South Africa

Students from Eastern Senior High School pose with a bench for the The Homestead's campus in Khayelitsha on the first LearnServe South Africa trip in 2017.

The LearnServe South Africa program immerses high school students in local efforts on social justice, youth empowerment, and the politics of history, memory, and language. Our students work alongside dynamic community leaders and social entrepreneurs, to deepen their understanding of South African solutions to global issues. They conduct human centered design workshops with in-country peers to develop relevant service projects.

News

LearnServe South Africa 2019, Day 12: I Am We Are Day

LearnServe South Africa 2019, Day 11: The Bofakeng Kingdom

LearnServe South Africa 2019, Day 10: KYP Day

LearnServe South Africa 2019, Day 8: K.Y.P. and Market Theatre

LearnServe South Africa 2019, Day 7: Transitioning from Cape Town to Johannesburg

LearnServe South Africa 2019, Day 4: Table Mountain

LearnServe South Africa 2019, Day 3: At the District 6 Museum

LearnServe South Africa 2019, Day 2: Mobile Tech Trucks and Bo-Kaap

LearnServe South Africa 2019, Day 1: Partnering with RLabs

LearnServe South Africa 2018: A Reflection on Intentions and Purpose

Why South Africa? +

On the continent’s southernmost tip, South Africa is bordered by both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The “Rainbow Nation” is home to 54 million people as well as 11 official languages, the most of any country in the world, ranging from Afrikaans to Zulu. The population of South Africa is about 80% of Sub-Saharan African ancestry, but includes Africa’s largest communities of people of white, Asian (Indian), and multiracial descent. Approximately 65% of the population live in poverty.

LearnServe South Africa students work with South African social entrepreneurs and social justice organizations, presenting the opportunity to support their work through hands-on volunteering.

Community Partners

City Year South Africa

Kliptown Youth Program

Linawo Children’s Home

Important Dates and Apply +

In 2020 LearnServe teams will travel to Jamaica, Paraguay, South Africa, and Zambia.  The three-week trips will depart late June; pre-travel training sessions will be held on Saturdays throughout the spring semester and include an overnight retreat. There are three post-trip meetings September – October in which participants prepare action plans and share their experiences with their schools and communities.

Costs +

South Africa: $4,950 (does not include passport, visa fees, or vaccinations)
Listed prices are estimates and subject to change at time of airline ticket purchase.

Financial Aid is available. Any participant or school unable to cover the full cost of the program should email Director and COO Sabine Keinath.