Volunteer in South Africa: reviews

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First day: Orientation Day This day — a kind of introduction for newcomers. Program representatives explained in detail the local rules, traditions, and future volunteer duties, and they also organized a 2-hour tour of central Cape Town for us. Note of the day: One local said: «Don’t try to understand our life, just accept the fact that this is how we live». It was surprising to hear that statement! The country is in a drought; they save literally every drop of water. I don’t know about tourists, but for locals and those who come here to work there is a 2-minute rule. Guess what it is? Yes, it’s the maximum shower duration.

Second day: Getting to know the school Since the program sponsor offers very different volunteer projects, from working in a reserve to working in a local clinic, I should say a few words about my duties — it was caring for children. In my case that meant working from 9:00 to 14:00 at a local school. But honestly, this “job” wasn’t difficult for me; all that was needed was to be the main teacher’s helper, who could leave the classroom at any time (for example, to organize lunch); during that time you had to entertain, teach, and organize the children. I had little ones, but in English they spoke better than many average Russian schoolchildren. That day we teamed up with the guys from the hostel and went to my first Cape Town beach, Camps Bay.

Third and fourth day: Work time, experience time Every day, when work finished, there was still a whole day left to get to know the city better. But unfortunately, there isn’t the same freedom of movement here as, for example, at home. Yes, it’s safe here only to take Uber and to walk in a group of at least four people, especially if you are a woman. Note of the day: The school isn’t equipped with the latest technology, but the atmosphere (many children’s artworks, displays in the corridor, drawings on the walls, polite staff) solved everything. Each child had a lunchbox with a snack, and at a set time all the children sit down and eat together what their parents packed for them, praying before the meal. Teachers called me not by my name, but «Учитель» (Teacher). In this school I was the first assistant teacher from Russia; for them it was a novelty — most volunteers come here from Germany and Switzerland.

Sixth-eighth day: On weekends you need to organize yourself, since there is no work; everyone looks for a chance to travel or have a good time. On weekends the hostel turns into an empty house. I went on a 3-day trip, visiting places such as Stellenbosch, Cape Agulhas, Cape of Good Hope. Travel note The second sun on the planet is here — their own — and it doesn’t warm, it burns. There is no sense of time (“African Time”) — none of the locals will tell you «Встречаемся в 20:15», they will say “See you soon, I’m on my way!” and you might wait from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and that’s normal! P.S. The locals have the word «UBUNTU», which means “to give without expecting anything in return”. A good word!

Next week: The last The second week flew by and every day counted. More and more attachment and love for the children, less and less time to see new places. I forgot to say that knowledge of English here is the only thing that helps you fit in and opens up many opportunities for new discoveries. Who would I recommend this trip to? If you want to immerse yourself in an entirely new culture, see two oceans with your own eyes at the same time, and touch the locals’ history. If you are ready to help other people, have a good level of English, and also have the time and means to travel, then this experience is for you!«

Polina, Perm.

«Travel changes people, it makes a person think in a completely different way and see things differently. And that’s a fact. Cape Town definitely turned my life upside down. And most importantly, it made me fall in love, as I was told. Cape Town draws you in and doesn’t let go, it comes to you in your dreams, you think about it and dream of returning there as soon as possible. And I will return! Definitely.»

Mikhail, Kaliningrad.