Simply South Africa - Volunteering

You’ve made it to South Africa, and the Simply Katie adventure officially starts now! Touch down at Port Elizabeth Airport, where you’ll be picked up and taken to your home for the next two weeks. Once everyone’s arrived, it’s time to meet Katie and the group you’ll be sharing it all with. Settle in, get to know each other over a welcome meal and start getting excited for everything you’re about to experience together. Volunteering, safari, Jeffreys Bay and plenty of moments you definitely can’t plan for. Two weeks, one new group and a whole lot of saying yes ahead. Let’s do this!

Before you jump into school life, the next couple of days are all about getting to know the people, places and purpose behind your volunteering. You’ll meet the United Through Sport team, who have been running programmes in local schools for 20 years, and learn more about the communities you’ll soon be spending your days in. Alongside Katie and your fellow volunteers, you’ll take part in team building, workshops and practice teaching and coaching sessions, before visiting a local township to learn more about the culture and everyday life around you. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect and be more than ready to get involved. Time to put everything you’ve learnt into action!

Now it’s time for your first week in the schools! From Monday to Friday, you’ll head out to local schools and choose how you’d like to spend your time, whether that’s teaching English, coaching sports or helping out with the littlest learners in pre-school. **English Teaching | 8am to 1pm** Work with children across 3 to 4 different schools throughout the week, helping them build their English skills using reading books and workbooks provided by the programme. You’ll mainly work one-to-one with students, giving them extra time and support at their own level, with opportunities to step up and teach a whole class too if you fancy giving it a go! Every child learns differently, so flexibility and a little creativity go a long way. You don’t need to arrive knowing exactly what to do either, that’s what your training is there for. **Sports Coaching | 9am to 2pm** More at home on the sports field? You’ll visit 3 to 4 schools each day, coaching alongside two or three other volunteers, so it’s always a team effort. Football, rugby, hockey, netball, basketball, cricket, tennis, dance, swimming and even ultimate frisbee could all make it onto your weekly line-up. You’ll be coaching boys and girls aged around 8 to 14, from complete beginners to seriously talented young athletes. Sessions usually start with games and a fun warm-up before moving onto skills and finishing with a match or two. Facilities and equipment vary between schools, so bring your ideas, be ready to improvise and most importantly, make it fun! **Pre-School Childcare | 8am to 1pm** Prefer hanging out with the little ones? Spend your mornings with pre-school children aged around 0 to 3, supporting them as they learn, play and grow. Read stories, sing songs, get creative with arts and crafts, play games and lend a hand with snack time and everyday care. **Once the School Day’s Done...** Your time together continues long after the school day finishes! Spend your afternoons at the beach, try your hand at surfing or relax back at the accommodation, then see what Katie and the group have lined up for the evening! Across your two weeks, group activities can include: - Karaoke night at a beachfront bar - Fire and snacks at the accommodation - Sardinia Bay hike and sunset\* - Gum Boot dance class - Visit to a local market - Games and quiz night - Trip to Baywest Mall\* From trying something completely new to those simple evenings spent laughing with the group, it’s all part of experiencing South Africa together. _\*2026 dates only._

Surf’s up! It’s time to head for the coast as you make your way to Jeffreys Bay, one of the world’s most famous surf spots. Check into your beachfront accommodation, drop your bags and get ready for a weekend by the ocean with Katie and the group! Fancy giving surfing a go? Whether you’ve never touched a board or already know your way around a wave, this is a pretty good place to try it. You can also turn up the adrenaline with watersports and dune boarding, or take things at a slower pace with beach time, local cafés, bars and exploring the town. _Transport and accommodation in Jeffreys Bay are included. Surfing and additional activities come at an extra cost._

After an amazing weekend in Jeffreys Bay, it’s time to head back into the schools for another five days of volunteering. By now, you’ll know the ropes, recognise plenty of familiar faces and be ready to build on everything you started in week one. Fancy trying something different? You’re more than welcome to switch between English teaching and sports coaching for a few days and experience both sides of the programme. This is your chance to try something new and make the most of your final week in the schools!

This is a BIG South Africa bucket-list moment! Grab your camera and head out with Katie and the group for a guided safari, keeping your eyes peeled for the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos. There’s nothing quite like spotting South Africa’s incredible wildlife in its natural habitat, and with an expert ranger leading the way, you’ll also learn more about the animals, the land and the conservation work protecting it all. And somehow, the day gets even better! As the sun goes down, you’ll finish with a meal under the stars before an evening of African dance and drumming. Safari, sunset, dinner under the stars and your whole travel family there to experience it with you. Now THAT’S a day in South Africa! _The exact day of this activity will be confirmed while you’re in South Africa to give you the best possible experience._