My volunteer work in the Children Center in Cape Town

The Cape Town Special Tour

Since I had booked the Cape Town Special, Verena took me to a hostel downtown, where I stayed for four nights. I can only recommend the Cape Town Special, as the excursions give you a good first overview of the South African city and you can get to know a few people. I particularly enjoyed the trip to the Cape, as the route over Chapman's Peak alone is breathtakingly beautiful. Another highlight: Lion's Head. You have an incredible view over the whole city, especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset.

The Garden Route Tour

After the first three days in the hostel, Jemaine brought me to my apartment, where I was staying with other volunteers. In my first week in South Africa, I spontaneously went on the Garden Route, which was very worthwhile. We hired a car and stayed at Backpackers which is reasonably priced in South Africa. We saw and experienced a lot on our route: we visited waterfalls, went kayaking, hiked around an island, went on safari tours and crawled through caves. The Garden Route is definitely worthwhile and can also be done very easily by car alone.

My project: A Children Center in Cape Town

After the first, somewhat turbulent week, it was time to get to work. I worked at the Children's Center, which is about 15 minutes by car from my apartment. Someone from our group rented a car and the rest of us paid for the gas. A car in Cape Town is advisable, because that way you are always mobile. At the Children's Center I was responsible for a group of about 25 children between the ages of two and four. As a volunteer you help with the distribution of food, paint with the children or play with them in the park.

Although the working hours are not very long, it can be a bit tiring at times as all children want your attention and would love to be carried or held around by you throughout the day. Even though I had never worked with children before, I had no trouble finding my way around the Children Center and I really enjoyed the work. Although I only spent a few weeks with the children, saying goodbye was not so easy for me. You take the kids to your heart very quickly and I would have loved to have taken some of them home with me.

My weekend safari with RGV

Day 1

I had already booked another excursion through RGV before I left, the weekend safari. I was picked up on a Friday morning and with some other volunteers and a Norwegian couple we drove to Betty's Bay, where we visited the penguin colony. After a short wine tasting, we visit Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of the African continent, in the late afternoon. We spent the night in a cozy hostel, where I shared a room with the other volunteers from RGV.

Day 2

The next morning we continued to a lodge. There we went on an evening safari into the sunset. The tour was fantastic, our guide knew a lot about the flora and fauna of South Africa and we even got to feed the elephants. Back at the game lodge, there was a rich buffet and a delicious dessert. The rooms in the lodge consist of small huts with private bathrooms and a small balcony with seating. Since the reserve is located away from any big city, the starry sky is incredibly clear at night!

Day 3

The next morning we went on a sunrise safari where a female rhino with calf was inches from our vehicle. At the end of our stay in the lodge there was a rich breakfast and a visit to the reptile park, where we had the opportunity to hold different snakes in our arms.

The best recreational experience comes at the end

I ended my stay in South Africa with another personal highlight. I went skydiving with another volunteer from the apartment a few days before flying home. The skydive was a great experience, which I will not soon forget!

Conclusion about my stay abroad in South Africa

Overall, I really enjoyed my time in the southern hemisphere and would have liked to have stayed longer. Cape Town is a vibrant city with friendly people and has something for everyone.

Thanks a lot South Africa and see you soon again!

Report from a Children Center in South Africa by Vanessa R, 03.08.16