New Hope Volunteers

Since 1998, More than 18000 happy volunteers


Street Children Project (Cape Town)

volunteer in street children project in cape town, south africa
  • Provide love, care and support to children from impoverished backgrounds
  • Work with local organizations to keep children at risk off the streets and social vices
  • Live with a local family and explore day-to-day South African life
  • Connect with the best the continent has to offer in South Africa in your downtime

If you have a passion for children, volunteer in South Africa in the Street Children project and extend a hand of friendship to the little ones. With increasing poverty and a lack of education in South Africa, the number of abandoned children is escalating by the day. A lot of children in South Africa have ended up living in streets. Left to fend for themselves on the streets, the children often get involved with illegal activities. New Hope collaborates with several organizations located at rural and urban communities that reach out to these children and give them the support they need. While the organizations are doing great at helping the children, they also need all the help they can get to continue their noble cause. This is where your role as a volunteer comes in. By volunteering, you’ll provide support in the rehabilitation, safety and education of the children, creating a safe and healthy environment for them to grow up in. Brighten up the lives of the street children of South Africa while sampling the country’s natural highlights and diverse culture of the people!

Volunteers' Responsibilities

As a volunteer in South Africa, you will be working with children from impoverished backgrounds at local organizations. Depending on your individual interests and skills, and on the needs of the local staff, your daily activities involve, but are not limited to:

  • Teaching basic English, Math, Science, Physical Education, or other subjects of interest
  • Helping the children with homework
  • Creating a fun, safe and all-inclusive environment
  • Being a friend to the children
  • Provide care, love and attention to children
  • Providing daily care to the children such as preparing meals and watching over them
  • Help them with their homework
  • Participate in playtime activities
  • Educating on personal hygiene, and safety rules and precautions
  • Developing stimulating new ideas to interest the children to learn
  • Organizing and leading extracurricular activities such as games, sports, art, music, dancing, story-telling, drama lessons, etc.

Assisting the local staff with administrative duties, promoting fundraising activities, and helping to plan events and excursions for the children

How You Can Make a Difference

This project aims at rehabilitating street children back in their families so as to provide them a normal childhood. You'll be playing a major role in helping the local organizations reach out to children at risk, and leading them towards a brighter future and be productive citizens of the country. The children that you'll be helping often come from extremely impoverished families who are unable to provide for their children. Some of the children may also have incarcerated parents or are abandoned due to social crutches that are preventing them from having a safe life. No matter their background, there is one thing for sure; the children are all deprived of love and support. By volunteering, you'll be taking up 'buddy' roles in an attempt to connect with disadvantaged children, and inspire them to work towards a better future. Your time alone would prove to be a significant impact on the lives of the children.

Skills and Qualifications

There are no specific qualifications needed to join this project. However, your understanding of South African culture and diversity can help improve the experience for you and the children. Consider enrolling in our five-day Cultural Immersion & Information program. Volunteers should also be enthusiastic, reliable, flexible, patient and strive to be good role models for the children. Experience working with street children is considered a plus. Volunteers must also respect the locals and the host organizations, along with their rules and projects.

Project Location

The project is located in the capital city of South Africa, Cape Town. Not only is Cape Town South Africa's second largest city, it is also the most popular tourist destination in all of Africa. Cape Town is the quintessential melting pot of South Africa; a city alive with creativity, color, sounds, and tastes. When strolling through the city streets of Cape Town, you will fall in love with the natural beauties that surround you, the creative freedom of the locals, and the ambiance of it all.

There is a lot to do and see in your free time in and around Cape Town. You can visit many popular sites such as Table Mountain National Park, City Bowl, various popular beaches, Chapman's Peak Drive, The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Two Oceans Aquarium, and much more. You can also see places like Bo Kaap, a historical area inhabited by slaves from the Southeast, also known for colorful buildings, quaint streets, mosques, and the prettiest views of Cape Town. The Castle of Good Hope, the oldest surviving building is another attraction you can visit. There is also the Kistenbosch botanical gardens and Robben Island, two ocean aquariums if you are into glimpsing wildlife and water. You will never get tired of visiting and exploring the beautiful city! If your weekends are free, you can also take trips to the wine countries like Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Frankschoek.

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