Volunteer South Africa offers placement options
including working with children in a local school or crèche, environmental projects
or a placement at a wildlife sanctuary.
If you’d like to be a volunteer overseas on a short-term basis, Volunteer South
Africa offers you the chance to spend five to seventeen weeks working
on a project in or near Cape Town. This is an exciting opportunity for you to live
in and experience South Africa first-hand. You’ll also gain many personal benefits,
valuable new skills to add to your résumé and feel a real sense of satisfaction
and achievement.
Volunteer South Africa Eligibility
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To be eligible for volunteer work in South Africa you must be:
- aged 18-35 at the time of travel
- a current university student or recent graduate
- a US citizen.
You also need to be an enthusiastic, energetic self-starter and able to live and
work in a rural community with which you may not be familiar. Previous work/volunteering
abroad experience is preferable.
Accommodation and Placements
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There are eight main areas of placement for the Volunteer South Africa program.
These are: Environment Conservation, Wildlife, Health, Sports, Summer 'theme' camps,
Housing construction, Education and Social Welfare. The working week is normally
five days and you can expect to work for between 30-40 hours per week. Placements
are unpaid and last for 5-17 weeks with one week’s welcome orientation given by
SASTS, the South African Students Travel Service and program sponsor.
Accommodation and meals are included as part of your volunteering placement and
are covered by the program costs. Participants live either in accommodation provided
by the employer or in a homestay, with a room in a local family home.
Flights and Arrival
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There are weekly arrival dates for the volunteer in Africa program. You may specify
the month you wish to travel and once you are accepted on to the program, BUNAC
provides you with the available arrival dates. The cost of the flight is not included
in the program fee. You are responsible for your own travel arrangements to and
from Cape Town on the designated arrival dates
Volunteer South Africa Costs
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The program costs for Volunteer South Africa start at $2,030 for most of
the five week placement options. Wildlife and longer term placements cost more.
Please call BUNAC on: 1-800-462-8622 or email
volunteer@bunacusa.org if you need further information on costs and for
cancellation conditions.
Fees generally cover administration in the US and overseas, placement expenses,
transfer from the airport to the hostel, arrival orientation including accommodation,
transport to and from the project and food and accommodation for the duration of
your placement. You are also entitled to any necessary help and support from BUNAC’s
volunteer partner organization in South Africa.
You must submit a money order or cashier’s check for the initial payment of $460
with your initial application. You are required to send in the payment balance at
Step 2.
How to Apply
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To apply to Volunteer South Africa, please submit your initial application
for Volunteer South Africa using the Work Abroad Application
Form. Please ensure you send all the additional information as listed on the checklist
and the $460 registration fee. Download the Volunteer South Africa Application
Form, or request a volunteer brochure.
Once your application is approved, we will send you the Step 2 information and further
information via e-mail on how to proceed.