Refugee Aid Project in South Africa

About the refugee aid project

In this project, you will be supporting a Somali non-profit organization (NPO) in Cape Town that helps migrants and refugees integrate into South African society. The people affected come mainly from Somalia, where the ongoing civil war is forcing many people to flee. Your assignment location supports those seeking a home in getting settled in a new country and integrating.
The local staff work on a voluntary basis and look forward to your support. For the integration to succeed, it is important that the migrants and refugees can speak and understand English. Therefore, language training is very important at your place of work. The NPO also offers help with professional qualification and integration, as well as with registration, dealing with the authorities and filing applications. Another service provided by the refugee aid project is legal advice.

Your tasks in the refugee aid project

The project gives you an insight into the various areas of work in an NPO. You are also welcome to focus on a specific area. Depending on your previous knowledge and interests, you can teach computer skills, teach English or take part in workshops. Your help is also needed at the reception desk, in advising and supporting people, for example, in filing applications and accompanying them to the authorities.
Lessons are held in the morning for children and in the afternoon and evening for adults. Individual counseling to answer all questions from immigrants and refugees is offered throughout the day. Legal advice, on the other hand, is only provided once a week.

Your daily routine in the refugee aid project

Your place of work is open 5 days a week from 9 am and often also at weekends. You will work a maximum of 8 hours a day in this project. You can organize your working hours and breaks individually.
Consultations on a variety of topics take place daily to help refugees and migrants integrate into South African society. In addition, there is the opportunity for those affected to seek legal advice once a week. At the weekend, there are usually workshops or other events.