About
Izizwe Projects operates in the community of Walmer Township, home to approximately 70,000 people.
Walmer is different from other townships because of its location. It is a relatively calm and easily accessible area. Poverty, child neglect, alcohol abuse and a high unemployment rate are some of the many challenges this community faces on a day-to-day basis.
The diversity of needs and great lack of services for this community shows in terms of a shortage of educational institutes. There are only 2 primary schools and 1 high school available to the children of Walmer Township.
Izizwe Projects provides the youth a variety of programs such as dance, education, dental hygiene, swimming lessons and sports. Our sport program has grown over the last few years to a full-time program providing different age groups of children daily sports activities at the primary schools, as well as basketball lessons after school.
The children of this community have limited options to enjoy sports, and with our local coaches and support from international volunteers/interns, Izizwe provides a full-time sports program in the primary schools. The input of volunteers is needed to assist in further developing this program, to coach the children and to work together with the local coaches to increase awareness, organise sports tournaments and participate in competitive matches.
Under the guidance of our local coaches, interns will be involved in coaching both boys as girls in the age group of 6-18 years old. On Friday we offer a swimming program for children between 6-9 years old and we provide transport to a heated indoor swimming pool in winter or an outdoor swimming pool in summer where we give basic swimming lessons and hand out diplomas to the children after these lessons.
If you study Sports and Movement, Sports Management or other related studies, and if you love working with children, this project is designed for you! We could really use the help in further growing this project and to work together with our coaches to come up with new ideas and activities for the children to have fun while exercising.
Project needs
There is, besides daily aid and assistance, also a need for financial support. Any possible gifts and donations provided by volunteers and their network of people are extremely appreciated.
Tasks and activities
Activities per intern can differ in many ways as we like to connect your study requirements to the daily possible activities.
We teach a variety of exercise options to the youth and we are always open to your input and enthusiasm to improve further. Think Basketball, Soccer, athletics and our local sports of Rugby and Cricket.
Working days and hours
Normally we work weekdays from 8:30am until 15.30pm, Friday until 12.00 and weekends are off. Some projects however might start earlier and in summertime, due to the heat, hours can change.
School Holidays
During school holidays we shift our focus to holiday programs for the youth. Please keep in mind that the summer holidays in South Africa run from early December to mid-January and that we will be closed for 3 weeks over Christmas and New Year.
Daily guidance
You will be welcomed by one of our Volunteer Coordinators who will pick you up from the airport, show you around the city and prepare your work activities with the projects before you start, supervise during your stay and evaluate after you leave. The coordinators will transfer you to and from the project, make sure the house is well run and organise fun outings for the weekends. At Izizwe your work will be supervised by the Manager who will introduce you and create your working schedule together with the sports coaches.
Other volunteers
You most likely won’t be alone when volunteering in Port Elizabeth and you will meet both local and international volunteers. We get volunteers from all over the world - from the USA, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the UK and many other countries.
Accommodation
Your Accommodation
Superbly located in a prime spot in Port Elizabeth, close to beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife, our Lodge accommodation is a comfortable and relaxing space that volunteers can call home. Rated as 3-star backpackers by The South African Grading Council, the lodge is a quiet sanctuary where volunteers can find relax and enjoy this time with others. It is a place where friendships are forged, and memories are made.
The Lodge is made up of various spaces, living areas, bathrooms and 3 bedrooms with other rooms optional for couples and older volunteers. The house has a nice entertainment area with barbecue (braai) facilities, a comfortable lounge with fireplace and a sparkling pool that you can happily dive into on a hot day. A great area to socialize with your fellow volunteers from all over the world. The interior of the Lodge is laid back and cosy with an African feel.
Meals
Three meals per day are included and we work on a set menu per week, lovingly prepared by our cook with your assistance. There is free coffee, tea and drinking water available at any time.
For breakfast you will have continental buffet with a choice of bread, fruit, yoghurt, cereals and/or eggs.
For lunch, you can make your own sandwiches with cheese, marmalade, cold meat or other spreads to take with you to the project.
Dinners are a variety of hearty healthy meals such as soups, stews, pies, oven dishes and other options.
We cater for vegetarians and vegans but please inform us before arriving to prepare accordingly.
Transport
Airport transfers are included in your fee. We also include your daily transport to your project and back to the accommodation.
If you would like to go out after hours and on weekends you can easily book an Uber or Bolt.
Other Volunteers
We host volunteers from all around the world including the USA, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the UK and many other countries.

Fees & Dates
The fees are based on a minimum stay of 12 weeks for internships.
|
EURO |
USD |
GBP |
12 Weeks |
€1 920.00 |
$2 250.00 |
£1 720.00 |
Extra Weeks |
€ 160.00 |
$ 185.00 |
£ 145.00 |
|
EURO |
USD |
GBP |
Long Term p/week 2018 (min 12 weeks) |
€ 160.00 |
$200.00 |
£140.00 |
Long Term p/week 2019 (min 8 weeks) |
€ 200.00 |
$245.00 |
£175.00 |
Included in the full Volunteering Fee:
- Information and assistance before departure
- Pick up upon arrival and drop off at the end of your stay (on week days)
- Free City Tour and Introduction Program
- Accommodation in volunteer house close to the beach
(7 nights per week of volunteering booked)
- Onsite volunteer coordinator available 24/7
- 3 basic meals a day
- Direct donation to the project
- Transfers to and from the project daily
Excluded are the following:
- Private expenses
- Costs for weekend outings to safari parks etc.
- Air tickets
- Insurance
Where does my money go?
At Khaya we believe in transparency and openness about where your money goes and how the fees are made up. Your fees go to a variety of costs (both short-term and long-term) and cover staff costs, volunteer house (even when it is empty it needs to be paid for), and transport - but also includes a direct donation to the project.
We believe that the projects we work with need more than just your hands; they need money to keep their doors open, and pay for rent and electricity. That is why we believe that we need to include a monetary donation with the fees, so we can truly help to sustain our projects with their biggest needs.
If you have any questions about our fees, please do contact us and we can gladly explain more about this.
Starting dates
Starting your volunteer work is on Mondays only. If you will be arriving before Monday, we will gladly assist with accommodation and your pick up - extra days will be charged pro-rata.
On Monday, you will be given your introduction and shown around the area, so that on Tuesday you can start your volunteering work.
Participation is per full weeks only and all our projects will be closed for about 3 weeks over Christmas and New Year’s every year.
Add Ons To Your Trip
10% OFF on your Nomad Africa tour when booking through Khaya
Nomad Africa Adventure Tours offers organized tours over Africa. Whether you’re young or young at heart, adventurous or more relaxed, it doesn’t matter, you will always find a fitting tour with them.
Their tours ensure you safety and give you the chance to meet new friends along the way. They are an exciting way of travelling that allows you to explore the country and its surroundings at affordable rates and without having to worry about anything yourself!
And we can make it even better. If you book your next Nomad Tour with Khaya, you will get a 10% off the tour price! We have picked a few of our favorites to combine with this project, check them out below!
7 Day Tours:
14 Day Tours:
10% OFF on your BazBus tour when booking through Khaya
Hop-on Hop-off backpacker bus. Door-to-door. Meet interesting people. Safe and fun way to travel around South Africa. Great alternative to car hire.
Check out their travel options on their site, BazBus. By booking your Bazbus travel with Khaya, you will receive a 10% discount. If interested, please contact us and we’ll help you further with great pleasure.
10% or 20% OFF on your CapeXtreme Adventure when booking through Khaya

The best adventure company in Cape Town! They organize action packed activities and overland tours in Cape Town. On top of that they also do trips from Cape Town to Addo and the Port Elizabeth Area.
Surfing, cage diving, sandboarding, skydiving, everything is possible with Cape Xtreme. You can see the Garden Route or enjoy a day visiting the cape peninsula, or what do you think of a daytrip to Stellenbosch and Paarl for the most amazing wine tastings?
As a Khaya Volunteer, you can get an amazing discount of 10 or 20% depending on the adventure you book. After confirming your booking with us, you will get a voucher code that will ensure you your discount. Simply go to their website CapeXtreme , choose your tour and date, insert the voucher code, proceed to check-out, make your payment online, and enjoy the trip!
15% OFF on your Mzansi Travel when booking through Khaya
The most comfortable & affordable way to do Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Travel Tickets in South Africa. Meet fellow travelers. Fun stops along the way! Travelling on a small budget? Then Mzansi is definitely something for you.
Get a 15% discount on direct tickets, hop-on hop-off tickets and Mzansi Passes. After confirming your stay with us, you will get a voucher code sent to you that you can use on all your Mzansi bookings. Just go to their website Mzansi Travel, make your booking online use the voucher code and off you go!
Location
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
