The township schools on the outskirts of Cape Town are known for their ill-equipped classrooms and facilities. This project aims to serve the community not only through physical education but through improved access to health care, building projects, and sports teams. Between 2008 and 2009, volunteers working on these projects have contributed over 7,500 hours to child development in Cape Town. In addition, the volunteer program fees have helped pay for children’s school fees through a local sponsorship program and for the rebuilding of homes throughout the township.

This particular project works hard to improve children’s physical well-being and create positive change in children’s lives through sports coaching and teambuilding. Besides coaching and providing physical education, volunteers have the opportunity to be involved in the development of rural pre-schools and community building.

Volunteering as a Sports Coach in South Africa

This is a dynamic, exciting project with loads of opportunities to really make an impact in the lives of communities and individuals you come into contact with. Volunteers on this project make an invaluable contribution to both community and sports development in Cape Town, through township sports coaching and physical education. Thus, making a meaningful difference while improving a child’s physical wellbeing!

The project focuses on child development by supporting and advocating physical education. You will spend your mornings teaching PE lessons at the local Masiphumelele primary school and your afternoons involved in a variety of other exciting community initiatives.

The Masiphumelele Primary School: The primary school has over 1300 students and up to 49 pupils per class. The school is situated in the township of Masiphumelele and educates children of 7 to 15 years of age and range from grades 1st to 7^th grade. Everyday, each grade spends 30 minutes participating in physical education lessons. Volunteers will be responsible for assisting teachers and promoting physical education.

Physical Education Lessons and Good Sport: The Good Sport concept is a true development model that starts from the bottom up – by reaching every child they create a very strong foundation for future success in all sporting codes. Good Sport works on speed, agility and quickness models, as well as team sports such as rugby, football, netball and cricket. In the morning, they run physical education classes and their after school programs consist of team sports.

Physical Education lessons run for 30mins each day, from 8.30am until 12.30, with each grade sending two classes at a time.

Soccer/Football Coaching:  Soccer coaching was inspired by a local from Masiphumelele, who single-handedly trains and coaches 5 youth football teams! Thomas has been involved with his teams for over 9 years and has reared his under 17’s to be top of the local league, despite having minimal facilities or equipment. Although the football coaching is very rural and grass-roots, Thomas is an extremely dedicated individual whose passion rubs off on his enthusiastic and football fanatical boys! Volunteers will assist Thomas in coaching the various teams and contribute to sports development in an underprivileged township.
 

Once you have completed your work at the schools in the mornings, you will spend your afternoons helping out on a number of different initiatives within the local community. Some of these projects are outlined below:

1) Building and Painting Schools: Schools in the Cape Town townships deal with a great shortage of classrooms and facilities, which ultimately limits the number of children they can effectively educate. As a volunteer, you will assist with fixing fences and windows, and rebuilding and painting classrooms. This project will also involve collecting trash around the community to improve the overall environment.

2) After-school Care: Volunteers will assist with providing a stable environment for the students after-school. Activities include games, reading, music, art, and other forms of active engagement.

3) Masiphumelele Library: The community is blessed with quite a resourceful library and great surrounding facilities. The library offers many services to the community, which is partly thanks to the project’s volunteers. Existing programs are mainly kept running by volunteers. Some offerings include arts and crafts, puzzles, literacy programs, homework clubs and math clubs.

4) HIV and AIDS Orphanage: Volunteers spend valuable time with children affected by HIV/AIDS while supervising homework and playing educational games.

5) Mini Farming Projects: Local preschools have started to grow their own food. You may have the opportunity to help with a school's vegetable garden or even building an underground drainage system to save on water irrigation.

Location & Accomodation

Cape Town, South Africa. Red Hill and Masiphumelele are townships, but both are safe and peaceful with wonderful people. Our partners and associates have been working in these communities for many years and have built solid relationships and trust.

Volunteers will stay in a fully furnished house situated in the rustic town of Noordhoek. The house is on a private and secure property which is comfortable, spacious, and within easy walking distance of a shopping. It is also staffed with a cook and cleaner and each room has an on-suite bathroom. Other facilities include satellite television and a lock-up safe for your valuables. You will share your room with up to 3 other volunteers and while all bedding is provided, you will need to bring your own towels.
 

Meals

You will be provided with three meals a day. Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis consisting of cereals, porridge, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner will be cooked or prepared for you by one of our chefs at your volunteer house. On weekends you will need to cook your own meals (we will provide ingredients) as our staff need to have time off. Weekends are a great time for tourist activities and getting out and about to explore the surrounding area.

Age & Required Experience

Volunteers do not require any previous coaching experience in order to join this program. We welcome both experienced and qualified volunteers, as well as those who just have a keen interest in sports! Minimum age limit is 18 years old

Orientation

Upon arrival at our project base on the outskirts of Cape Town, all volunteers are involved in a comprehensive orientation programme, which is included in your fee. This is facilitated by your Project Manager and entails:

• An introduction to the city of Cape Town and surrounding Cape Peninsula, as well as the communities you will be working in.
• An introduction to all of our Cape Town projects. Not only will you see where you will be working, you will also see where your fellow volunteers will be spending their days.
• Volunteers will also receive our detailed "Welcome Pack", which will contain further information for your time with us

Project Support

Throughout your placement you will have the support and guidance of our experienced Volunteer Coordinators, who will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance.

Getting There & Travel Opportunities

One of our representatives will meet you at the airport upon your arrival in Cape Town, they will take you to your volunteer base in Fish Hoek.

Travel opportunites can be arranged for you at an additional cost. Here are a few things you may want to see whilst in South Africa:

Vivacious Cape Town is one of the most stunning cities on the globe. It is the home to the heritage site of Nelson Mandela’s prison home, Robben Island; it is the gateway to the stunning Western Cape wine lands; and boasts magnificent beaches, amongst other spectacular highlights. 

The "Wild Coast" along the eastern frontier of South Africa is a collection of unrivalled surf spots ,beautiful beaches and cultural stops that will intrigue even the most seasoned traveler, endearing this land to you . The Aquila private game reserve – a "Big 5" reserve situated 2 hours drive out of Cape Town.

What's Included?

• Project Fee: this financing goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This fee facilitates funding for items such as medical supplies, building materials, equipment, etc. Project fees are also used to buy vehicles / equipment for the project, and for developing new housing for volunteers to provide for the expansion of the project
• All airport transfers from Cape Town International Airport upon arrival and departure
• Comprehensive orientation program
• All daily transfers to and from your projects during your stay
• Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day at our volunteer house
• Weekly laundry service during your stay
• Assistance in your projects by various experienced staff and Project Managers

Project Travel Highlights included in your placement:

A visit to Cape Point, situated within the Southern Section of Table Mountain National Park which is globally recognized for its extraordinarily rich, diverse and unique fauna and flora - with rugged cliffs, steep slopes and sandy flats!

A trip to Boulders Beach, home to a growing colony of the vulnerable African Penguin. Wooden walkways allow visitors to view the penguins in their natural habitat, and visitors will love the penguins and their antics. Also a safe and enjoyable swimming or snorkeling spot.

A visit to the summit of Table Mountain where you will find the best views of Cape Town. The Cableway takes you to the summit in under 10 minutes and the cable car's rotating floor ensures that all passengers get a 360 degree aerial view of the city.

What is not Included?

• Travel or medical insurance- it must be fully comprehensive and inclusive
• All transport by air or bus to Cape Town
• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other) 
• E-mail / Internet and telephone calls
• Soft drinks, wines and spirits
• All visas for border crossings
• Any excursions over-and-above what is included in your project placement