Highlights
- Enjoy a community tour, together with a “Koeksister” and “Samoosa-”making experience
- Profit from the weekly surfing lessons offered by professional coaches
- Take part in the many programmes and recreational activities offered to children and young adults
- Work with a very young and vibrant team
- Experience amazing tours and adventures in and around Cape Town.
- Getting personal support from the volunteer coordinator.
- Half-day option: learn English in the morning; volunteer in the afternoon
Project Information
The project is a community-based, nonprofit organisation that was founded in Cape Town in 2013.
Motivated by his love for surfing and the pivotal role that the discipline of this activity played in his life as a young teen, founder Nigel Savel and his wife started the project with the vision of improving their marginalised community. Surfing was used as a form of engagement, empowerment and as a catalyst to entice students to the project and to teach them discipline, determination and life skills.
The project has since become a haven and refuge for those who have very few resources, and even fewer positive role models in their lives.
- 60% of the children of the project are illiterate or read well below their required level for their age.
- 60% of the children come from single-parent homes with an average income of R2000 per month.
- 76% of community members who benefit from the programmes are unemployed
- Experience shows that local youth often end up in gangs or jail if they are not involved in any support programmes.
The organisation provides safe spaces and structured after-school programmes that are designed in a holistic manner in recognition of the fact that you can’t change a child’s life in isolation without impacting his or her family, and community.
- Fitness & Surf Therapy – encouraging a healthy lifestyle & positive coping mechanisms
- Social Enterprises – generating funding for the project’s operations and programme
- Environmental Programme – raising eco-warrior
- Youth Empowerment including:
- "Passport to Success” (Internationally recognised life skills and entrepreneurship training)
- GEM (Girl empowerment)
- Activate Youth sessions (helping youth to realise their purpose and potential)
- Boys’ surfing and empowerment camps (positive male mentorship and learning adventures)
- Aqua Day (community day which allows youth to enjoy positive aquatic activities)
- Digital Programme – becoming computer literate, tech savvy and fit for the world of wor
- Literacy & Academic Support – fighting “learning poverty
- Food & Holistic Community Support – strengthening families and communities
- Art & Music Therapy
The project’s vision is a transformed society where created opportunities are maximised and youth are effectively developed, empowered and integrated into their communities and societies. “Surfing for Dreams” walks a long road with people and passionately believes that everyone is perfect for their purpose, that human potential is unlimited, that with the right support all youth can flourish...
Your role
Full-day volunteers will participate in the morning and afternoon programmes.
Working hours are typically from 10:00 – 18:00
Afternoon-only volunteers (who take part in our English language course in the morning) will participate in the various afternoon programmes. Sessions in the afternoons run between approximately 14:00 – 18:00 at the latest.
Evenings and weekends are then usually free. On Saturdays you may sometimes be requested to work for special events.
Volunteers play a crucial role in the project’s success as they are strengthening its workforce, offer an extra pair of hands during special events or projects and are therefore expanding capacity and extending the team. They bring a unique set of values, skills, and principles to the organisation that create goodwill and awareness of the various programmes and leave a lasting impact on the young lives the project aims to serve. Volunteers hold the key to unlocking the potential of the communities’ future leaders.
Duties can vary from day to day and would typically include:
- Helping to clean and tidy the youth centre before or after programmes
- Lesson Planning
- Chaperoning children on outings and excursions
- Planning fitness sessions for kids before surf sessions
- Homework and Literacy Support
- Preparing and serving their meals
- Admin Tasks
- Assisting with media, e.g. photography, content creation, digital design etc.
- Boardroom includiing everything that involves wetsuits
- Community Outreaches including house visits
- Working in and maintaining the community vegetable gardens which provide produce for the food programmes
- Assisting with sorting of donations for clothing distributions to beneficiaries
- Interacting with children and facilitating their surfing, sailing, mentorship, and life skills programmes
- Participating in art, music and dance programmes
It is important to note that this description serves as an example only. The daily tasks and activities depend on the volunteer and the work that needs to be done. The final job description can therefore vary substantially from the above depending on the volunteers’ interests and abilities.
Accommodation
You will live at the Volunteer House. It is a private house in an upmarket residential area with single beds and twin bedrooms. Volunteers are accommodated in twin bedrooms but may upgrade to single rooms upon request. There are 4 bathrooms to share, a communal kitchen, a dining room, a lounge with TV and DVD player and a beautiful garden with a swimming pool.
Bedding is provided. Towels are not provided.
There is a washing machine at the residence for you to use. It works with tokens which can be purchased for R40 per load.
Please note: The Volunteer House is currently closed for renovations and will be available again from early 2026.
In the meanwhile, volunteers can book the Newlands Residence at no extra cost. This residence is located in the heart of Claremont and offers single rooms with an en-suite bathroom. Bedding and towels are provided and replaced weekly. A communal kitchen, a wellness area with a mini gym, a pool and communal areas guarantee a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to meet fellow volunteers. Wi-Fi is included.
A laundry room with washing machines and tumble dryers is available at the cost of R43 per load.
Upgrades to a Homestay or any other accommodation option provided by Good Hope Studies are always possible but come at an additional cost.
Meals
Self-catering except if you choose the Homestay option. The main shopping areas as well as restaurants, pubs, etc. are within walking distance of your accommodation.
