GHV

Volunteering in Cape Town

Cape Town is quite typical for a large city in a developing country. However, many parts of Cape Town are very much like cities in the developed world. As a visitor, you can explore a large, bustling business district, beautiful residential areas, shopping malls, industrial areas and some of the best restaurants in the country. Nearby the city, there are large areas of informal settlements (townships). These lower-income communities are dynamic and culturally rich and are wonderful places to visit. However, as in many places in the world, there is also a great need in these communities. Improvements need to be made in infrastructure, medical care, child care and education.

We are thrilled to have our home base in Cape Town. Most volunteers from all different projects stay at the GHV Volunteer House, and our project coordinator is available to support you 24/7.

Highlights of Volunteering in Cape Town

Many great projects to choose from
A Good Hope Volunteers coordinator will look after you
GHV Volunteer House available for accommodation
Bus transfers to projects that are inaccessible by public transport
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world
A full-day sightseeing tour is included
24-hour support

Photographs

Volunteer Projects in Cape Town

We offer a wide range of volunteer projects in Cape Town. You can choose to work with children or with elderly people. You can choose to entertain kids in a hospital where they need it the most or you can assist them doing their homework. Or you can choose to work in a special needs care centre.

We can even offer you a conservation project at one of the few nature reserves that are in and around Cape Town.

Last but not least, we would like to point out our photography course, where you not only learn how to take great photos, but also get in touch with local communities and learn about their living conditions.

Volunteer projects in Cape Town

During your free time

Cape Town is the highlight of every trip through South Africa, with so much to do and see.

There are World Heritage Sites like Robben Island where Nelson Mandela and many other political prisoners were kept in prison, natural wonders such as Table Mountain or the Cape of Good Hope, white sandy beaches and many other things to enjoy.

As a Good Hope volunteer, you can take part in the Good Hope Studies Social Club and meet up with international students from our language school. There are a few evening activities each week and full-day tours, plus overnight safaris and more every weekend.

“Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.” (Nelson Mandela)

Combine volunteering with an English language course

If you are not a native English speaker, consider combining your volunteering experience with an English language course. It is important that you can communicate well and understand instructions at volunteer projects. This is not only important for your safety and those around you, but also important to make your volunteering experience a great one. The minimum English requirements differ slightly from project to project (see project details), but usually a minimum of Upper-Intermediate [B2] is required.

Our Cape Town based volunteer projects are especially suited to combine volunteering with a language course. You can stay at the same accommodation throughout your entire stay and continue to be in touch with the friends you made during your language course while you volunteer.

You can do the language course before you volunteer, or even while you are volunteering. To find out at which volunteer projects you can volunteer while doing a language course at the same time please contact us.