Program Overview | Service Opportunities | Program Requirements |
| Program Details
Program Overview
During the three weeks in Cape Town, ACE participants will work with World of Difference and alongside community partners to offer assistance in areas where the community has identified specific needs. This program partners with local schools, NGOs, and social enterprises and will include a combination of projects including youth development, sports initiatives, and sustainable farming and food distribution depending on the needs of the community at the time of the program.
In Cape Town, like most of South Africa, the economy and society have developed rapidly over the last 30 years. However, there is still a wide wealth gap in the country and underserved communities need support from extra-governmental organizations. These inequalities were exacerbated by Covid, where the unequal economic impact of the pandemic was acutely felt in more vulnerable communities. In addition, many NGOs struggled with funding and capacity to continue providing their services. So the need is especially great in these areas. World of Difference is partnering with local schools and NGOs that address some of these inequalities. Every project that World of Difference coordinates has a clear link to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to ensure a sustainable, long-term impact using a grassroots approach. Further, all World of Difference programs and staff are governed by our ten ethical principles and five human empowerment principles, and our actions against oppression.
Service Opportunities
ACE participants will work with several local NGOs in Cape Town and the surrounding area, which may include VUSA Rugby and Learning Academy and Ladles of Love. *The list is subject to change*. Our community development programs in South Africa focus on:
- Youth education: Facilitating sessions at early childhood development centers with young pupils or maintaining and developing facilities for youth education such as libraries and gardens. Activities with the youth could include reading books, planning active learning games, and teaching basic writing skills.
- Sports workshops: Leading youth sports programs for students who may not be academically inclined with the opportunity to excel in another area of the curriculum, boosting all-round confidence, inclusivity, and equal opportunities to learn. Afternoon sports clubs are also an opportunity for youth to use their time on healthy activities improving their skills instead of spending time in the streets and potentially getting involved in anti-social activities instead.
- Food Security Initiatives: Packaging food for meal distribution programs across Langa and assisting in supporting community garden initiatives which includes maintenance activities such as weeding, planting, etc.
During their time here, ACE participants will get involved in a variety of opportunities. We encourage participants to remain flexible and adaptable as all projects are partner-led and will be dependent on their needs at the time of your program. Further details on partners and service projects will be provided once the ACE in South Africa team is confirmed.
ACE participants will work together as a team or in small groups throughout their time in South Africa. Participants will not be placed in individual assignments; instead, they will use their skills and experience to organize and implement educational and sports programs together. There will be numerous opportunities for participants to hone their leadership skills and to take point on various aspects of the program.
Program Requirements
Language Suggestions
Local community members will have differing levels of English language, and this may be limited with some of the younger children. If possible, it is recommended that participants try and learn some basic phrases in the local language isiXhosa before arrival. Phrases will be provided as part of the pre-departure process and language classes are included as part of the program enrichment activities.
Other Skills
No prior experience in community development, working with youth, coaching, or teaching is necessary; however, ACE participants with these skills or at least an interest in them will be highly beneficial to this program. Previous coursework in South African history, culture, music, and literature is not required but is encouraged. All participants will be required to complete a Criminal Background Check prior to their arrival on the program. World of Difference will accept background checks that have been conducted within a year before travel.
Personal Competencies
Ideal participants will be flexible, enthusiastic team players with the following competencies:
- Commitment to honest and ethical behaviors – actively seeks to understand and adhere to the values, policies, procedures, and protocols of ACE and their host organization/community; lives up to commitments and promises they make to others
- Ability to manage stress in novel environments – seeks to recognize and regulate stress reactions in themselves and calmly practice coping strategies that work for them; seeks help from others when they feel overwhelmed
- Self-reliance and self-confidence – understands and meets their own physical and emotional needs in new environments with an age-appropriate mixture of optimism and realism
- Empathy and cultural sensitivity – effectively and respectfully communicates and interacts with people of different ages, races, religions, and cultures; demonstrates curiosity about the lives of others without judgment
- Problem-solving and goal orientations – possesses strong analytical skills and an interest in producing deliverable end-projects for a community partner organization, e.g., construction of buildings or physical structures, etc.
Program Details
Our community development programs in South Africa are based in Cape Town. Also called the “Mother City,” Cape Town is known for its natural beauty, rich history, and food. It is a modern, cosmopolitan city surrounded by nature. The city is known for its harbor, its natural setting in the Cape Floristic Region, and landmarks, such as, Table Mountain and Cape Point. ACE participants will be staying in Green Point, Cape Town within a short driving distance from the service projects.
ACE participants will arrive during South Africa’s winter season. During June and July in South Africa, ACE participants can experience four seasons in one day. Temperatures can range from the mid 70’s during the day to 30’s during the night. Participants will definitely want to pack clothes that can be layered throughout the day! It is worth noting that weather in Cape Town can be very unpredictable and this time of year is known for its winter storms which in some cases may impact project work and activities. Contingency plans are defined in the event of severe weather conditions.
Despite tourism being a large reason why many people visit Cape Town, it is one of the most unequal cities in the world. It is characterized by inefficient social and spatial fragmentation inherited from Apartheid. This is reinforced by economic exclusion and dual economy. Safety remains a significant issue as does racism and other forms of prejudice. ACE participants will benefit from learning about the history and current challenges faced.
Of particular importance for ACE participants to be aware of when traveling to Cape Town is ‘load shedding.’ The term ‘load shedding’ refers to when the country’s national electricity utility company, Eskom, is unable to supply power to the entire country at the same time. As a result, a blackout schedule, or ‘load shedding’, is implemented in order to prevent the entire power grid from collapsing. Load shedding is implemented in stages across different regions with each stage having specific ‘down’ times when there is no electricity. Stage 1 is the least serious, and Stage 8 is the most serious. Outages generally last for about 2.5 hours. Load shedding is currently ranging between Stages 3 to 4. Cape Town has experienced less load shedding in the last year; however, there is always a possibility for it to return given the long-term challenge it has presented in the country.
ACE participants will be housed in basic same-sex, hostel-style accommodations with 4-12 beds (2-6 bunk beds) with shared bathrooms. There is a communal area for meal preparation, relaxing, socializing, and project work preparations. The accommodation has electricity, showers and Western-style toilets. Laundry service is also offered on-site and is at your own cost. Due to the difference in housing construction, keep in mind that accommodations can get cold at night so wearing layers is recommended. As ACE participants will be staying in the Green Point neighborhood of Cape Town, the housing is very similar to what participants can expect back home with amenities such as grocery stores and pharmacies nearby.
Three meals a day will be served and prepared by either local community members at restaurants, World of Difference staff, lodging staff, and/or the ACE participants themselves.
- Breakfast: ‘Help yourself’ –options include eggs, bacon, potatoes, yogurt, granola, fruit, bread, mushrooms, peanut butter, bananas, orange juice, and coffee
- Lunch: usually eaten at a local restaurant in the townships close to project sites
- Dinner: a cooked hearty and healthy dinner; will typically be more traditional South African meals with a mix of Western-style food. ACE participants can expect a range of meals, again similar to what you might get at home. Meals may include chicken, beef and traditional spiced sausage called ‘Boerewors.’ Dinner will be a combination of eating at local restaurants and locally sourced homemade meals prepared and delivered to the accommodation.
ACE participants will be able to help themselves to fruit, basic snacks, and drinking water throughout the day. There may be times when the ACE participants go out for the odd meal, which will be included in the program. ACE participants may wish to bring extra spending money for supplementary food and snacks that can be purchased at a nearby grocery store or at the gym (smoothies and recovery shakes are available for purchase). In general, most dietary restrictions and preferences can be accommodated. If you have any specific concerns, please contact the ACE office, aceathletes@duke.edu, to discuss whether your dietary needs can be reasonably accommodated at this program site.
There will be access to Wi-Fi at the lodging as well as at some internet cafes and Wi-Fi spots. Access to WiFi and internet service may be impacted by load-shedding. However, the accommodations where students are staying provide inverters/uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units which allow some electronics to continue running when the electricity is off.
All ACE participants are asked to download an app that enables them the ability to access a local e-sim to use during their stay to make local calls to World of Difference staff and to stay connected in areas where WiFi might not be readily available. World of Difference staff will assist students with downloading the app. All World of Difference onsite field staff carry cell/mobile phones at all times and are reachable via the 24-hour World of Difference Emergency Contact number. Senior World of Difference staff are based in-country (Cape Town central).
While ACE participants are permitted to bring their own cell phone, camera, or laptop to the program, World of Difference is not liable for any damage, lost, or stolen items during the stay. Due to World of Difference’s Health & Safety and Child Protection Policy, technological equipment will not be permitted on the community partner project sites (including cell phones, cameras, etc.).
ACE participants will travel in a fully-insured and seat-belted minibus with a licensed and experienced driver to and from their community partner sites and on weekend enrichment activities. Where possible ACE participants will walk to the gym and to local restaurants and stores.
ACE participants will be provided with time for training in their project work schedule. This will typically take place in the mornings or afternoons depending on the day’s project activity. A local gym is located a short walk (1.8km/10 min) from the accommodation typical of a commercial gym you would find in the US. The gym is extremely well equipped and allows ACE participants access to multiple cardio machines, free weights, and weight machines. In addition, there is a heated 25m pool, sand volleyball courts, three tennis courts, racquetball/squash courts, and an outdoor training area.
ACE participants will be provided with a short-term gym membership as part of the program where they can access the gym as many times as they like during their stay. Five times per week will be allocated in the schedule during the weekdays but participants may also be able to go on the weekend if they wish to. Take an online tour of the gym layout.
Participants will also have access to a running route called Sea Point Promenade which is a 10-minute walk from the accommodation. Sea Point Promenade is a 6 km / 3.7 miles long (flat, hard surface, no elevation) promenade along the seafront only accessible by pedestrians. This can be accessed daily either in the early mornings or during the scheduled gym time.
World of Difference includes a 2-day orientation for ACE participants. This includes a welcome presentation, introduction to the World of Difference staff, history and background of the projects as well as health and safety requirements for their involvement with World of Difference. ACE participants will also be introduced to the local language, history of South Africa, and cuisine. ACE participants will be given a briefing on safety procedures at their accommodation, safety around the local area, and safety around the project site. Participants will also be reminded of the goals and objectives for their stay in Cape Town. In addition, all training required for the service projects is built into the schedule. As mentioned earlier, weather in Cape Town can be very unpredictable during winter which in some cases may impact project work and activities. Participants are asked to remain flexible throughout the program to accommodate any needed changes.
A typical week will look as follows (may be subject to change):
Monday – Friday
- 6:30am – 7:30am: Gym or running (or during late afternoon before dinner depending on the schedule)
- 8am: Breakfast
- 9am-12pm: Project work
- 12pm – 1pm: Lunch
- 1pm – 3pm: Prep for afternoon session
- 3pm – 6pm: Project work
- 6:30pm: Dinner
- 7:30pm – 8:30pm: Evening Program (includes discussions, reflection sessions, or any other cultural enrichment activities)
- 9pm: Return to hostel
- 10pm: Lights out!
Saturday
- Cultural Enrichment Activity – Arranged by World of Difference
- Debrief/Reflection Session
Sunday
- 8am – 10am: Gym or Running Time (optional)
- Cultural Enrichment Activity – Arranged by World of Difference
- Debrief/Reflection Session
- Preparation for service projects for the week ahead
Experienced World of Difference staff introduce ACE participants to local cultures and environments, enabling supported cultural immersion and the fostering of global citizenship and intercultural understanding. Staff will guide the ACE participants through the learning process, including presentations, weekly written assignments, frequent discussions, and daily reflection time.
Reflection topics may include:
- Team-building
- Cultural Sensitivity and Community Work
- Stereotypes & Perceptions
- Sustainability
- Global Health
- Conservation and green cities
- Self-sufficiency
- Masterclass from locals working with community development
- Local guest speakers
There are also daily briefings and debriefings, where the day’s achievements or issues will be discussed and plans put in place for the following day. During the program, ACE participants will learn:
- To overcome personal and work-related challenges.
- To work as part of a team and resolve conflict.
- About the local issues and how they relate to global issues and their communities at home.
- New skills and gain practical experience relevant to their chosen project.
Weekends and evenings are filled with cultural enrichment activities organized by World of Difference Staff. While activities are weather dependent and may be subject to change, opportunities may include taking the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, touring Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned during Apartheid, taking isiXhosa language classes, touring the District 6 Museum and learning about Apartheid’s impacts in Cape Town, and participating in a day-long Cape Point Peninsula tour.
The schedule planned for ACE participants is quite full and has been thoughtfully put together to make the most of your time in the country. Therefore, participants can expect to have limited free time and there will not be opportunities for independent travel outside of the ACE in South Africa itinerary. During free time, participants are asked to travel in a group of at least 3 at all times if leaving the accommodation. Participants will be required to keep the local project team informed of plans and adhere to all program safety guidelines.
In addition, as this program is specific for student-athletes, ACE participants are not allowed to participate in high-risk activities, such as activities involving animals (e.g. horseback riding, handling animals, etc.), extreme/adventure sports-type activities (e.g. rock climbing, paragliding, zip lining, etc.), water activities/sports (both watercraft and swimming/diving), and driving or riding vehicles (e.g. scooters, ATVs, etc.). Please note that this list is not exhaustive.
All World of Difference programs aim to develop participants’ core communication and leadership skills. However, programs also offer practical opportunities for ACE participants to develop their skills in cultural sensitivity, inclusivity, equality, privilege, development in practice and the realities of climate change.
While staff in the field will provide training on the skills required, ACE participants may benefit from learning more about local history, culture and customs before traveling.
Additional Resources:
- A Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (1995)
- Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography-The True Story of a Black Youth’s Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa by Mark Mathabane (1998)
- Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (2016)
- South African energy crisis (Wikipedia)
- isiXhosa Phrase Video
- The livelihood impacts of COVID-19 in urban South Africa
- EskomSePush – Loadshedding app in SA
Media Gallery
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Participants will work in early childhood development centers in the Langa Township. -
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ACE participants engaging in project work at an early childhood development center located in the Langa township. -
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Participants will work in early childhood development centers in the Langa Township. -
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Participants will assist with coordinating and coaching a sports camp for local youth in the Langa Township. -
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ACE participants and local youth engaging in a soccer game at the end of the sports camp. -
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ACE participants and local youth celebrating after finishing a field hockey lesson. -
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ACE participants engaging in project work, helping weed and garden at a local farm in Cape Town through the NGO, Ladles of Love. -
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During the evenings, the ACE team works together to plan lessons for the next day. -
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Participants will assist with meal preparation and packaging as part of Ladles of Love's food security initiative. -
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ACE participants after completing a meal packing project with the local NGO Ladles of Love where they made over 1000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. -
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Scenery of Table Mountain above Cape Town where participants will be living during their time in South Africa. -
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Scenery of the Western Cape of South Africa. -
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Participants will engage with Xhosa culture and develop cross cultural connections while on the program in South Africa. -
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ACE participants at the top of Table Mountain during one of their enrichment activities. -
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ACE participants on a tour of Bo Kaap, an iconic and historical neighborhood, that was the historical centre of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town. -
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Participants will visit Robben Island as part of the many cultural immersion activities they will engage in on the program. -
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ACE participants on a tour of Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years during Apartheid. -
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ACE participants having lunch in the Langa township at a local restaurant. During the week, students lunch together daily at a community-based restaurant during the project days. -
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An example of a lunch from a local Langa restaurant participants can expect while working in the township -
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An example of a South Africa meal served by one of the community-based restaurants in the Township. ACE Participants will have the opportunity to try many local foods during the program. -
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An example of dinner at the hostel students can expect while on the program in South Africa -
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Example of transportation participants can expect to use during their time in South Africa. -
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Example of the hostel style housing students will be living in during their time in South Africa. Lockboxes and locks will be available in each room. -
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Example of a bathroom in the hostel where participants will be staying. -
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Example of a local grocery store participants will have access to during their time in South Africa. -
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Participants will also have access to a running route called Sea Point Promenade which is a 10 min walk from the accommodation. Sea Point Promenade is a 6 km / 3.7 miles long (flat, hard surface, no elevation) promenade along the seafront only accessible by pedestrians. -
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Cardio machines available at the local gym within walking distance of the accommodations. -
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A wide range of exercise equipment will be available at the local gym within walking distance of the accommodations. -
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Weight racks available at the local gym within walking distance of the accommodations. -
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Cardio machines available at the local gym within walking distance of the accommodations. -
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Outdoor exercise area available at the local gym within walking distance of the accommodations. -
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25m heated pool available at the local gym within walking distance of the accommodations. -
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Sand volleyball court and tennis courts available to participants at the local gym within walking distance of the accommodations.
Travel Notices
For additional information regarding the specific program location, it’s recommended that you review the following US State Dept and International SOS websites: