Yoga Internship in Cape Town

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Be part of a non profit initiative that promotes wellness in an impoverished community

Bring your yoga skills to a nonprofit initiative in Cape Town, South Africa. You’ll be part of a new program that offers free yoga and meditation classes in a local township, in an effort to bring upliftment to both individuals and the larger community.

South Africa deals with many social ails, such as poverty, alcoholism – and many issues have only been escalated by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the intention of equipping people with healthy ways of channeling their energy, and offering an alternative to gangsterism and drugs, Project Ubuntu has developed a nonprofit wellness program in Masiphumelele, a township on the outskirts of Cape Town.

When you join this yoga internship program, you’ll teach yoga classes (and meditation should you have the experience), and help with the overall management and development of this initiative. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gain teaching experience, use your skills to make an impact on people’s lives, and to live and work in a wonderful environment.

ORGANIZATION

Project Ubuntu is a social development organization that works in Masiphumelele, a township on the outskirts of Cape Town that deals with a high level of social issues such as poverty, crime, drug and alcohol abuse, and HIV/AIDS.

Project Ubuntu runs a number of community programs, one of which is the Ubuntu Centre, a community center that directs resources to the community and cares for between 60 and 100 children every day. The children are from families that lack the resources to provide them with daycare, and the center offers a safe and educative space on a daily basis.

In addition, Project Ubuntu supports a number of daycare centers in the township, female empowerment initiatives, and the development of food garden programs. A latest focus of the organization is the facilitation of yoga and meditation sessions to the township community, both to adults and children. The aim of this program is to teach people healthy ways of channeling their energy, and promoting physical and mental health practices.

TASKS & REQUIreMENTS

Responsibilities

As an intern, you’ll help develop this nonprofit yoga initiative, and you’ll teach yoga classes to the local community. Depending on your exact skills and interests, your tasks will include;

  • Teaching yoga classes to both adults and children
  • Teaching meditation, if you have the experience
  • Helping organize classes and develop this nonprofit program
  • Potentially assisting with communications; social media, content writing
  • Potentially doing some fundraising for this initiative

Requirements

  • Experience in teaching yoga (and/or meditation)
  • A willingness to working in a culturally different environment
  • An ability to work independently
  • A passion for developing this initiative
  • A self-starter attitude

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

You’ll stay at a comfortable and welcoming volunteer house in a picturesque suburb of Cape Town, on the Southern Peninsula. It’s a great setting; you’ll be surrounded by beaches and mountains, and the penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach is only a 5-minute drive away. The house hosts people from around the world that are volunteering in the surrounding communities, which creates a wonderfully international vibe. The nearest shops and restaurants are a 5-minute drive away, and Cape Town’s city center is a 40-minute drive away. It’s easy to take Ubers and make your way around.

Safety & Support

Safety & Support

Be sure to prioritize hydration in the summer to avoid heatstroke. South Africa does have high crime rates, so it’s important to be aware and use common sense to stay safe. Some safety guidelines are to always walk in groups, take a taxi/Uber in the evenings, know safe/dangerous areas, secure your belongings, don’t walk around with large sums of cash (you can pay everything with a card), minimize wearing flashy accessories, and be cautious of overly friendly strangers.

Communication

Communication

The accommodation offers free Wi-Fi to keep family and friends up to date via WhatsApp, Zoom, etc. Cafes/restaurants also offer free Wi-Fi. You can also consider getting a local SIM card if your phone is unlocked, or setting your phone’s status to roaming, depending on your provider’s rates.

Meals

Meals

A simple breakfast and a delicious cooked dinner (vegetarian & vegan options available) from Monday to Friday are included in your fee. Indulge in local dishes, like bobotie and South African Braai! For desserts, don’t miss out on milk tarts and malva pudding. There is a diverse food scene in Cape Town, so no matter your cuisine preference or dietary restrictions you’ll have plenty of options. Let us know in advance if you have any allergies/dietary needs.

Location details

Location details

Discover Cape Town’s attractions: Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Gardens, city tours, historical sites, and the Cape Point Peninsula. There are also opportunities to surf, kayak, paraglide, cage dive with sharks, and more! Cape Town has a mediterranean climate with cool winters and hot summers so be sure to check what the temperature will be like during your stay.

DATES & RATES

Fee Breakdown

You can start your internship with this organization every Monday. Please keep in mind this organization is closed for one month of summer holiday at the end of the year.

What you’ll pay (2023 rates)

8 WEEKS USD 2,415

12 WEEKS USD 3,270

16 WEEKS USD 4,125

20 WEEKS USD 4,980

26 WEEKS USD 6,262

At Roots, we do everything we can to make your internship experience smooth and hassle-free. We offer an all-inclusive service, which means we will help you find the right internship (we believe we are great matchmakers!), help you with visa arrangements, book accommodation for you in Cape Town, give you all the pre-departure information you need before arriving, pick you up from the airport and check in with you while on your work placement to ensure you feel supported. Your exact fee depends on the duration of your stay, so if you tell us how long you would like to stay, we can give you an exact quote.

Inclusions

  • Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
  • Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
  • An academic internship eligible for university credit. Check with your university to confirm if this internship qualifies for credit or alternatively we can assist you with purchasing transfer credits.
  • Accommodation in a shared room. If you prefer a single room, please contact us for availability and prices.
  • Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
  • Breakfast and dinner from Monday to Friday
  • Wifi access
  • Assistance with your visa arrangement and other preparations
  • An orientation program with your supervisor
  • Supervision and support during your stay
  • Regular check-ins during your internship with your supervisor
  • Troubleshooting if needed

Exclusions

  • Flights to Cape Town (Cape Town International Airport)
  • Visa and medical/travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
  • Meals over the weekend
  • Daily transport to the project
  • Lunch, drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
  • Costs for additional excursions or activities
SCHOLARSHIP & FUNDING

FAQs

Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in South Africa.

What can I expect from a NGO internship in South Africa?

During your internship in South Africa you can expect to meet people from around the world, as well as indulging yourself into the culture of this beautiful country! If you want to know more about what to expect, make sure to check out our top 7 reasons for an internship in Cape Town.

Will I have time to explore South Africa during my internship?

Yes! We partner with various activity organizers that can offer discounts exclusive to Roots Interns, for example, a road trip through the Garden Route and bungee jumping off the world’s largest natural bungee. You may also explore the country on your own and we are happy to give recommendations.

Am I able to do an internship while on a study program in Cape Town?

Yes! You are able to do a part-time internship with certain organizations so that you can continue your studies, while also gaining valuable work experience.

Will I receive a stipend of any kind during my internship with Roots?

Unfortunately, no. When working with a nonprofit organization, your internship will be unpaid, but there are many ways to fund your internship. Your experience will bring a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for both professional and personal growth that are invaluable!

QUICK FACTS

LOCATION: Cape Town, South Africa
PROGRAM FOCUS: Yoga and community outreach
TASK FOCUS: (Yoga) teaching, program development, communications
LENGTH: Min. 8 Weeks
COST: From USD 2,832

REVIEWS

“When I decided to travel to South Africa, Cape Town, I didn't know what to expect - but I knew that a unique experience was waiting for me. I had the opportunity to get to know the culture, locals, nature and life here. After a short time I knew that this place is my home. I feel so connected to the nature and people here. Every day brings magical moments of rainbows in the ocean waves, butterflies landing on me, waterfalls, nature sounds, powerful storms, laughing children, pure forests, breathtaking views, etc. Once I let myself accept that Cape Town is a place that is neither fast nor perfectly organized, but very slow and quiet, I was able to surrender to the flow and let each day come to me full of curiosity. I made a new family, wonderful friends and unique experiences here and was also able to learn a lot about myself, life here and the different cultures that come together in this country. I am deeply grateful and already looking forward to my return.”

Leonie, Germany, Yoga internship
READ MORE REVIEWS

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Gain a great deal of experience teaching yoga
  • Use your skills to help develop a nonprofit initiative that uses yoga (and meditation) to support an impoverished community
  • Gain work experience in fundraising and/or communications, if you’re interested in these areas
  • Get a good understanding of the day to day running of nonprofit projects
  • Live and work in Cape Town, arguably one of the greatest cities in the world
ENQUIREAPPLY NOW

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:

APPLY

Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.

GET STARTED

SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR

We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.

INTERNSHIP MATCHING

If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.

PAYMENT

If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.

CONFIRMATION

Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.

NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?

Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!

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