THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME

It is our belief that volunteer work does not only support the organisations we work with, but serves to enrich the lives of volunteers themselves. Working in community-based and non-profit organisations in South Africa provides volunteer with an opportunity of a lifetime to experience a different country, a unique culture, and another way of life, all while developing the skills needed to succeed in school or in the workplace.

Volunteer programmes are completely customised to the volunteer, meaning you may start at any point in the year provided registration is completed well in advance of the programme start date. After completion of a one-day seminar in preparation for living and working in South Africa, volunteers are accompanied to their organisation and introduced to the staff and supervisor. Atlantic Volunteers is then in touch with the volunteer regularly throughout their programme, and volunteers have the opportunity to attend monthly volunteer gatherings to share their experiences and meet other volunteers.

Atlantic Volunteers works with a variety of partner organisations in the Greater Cape Town Metropolis and surrounding areas. Below are examples of how volunteers support our partner organisations. While we mainly work with organisations dealing with community development, education, health / HIV/AIDS, mental health, refugees, and social work, your scope of work is not limited to this. In other words, in the event we do not offer an organisation that aligns with your interests, we will search outside of our partner organisations for one in a convenient location and suitable for your skills and interests.

Community Development

Empower small businesses with marketing and computer skills at a community development centre.  Care for children and support education programmes at a crèche that provides essential support for the local community.  Facilitate a school club in the building of a vegetable garden or the learning of healthy living and eating habits.

Education

Enhance a child’s reading skills and facilitate holiday enrichment programmes for a library.  Contribute your skills and passions to a school through the design and implementation of an after-school programme.  Assist teachers in a primary school serving children from local townships through classroom assistance and small group facilitation.

Health / HIV/AIDS

Provide administrative support to staff that train community health workers and provide HIV/AIDS information and resources.  Play and interact with children or provide administrative assistance at various departments in a dedicated children’s hospital.  Provide non-medial support to children and adults at a public hospital serving various Cape Town communities.

Mental health

Facilitate computer classes or help clients search for jobs at a community-based rehabilitation centre for people with psychiatric disabilities.  Promote the healing of survivors of violence and torture through individual and group sessions at a human rights organisation.  Field calls, facilitate groups, and provide administrative support for an organisation preventing sexual violence and empowering survivors.

Refugees

Tutor a child, help cook dinner, or facilitate special activities at a residential home serving African refugee children.  Translate a CV or help someone prepare for an interview at an employment help desk for newly arrived refugees.  Distribute food and clothes, help in the soup kitchen, or assist in the marketing of a refugee centre.

Social work

Facilitate support groups or help coordinate community outreach events for a developmental social service programme.  Serve as a social worker or childcare worker to promote the healthy development of youth at a children’s home for boys.  Design and implement an extra-curricular enrichment program or assist childcare and social workers at a children’s home for girls.

If you are 18 years of age or older, are planning to volunteer for six weeks or more, have a working knowledge of English, and are passionate about making a meaningful contribution to the South African community, we invite you to apply to volunteer with Atlantic Volunteers. If your needs go beyond volunteering, let Atlantic Volunteers design a customised internship programme for you. Additional materials required for application include a description of academic objectives, any relevant forms from the institution of study, name and contact information for your academic advisor, and any other relevant information.