Volunteer and Teach in Cape Town, South Africa

I feel I have gained a further understanding of different cultures and ways of living. It’s impacted me greatly and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to work with not only the kids but the teachers as well, who do such an amazing job, day in day out for these kids. Seeing how happy and grateful these people are for the smallest of things makes you realise how lucky you are and to be grateful for everything you have. If someone is hesitant on joining the program I would say I cannot recommend it enough, the local staff are so supportive and friendly if you have any concerns when you arrive. It’s all so worth it when you get there and you always make friends for life.

Volunteering here was one of my top moments. It was so amazing to be welcomed by everyone with open arms and happiness. The local team was beyond amazing and helpful for ever situation. The other volunteers were amazing and so very respectful. The kitchen staff made the best food and was always making sure everyone ate and had the right food.

I have gained so much from the experience. I learned more about myself such as my strengths and weaknesses. I also learned about different cultures and got to be apart of a different culture. I also stepped outside of my comfort zone and pushed myself to do new things.

Volunteering in Cape Town was one of the most meaningful and enriching experiences. From learning about the local culture and education system to building connections with the students at the schools and the people in the program, every moment offered deep insight and growth. The opportunity to engage directly with the community made the experience more impactful. Safety was never a concern—every aspect of the program felt completely secure. The local team went above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable and cared for. Transportation to and from our volunteer placements was always well-organised, and we always felt completely safe. The overall location of our accommodation in Muizenberg was great, being a short walk from everything we needed. Muizenberg felt extremely safe and had a great community vibe, which made it even easier to enjoy our downtime. Every activity we participated in outside of volunteering was incredibly well-planned and professionally run. There were never any issues, and we especially appreciated the variety of fun and engaging options available. As well as the layout of the communal living room and eating areas created a welcoming atmosphere where everyone could easily connect, relax, and spend time together. The local team’s local knowledge, the fun and engaging activities they organised, delicious meals, spotless cleaning services, and their general friendliness created a warm, welcoming environment. They were easy-going, full of energy, and a joy to be around, which made the entire experience 100 times better. The communication throughout the program was outstanding. The WhatsApp group chat was incredibly helpful as it kept us up to date with activity schedules, meal plans, transport times, and even shared group photos from activities/fun moments. It helped us stay organised, informed while also feeling connected as a team. Honestly, I cannot think of a single improvement for the local team. Everything was run so smoothly and efficiently; you could tell how much effort and care they put into the experience. I would 100% recommend this program to anyone. Everyone should take part in some form of volunteering during their life—the personal growth and perspective you gain are truly invaluable. I will forever cherish the memories made in Cape Town and am deeply grateful to IVHQ and the local team for creating such a powerful, fun and unforgettable experience.

I love seeing the kids everyday and experiencing so many amazing moments with the other volunteers! And seeing the township had a big impact on me. With volunteering, you learn so much about yourself. Be brave and open and just do it! You will meet people from all over the world and you have the chance for a once in a lifetime experience.

The local team is amazing and I have nothing but nice things to say about the volunteer coordinator and everyone involved. Also, I love being able to watch the kids personalities unfolding during their first month of school.

The program guide had every question answered I felt fully prepared for my journey before flying! The local team couldn’t have been more welcoming, helpful, and on top of everything! As soon as I landed I felt like I was a part of a new family. My impact may be small, but it all feels so worth while to have been there. I can take away with me so many of the things I’ve learned and share them with people back home. And now I’ve met people that I would like to continue to keep in touch with. Playing in the school yard with the kids I was helping was just awesome. They were bright friendly kids who taught me so much. I love the social aspect of both the volunteer house and the school. I was able to go into the schools and teach and then trade stories and experiences with the volunteers after. We all really connected in the experience and that was just as much an impact as being with the kids. If you’re thinking about it you’re halfway there. The program really lays everything out for you and helps give structure to a place away from home.

The local team was amazing, I felt safe, supported, and valued through the duration of my program. There aren't enough words to express the impact of this program. I left my heart with the kids and community I worked with and I'm grateful to have been a part of something so much bigger than myself and making any type of change, no matter how small. All around, I loved every minute of volunteering with the kids, building relationships with them and developing strong friendships with my fellow volunteers. One of the take aways from this trip was the resilience of the children from my placement. They have already lived through so much adversity but still have smiling faces everyday. There is still so much that can be offered to the kids in this program and I look forward to being able to continue work with the local team in the future. Do it! Step out of your comfort zone, do something "scary", take the leap... because it may lead to some of the happiest moments of your life.

I am 75 years old and felt completely accepted and supported by my fellow volunteers who were on average 19 year olds. This is the best way to travel, support the environment, the community and make a difference volunteering.

I was ready to take the leap and push myself out of my comfort zone. With IVHQ, doing that felt simple, doable, and very safe. They taught me how to be open to life and its experiences, opportunities and adventures. I never felt unsure of my decision thanks to the support and communication of their team. The local team helped me organize my add-ons and tours while I was there. I've never felt more free, and safe before, by myself. They made sure my experience was an unforgettable one. While there, I felt that the experience had shaped me, impacted me and changed me immediately. Nevertheless, it was until I got back home that I truly felt different. My volunteer experience is a medley of things, people, experiences, adventures, and one-of -a-kind moments. My perspective towards life itself has changed a lot. Before, I thought that change was possible; now, I know its just a matter of choosing to do so - deciding to make a change - making a promise and reminding oneself that we are all capable of doing so. Traveling alone reminded me that I am capable, strong and most importantly that even when we feel the world is big and everything seems so far away, I feel now that we are all connected in more ways than we might think. There are no limits when it comes to making a change. There are no excuses to postpone adventures, happiness or lending a hand to someone in need.

The IVHQ guidance and preparation was very detailed and easy to follow, responses were prompt and helpful. And thanks to the local team for the conscientious effort in ensuring our safety and comfort during our stay! I love the time spent with the children during the teaching, childcare and holiday program. Looking at the happy faces of the kids during the activities, games, mealtimes and receiving presents for Christmas. Seeing the courage and resilience the children have towards life despite their circumstances made me reflect a lot about the things that really mattered in life. It also helped me to appreciate life and all that I have. This trip has developed a desire to serve the people around me. You do not need to have it all together to start volunteering, even if it is just curiosity, it is a good opportunity to learn, to explore and to make a difference in the life of others.

Before my trip I have thought a lot about the possible impact I could make as a volunteer teacher for "only" three weeks. But after my trip I can say that the work IVHQ and the local partners do is incredible. Even if it is only a short amount of time I spent with the kids, I definitely think I could make a positive impact. The local team in Cape Town South Africa was amazing. They supported me in all my wishes. They were extremely flexible, helpful and friendly. My favourite moment from the volunteer experience was when I was able to explain maths to a third grader and she really understood it. After seeing under which circumstances the kids live and learn, I can appreciate more what I already have and maybe even try to make their situation better in the future.

Hello! I am a 21 year old Lebanese girl and I volunteered with IVHQ in Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa for the Teaching Program for a duration of two weeks. I assisted the Grade R teacher at Steenberg Primary School. My daily tasks would include playing with the kids outside, assisting them doing their colour/numbers/writing work, helping them doing puzzles, play with blocks, tell them stories, or help with athletics. I had to cut fruits for them at the end of the day. All the volunteers were always picked up from the accommodation to the school in the morning and then dropped home from the school at the end of their program by a driver working with the local team. My room in the accommodation consisted of three bunk beds with three big closets. We were 4 to 6 girls in the room. The staff's room was right next to ours and the boys' room was in front of ours. The boy's room consisted of 3 bunk beds as well. We had a toilet for boys, and another for girls with western toilets and showers. The kitchen had many shelves and we were able to keep our food there in case we bought any. On week days, three meals were included in our program fee. The food was mostly carbs oriented, but we were welcome to complement it with proteins or vegetables from the supermarket which is 5 min away by walk. Also, the people with specific diet requirements had their own food cooked for them. The food was enough for everyone. A living room with three couches was right next to the rooms and was a great place to chill with other volunteers. The local team was very nice and always greeting us with a smile. They knew each one of us and would always ask if we are happy. This volunteering accommodation really felt like home for my two week stay. Outside volunteering hours, the volunteers are welcome to enjoy the city and go sightseeing. Cape Town really has a endless list of touristic attractions! From shark cage diving, to crocodile cage diving, to seal snorkeling, penguins, safaris, hikes... You won't stop touring! I even did skydiving and it was a lifetime experience. I personally hiked Elephant's Eye hike and Table Mountain and those two offer amazing landscape sceneries with hidden gems along the way. Also, the Muizenberg beach is just a 5 min walk (or even less depending on your accommodation), and it is one of the most recommended places to surf in South Africa! If you get ever the chance to volunteer there with IVHQ, never miss this opportunity, it is a life changing experience!

When I arrived here, I found some volunteers working in the area. And I have been teaching in the school for about 8 years now. But since the volunteer group arrived here, it's been an asset for about 5 or 6 years. Each volunteer has a different skill. Each one has a different talent. And we try to utilize that for the benefit of the school. Since we've seen these volunteers, we've welcomed them with open arms and open doors. We have an open door policy. There's been an improvement in the kids as a whole and with regard to their performances. We utilize them for reading English, the PT, and other activities too. And they've really been an asset to the school. Secondly, the attendance have improved. The kids love being here when the volunteers are here.

I googled volunteering in South Africa Cause my dad was born in Cape Town and I always knew I wanted to volunteer in SA. The first thing that popped up was IVHQ. I have been here for four weeks now and my program is for 16 weeks. And I absolutely love it. It's exceeded all my expectations. It's absolutely amazing. It's the only way I can describe it. There is no typical day in the life of an IVHQ person. Everyday brings its own challenge and is very unique. But I wake up around 7 everyday. I get picked up at 8:30 and we get to school around 9. I come into class and I say Good Morning, class! Either we're teaching Afrikaans, or Maths, or English. I assist mostly with the English lessons. I can do also do the Maths but they teach Maths in Afrikaans and that is not one of my fortes. And yeah, we have intervals. We have two intervals each day. Then we come back, have the second one, and continue with our lessons. Then we go home at around 2 or 2:30. Future volunteer need to keep your mind open to anything. Because a lot of people come here with like preconceived notions of what they're gonna do, and what they're gonna be involved with. They can be very very different from what you expect. Not in a bad way, just in a new way. And I've learned so much about myself as well as like what I wanna do in the future in the first four weeks that I never thought that I ever get to know. So it's very mind opening, I would say. So just keep an open mind. I just graduated from Queen's College. I have a degree in Political Science and a minor in Philosophy. Right now I'm still figuring out what I wanna do. Ideally I wanna work for the UN but I'm still figuring it out. So right now I just really wanted to volunteer and broaden my horizon as best as I can before I settle down and get a job.

I have done two Ivhq programs and I loved them both for different reasons. What I loved about cape town it was so easy to get everything done and see it all on a budget. But why I loved this program is the school. I placed at Christian David Elementary in second grade. I insistly connected with the students and the teacher. I still keep in touch with the teacher to this day. This experience is more worth it than you know!