Help provide community childcare for children from underprivileged backgrounds in South Africa
South Africa is an exciting destination for a gap year abroad and this childcare volunteer project gives you the opportunity to support community development in the spectacular scenery of the Western Cape. This area is internationally renowned for its beautiful mountain scenery and world class wines, but local families often struggle against social and economic hardships.
GapGuru works with a community childcare organisation, which aims to address the social problems facing underprivileged rural communities in South Africa. Unemployment and alcoholism have combined to cause a number of child welfare issues in the area and your volunteer work can help care for children suffering from neglect. This community-based project gives local children the chance to learn and play in a supportive environment.
Gap year volunteer role: Volunteers work in crèches, play schools and day centres in local farming communities, where they assist carers with daily tasks and help to supervise and entertain the children. As a childcare volunteer in South Africa you are encouraged to play with the children and stimulate them by sharing music, art, stories and games.
Local children are always delighted to see new faces and gap year volunteers can help these chronically under-staffed centres to provide special one-on-one attention that the children would otherwise miss out on. On this community development project there are also opportunities to get involved with teaching, running sports activities and assisting feeding schemes for local families.
Your gap year experience: This community childcare project offers a varied and rewarding experience for your gap year in South Africa. Your contribution can have a lasting impact on the development of children who are in desperate need of support, affection and companionship. The volunteer work is ideal for anyone interested in working with children and the role can be adapted to your own skills and interests.
The winelands region of the Western Cape is a cosmopolitan tourist destination and those taking part in this childcare volunteering project may be surprised by the juxtaposition of absolute wealth and third world social issues.
Although gap year volunteers work side-by-side with disadvantaged local families, they are based only 40 minutes from the captivating city of Cape Town. As a volunteer in South Africa you will also be within easy reach of the historic town of Stellenbosch and the coastal town of Strand.