🌍 VOLUNTEER IN AFRICA 🌍

Most Affordable – PMGY’s programs are accessible to everyone who wants to make a difference, through low fees and high-impact projects.

 

Best Support – Our international and local teams provide extensive around the clock services to assist you every step of your PMGY adventure.

 

Safety Prioritised – With safety a PMGY number-1 priority, we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure our programs are as safe and structured as possible.

 

Extraordinary Experiences – With PMGY, you have the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in amazing cultural and travel experiences, ensuring you leave with unforgettable memories.

 

Friendships for Life – Your PMGY experience not only opens up a doorway for new experiences and exciting memories, but also life-long friendships when meeting new people from around the world.

VOLUNTEER PROJECTS IN GHANA

 

 

GHANA CHILDCARE VOLUNTEERS

As a childcare volunteer in Ghana, you will make a vital and important contribution to the daily lives of the Kumasi children. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs provide international participants with a platform to brighten up the lives of young children. You will work alongside local staff as you provide care and attention to disadvantaged children. Above all, you will be assisting with the general childcare and daily project operations when you volunteer with children in Ghana.

 

GHANA DISABLED CHILDREN VOLUNTEERS

As a volunteer with disabled children in Ghana participant, you will assist local staff with the day-to-day routines at the volunteer placement. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs will see you do your bit to help care for children with special needs. Support local staff at the project in various essential education and rehabilitation sessions. Moreover, provide one-on-one interaction and care for children who need it most.

 

GHANA ENGLISH TEACHING VOLUNTEERS

As a volunteer teaching English in Ghana, you will provide additional support to schools in Kumasi. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs will see you help young children in Ghana. Play a vital role in developing the English skills that will help improve their future job prospects. Demonstrate your passion, energy and enthusiasm for learning within a new culture. Teaching other subjects such as Science, Maths and Art represent further opportunities as you teach English in Ghana.

 

GHANA MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS

As a medical volunteer in Ghana, you will gain first-hand experience and insight into the Ghanian health care system. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs provide a once in a lifetime cultural experience. The medical project offers a fantastic opportunity to spend time a range of departments in a large government hospital. Learn from local staff and get involved in supporting them.

 

GHANA MENTAL HEALTH VOLUNTEERS

As a mental health volunteer in Ghana, the placement is designed to provide an insight into how psychiatric services operate within Ghana. PMGY’s Ghana volunteer programs provide a once in a lifetime cultural experience. The mental health and psychology program provides international participants with a unique learning experience. Most noteworthy, participants will establish a deeper understanding of the history and developments of mental healthcare in Ghana.

 
 

VOLUNTEER PROJECTS IN MOROCCO

 

 

MOROCCO CHILDCARE VOLUNTEERS

As a childcare volunteer in Morocco, you will provide additional support to childcare projects within the coastal city of Rabat. International participants on PMGY’s Morocco volunteer programs have the opportunity to make a hands-on difference within the local community. Coordinate activities, games and lessons to deliver with enthusiasm and energy whilst at the project. Use your free time to explore the wonders that Morocco has to offer outside of the project.

 

MOROCCO ENGLISH TEACHING VOLUNTEERS

As a volunteer teaching English in Morocco, you will provide additional support to teaching projects within the coastal city of Rabat. International participants on PMGY’s Morocco volunteer programs have the opportunity to teach English to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition, a variety of other subjects such as Science and Maths can be instructed when you teach English in Morocco. Prepare well to ensure you make the most of your time as a volunteer teaching English in Morocco.

 
 

VOLUNTEER PROJECTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

 

 

SOUTH AFRICA CHILDCARE VOLUNTEERS

As a childcare volunteer in South Africa, you will provide additional support to childcare projects within the Cape Town community. PMGY’s South Africa volunteer programs will see you help young children in Cape Town. Volunteer with children in South Africa to make a vital contribution in brightening up the lives of young children.

 

SOUTH AFRICA ENGLISH TEACHING VOLUNTEERS

As a volunteer teaching English in South Africa, you will play a vital role in developing local children’s English skills. Consequently, as the students English levels improve, so will their future prospects. PMGY’s South Africa volunteer programs will see you help young children in Cape Town. Teach English in South Africa and a range of other subjects to underprivileged children from government schools. All within the stunning setting of cosmopolitan Cape Town.

 

SOUTH AFRICA WILDLIFE RESERVE VOLUNTEERS

As a South Africa wildlife reserve volunteer, you will get the opportunity to work behind the scenes on a world-class wildlife reserve. In addition, you will gain a rich education in conservation management. PMGY’s South Africa volunteer programs provide a fantastic opportunity to engage in meaningful wildlife volunteer work in South Africa. If you have a real passion for animals then this South Africa wildlife volunteer program is the opportunity for you.

 
 

VOLUNTEER PROJECTS IN TANZANIA

 

 

TANZANIA CHILDCARE VOLUNTEERS

As a childcare volunteer in Tanzania with PMGY, you will brighten up the lives of young children, making a vital and important contribution to their daily lives. International participants with children in Tanzania work to support centres in Arusha, organising educational activities and games whilst assisting in tasks to complement the work of local staff.

 

TANZANIA ENGLISH TEACHING VOLUNTEERS

As a volunteer teaching English in Tanzania, you will work to encourage students to develop a skill that will help them to achieve their future goals. Conversing with fluent, native English speakers greatly improves their language skills, essential for future employment. This project, therefore, provides the perfect opportunity for international participants to teach English in Tanzania. Develop your leadership skills and make a profound impact on the lives of disadvantaged children in Arusha.

 

TANZANIA MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS

As a medical volunteer in Tanzania with PMGY, you will have a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand experience and insight into Tanzanian health care. If you are thinking of a career in healthcare, or you are studying a health-related subject at university, this program will offer you essential first-hand experience to assist in your career development. On this medical volunteer abroad program, you will learn from local staff. By supporting them, you will gain exposure that you are unlikely to obtain in your home country.

Flights

 

After confirming your place on a PMGY program, we strongly advise that you book your flights as early as possible. This will help ensure that you get the lowest airfare. You can choose to book your flights independently or we can help you with arranging them. PMGY has a wealth of experience in travelling to and from our host countries. This means that we know the most affordable ways to travel and the best airlines to use. PMGY have an ATOL Licence to ensure any flights booked through us are financially secured by the Civil Aviation Authority. If you would therefore like any assistance booking your flight, you can request an optional flight quote during your online application. Alternatively, feel free to contact us on the phone or by email.

 

Your arrival airport and date is dependent on the PMGY volunteer opportunities in Africa that you join us on:

 

🇬🇭 Kumasi – To volunteer in Africa on our Ghana volunteer program, you should book your flights to Kotoka International Airport on the Sunday start date. The airport code is ACC. Volunteers in Ghana can arrive at any time on their designated Sunday start date.

 

🇲🇦 Rabat – To volunteer in Africa on our Morocco volunteer program, you should book your flights to Rabat-Salé airport on the Saturday start date. The airport code is RBA. Volunteers in Morocco can arrive at any time on their designated Saturday start date.

 

🇿🇦 Cape Town – To volunteer in Africa on our community South Africa volunteer program, you should book your flights to Cape Town International Airport (airport code CPT). Volunteers in South Africa on this program can arrive their designated Sunday start date.

 

🇿🇦 Port Elizabeth – To volunteer in Africa on our wildlife South Africa volunteer program, you should book your flights to Port Elizabeth International Airport (airport code PLZ). For this program, you will need to arrive between 9:30am-3:30pm on your Monday start date.

 

🇹🇿 Arusha – To volunteer in Africa on our Tanzania volunteer program, you should book your flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport on the Sunday start date. The airport code is JRO. Volunteers in Tanzania can arrive at any time on their designated Sunday program start date.

 

Travel Insurance

 

Having an appropriate travel insurance policy during your time abroad is essential. It is therefore mandatory for all of our international participants to be appropriately covered across all of their trip dates. Although most of our participants experience a smooth ride during their time overseas, occasionally things may go wrong. Having a travel insurance policy in place helps you effectively deal with any problems you may encounter during your time away.

 

Plan My Gap Year Ltd is an appointed representative of Endsleigh Insurance Services Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We have partnered up with the insurance company Endsleigh to create an affordable and comprehensive optional policy. This has been designed with our international participants in mind, to cover our participants for all of their travel essentials. The policy is available to anyone across the globe, up to the age of 65 years. The document will cover you for your time on any PMGY destination and any onward travel (excluding the US and Canada).

 

If you’d like to purchase PMGY travel insurance, you can add this option on during your online application. You can also add this to any upcoming trips with us by getting in contact via telephone or email.

Our International Team will work hard to provide extensive levels of support in the build-up to your trip to Africa. From our online chat service to email support and telephone conversations, our team are always ready to help. All international participants with PMGY will receive a Volunteer Handbook. This detailed hand guide will provide you with all you need to know in the build-up to your trip. From visa guidance to suggested packing lists, this will be the ultimate guide, helping you plan for your trip to Africa.

 

We have Facebook groups for each of our destinations. Here you can find members of our international and local teams, as well as past, present and future participants. These pages, therefore, provide a great forum for participants to network, share experiences and community updates year-on-year.

 

Sometimes it can be difficult to picture yourself abroad without yet being there. We, therefore, do our best to further manage expectations before you arrive through a variety of informative and action-packed videos on our PMGY Vimeo channel. These clips help provide you with a visual perspective of what you can expect during your time volunteering with us. Our webinars are not to be missed either. Running on selected Tuesdays, at 4pm UK time, our International Team provides invaluable advice for your upcoming trip to Africa. Each webinar covers something different. Our pre-departure webinar covers all of the essentials you need to know and do before joining us abroad. Our program preparation webinar is more project-specific, with advice and information for the time you will spend on placement. Finally, our safety webinar offers you some top tips on how to manage your safety and wellbeing across the pond. For those who are simply interested in learning more about PMGY, our team also run an introductory webinar. This provides an introduction to the volunteer organisation, our background, goals and volunteer opportunities overseas.

 

Teaching and childcare volunteers may wish to take their program preparation even further, through a 60 hour online TEFL course. This is the perfect introductory course for working with children and teaching English abroad. Participation in this course enables international volunteers to acquire key skills whilst working towards an internationally accredited certificate.

🇬🇭 Kumasi – Our Ghana volunteer program is located in Kumasi, in central Ghana. It is Ghana’s second-biggest city, located around 6 hours away from the country’s capital Accra. It is a bustling region with so much going on! The surrounding area is made up of rolling hills and rural areas, with a much more laid back approach in life.

 

🇲🇦 Rabat – Our Morocco volunteer program is located in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Rabat combines the old and new, where Moroccan history spectacularly collides with modern life. Unlike the hustle and bustle of other Moroccan cities, in Rabat, you are left to go about your business. It is calm and relaxed, but busy enough to be exciting and friendly.

 

🇿🇦 Cape Town – Our community South Africa volunteer program is located in Cape Town, a truly multicultural city and one of stark contrasts. Central Cape Town is an exciting and trendy location filled with a range of cultural heritage sites and a buzzing nightlife. Yet, as you move towards the suburbs, you begin to see what life is like for those less fortunate. The Townships and Cape Flats here highlight the disparity between rich and poor.

 

🇿🇦 Port Elizabeth – The wildlife volunteering abroad project on our South Africa volunteer program is located approximately 1.5 hours from Port Elizabeth International Airport. Participants on this South African volunteer project are based in the heart of the project’s game reserve, situated on the Eastern Cape. The reserve spans over 6000 hectares, homing not only the majestic Big 5 family but thousands of species of fauna and flora.

 

🇹🇿 Arusha – Our Tanzania volunteer program is located in Arusha, based in the Kilimanjaro region of the country. Also known as A-town or Arachuga, Arusha is set amongst a backdrop of the impressive Mount Meru. It’s a really beautiful setting and a vibrant town, with a good nightlife and a friendly atmosphere.

PMGY’s volunteer programs in Africa are run by our dedicated and experienced in-country local teams.

 

All staff have been fully vetted by our International Team. The community development network provides the structure for your stay with us as a volunteer in Africa. Our local team will arrange your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, in-country orientation and 24/7 emergency support. Whether you are teaching English in schools, working with children or interning at the hospital, our local team will support you. Our team provides a great framework for you to enjoy a unique experience with us in the African countries.

Upon arrival into your specific volunteer program in Africa, you will receive an orientation from your in-country team. This day will usually be broken down into two components. The first portion will usually be dedicated to all the theoretical aspects, from ‘dos and don’ts’, to safety aspects, project information and team introductions. The remainder of the day is usually used to introduce you to the local area. The local team will teach you how to locate every essential you may need during your time. They will also be able to help you arrange your money and a local SIM-card. Please note that the exact itinerary of the orientation will vary from country-to-country.

If you have not travelled much before, it is really hard to know what to expect. When anticipating their time overseas, many international volunteers (and their loved ones) are often concerned about safety and security. Although we can never guarantee participant experiences to be 100% trouble-free, we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure our programs are as safe as possible. Every program that PMGY offers has been personally inspected and selected by a director of PMGY. We have lived in the accommodation, experienced the orientation and worked on the projects. Through our frequent visits and daily communications, we have built strong, trusting relationships with our local staff.

 

In the unlikely event that something was to happen, participants have various layers of support available to them:

 

• Volunteer in Africa Local Team
• Project Staff
• PMGY International Team

 

Projects are monitored on an on-going basis to gauge volunteers’ experiences. With the help of feedback, we are able to continually improve our placements and volunteer opportunities. Security and safety are frequently assessed as part of this. We ask our participants to raise any concerns with our local or International Team. This ensures that these can be addressed and/or resolved as readily and appropriately as possible.

 

Through pre-departure and in-country guidance, we do our best to prepare our international participants for their time in the African countries. All participants are provided with a comprehensive safety briefing during their orientation period. Our local teams will go through everything from project introductions, to emergency procedures, how to use local transport and cultural differences. During this period, our team also provide participants with a full list of the important contact numbers.

 

Listed below are some general safety tips:

 

• Be modest with the amount of jewellery worn in public
• Do not drink tap water
• Be cautious of beggars or crowds. Incidents can occur when is confusion to distract you.
• Be cautious about removing money in public
• Always try to know where you are going before you attempt long journeys. Be especially careful at night
• Use reputable transport only. Our local staff will be able to recommend some during orientation
• Try to keep in groups at night and never walk alone along dark, empty streets
• The recognised tourist areas can be considered potentially high-risk areas for pickpockets and thieves
• Leave your valuables behind before a night out in the town
• For traffic safety, always keep looking to the left and right and walk slowly when crossing the road
• Do not accept drinks or food from strangers

🇬🇭 Kumasi – On the Ghana volunteer program, the cost of your project transport is not included in your Program Fee. You will be required to take public transport to your volunteer work in Africa every day. Our local coordinators will introduce you to local transport methods during your orientation and the first couple of days at the project. We will also indicate how much you should be paying for transport so that you do not get ripped off. Public transport in Ghana is cheap and easy to use. Most noteworthy, heavy traffic and poor road infrastructure can be commonplace within Kumasi. Subsequently, the journey to the volunteer project can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour upwards from the Volunteer House.

 

🇲🇦 Rabat – On the Morocco volunteer program, the cost of your project transport is not included in your Program Fee. However, as a volunteer in Africa in Morocco, the majority of the volunteer teaching English abroad projects are in walking distance from the Volunteer House. This is usually around a 20 minute walk from the Riad.

 

🇿🇦 Cape Town – On the South Africa volunteer program, the cost of your transport to project is not included in your Program Fee. Some of the volunteer projects in Africa are within walking distance from the Volunteer House, but several are further afield. On average, it takes around 30 minutes to get to the volunteer project. Our local team will instruct you as to how to get to and from the project each day. Alternatively, you will be paired with a participant who has already been working at the placement you have been assigned to.

 

🇿🇦 Port Elizabeth – On the wildlife South Africa volunteer program, the cost of your project transport is included in your Program Fee. During your time as a volunteer in Africa, you are based on the wildlife reserve and are therefore within close proximity to the volunteer projects. You will be transported to and from your project each day by safari jeep.

 

🇹🇿 Arusha – On the Tanzania volunteer program, the cost of your project transport is not included in your Program Fee. Some volunteer projects in Africa within walking distance from the Volunteer House, but many are further afield. In these latter cases, you will be required to take a Dala Dala (local bus) to placement. It can take up to 45 minutes to travel to your volunteer work in Tanzania. Our local team will guide you through the local transport methods during your in-country orientation. You can also always ask them if you are unsure of how much you should be paying for a journey.

 

GHANA

 

 

SOUTH AFRICA - CAPE TOWN

 

 

SOUTH AFRICA - KWANTU

 

 

TANZANIA

 

PMGY welcome volunteers in Africa of all nationalities and backgrounds. The minimum age to join the program is 17 years and there is no upper age limit. All participants need to have a good level of English, although it does not need to be your first language. You do not need to speak the local language. However, you will find that learning a few words in your days with us in will go a long way!

 

All volunteer in Africa participants must be able to provide a clean criminal background check in advance of volunteering with us abroad. In general, no formal experience or qualifications are required for the projects, just lots of energy, enthusiasm and preparation!

 

In order to confirm your place on a PMGY program, you need to pay your Registration Fee of 249 USD. The remaining fee is then due no less than 60 days prior to your program start date. During this period if you need to make a change to your trip (destination, program or date) then this can be facilitated free of charge.

 

Please check out our Application Process for more info on how to join our volunteer projects overseas.