General Impression
Overall Rating: / 10
This summer, I spent 10 weeks volunteering at an orphanage in South Africa, and I have to say that it was the best time of my life :) Through the LV social welfare program, I was placed at an orphanage that housed kids from as young as newborns to as old as six years old. I worked specifically with the babies (3 months to 2 years) changing diapers, bathing, feeding, taking them to the clinic, everything - you name it! I worked from 9-5, four days a week, which gave me quite a lot of time to spend with and fall in love with each and every one of the little ones. Although it was hard leaving them, I’m so glad I had the experience to work with such beautiful kids and such an amazing staff. The people who ran and worked at the orphanage welcomed me so warmly and were incredibly lovely to be around. They were extremely appreciative to have volunteers and basically taught me how to be a mom haha.Aside from the kids and staff at the orphanage, I made some great friends while in South Africa. I lived with a host family in a neighborhood 20 minutes outside of Cape Town, where a few other volunteers stayed. The girls I lived with for over two months came to be my best friends, and are like sisters to me now. We still keep in touch :) Together, we explored so much of beautiful South Africa. I was there for the whole summer, but still didn’t get to see all that I wanted considering how many beaches, mountains, vineyards, and beautiful sights there are. In addition, we spent most of our time in Cape Town - the most beautiful, diverse, and laid back city that I’ve ever been to (and I’ve travelled a lot!). Cape Town offered so many cool attractions, like shark diving, sky diving, etc. I didn’t get the chance to go shark cage diving (mostly because I feared how cold the water would be - it was winter in South Africa while I was there…), but I did get the chance to Bungee jump (something I never thought I’d do) and skydive. They were such amazing experiences that I would not have if I didn’t go to South Africa. Overall, I just wanted to emphasize how awesome of a time I had in South Africa through Love Volunteers. I highly recommend signing up for the SA Social Welfare Program- you won’t regret it! I’m missing SA every day and can’t wait to return one day!