South Africa

I use to work as a Marketing Coordinator for a jazz/blues/classical/world music record company called Telarc/Heads Up International. In February '09, I was laid off along with half of the employees due to the poor economy. I knew it was a great chance to pursue other opportunities, such as International volunteer work. I've always been interested in South Africa through my studies in African music and work with African musicians. I researched many different volunteer organizations and found Cross-Cultural Solutions to be the most credible and accessible. The Program-Enrollment Managers were always there via phone and e-mail to answer any questions regarding volunteer placements, preparation, and other concerns that would help even a person with little to no experience in international travel. I decided to do a 10 week program in Cape Town, South Africa and was offered an opportunity to work 2 of those weeks at their Robertson program. The experience was incredible as I worked teaching music and marketed a group of professional township musicians that performed at local health clinics treating patients with HIV/AIDS and TB. They performed dramas and music that promoted HIV/AIDS education in a fun and entertaining way. In Robertson I worked at a primary school teaching typing and basic computer skills. The work was extremely gratifying and had me connecting with the people of South Africa in a way that gave me a deep insight into their culture. Although the work I did at these placements had an impact, the largest contribution I made was the idea of cultural exchange. My supervisors from Cape Town and Robertson took me out to the townships to meet their families, which gave me an insight to how South Africans live. So many people decide to volunteer for the wrong reasons by thinking they are going to change the world. Over 300 billion dollars has been poured into relief efforts for Africa since their independence, and it still remains the most poverty stricken continent in the world. Im not saying that organizations that provide financial and material aid don't help, but I think with living in a society that is so economically dependent, we need to focus more alternative forms of relief. Organizations like Cross-Cultural Solutions do that in the way they make volunteering accessible for everyone. I really believe that everyone should have the opportunity to travel to a third world country so they can take back a perspective they can share with the world. Yes the programs are expensive, but the CCS Program Managers give you a lot of support in terms of fundraising options. I was able to fundraise for my entire program through community outreach efforts with my local church, social networking with friends and family, and hosting a charity event. If you are interested in pursuing a volunteer program with CCS feel free to contact me or check out my blog www.kevintacklessouthafrica.blogspot.com to get a better idea of my experience.

I would stay away from GVI. I did have an amazing experience in South Africa, but it is very expensive, considering the costs of running the program in a developing country are relatively low.
GVI are a corporation so their main objective is to earn a profit. It says on their website that 70% of the program fee goes back into the project, but this means the money still stays with GVI. It doesn't necessarily mean any money is going to go back into the community or environment to make a real difference.
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While I did have an enjoyable experience, I have too have to wonder how much goes into the field and back to the community. GVI are simply a corporate organsation out to make money. You may particapte in conservation or community based activies, but I have to wonder how much GVI actually cares about making a difference. Not a lot would be my guess. They are just taking advantage of people who do want to make a difference.

I had a very bad experience with this company. The place they put us with had no heat, mold, outside doors didn't lock, etc. People where getting sick and asked them to get heaters or wood for the fireplace and they refused. We were also 8 people crammed into a small room. There were numerous other problems and the in-county coordinator essentially did not care about the volunteers. The worst part was the fact that most of the money you pay does not go to the local programs. There was even an article in the local newspaper after a volunteer complained about the large amounts of money not going to the programs. I suggest you look for a non-profit organization or go directly through the local program you are interested in. The local people are so happy to have you there and I had a good experience with the people at the local program. A group of volunteers tried to find out how much of our money went to the local program and we never got a straight answer from i-to-i. It is so sad that the thousands of dollars I paid, I suspect that less than $100 went to the program. Further, they do not provide food, transportation to the local program, etc. Basically, the money you pay to i-to-i is for housing (which could be easily found on your own) and to make money for the company. I also volunteered with a non-profit at Dago Village in Kenya, Village Volunteers, and the experience was so much better and most of the money I paid went directly to the local program. Further, they provided food and transportation while I was in country. I highly recommend volunteering abroad as it is a life-changing experience, but I suggest you go through a non-profit program so your volunteer money can make a difference.

Before I left for South Africa, my Travelers contact in England was very helpful in answering my questions and concerns about my placement. I LOVED being at the wildlife sanctuary called African Dawn where I was volunteering. I really felt like the work I did there was actually making an impact and that I was a valued member of the team there. The friends I made will be friends for a lifetime. The only comment I have is that it is far cheaper to be a volunteer directly though the place you will be volunteering and not through a company like Travelers. But for my first time abroad I liked that they figured out all the details for me, including finding my flight and transport from the airport when I got there. Also, the website they made about the sanctuary was outdated and certain details did not hold true once I was there, but it was nothing major. An overall amazing experience and I would love to go back!

I visited Cape Town back in the summer for 2 months as an intern for the Daily Voice Newspaper. I worked closely with Jourmalists in a busy newsroom collecting stories across the townships and Cape Flats and typing up copy back in the office. It was fast paced, lively and very eye-opening into the workings of Journalists and the paradoxical nature of South Africa. I returned with a portfolio of a dozen published articles. Definitely one of the best experiences of my life.