Community and Infrastructure Support

About the program

Much of the work and projects relate to helping the overcrowded community of Imizano Yethu township where most of the residents live in makeshift iron shacks (some Westerners would call these – slums)sharing communal taps and toilets with hundreds of neighbors, where the roads are pot-holed and where the basic infrastructure is run-down. The projects will vary depending on weather conditions, the number of volunteers, and the projects’ needs. Volunteers will be involved in helping to improve and maintain informal community and pre-school (crèche) care centers, assisting with the refurbishment of the Community Youth Centre, helping to rebuild shacks lost due to fires, replacing simple roofing, home waterproofing, installing concrete flooring, painting and refurbishing local schools, participating in community and schools sports programs like soccer, volleyball, field hockey, Physical Education lessons.

NOTE: Schools have their long holidays from June 29 to July 17 and mid December to mid January. This means no work “within” schools between those dates, though we may be working on refurbishments during this time.

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Free time / Culture

The coorindator will explain the culture and traditions of her Xhosa tribe and invites volunteers to her local church service if there is interest. Witness the outstanding local modern dancing of the young children. Visit the small community craft center and the outstanding beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton. Season depending, volunteers may try surfing at Muizenberg beach. Other optional excursions at additional cost:

• Take the Cable Car to the top of iconic Table Mountain. Hike Lions Head.
• Enjoy  a trip to the Cape of Good Hope and witness “the fairest Cape in all the lands”, according to explorer Sir Francis Drake. See wild ostriches, baboons, and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
• Sample the exquisite wines at the local wine estates.
• Take a boat ride to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 24 years.
• Go cage diving with Great White Sharks, and see massive Southern Right Whales close by (season June to December).
• Take a three-day-trip along the Garden Route – mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, beaches, and adventure.