Stunning South Africa

South Africa has celebrated an end to formal apartheid but despite its rich natural resources and can-do attitude, the majority of the black population still faces huge challenges. Job prospects are still in low supply, housing and the standard of living are still far below expectations, e.g. access to running tap water is limited, decent flushing toilets are shared, and millions still live in “slums”. This program provides unique opportunities to understand the challenges faced by the black majority, while also helping to improve their lives.

Projects

Much of the work and projects relate to helping an overcrowded community 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.

No special skills are required.

One-week long