Social Work & Community Outreach Internship

Join a teaching and childcare internship programme in Cape Town. Support early childhood education, social work and make a real community impact.

social & Community Support

Social Work & Community Outreach Internship

Cape Town’s street communities represent one of the most complex and least-resourced areas of social development work in South Africa. SAVE Foundation’s Social Work and Community Outreach Internship places you alongside a Cape Town-based partner NPO working directly with this community — spanning street outreach, skills development, CV and job interview preparation, entrepreneurship awareness, and organisational administration.

What You Will Do

As an intern, your role will involve a mix of educational support and active engagement through sport and mentorship:

OUTREACH WORK

Participate in structured street outreach

SKILLS WORKSHOPS

Support skills development workshops — literacy, numeracy, digital literacy

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT

Assist with CV preparation, job application support, and interview coaching

what to expect

Who you work with

As an intern, you will support teachers and social workers in both educational and daily care activities
This programme focuses on creating measurable and meaningful outcomes for children in the community.

package

Accommodation:

Shared interns accommodation near Cape Town’s coastal areas
Three meals provided daily
Opportunity to explore Cape Town and surrounding attractions
Opportunity to explore Cape Town and surrounding attractions
24-hour local support and transport assistance

Impact

Community Impact

55,719 homeless people counted in South Africa – up 4x since 1996
70% of homeless people are roofless, with no shelter access at all
41% cite job loss as the reason they lost stable housing.
#1 cause of homelessness in SA: no cohesive national policy response.

Unique Highlights

Program Structure

Cape Town OrientationIntroduction to Cape Town, your intern community, the schools, and the support structure. Meet your team and prepare for your first classroom experience.

School Placement2-day orientation in Cape Town to prepare interns. Minimum stay of 2 Weeks

Community ProgrammesWhere available, interns participate in after-school programmes and community education initiatives that extend impact beyond the classroom.

Childhood support and afternoon youth programmesOngoing guidance and support from local coordinators.

About this internship

Learning Outcomes

Build real community development experienceInterns play a direct role in supporting children’s development while gaining experience in education, sport, and mentorship.

Deepen your understanding of social issuesHands-on classroom experience in a diverse, high-need environment is invaluable for anyone considering a career in education, social work, or child development.

Walk away with proof of your impactWorking within Cape Town’s communities gives you an authentic, respectful experience of South African culture beyond any tourist itinerary.

Programme Transparency & Support

Programme Transparency and Support

All intern placements are made in partnership with established community pre-schools and educare centres in Cape Town. Interns are supervised, supported, and matched to placements that align with community need and skill.

SAVE Foundation is a registered NPO. This programme is not a commercial service, it is a genuine community development initiative designed to support children and the educators who care for them every day.

✓ Registered NPO✓ Community-led✓ 24/7 support✓ Child-safe programme✓ Certificate issued

I'd dreamed my whole life about volunteering in Africa, and SAVE made it an easy choice for my internship abroad. I worked with local kids, taught sports, ran holiday activities, and took care of volunteer wellbeing and planning. It opened my eyes to working abroad and helped me grow my language and social skills in a completely new environment. Go for it — it's the perfect challenge for anyone who wants to meet new people and grow as a person while helping others.

Aurora - Finland

Social Work & Community Internship

Is prior social work training required?

No. Students at any stage of a social work, psychology, or community development programme are welcome.

Is this emotionally demanding work?

Yes, honestly. SAVE Foundation provides a structured debrief framework and project leader support throughout your placement.

Why it matters

South Africa faces significant early childhood development challenges, particularly in under-resourced communities. Quality care and stimulation in the first five years of a child’s life have a lasting impact on health, education, and social outcomes. Every volunteer makes that impact real.

Social Work & Community Outreach Internship