacy, you are vital in helping to grow their confidence, as well as provide them with a new useful tool that will help them run some of their daily tasks in a more effective and fast way.
Why Girl Impact
In post-Apartheid South Africa, girls are in real need of support; issues surrounding safety, violence, education, restricted access to healthcare, high abuse rates and a patriarchal system where men hold primary authority means that girls are often left behind. Abuse, forced marriage, early pregnancy and missing out on basic education are common things girls in South Africa face, simply because they are girls. African Impact and the Girl Impact initiative aims to provide opportunities for adolescent girls and to create support networks within their communities, so they can make informed choices as they grow up.
Some statistics highlighting the plight of girls around the world:
- Out of the world’s 130 million out-of-school youth, 70% are girls
- 75% of all HIV infected people in Sub Saharan Africa aged 15-24, are young women
- Worldwide, 50% of sexual assaults are against girls aged 15 years and younger
- In South Africa, 19% of children are orphaned
- 56% of South African children live below the poverty line
Details
Duration: 2 – 12 weeks
Countries: South Africa
Experiences: Volunteering
Ages: 16 and up (16 with parental permission.)
Experience Requirements:
- Genuine love and concern for people and the environment
- Enthusiasm, and interest in wildlife and the natural environment
- You must be in good physical health, as you will be expected to participate in physical activities
- Ability to work as part of a team, be flexible and cooperative
Project Starts: Every Other Monday during selected dates
Dates: 12 & 26 March | 9 & 23 April | 7 & 21 May | 4 & 18 June | 2, 16 & 30 July | 13 & 27 August | 10 & 24 September | 8 & 22 October | 5 & 19 November
Price:
10 Days – $1,372.00
2 weeks – $1,524.00
3 weeks – $1,935.00
4 weeks – $2,345.00
5 weeks – $2,755.00
6 weeks – $3,165.00
7 weeks – $3,575.00
8 weeks – $3,985.00
9 weeks – $4,395.00
10 weeks – $4,805.00
11 weeks – $5,215.00
12 weeks – $5,625.00
A Typical Volunteer Week
| Mon | AM: Young Adults Job Readiness Group. Lunch at the volunteer accommodation.
PM: Girls’ and Boys’ Club. Volunteer welcome night |
| Tues | AM: Early pregnancy and Young Mother’s Support Group.
Lunch at the volunteer accommodation. PM: Art Therapy Youth Group. Tours talk and free time. |
| Wed | AM: Young Adults Job Readiness Group. Try some of the local delicacies in the community that you volunteer in.
PM: Art Therapy Youth Group. Workshop on topical issues and free time. |
| Thu | AM: Early Pregnancy and Young Mother’s Support Group. Lunch at an amazing viewpoint, getting to know the history of where you are working
PM: Girls’ and Boys’ Club. Events Night. |
| Fri | AM: Plan the activities for the week. Lunch at the volunteer accommodation.
PM: Youth Dance Support Group. Weekend Begins! |
| Sat – Sun | Explore Cape Town and the surrounding areas on a day safari, wine tour or Robben Island trip. It’s up to you!
Spend your morning shark cage diving, or hike up the famous Table Mountain. There’s always the beach to explore too! |
Please contact us if you have any questions!
Accommodations
Cape Town is an internationally renowned destination and has something for everyone. The “Mother City” is home to iconic Table Mountain, beautiful beaches, stunning vineyards and a very rich history. During your free time, you could enjoy some of the most scenic drives in the world, spot exotic marine life along the coast, or sample some of the eclectic restaurants and markets which has seen Cape Town recently been named the number one food city in the world. Don’t forget that it’s also an adrenaline-junkie’s paradise, so you could dive with sharks, go sky-diving or even try out sand-boarding.
You will be staying in a fully furnished house situated in the seaside suburb of Muizenberg, just 3 minutes away from the beach! This area is one of the major tourism attractions in Cape Town and a surfer’s paradise. The area is filled with vibey bars, cafes, and amazing restaurants, and you’ll be based just opposite a major grocery store for you to do extra shopping should you need.
The volunteer accommodation is a cosy, safe home shared by volunteers and African Impact staff. It boasts a central lounge and dining area, a living room with some comfortable couches for socialising and relaxing, prepare for your next day or chat with fellow volunteers, as well as a spacious backyard in the sun to relax, or enjoy a South African Braai. It is the perfect base from which to explore this incredible city.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Airport Collection and drop off on arrival and departure
Wi-Fi available for an additional fee (± R20 per week) but you will need your own Wi-Fi compatible device.
Laundry @ R60 per load
All your daily transport to the project sites
3 meals a day (Monday to Friday) from our team of great chefs
A full-time housekeeping service and 24-hour support
Comfortable shared accommodation
A great experience with the opportunity to make new friends!
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Items of a personal nature, personal insurances, visas and gratuities
Gratuity
Optional extra activities, not specified above
Optional Tours and Trips
During your stay you will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the incredible attractions Cape Town has to offer. These excursions are also a great time for volunteers to interact and get to know each other better.
Popular Outings:
- Cultural Community Tour R700
- Aquila Safari – a “Big 5” private game reserve R2250 (min 4 people)
- Cape Point Peninsula Tour, including a visit to the penguins at Boulders Beach R750
- Abseiling down Table Mountain R895
- Shark Cage Diving R1850
- Sky-diving R3150 (including transportation)
- Hop-on, Hop-off Cape Town City Sightseeing Bus R170 daily
- Take a hike or cable car to the top of Table Mountain R275 (cable car)
- Surfing lessons R650 (including transportation)
- Experiencing fine wines and warm hospitality at Constantia and Stellenbosch wine farms R800
All prices are approximate and always subject to change
