Imagine yourself sitting with young children in Africa, working with a local teacher to play a fun, educational game. Or picture yourself in a daycare center, planning classes with the teacher, and sharing anecdotes from the previous day. You can do this and much more when you volunteer in Africa with children.
On our childcare volunteer programs in Africa, you can:
- Volunteer at a daycare center or school
- Work alongside local staff who are passionate about promoting education and the well-being of each child
- Learn about early childhood development and the challenges children face every day
- Choose to volunteer with children who have special needs, and support their caregivers
- Meet volunteers and interns from around the world
- Live with a local host family, or in pre-arranged, comfortable accommodation
By working with children in Africa, you’ll leave your placement with a new perspective and a deeper understanding of the country you worked in. It’s an opportunity to discover what you’re capable of and add real-world experience to your resume.
You can view our Childcare Projects in Africa below. Not convinced this is the right program for you? You may also be interested in Social Work Internships.
I decided to bite the bullet and just go for it, thinking it would be good for my personal growth and it would be a chance to see a new country. I never expected to have one of the best two weeks of my life, make new friends, and gain confidence and a better understanding of the challenging conditions many people live in. - Eloise G, Childcare & Community High School Special in South Africa
How can I make a difference and help children in Africa?
Do you want to travel? Do you want to help kids in Africa? Do you enjoy exciting challenges? Achieve these goals and more by volunteering in Africa with children. You can expect to:
- Teach basic English
- Teach early childhood development through games, activities, and lessons
- Support local teachers in busy classrooms
- Monitor children’s development using our Global Impact Database
- Create lesson plans and resources that can be used by future volunteers and local staff
- Assist with basic renovations like painting classrooms and murals
- Encourage children to practice better hygiene during outreaches and presentations, like washing hands and brushing teeth properly
We’ll teach you everything you need to know about early childhood development. We also run regular workshops with all of our Childcare and Teaching volunteers. At these sessions, you can get advice and ideas to support your work.
If you're interested in helping children in Africa, we recommend staying longer to make a greater impact. However, we do offer one week volunteer programs, if you have a shorter available time frame. Read our blog about short-term volunteering and the impact you can make during your trip.
You don’t need previous experience to help children in Africa. You’re there to support local staff and you’ll work alongside them. There is a high student-teacher ratio in many of the placements we work. As an extra pair of hands, ears, and eyes, you’ll give teachers and caregivers the extra support they need.
At my project, I helped primarily in the classroom and sometimes in the occupational therapy room. During this experience, I always felt as though I was making a difference and lending a helping hand. Sometimes making an impact was as easy as telling the children about America, showing them pictures of places I’ve traveled to, or simply conversing with them so they could practice their English. - Casie S, Childcare in Kenya
![A volunteer in Africa plays a game with children at her placement A volunteer and a group of South African children play a game on a Childcare Project in Africa](jpg/product-5c64122098568.%5b1090%5d.jpg)
Working in African Orphanages
In the past, our volunteers have worked with children at orphanages in Africa and residential care homes. They have done incredible work at these placements, improving living conditions and creating opportunities for children by supporting their education and care.
However, on a global scale, we have decided to move our focus away from orphanages and homes toward community care. Read more about orphanage volunteering and our position on it.
This means that instead of volunteering in an African orphanage, volunteers will work in placements like day care centers, kindergartens, and schools. This will help Projects Abroad build stronger relationships with local communities and – most importantly – help families stay together and flourish.
Keeping Children Safe
On all of our childcare volunteer opportunities, we take the safety of the children and young people we work with very seriously. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive Child Protection Policy.
Choose a Childcare Project in Africa
1-3 of 7 Projects
![A child at a daycare centre in Ghana goes in for a high five with a volunteer during class. A Childcare volunteer in Ghana offers a child a high five for successfully completing an educational task.](jpg/volunteer-in-ghana-teaches-child-daycare-centre-product-5ee1e126b98bb.%5b414%5d.jpg)
Volunteer with Children in Ghana
See this project- Price: $2,700 USD for 2 weeks
- Extra Weeks: $400 USD
- Start Date: Anytime
- Minimum Duration: 2 weeks
- Ages: 16 or over
![Volunteers play a game with the children outside during their volunteer work with children for teenagers in Kenya Projects Abroad volunteers assist with childcare volunteering for teenagers in Kenya as they play educational games with the children in the school yard](jpg/product-5b5b3125b241f.%5b414%5d.jpg)
Volunteer Work with Children in Kenya for Teenagers
See this project- Price: $2,975 USD for 2 weeks
- Extra Weeks: $600 USD
- Start Date: Summer/Winter Break
- Minimum Duration: 2 weeks
- Ages: 15-18
![A Childcare volunteer helps a child wash their hands with soap outside a care centre in Kenya. A Projects Abroad volunteer working with children in Kenya gives soap to a child washing their hands outdoors.](jpg/product-5b5b16e2bc001.%5b414%5d.jpg)
Volunteer with Children in Kenya
See this project- Price: $2,700 USD for 2 weeks
- Extra Weeks: $400 USD
- Start Date: Anytime
- Minimum Duration: 2 weeks
- Ages: 16 or over
Can't find what you're looking for?
We’d be happy to talk about creating a custom project for you. Most of our staff have been volunteers themselves, so they’re ready to answer your questions, big or small.
or
Request Infoto start planning your project
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