Volunteer in South Africa with VSA/Voluntour South Africa

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Cristiano testimonial for CART
My name is Cristiano, I'm a graphic/interaction designer from Italy and was looking for a volunteer project in Traskei on the internet and that's how I found this center. I was hoping to find a place where also my presence was required and not only financial support. Click HERE to read more.

James Pooley testimonial for CART and SISONKE
I had been travelling through Sub Saharan Africa for over 2 months before I arrived in Sicambeni and was coming to the end of my travels. I didn't expect that the most thought provoking and inspiring part of my break would come in that fortnight. Click HERE to read more.

Kyle testimonial for Sicambeni
When I think back to my time at Sicambeni, I smile that I was able to find life. I refer to my time at Sicambeni as 'life' because it was such an intense period of personal growth and exploration that the rest of my life before it seems too stagnant to count. Click HERE to read more.

Lisa Mayo testimonial for CART and SISONKE
It is often said that travel broadens the mind and changes people, however, being relatively well travelled and always feeling fairly the same on my return, I never really believed it. Volunteering at CART and Sisonke has changed my opinion on that point for good. Click HERE to read more.

Liz Smith testimonial for CART and SISONKE
When my time in Port St Johns ended my heart broke and even today I still miss it. In my time there I met the most amazing people and discovered a new level of happiness that I didn't know was possible. I spent 7 weeks teaching English at Sisonke school. Click HERE to read more.

Mark Reeves testimonial for CART and SISONKE
I recently returned from spending three weeks at CART and Sisonke school with my 17-year old daughter. We found out about the project from a leaflet that a former volunteer had created and distributed around some local bars and restaurants in south west London where we live. Click HERE to read more.

While volunteering with SchoolTrade you will be given the opportunity to spend a night on the Bisley Game Reserve, click HERE to see what Megan Mickle had to say about her experience ...

Life in a Mud Hut - Volunteering in rural South Africa: Rachel Lassman

Read all about Rachel's adventures as she tends to gardens, discovers brick making and building. Click HERE to read her story.

Sicambeni Village:
An unforgettable experience. A project about sustainability and educating the local community to use and live off the land. A place to learn and share knowledge. From sowing the seeds in the garden to eating the produce for dinner; helping villagers achieve their dreams of running a healing centre. This volunteer project is unlike any other I have come across; it is inspiring. The Transkei is such a beautiful place with welcoming people. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and hope to return.
Ruth Clark: UK

Sicambeni Village:
When I was asked to do a basic life support session with school trade I was hesitant because I thought, really there are so many other fundamental things to learn about health, anywhere, even in in africa. I decided in the end to teach the basics of cardiac compressions and life support as I would in Australia; in the end I realised that this was just as important as anything else I could teach them. It was funny though because we laughed and shared stories about incidents that had happened in their villages and towns and I talked about my towns and suburbs and we all shared common stories about how people were helped or could have been helped by basic life support. We all had heaps of fun and laughed and all learnt something out of the session.
Jenny McGechan, Cardiac Nurse, Australia

School Trade:
In November 2008 I had the privilege of visiting Iwahlanga Primary School, South Africa. I had been waiting for the opportunity to visit a rural school in the local community for a long time and the experience was very rewarding.
I had asked to visit this school because of a partnership arranged by School Trade in which a business had sponsored this school to build a bridge in the nearby area for the children to cross the dangerous river to attend school . I had been told of some tragic circumstances where children had died attempting to cross this river to get to school during times of flooding and I was deeply moved.
During my visit to the school I spoke with two Year 3 classes about Australia and my life there. This was challenging as the students had very limited English skills and appeared distracted or intrigued about the colour of my white skin, not often seeing white people at their school or in their community. Their written English was much better and they watched in anticipation as I checked their English work for spelling and grammar.
After visiting the classes a group of 50 students and a teacher took me down to see the newly built bridge. We walked through fields, along dirt roads, past cows and shacks, down steep hills and over rocky terrain. This is a daily task for the students who walk miles every day to reach their school. At the bottom of the hill the children proudly stood on the bridge jumping, laughing and playing. They all stood together on the bridge with their teacher and facing me, sung a song in Zulu. This moment is something I will never forget. The joy on the children's faces from a simple partnership with an organisation which now allows them to travel to school safely. It certainly reminded me to appreciate the things that are often taken for granted back home in Australia.
I thank Vanessa and Colin from School Trade for providing me with this incredible experience which has strengthened my love and passion for Africa and it's people.
Jessica Punch, Social Worker, Australia

Some Images from the Tour