Orphans Volunteer Programs in Africa

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 155,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back; it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

This is an ideal volunteer opportunity for individuals who love spending time with children. Join this project and work at a free preschool attended by underprivileged children, particularly those who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. The daycare centers provide them with a safe shelter, two nutritious meals per day, early years education, and the promise of a better future. As a volunteer, you will take on a varied role that includes working alongside the local staff, accompanying children in the playground and during mealtimes, and participating in regular activities. You will help teachers implement the curriculum as well as organize craft sessions. You will also support primary children from a sponsorship program with their homework. No specific skills are required for this project, but enthusiasm and energy are important for working with children. Those with previous teaching experience are highly valued as the teachers need support with delivery of the curriculum. Bring your stories, games and songs, and bring joy to the classrooms.

The Real Uganda's volunteers assist our partners with a variety of classroom activities. Because local education is largely by rote, we want volunteers to feed these hungry little brains! Volunteers create interactive learning experiences and provide children with a loving and creative environment. Volunteers choose the age and topics to teach. Lesson plans are created based on student interest and national curriculum. Arts and crafts, sport, team building, and public health are popular. The aim is to encourage team work, fun, creativity, literacy, and general knowledge. This is a challenging and rewarding program for volunteers experienced in organizing children, such as camp counselors, day care workers, and people who generally love kids. Bring your games, songs, and enthusiasm to the village! Other activities such as women empowerment and community gardening may be on offer by the host organization. Volunteers should dig in and try everything. The exchange of ideas and culture is highly valued in Uganda. School terms vary annually but generally fall within these dates: • Feb 1 to Apr 30 • May 1 to Aug 15 • Sept 15 to Nov 30

Gain practical social work experience during this exciting internship program in Cape Town, South Africa. You'll be part of a community center in Masiphumelele, a township on the outskirts of the city that provides a safe and stimulating space for up to a hundred children every afternoon. Many of these children have experienced different levels of trauma, and as an intern, you'll assist the program in providing stimulating activities and counseling sessions for groups of children when needed. This internship is a great opportunity for getting practical experience in social work while supporting an important social development program. Your tasks will include offering individual or group counseling sessions to children with troubled backgrounds; helping create stimulating, educative, and fun activities for the children in the aftercare program; and helping cook for and feed the children at the center, among others. Preferably you'll have an academic background or experience in sociology, social work, community development, education, pedagogy, or something similar.

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Explore Southeast Asia on a 10-week journey through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam—where travel becomes transformation. Volunteer at ethical elephant sanctuaries, trek to remote mountain villages, explore ancient temples, and engage with communities through meaningful, culturally respectful exchange. This program combines adventure, service, and immersion to help you grow personally and globally. Learn traditional crafts, share meals with host families, and experience resilience and hospitality in every community. Conservation work, ethical travel practices, and local partnerships ensure your impact is responsible and real. With leadership training, guided reflection, and mentorship built into the experience, you'll return more confident, connected, and prepared for what’s next. Whether you're taking a gap year, earning credit, building your resume, or seeking clarity and purpose, this journey meets you where you are—and helps you grow beyond it. Travel deeper. Grow bolder. Reach out to Learn More!

Make a difference while experiencing one of the most breathtaking cities in the world! Connect-123’s volunteer program in Cape Town matches you with projects that align with your unique skills, passions, and goals—allowing you to give back while gaining valuable experience. Our network includes NGOs, schools, clinics, community programs, and animal refuges, offering opportunities in healthcare, education, youth mentoring, conservation, social services, and more. Whether you’re supporting underprivileged youth, helping at a public hospital, or protecting local wildlife, you’ll play a meaningful role in projects that truly matter. Outside of your volunteer placement, Cape Town offers endless adventures—from hiking Table Mountain and exploring vineyards to discovering local markets and vibrant cultural events. Our on-the-ground team is here year-round to guide and support you every step of the way, from customizing your placement to helping you settle in and make the most of your time in South Africa. With flexible start dates and customizable program lengths, your life-changing volunteer experience in Cape Town begins on your schedule.

Contribute to the Sports Development Project in the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly called Swaziland), and help improve the well-being of disadvantaged children in semi-rural communities through games and sport. The program aims to foster development among these kids by helping them get fit, healthy, focused, and stimulated — all while building their confidence through physical activities. The project was established in response to a need in the tiny but lovely Kingdom. Poverty and high levels of unemployment plague the country, leaving few opportunities to keep children engaged. This boredom can lead to antisocial activities, which are addressed by games and sports that hold the potential of improving the lives of disadvantaged children. During the mornings, volunteers help arrange physical activities and games for vulnerable and orphaned children aged 3-6, who are beneficiaries of the Neighbourhood Care Points (NCPs in the Ezulwini valley. In the afternoons, volunteers help out at homework club and computer club for primary school children. There may also be an opportunity for program participants to coach and play various sports with older children at the local sports centre.

Join our volunteer program in Kisumu, Kenya, where you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of women affected by HIV through a transformative tailoring initiative. Volunteers will support women in learning vital skills, from sewing to entrepreneurship, while also helping improve their business and financial literacy. You'll engage in hands-on activities, such as assisting with sewing, taking photos of products, and contributing creative ideas to enhance designs. Volunteers can also train women on financial management, online marketing, and pricing strategies, empowering them to create sustainable businesses. This program offers a unique chance to not only learn and grow alongside these resilient women but also be part of a lasting social change in a community in need.

Volunteer with us at the Umoja Foundation Group and contribute your skills and energy to a cause that truly matters. We believe in the power of cultural exchange and collaboration, fostering an environment where volunteers can learn and grow alongside the local community. Our projects are driven by the needs and aspirations of the local people, and we seek dedicated volunteers who are open-minded, adaptable, and willing to learn. Whether you have experience in education, healthcare, community development, or simply a desire to help, we have a place for you. Volunteering with the Umoja Foundation Group will give you a deeper understanding of different cultures and perspectives while contributing to positive change. You'll work alongside our experienced team to support existing initiatives and learn from our community. If you're passionate about making a difference and are eager to broaden your horizons, we encourage you to join us and become an agent of positive change, locally and globally.

We arrange volunteering and internship placements in teaching and childcare at various schools and kindergartens in Zanzibar. The Heroes Community Academy, a private school by an NGO, offers higher education standards than government schools. The school serves 180 students aged 2-15. There are also 12 children with intellectual disabilities who can be engaged in informal learning. Volunteers assist with teaching, activities, and NGO initiatives like farming, workshops, and job placement. Run by the Anglican Church in Zanzibar’s historic district, the St. Monica Kindergarten & Primary School includes a kindergarten and primary/secondary levels. School hours vary, and volunteers can help with both classroom and administrative tasks. Classes are mainly in English, making it easy for volunteers to assist. Located in Mangapwani, Montessori Kindergarten & Primary School accommodates 50 kindergarteners, 60 primary students, and 20 boarding children. Teaching is in English, with a focus on playful learning. Volunteers engage in classroom activities and organize recreational and educational programs. Boarding students, housed for social reasons, are supported by school fees.

Join the Kiara Street Children Foundation at Hope House in Mbarara, Uganda, an initiative dedicated to transforming the lives of street children and disadvantaged young girls. The foundation operates from Hope House, an orphanage that currently shelters over 30 children, some of whom come from vulnerable backgrounds. Volunteers play a crucial role in various outreach activities, providing essential services such as healthcare, education, and life skills training. In this capacity, volunteers will actively participate in the foundation's daily operations and developmental activities, which include locating street children, prioritizing their education, and providing necessary medical care. Tailored roles are available, ranging from medical professionals (doctors and nurses) to educators and counselors. Volunteers also have the opportunity to teach singing and dancing, thereby enriching the creativity of the children. This program provides an opportunity to contribute to a project that not only addresses immediate needs but also equips children with the skills necessary for a sustainable future.

Teach, Create, and Inspire with our Non-Profit in Kisumu, Kenya! In Kisumu, many children face limited access to quality education and enrichment opportunities. Poverty, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of resources mean students often struggle to reach their full potential. At Better Me, we partner with local schools and community programs—such as Korando Educational Center, Kisumu Children’s Remand Home, and our Mobile Library in the Nyalenda slums—to change that story. As a Better Me volunteer, you’ll support after-school activities in English, Creative Arts, Music, Swimming, and Physical Education. Whether you’re helping children build language skills, sparking creativity, or encouraging physical activity, your efforts will nurture abilities and confidence that last a lifetime. You’ll work with different age groups while collaborating with local educators to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences. This is your chance to bring in your own ideas, gain real teaching experience, and grow personally through cultural exchange, community, and unforgettable memories. Come join us!

Travel to Kenya, where you will share your time and skills with the natives of a diverse country in the heart of the savannah! Go Volunteer Africa offers volunteering opportunities for people passionate about impacting the lives of people from local communities. Participate in any of our projects during a summer trip with your family or in a gap year. Use your skills and talents to improve the lives of orphans, youth, and the underprivileged while immersing yourself in the customs and culture of Kenyans. Choose from various projects, such as health, safari volunteering, community development, medical, childcare, teaching, and environment, offered in collaboration with local partner NGOs. Your time spent with a local community will make a real difference in the lives of its members. You won’t just work in Kenya. You will also experience its beauty and diversity in various ways than any other travel opportunity. We have an exciting, action-packed adventure in store! Volunteers in Kenya must be at least 18 years old to participate.

Kenya is an enchanting East African country that spans both sides of the equator. Its incredible diversity of wildlife, landscapes, and cultures make it a great destination for volunteering. Our volunteer projects in Kenya are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a gap year, career break, or summer vacation. Projects Abroad offers Teaching, Care, Conservation & Environment, and Medicine & Healthcare projects in the town of Nanyuki. All Projects Abroad volunteers in Kenya live with local host families. This allows you to experience Kenya from a local’s perspective - a very different world from the often luxurious hotels of the safari industry.

Our Generation Voluntary Organisation offers placements at orphanages and care centers in Ghana, where volunteers are assigned to different duties on a rotational basis. Spend time providing friendship to both orphans and children in larger communities. Volunteers help orphans organize activities, hear their life stories, and serve as mentors. They are expected to teach children a variety of subjects, including English, Math, and Science, and guide them in acquiring life skills like proper hygiene and doing a range of home chores. There are no special qualifications needed for one to become a volunteer in an orphanage, but the key is to have love and care for children, and most of all, a willingness to share their time and space, as well as compassion, with patience and flexibility.

Help save lives in Uganda by volunteering with our nonprofit organization. We aim to reach marginalized children and youths such as orphans, school dropouts, refugees, and members of poverty-stricken families. Today, we bring together over 300 children from the outskirt districts of Kampala, Mubende, Kasanda, Wakiso, Luwero, and West Nile regions to provide them with necessities: education, shelter, food, clothing, and health care. Share your time, skills, and talents to make a tremendous difference in the lives of underprivileged children and youths. This volunteer program empowers young Ugandans through education. Your role involves teaching nursery and primary classes, assisting children with their daily tasks, providing administration support, fundraising, writing, and carrying out activities in your areas of interest. We offer volunteers comfortable accommodation, tasty local food, assistance, and an introduction to the local culture.

Share your music knowledge alongside a team of passionate musicians with local youth in the small town of Mbarara, Uganda. You will have the opportunity to facilitate music lessons one-on-one, with groups, and in local communities. Lessons are hosted at the Living Music Foundation (LMF) center and also in different communities for multi-day trainings and performances. These lessons and trainings open up the opportunity for students to experience the transformative nature of music who would not have the chance otherwise. You will be able to get involved in the community through these music lessons and also through living with a local host family. The LMF staff and your family will warmly welcome you into the community by showing you around and including you as part of the extended family. You will make lifelong memories of sharing your passion for music—and lifelong friends, too!