In South Africa’s townships there are still far too few nursery schools that provide professional childcare. As a result, the children of employed township residents often spend many hours alone at home – this not only exposes them to many dangers, but also prevents their adequate support and development.

To change this, a non-profit organization near Cape Town has developed a holistic approach to create both more professional childcare facilities and more employment for local women: The organisation trains unemployed local women as nursery schoolteachers and supports them in setting up and managing their own nursery schools. Since the foundation of the organisation in 2005, 14 kindergartens have emerged from the training programme. More than 800 children are cared for here every day. Many, especially the recently established nursery schools, are in the home of the nursery schoolteacher and work in very cramped conditions. The more established kindergartens have managed to improve facilities and even have outdoor playing areas.

For many families, this project is an enormous enrichment: it creates training and income opportunities for unemployed women and thus contributes directly to poverty alleviation. By providing professional childcare services, more children in townships can be supported in their development at an early age. Hence, their chances of leaving the vicious circle of poverty and violence are increased many times over.

Volunteering in this project will give you he opportunity to work with children between 1 and 6 years and make a meaningful contribution to the enrichment of their lives. At the same time, you get a deep insight into the social and educational challenges of young children living in South Africa’s poorest communities and you will be able to collect plenty of experiences in early childhood development and pre-school education.

As a volunteer in this project you assist the teachers in all tasks to educate and care for the children. You can work with the babies and toddlers or with the group of 4 to 6 year olds who are prepared for school. Your tasks will include:

• Reading stories to children: inspire their love for reading;
• Sing, draw and craft with the children
• Dance or do other activities that promote motoric development
• Assist with the preschool program for the older children: deepen understanding of newly introduced concepts or skills.

You will be able to contribute your own ideas and you will also be able to run your own activities in smaller groups or individual children on selected days.

Working hours: Mon to Fri from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.

Total Costs for a 4-week Volunteer Placement in Township Nursery School in South Africa from 2.099 €

What is included:

• Costs for return flight*
• Costs for Health Insurance*
• Airport transfer from Cape Town International Airport to accommodation upon arrival and departure
• Accommodation in shared room in volunteer apartment
• Food**
• South African SIM Card
• Daily transport to and from Nursery School
• Internet at Accommodation
• 24/7 Support in cases of emergency
• Qualified support and advise around volunteer and internship placements in South Africa
• Processing of application documents, contracts as well as paperwork to get the programme accredited by your university
• Support with applications for scholarships or financial aid
• Support with all travel preparations (Flight, Visa, Insurances, Vaccinations, Transfer to the project etc.)
• 1-day orientation programme with city tour to introduce you to past and current achievements and challenges of South Africa’s young democracy
• Access to live&learn network in South Africa as well as contact to other participants before departure
• Competent contact persons in Cape Town to support you with all questions and problems while you are in South Africa
• Support with organising weekend
• Volunteer and/or internship confirmation for your CV

* Breakfast is provided at the accommodation, you cater for yourself for lunch and dinner, The average costs food are included in the calculation of total costs.

** You book your own flight and insurances so you can decide for the offer that best suits you. The average costs for a return flight from Europe are included in caculation of total costs.

Not included: Personal expenditure for spare time activities etc.