Volunteer in Africa

•  Are you passionate about helping others?
• Would you like to use your energy and skills to make a difference
• in disadvantaged schools, orphanages, or civic centers in South Africa?
• Do you want to take a few weeks or months off, at the same time as exploring the many and varied tourist destinations that South Africa has to offer?
• Would you jump at the opportunity to volunteer in the province of Mpumalanga (“the land where the sun rises”) in English speaking South Africa?

South Africa is a country of dramatic change and optimism. It is in this context that The African Schoolroom operates. We offer:

Teaching opportunities and sabbaticals for teachers

Teachers’ expertise and skills are put to meaningful use in disadvantaged township or rural schools. Such schools face enormous challenges caused by inadequate facilities, insufficient resources and poverty; in spite of this, as one Swiss student teacher put it, “Die Lebensfreude der Kinder war unglaublich” (“the children’s joy for life was unbelievable”). Although the mother tongue of people living in the rural communities of Mpumalanga is Siswati or Zulu, the medium of instruction in the schools is English. A home stay with a local family, where you can eat and help prepare authentic local food and experience the colourful and vibrant aspects of township life, can be arranged. The great news about teaching in these schools is that no teaching experience or credential is needed. They are just happy to have you there.

Experiential education and gap year options

Through international travel, exposure to different cultures, by serving others, by learning to become responsible custodians of our Planet and by fostering a spirit of adventure, young people can be empowered to reach their full potential and become responsible and caring citizens of the future. We welcome school groups or individuals.

Not just for teachers!

Even if you’re not a teacher you can still volunteer at schools, orphanages, care centers for handicapped children, or help out with wildlife rehabilitation projects, peer youth projects and other cultural and development programs.