There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Every place, region and country is different. In general, most projects take place in socially deprived areas of large cities or in rural areas to support, develop and sustainably empower children and young people in school sport or outside of school.
The requirements, living and training conditions are accordingly different. Both in the project and in your private environment, you will encounter obstacles here and there, but you will also have many positive experiences and be surprised and inspired. Living and working in a small rural town or village is very different from living in a large slum. It may be the way people have grown up, the way they interact with each other, or simply the external circumstances such as training and leisure opportunities, public transport or shopping facilities.
You should therefore be clear in advance about your wishes and goals, and where you can best and most sustainably help with your expertise. Don’t put a country or city at the top of your list just because it is well known or “in”. Be open to new experiences and local customs. Even if your first impressions are very different from your previous experiences and the standards you know from home, keep an open mind. Observe, look behind the scenes and find out how things work.
Getting on well with your host family will be a pleasure for both of you. And successful and meaningful work in the project will leave a lasting impression on the community and your protégés. There are expectations on both sides and there is a give and take. It’s not just the children and young people who will thank you, but you too.
It is therefore important that you find out as much as possible about your new environment in advance. For example, the difference between the upmarket neighbourhoods of Cape Town or Johannesburg and the social hotspots right next door, but also life and current developments in a village in rural South Africa or Tanzania.
Read more about “Motivation and preparation for working abroad as a sports volunteer“. You can also read about the questions you should ask yourself before your volunteering experience.
Find out more about “Expectations and reality of accommodation in a host family“. An understanding of “municipal and private basic services” is also very helpful.
