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Medical Volunteer Program in South Africa
Volunteer work in local healthcare clinics in and around Cape Town and assist staff in day-to-day work under professional guidance.This program offers an excellent opportunity for medical and nursing students at all levels to gain insight into the South African healthcare system. The core objective is knowledge-sharing, making the program beneficial to both the local healthcare facility and the volunteers.
- Volunteer in healthcare centers and clinics for out-patients in Cape Town and surrounding suburban towns
- Assist staff in day-to-day work under professional guidance
- Work closely with social workers, and counselors
- Work with medical and nursing students/professionals from across the globe
- Provide help in understaffed health clinic through expertise and skill-set
- Explore Cape Town on weekends and visit Table Mountain, Robben Island and Lions Head
Volunteers joining the Medical and Healthcare Program in South Africa work in healthcare clinics and centers located in Cape Town as well as suburban community areas. Day hospitals and health care centers provide medical care to the local community members.
These are facilities for the poorer people or people who in general can’t afford private medical care. The services provided are of a minor nature and they cater for out-patients. No major operations are performed here. Various awareness and support programs are also offered at the clinics. Some of these include HIV / AIDS awareness, special childcare and healthy living (nutrition) as day-to-day medical care.
Counseling services are also offered at these centers. The medical staff includes nurses, doctors, social workers, and counselors, etc. This is an amazing opportunity for medical students practitioners looking for international work experience.
Volunteers can also concentrate on other areas within the clinic; such as special awareness and information programs. Counseling sessions and programs are also offered and medical volunteers can observe and get some exposure in this area. This is a very challenging environment but would offer an opportunity to assist in various areas within the clinic.
It is important that medical volunteers first get acquainted with the environment and assist wherever help is required. Also, keep in mind that some of these centers are understaffed and might seem chaotic at times. Busy times will vary and you should be willing to adapt in these instances. Volunteers are also expected and encouraged to use their initiative at the project.
Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities
Volunteer tasks under the medical and healthcare program in South Africa may vary and depend on the level of experience, qualifications,medical training etc. If you have experience in the medical or health profession you might do tasks and activities which include the following:
- Wound dressing under direct supervision of nursing staff
- Blood pressure, pulse and temperature measurements (if competent)
- Assist patients with activities such as getting them from one service point to another
- Weighing patients, holding babies/adults to be weighed
- General assistance to the medical staff wherever required, and wherever experience and expertise allow
- Pre Medical students assist the local doctors and staff in doing basic tasks such as checking weight and temperature of the patients, cleaning wounds and also doing administrative tasks in the placement
Note: Your task and duty summary sheet may change upon arrival at your project.
Requirements & eligibility
Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Medical volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report, Copy of passport, CV, proof of registration or completion of studies at a medical/nursing school or other medical course and a short motivational letter. Only Medical and Nursing students as well as Physican Assistants, CNA’s and EMT’s are eligible to join the program. Pre Medical/Nursing Students are not eligible to join the program.
A typical day
A typical volunteer schedule in Cape Town varies based on the chosen accommodation. Volunteering Solutions offers options to stay with a local host family or in a volunteer house.Volunteers can select between these two types of accommodations.The volunteer schedule generally follows this structure:
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Sunday – Arrival at Cape Town (all volunteers stay in volunteer house for the first day)
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Monday – Orientation + transfer to the host family accommodation, if opted for.. Orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering topic areas; such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behaviour, food, and other suggestions over things to do in South Africa.
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Tuesday to Fri – Volunteer work
Breakfast – 06:30 am to 07:30 am (provided at the accommodation)
Leave for the project – 07:30 am
Working hours at the placement – 08:00 am to 03:00 pm
Lunch – 12:30 pm to 02:00 onwards (volunteers staying in the volunteer house need to manage lunch on their own)
Dinner – 06:00 pm onwards (at host family accommodation)
Volunteers living at volunteer house accommodation eat out at a nearby restaurant or cook it with other volunteers at the accommodation.
The same volunteer work schedule continues from the second week onwards.
Weekends – Free to explore the city, and do activities such as climbing Table Mountain or going to Robben Island or taking part in weekend tours.
Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating on.
Life on the programme
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
Volunteers are picked up from the Cape Town International Airport by a representative and transferred to the volunteers hostel accommodation by a shuttle transfer. Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in South Africa will have to arrive at the accommodation on their own and will not be provided with a pickup.
Orientation
All volunteers are housed at the volunteer house/hostel during the orientation period, unless otherwise stated. On the first Monday of your program, you will have an introduction/orientation session – this includes a chat with the local volunteer coordinator, covering topics such as living in and interacting with Cape Town culture, traditions, people, etc., general safety, volunteer projects and duties.
Accommodation
Volunteering Solutions arranges accommodation for volunteers in a Volunteer hostel or in home stays in local communities. The Volunteer hostel is a dormitory-style accommodation situated in the Observatory area of Cape Town.The rooms in the hostel typically have 4-8 people per room.The Observatory accommodation is located in a beautiful suburb of Cape Town, about 20 minutes from the city centre. The hostel is perfectly situated close to shops, restaurants, public transport, and some of the best beaches in the world! The areas are also very safe.
Living in the hostel is a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” because you will meet and live with many other volunteers from all over the globe. It’s a great opportunity to make lifelong friends and learn about different cultures. Each day you will travel to your project, usually by minibus taxi which is a very cheap and efficient way to travel in Cape Town, and is also a lot of fun! After you finish your project for the day you usually spend your evenings doing different activities with the other volunteers in the house like, movie nights in the lounge or having a braai, which is a South African barbecue.
The Volunteer House provides a clean, comfortable, safe and secure living-environment for all our volunteers – the house is strictly used for the program participants and not open to members of the public.
The volunteer house boasts the following amenities for volunteer’s comfort and safety:
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Backpacker-style dorm rooms sleeping between 4 – 8 per room
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Lockers are provided to keep valuables safe (please provide your own padlock)
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Strictly controlled access (all gates fitted with electronic keypad access)
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2 TV Rooms / Lounges with full cable and smart TV (various movie, sport & music channels)
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2 fully-equipped kitchens (fridge, stove, microwave, kettle, cutlery, crockery, etc.)
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Communal Showers and Toilets
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Indoor and Outdoor braai/barbecue facilities
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Pool Table, Table-Tennis table and dart-board
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Hi-Speed uncapped Wi-Fi (a local SIM card will be provided for mobile data when outside the house)
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On-site Hostel manager and daily cleaning staff
We provide volunteers with the option to stay with a host family in one of Cape Town’s vibrant local communities, located about 30 minutes from the city centre. This arrangement offers a deeper cultural experience, allowing volunteers to immerse themselves in the daily life of a local family. Most projects are within walking distance, and public transport is readily available. Some host families may even offer transportation to and from the projects. Three meals per day are included in the stay.On the weekends you can either spend your leisure time with your host family or book yourself into a backpacker in town to explore the city centre during the day and experience Cape Town nightlife.
Volunteers staying four weeks or longer have the option to split their time between the volunteer house and a host family. Keep in mind that this arrangement may require transitioning to a different project.
Meals
Volunteers staying at the hostel accommodation are provided with self-service breakfast at the hostel on weekdays (Monday – Friday).Supplies such as cereals,eggs,bread with various toppings, coffee/tea, selection of fruits are provided.Lunch, dinner and weekend meals are not included but can be eaten out at any of the affordable eateries or ordered to home as well. Volunteers can also purchase supplies locally and prepare meals in the house kitchen.
For those staying in a host family, you will be provided 3 meals a day, prepared by your host. Breakfast before your project, a packed lunch to take with you and a delicious home cooked meal for dinner.
During your Free Time
Cape Town has so much to offer for travellers and there is a lot to do on the weekends and during the free time. Volunteers usually take the Garden Route tours on the weekend or explore the beautiful beaches of Cape Town. You can also do a full day Cape Point Tour and head south to Cape of Good Hope. On a free day you can trek Table Mountain or just chill out at the Waterfront area. There is a lot to do and you will never have a dull day in the beautiful city of Cape Town. You have the option to book your weekend trip in South Africa from the add on tour options provided.
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
A one-off application fee ($249 / £179 / €229 / AU$350) is charged in addition to the program fee — valid for one year, during which you may enrol in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Program fee | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $775 | |
| 3 weeks | $940 | |
| 4 weeks | $1,090 | |
| 5 weeks | $1,240 | |
| 6 weeks | $1,390 | |
| 7 weeks | $1,540 | |
| 8 weeks | $1,690 | |
| Each additional week | +$250 / week |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Airport Pickup from Cape Town International Airport
- Orientation
- Meals (Depending on the type of accommodation)
- Accommodation in Volunteer house or host family
- Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
Not included
- Airfare
- Visa Fee
- Return Airport Drop(Can be arranged at extra cost)
- Daily Project Transportation
- Vaccinations
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply?
Apply as soon as your dates are decided — spots are limited. The application fee is valid for a full year, so you can apply early to secure your place.
How do I apply and when do I pay?
Fill in the online application form and pay the application fee. The program fee can be paid later, even in instalments, but must be complete 45 days before the program starts.
What are the requirements?
Participants must usually be at least 17 (families welcome with younger children), with an open mind, good health and respect for local customs. A clear criminal background check is required from all adults.
Where will I stay and what about food?
You stay in a volunteer house or with a host family, with meals provided. Private-room upgrades are usually available.
Is there support while I'm there?
Yes — a local coordinator gives you an orientation on arrival and is available 24/7 throughout your placement.
Do I need insurance and vaccinations?
Valid travel-medical insurance is mandatory (available from us at a nominal cost). Consult your travel doctor for recommended vaccinations; your pre-departure pack covers the details.
Do you help with the visa?
Yes — all enrolled participants get visa-requirement information in the pre-departure manual, and your point of contact can answer questions.
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