The South Africa Classic Volunteer Program offers six and twelve month opportunities starting in January and July.

Visions in Action has been sending volunteers to South Africa since 1992. During the 1994 elections, Visions fielded the largest US based election observer delegation in South Africa to witness the transition from apartheid to freedom. On May 10,1994, all Visions volunteers and staff attended a special celebration hosted by the US ambassador to honor the swearing-in of the newly elected president, Nelson Mandela. Come be a part of the history of this beautiful country by volunteering with Visions in Action today!

Our volunteers are based in Johannesburg and live in a group house in the multiethnic Melville neighborhood.  Our South Africa Country Coordinator eases volunteers into the South African way of life during orientation and provides support for the duration of their service.

Volunteers interested in working in South Africa have the option of staying six or twelve months. Programs begin in January and July with an orientation program led by the in-country coordinator. Throughout three intense weeks, volunteers receive Zulu/Afrikaans language instruction, attend development seminars, participate in home stays, and travel to areas around Johannesburg. During the orientation volunteers interview and select their placement with a volunteer organization.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated commitment to international development
• Must be 20 years of age or older
• All nationalities are eligible
• Prior overseas and cross-cultural experience preferred
• A college degree or equivalent experience

APPLICATION DEADLINES AND FEES

Program fees include housing, health insurance, orientation, staff support, visa fees and program administration. The program fees in South Africa have recently been lowered! Volunteers also receive a USD 50 monthly stipend from Visions in Action to assist with daily living expenses and there may be a stipend ranging from USD 40-100 provided by the host organizations, which also helps to defray monthly expenses. In addition to the program fees listed below volunteers are responsible for a USD 45 application fee and a USD 300 deposit. If the regular application deadline has passed, please contact us regarding space and availability. Those applying late will be subject to a USD 100 late fee.

POTENTIAL VOLUNTEER PLACEMENTS

Below are some potential organizations that volunteers could work with. This is just a sample of the many organizations that have requested Visions volunteers. Once you have committed to the program, you will receive a complete listing of organizations and volunteer opportunities.

Democracy
Institute for Democratic Alternatives in South Africa (IDASA)
IDASA is an independent non-profit public interest organisation promoting democracy in South Africa. They aim to promote a sustainable democracy by building democratic institutions, educating citizens, and advocating social justice.

Education
New Nation School
This school is only for street children who are much more disadvantaged compared with other children. They not only receive basic education but also learn social skills to deal with their difficulties; psychological support is available as well. Our volunteers were challenged and received valuable experience from this organization.

University of Witwatersrand Volunteer Program
The Witwatersrand Volunteer Program is an extra-curricular activity for university students that places student volunteers at organizations in a variety of fields. The current volunteer oversees the student managers at volunteer sites and helps develop the overall program. http://web.wits.ac.za/AboutWits/Entities/CUPS/WVP/Volunteering.htm

Health
Esselen Street Clinic
The Esselen Street Clinic offers STD testing and treatment and HIV/AIDS counseling and testing. Counselors visit various areas of Johannesburg to assist with community AIDS education and provide pre- and post-test counseling for everyone testing for HIV. Long-term counseling is provided for those who test positive. The current volunteer acts as an HIV/AIDS counselor and says there are "enormous opportunities to change someone's life everyday".

redpeg
This NGO does HIV/AIDS impact management and is requesting a volunteer to serve as a Program Administrator. The volunteer needs to have extensive project management and report writing skills; advanced computer skills including maintaining databases and updating web sites; experience or interest in social development issues; the ability to interact with corporates, communities, and trade unions; post graduate degree; and the ability to self manage and meet deadlines. They require a one year commitment from a volunteer.  http://www.redpeg.co.za/

Cotlands
This organization sets up sanctuaries for abandoned, abused & AIDS children ages 0-12. Cotlands has outreach programs providing services to sick children and their families in three townships. Education training is also available. This organization is great for anyone who has interests in children, education and HIV/AIDS.  http://www.cotlands.org/gauteng/main.htm

Planned Parenthood Association of South Africa (PPASA)
This organization works in the field of family planning, reproductive health and sexuality education. Volunteers can work as project assistants in the fields of youth education and research.  http://www.ppasa.org.za/

Housing
Planact
This non-governmental development organization is dedicated to the eradication of poverty. The current volunteer serves as an assistant coordinator on the People's Housing Project in Vosloorus Township, serving people with severely inadequate housing. http://www.planact.org.za/

Human Rights/Law
Black Sash
Originally focused on the empowerment of women, Black Sash is an NGO now dedicated to ensuring the recognition and protection of human rights for all South African citizens. http://www.sdc.org.za/en/Home/Completed_Projects/Governance_Archives/Black_Sash

Lawyers for Human Rights
Lawyers for Human Rights has a newly opened office in Johannesburg. They run two projects from the office, a Gender project and a Refugee Rights project. http://www.lhr.org.za/

Street Law
A service-learning program operated from Wits University, Street Law connects students with prisons, schools, and youth organizations where they do workshops on democracy and human rights. http://www.streetlaw.org.za/

Nelson Mandela Foundation
The Nelson Mandela Foundation works to build capacity, to influence social policy through research and advocacy, to help increase the effectiveness of local institutions, to model innovation and new initiatives for social improvement and to create and encourage dialogue. It conducts research primarily to provide a deeper understanding of issues to inform and influence policy. Two of its main issues are HIV/AIDS and improving the situation of children in rural schools. In those areas they had a positive impact on policy development and have given a voice to many underrepresented people.  http://www.nelsonmandela.org/

Journalism
Institute for the Advancement of Journalism
The IAJ is a nonprofit media training institute, which provides training to working journalists and to people working with the media in government departments, NGOs and private companies. The current volunteer works as a research assistant with the Community Radio Training Project, which  trains employees of community radio stations. http://www.iaj.org.za/

Refugee Rights
Jesuit Refugee Service
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organisation whose mission is to accompany, serve and defend the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. It is currently meeting the needs of refugees in Johannesburg as the main implementing partner of the UNHCR. The most recent volunteer worked with them as an advocacy counselor providing legal advice about the asylum process to refugees. http://www.jrs.net/home.php

Social Entrepreneurship
ASHOKA
ASHOKA is an international NGO that invests in social entrepreneurs - people with an innovative, new idea for solving a social problem who also possess the drive and determination to implement that solution. The office in Johannesburg provides support to fellows in Southern Africa. Visions volunteers could work in the office or work directly with Ashoka fellows. Volunteers need to be self-starters willing to work with little supervision. http://www.ashoka.org/southafrica

Youth Development
Conquest for Life
Conquest for Life is a non-profit organization, established in a traditionally coloured township, focusing on empowering youth to avoid gang membership and street life. The organization operates several programs aimed at providing children and young adults an opportunity to learn life skills, promote a peaceful community, and equip themselves with job skills and experience. http://www.conquest.org.za/

Women
People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA)
POWA is a non-profit organization that provides services to victims of domestic violence, sexual harassment, and rape, and to adult survivors of incest. POWA operates various programs for women, such as legal support, economic empowerment projects, self-help programs, shelters for abused women, public awareness program, and lobbying for legislative change.