Volunteer in South Africa: Johannesburg

Although Johannesburg is a popular residential area for wealthier South Africans, the surrounding townships and rural areas display shocking images of poverty. This is especially true of Soweto, the most well-known and at the same time poorest township in South Africa. Give the children in Johannesburg some much-needed help as a volunteer in South Africa!

Orientation days in Johannesburg

After your arrival at Johannesburg airport, you will be collected by an employee from our partner organisation and brought to your accommodation. Over the next days, you will take part in various parts of the orientation, including an introduction to the following topics:

• South African customs and traditions
• Safety
• Health
• Internet
• General communication
• Money matters

You will also go on excursions, for example into the Soweto township, which will give you a first taste of South African culture before you begin to volunteer in South Africa. During the first weekend, you will have the chance to settle in and get used to your surroundings before you start volunteering on Monday in Soweto or Malelane.

Accommodation

As you volunteer in South Africa, you will live either directly on the project site (in a cottage with a bathroom and a fully-equipped kitchen) or with a host family, depending on the project. Participants usually sleep in shared rooms. This way, you will have the opportunity to get to know the South African township lifestyle first-hand as you volunteer in South Africa.

There’s no need to be afraid as a volunteer in South Africa – even if you are living and working in the township itself, the projects are safe-guarded around the clock.

Volunteer in South Africa - Johannesburg: Overview

• Activities: Depending on the project and your experience. You will work approximately 6-8 hours a day.
• Free Time: Usually 1-2 days each week, often at the weekend.
• Duration: 4.5 or 8.5 weeks.
• Application: At least 2 months before departure. We are happy to receive applications much earlier than this. Please note that flights during the time of the Fifa World Cup (June-July) are more expensive and quickly booked-out.
• Starting Dates: Every 1st Tuesday in the month.
• Practical Experience: Not necessary.
• Other: As you will be entering a completely new cultural region when you volunteer in South Africa, adaptability, flexibility, creativity, and independence are essential. The work can be physically demanding, but also psychologically and emotionally stressful – you must be aware of this.