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Very Good 4.39rating (22)
  • Reduced Inequalities

Empower Change and support in an Underserved Area

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Empower lives by supporting a community-based initiative founded by the world-renowned Sister Ethel.
  • Gain hands-on experience across multiple sectors—education, healthcare, nutrition, and more.
  • Unleash your creativity in after-school activities, arts, crafts, and youth development programs.

Highlights

  • Empower lives by supporting a community-based initiative founded by the world-renowned Sister Ethel.
  • Gain hands-on experience across multiple sectors—education, healthcare, nutrition, and more.
  • Unleash your creativity in after-school activities, arts, crafts, and youth development programs.
  • Make a tangible impact by growing and harvesting food for local families in need.
  • Immerse yourself in authentic South African culture while forming deep, meaningful connections.
    • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    This Care Centre is like an oasis in the Missionvale area. It provides everything from education to healthcare and beyond for those in need.

    🌟 About the Program

    The Missionvale Care Centre was founded by the incredible Sister Ethel, whose global reputation for compassion and dedication continues to inspire this project. What started as a small gathering under a tree has grown into a vital community hub offering care and ...

    About the program

    🌟 About the Program

    The Missionvale Care Centre was founded by the incredible Sister Ethel, whose global reputation for compassion and dedication continues to inspire this project. What started as a small gathering under a tree has grown into a vital community hub offering care and hope—especially for those affected by HIV/AIDS.

    This center is a beacon of love, teamwork, and personal growth, welcoming volunteers with medical skills or a big heart ready to work hard and experience the powerful realities faced by many South Africans. Get ready to dive into a meaningful journey filled with cultural insights and emotional moments. Bring your respect, dedication, and willingness to adapt—together, we can make a real impact!

    📝 Typical Tasks

    • Primary School: Help guide 140 lively kids learning to read, write, make friends, and play sports. Volunteers provide personal attention and sometimes even prepare sandwiches for the children. Supervise playtime and join the fun!

    • 🍲 Nutrition Unit: Support the daily distribution of nourishing meals to locals and help prepare weekly food parcels for families in need.

    • 🏥 Medical Support & Clinic: Assist a dedicated team caring for patients with TB and HIV/AIDS. The center hosts weekly eye exams and distributes donated glasses, helping restore sight and hope.

    • 🧵 Crafter Unit: Join the talented women creating beautiful handmade goods like curtains and handbags. Help teach sewing skills and support their journey toward job opportunities.

    • 🎨 Child Support & Development: Lead after-school activities including meals, computer time, storytelling, drumming, cultural dances, and sports. Patient and energetic volunteers thrive here!

    • 👚 Clothing Warehouse: Sort, clean, and organize donated clothes to ensure every family receives clean, well-fitting garments.

    • 🌱 Community Gardens: Get your hands dirty planting fruits and veggies that supply the soup kitchen. Grow change alongside local residents!

    🧭 Guidance and Supervision

    Your journey is supported every step of the way by caring unit leaders and volunteer coordinators. They organize tasks, guide your schedule, and cheer you on daily. The staff quickly become your work family, welcoming you with morning greetings and sending you off with smiles.

    🛒 Shopping and Supplies

    Just a short walk from the volunteer house is a SPAR supermarket for all your essentials and snack cravings. Need a ride? Beachfront taxis and friendly coordinators make shopping easy and fun. For weekend adventures, car rentals are available online for hassle-free travel.

    📶 Internet

    Stay connected with free Wi-Fi at the volunteer house, or pick up a local SIM card for easy calls and data.

    Typical day

    ⏰ Typical Day

    Join the volunteer squad at The Missionvale Care Centre with weekday hours from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Get ready for tasks like food distribution 🍲, childcare fun 🎨, sports galore ⚽, gardening magic 🌱, and heartwarming home visits ❤️.

    Your Missionvale journey kicks off with ...

    Typical day

    ⏰ Typical Day

    Join the volunteer squad at The Missionvale Care Centre with weekday hours from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Get ready for tasks like food distribution 🍲, childcare fun 🎨, sports galore ⚽, gardening magic 🌱, and heartwarming home visits ❤️.

    Your Missionvale journey kicks off with a full program across all units, followed by a tailor-made schedule based on your passions and skills. Weekends are your time to relax — no work allowed! 🛋️

    Free-time activities

    🌍 Weekend & Free Time

    Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), the largest city in the Eastern Cape, offers a vibrant cultural mix, rich history, and stunning natural surroundings. It’s the perfect base to explore South Africa’s diverse landscapes and traditions.

    On weekends, you can venture out to the Addo

    Free-time activities

    🌍 Weekend & Free Time

    Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), the largest city in the Eastern Cape, offers a vibrant cultural mix, rich history, and stunning natural surroundings. It’s the perfect base to explore South Africa’s diverse landscapes and traditions.

    On weekends, you can venture out to the Addo Elephant Park, soak in the charm of coastal towns like Port Alfred, or explore the rugged beauty of the Wild Coast. To the north lies the Great Karoo, with vast open plains, mountain passes, and historic towns like Graaff-Reinet. Adventure lovers can head west along the Garden Route to Tsitsikamma National Park, Plettenberg Bay, or the surfer’s paradise of Jeffrey’s Bay.

    From wildlife safaris and scenic road trips to cultural landmarks and outdoor thrills—there’s no shortage of unforgettable experiences to enjoy in your free time!

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    Short resume

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    🎵 Creativity & playfulness – Singing, playing, reading stories, and finding fun ways to stimulate development. 💬 Good communication – Connecting with staff, social workers, and local community members. 🌍 Cultural openness – Respect for South African customs and willingness to learn. 🧠 Adaptability – Things don’t always go to plan; being flexible helps a lot.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:30 - 15:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Included in your fees:  

    • Information and assistance before departure 
    • Pick up on arrival and drop off at the end of your stay (Monday to Friday)
    • 3 Family style meals per day
    • Shared accommodation in volunteer house 
    • Daily transport to and from the projects 
    • City Tour and Introduction Program
    • Volunteer support and coordinating 

    Excluded from your fees: 

    • Private Luxuries (snacks, cool drinks, alcohol etc.) 
    • Costs for weekend outings to safari parks etc. 
    • Air tickets 
    • Insurance 
    • Laundry service
    • Arrival & departure transfers on weekends (Saturday/Sunday) 

    Please keep in mind that modest donation of 30 EUR per week will be added in your booking. Should you need a donation certificate, just let us know and we will gladly arrange this for you.

    Airport Pickup at Port Elizabeth International Airport

    Most volunteers arrive on a Monday and begin at the project on Tuesday. If you need transport from the airport or your accommodation in Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha, we can arrange it for you.

    Transfers between Monday and Friday are included in the program fees. Weekend transfers (Saturday or Sunday) are available at an additional ZAR 250 per trip, payable in cash.

    The program runs in full-week periods (7 nights). Please note, we take a short break of 2–3 weeks over December and January 🎄☀️.

    Accommodation

    The volunteer house in Port Elizabeth is a gorgeous home with loads of space.  Whether you prefer to unwind in the garden, at the pool or in the lounge; this home has a special place for everyone. 

    The home was built in grand old architectural style and is decorated with modern touches. A pool for summer and a fireplace for winter, what more do you need?

    The property is well secured and superbly located within walking distance of the beach, restaurants, laundry & shops.

    Food & Beverages

    Our full time cook will provide all meals at the volunteer house on a daily basis. This means you will be able to enjoy great South African home cooked meals & learn how to cook some of these specialties.

    We believe in participation, so volunteers will not be sitting back and get served, they still need to help her cook at times, chop vegetables, clean dishes and warm up the food for dinner themselves.

    Our cook will create weekly menus offering breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as alternate meals like stews, curries, stir-fry, soups, pastas and other wholesome options. Meals will be prepared and cooked from Monday to Friday, where on weekends volunteers will only have to heat up a meal or make their own similar meals.

    There is free coffee, tea and cordial juice available at any time. For breakfast you will have toast, fruit, yogurt, cereal and/or eggs. For lunch you can have sandwiches with cheese, marmalade, cold meats or other spreads. Please tell our coordinators about any wishes, vegetarian wishes and allergies concerning food.


    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) in Port Elizabeth. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Most volunteers arrive on a Monday and begin at the project on Tuesday. If you need transport from the airport or your accommodation in Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha, 🚗 we can arrange it for you.

    Transfers between Monday and Friday are included in the program fees. Weekend transfers (Saturday or Sunday) are available at an additional ZAR 250 per trip, payable in cash 💵.

    The program runs in full-week periods (7 nights) ⏳. Please note, we take a short break of 2–3 weeks over December and January 🎄☀️.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $378 per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    1 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.

    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.4
    Top Pick
    One of the top picks on Volunteer World, according to travelers
    •
    2022
    it was an amazing experience with a lot af support and involing of volonteers. The program is very serious and it was just so adorable to ...
    corinne loze

    Vervet Monkey Rescue

    Location

    Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Port Elizabeth

    Meet your project coordinator

    Igna
    22
    reviews
    4.39
    Very Good
    2005
    Founded

    Verified

      Good response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    Volunteer Abroad  >  Community  >  Social Work in South Africa
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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