Volunteer in Sports Development in Cape Town, South Africa

I had a great experience with IVHQ. Their support team was amazing from the beginning very helpful, patient, and always quick to respond to my messages. Even when I needed to double-check every small detail, they were understanding and made sure I felt confident and prepared. I also really appreciated that I could call them whenever I needed clearer answers or extra reassurance. Another thing that stood out to me was the quality of the local team they work with. IVHQ connected me with amazing locals who were welcoming, professional, and truly made the experience meaningful. It felt like they carefully choose the right people and organizations to make sure volunteers are supported and can have a real impact. Overall, IVHQ made the whole process smooth, clear, and trustworthy. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a well-organized volunteer experience with great support and reliable local partners.

From the beginning, I felt very prepared and confident that I was going to be taken care of. The local team did such an amazing job and were always available for support and guidance. Meeting people from all around the world and being able to have the experience with them was my favourite part of the program. Experiencing a new culture and being able to have fun with the kids everyday was a blast! I felt that I made at least a small difference in some of the kids lives everyday. Volunteering is such an amazing opportunity that you won’t regret.

The website was very helpful with preparing for the trip, and they listed everything I needed and more. The local team was amazing and always helpful when we needed, and made sure we all had a good time. I felt like I was able to really connect with the kids, playing sports with them was a great time. The house was amazing, the other people there were awesome, it felt like one big family. The best moment was teaching the kids how to play basketball, which for most of them was a game they had never tried before. This was definitely a humbling experience, made me feel like I was part of something bigger than myself. That was a great experience and way more fun than I was expecting.

My third day of the program was when I felt fully immersed in what I was doing. The kids I was working with asked me to play soccer with them and from that moment on every break period we had was spent playing with those same 10 kids. I truly felt a connection with them. I love seeing how much the kids want to be with volunteers. You expect going in to help in many ways but I was not expecting to be so welcomed by the kids and for them to not shy away from introducing themselves. Make the leap into the unknown. The experience is one of a kind and you get out of it what you put into it.

Spending time with the kids while learning about their lives was my favorite part of my experience. Seeing the township and gaining an understanding of how people's lives are impacted by the apartheid and racism was very impactful on me. If you are unsure about volunteering, remember that you won't learn about the world if you don't meet the people.

I love telling the children stories and how engaged they were listening to them during my stay in South Africa with IVHQ. Seeing the difference in children’s life’s compared to the UK was very impactful on me.

Volunteering in South Africa is hands down the best thing i did in my life. my trip was unforgettable because of the kids, and the culture. Engaging with the locals on a daily basis, and even working with them was just life changing, and it made me grow up as a person and understand more about the world. IVHQ team were not only supportive and helpful, but also flexible and fun. Regarding accommodation, it was surprisingly super comfy and the food was good. Definitely going to volunteer next year with IVHQ.

I couldn’t be happier about my volunteer trip to South Africa. The entire trip was simply put, absolutely amazing. The kids I was allowed to work with brought me more smiles than I’ve ever had. They taught me so much and are so such strong little souls especially knowing what they have been through. The entire experience completely opened my eyes. On top of the great volunteer program I was able to meet other friends who I have remained in contact with and am planning to travel again with. We were also allowed so much independence that I was also allowed to explore the country on my time while not volunteering which made my trip even better. From the second I even began emailing IVHQ they helped me with every single step along the way in a timely manner. Even when I got to my program in Africa they were also willing to accommodate every need/desire that I could ask for. I would highly recommend going through this program to anyone who asks.

Photos