Where
Tarrafal, Cape Verde
When
Departures every week, all year round (excluding holiday closures)
Duration
From 1 week
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in the volunteer house, with meals included
Language
Portuguese and English
Ideal for
Anyone happy to spend time with the youngest children, sharing creativity and patience, and curious to see daily life on an Atlantic island.
Project details
An education project among the beaches and colours of Cape Verde
In Tarrafal, a small coastal town on Santiago island, many children grow up in families where both parents work on low incomes and rely on daycare and childcare during the day.
That's why community centres and kindergartens take in younger children, aged 2 to 6, giving them a safe space to play, learn and get the early care that matters.
The project comes from a real need to support these places, working alongside the local educators with fresh energy and a bit of extra attention for each child at a key stage of growing up.
As a volunteer, you'll join their daily life: organising games, songs, creative activities, story-time and first English lessons. You'll bring your time, energy and a bit of creativity, the kind that really makes a difference for many of them.
A grounded, meaningful experience that starts with the children but leaves a deep mark on the people who choose to be there, all with the cobalt blue of the Cape Verde ocean as the backdrop.
That's why community centres and kindergartens take in younger children, aged 2 to 6, giving them a safe space to play, learn and get the early care that matters.
The project comes from a real need to support these places, working alongside the local educators with fresh energy and a bit of extra attention for each child at a key stage of growing up.
As a volunteer, you'll join their daily life: organising games, songs, creative activities, story-time and first English lessons. You'll bring your time, energy and a bit of creativity, the kind that really makes a difference for many of them.
A grounded, meaningful experience that starts with the children but leaves a deep mark on the people who choose to be there, all with the cobalt blue of the Cape Verde ocean as the backdrop.
Play, teach and grow with the children
An education project among the beaches and colours of Cape Verde
In Tarrafal, a small coastal town on Santiago island, many children grow up in families where both parents work on low incomes and rely on daycare and childcare during the day.
That's why community centres and kindergartens take in younger children, aged 2 to 6, giving them a safe space to play, learn and get the early care that matters.
The project comes from a real need to support these places, working alongside the local educators with fresh energy and a bit of extra attention for each child at a key stage of growing up.
As a volunteer, you'll join their daily life: organising games, songs, creative activities, story-time and first English lessons. You'll bring your time, energy and a bit of creativity, the kind that really makes a difference for many of them.
A grounded, meaningful experience that starts with the children but leaves a deep mark on the people who choose to be there, all with the cobalt blue of the Cape Verde ocean as the backdrop.
That's why community centres and kindergartens take in younger children, aged 2 to 6, giving them a safe space to play, learn and get the early care that matters.
The project comes from a real need to support these places, working alongside the local educators with fresh energy and a bit of extra attention for each child at a key stage of growing up.
As a volunteer, you'll join their daily life: organising games, songs, creative activities, story-time and first English lessons. You'll bring your time, energy and a bit of creativity, the kind that really makes a difference for many of them.
A grounded, meaningful experience that starts with the children but leaves a deep mark on the people who choose to be there, all with the cobalt blue of the Cape Verde ocean as the backdrop.
Why participate
Help the children grow with confidence
You'll work alongside the local educators, helping the youngest pick up English and build confidence through games, songs and creative activities.
Why participate
Help the children grow with confidence
You'll work alongside the local educators, helping the youngest pick up English and build confidence through games, songs and creative activities.
See Cape Verdean life up close
Live the island of Tarrafal not as a tourist but as part of the community, sharing days, traditions and grounded moments with the locals.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
Monday is for orientation: welcome, an introduction to Cape Verdean culture, a basic Crioulo session, a walk around the local services and an afternoon at the beach to get a feel for the place.
From Tuesday to Friday, mornings are spent at the children's centres alongside the local educators with educational and play activities: games, songs, stories and first English lessons for the children aged 2 to 6.
In the afternoon you carry on with care and teaching, help prep the next day's materials and work with the local team to fine-tune the lessons.
Weekends are free: you can relax on Tarrafal's beaches, snorkel, visit the Resistance Museum or just enjoy the slower pace of the island.
07:00Breakfast and getting ready for the day
08:30Activities with the children at the centres: games, songs, morning routines
10:30Snack break and free play with the youngest
12:00Lunch break and rest during the hottest hours
15:00Afternoon activities and prep of teaching materials with the team
18:30Back to the centre, shared dinner and free time with the group
Weekend
Weekends are free of set activities. You can explore the area, plan a short trip, or just take it easy with the other volunteers.
Relax on the beaches of Tarrafal
A day spent between clear water and golden sand, perfect for swimming, relaxing or just reading in the sun.
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FAQs
During your stay in Tarrafal you'll be based at the volunteer house, a simple but welcoming place in Tarrafal town, a short walk from the clear-water beaches on the north coast of Santiago. The house has shared rooms (4–8 people), shared bathrooms and common areas to socialise and relax.
There aren't any private rooms. The accommodation has Wi-Fi in the common areas, but it's set up for a real, grounded experience close to local life. If you'd like to stay connected for messages, calls and maps, we'd suggest using Airalo to buy an eSIM and have it active before you travel. That way you're connected from arrival. You can do that easily here.
Rooms have beds with linen provided, hot showers, fans and locks on the doors. There's no air conditioning, towels, safe or mosquito protection. The spaces are cleaned at weekends, but every volunteer is encouraged to keep things tidy.
🛏️ What's included:
- Shared rooms
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water available
- Ongoing support from the local team
- Lockable rooms
- Quiet, safe setting by the sea
The volunteer house is also a place to gather: you'll live alongside other participants from around the world, sharing experiences, meals and everyday moments in an open, homely atmosphere.
There aren't any private rooms. The accommodation has Wi-Fi in the common areas, but it's set up for a real, grounded experience close to local life. If you'd like to stay connected for messages, calls and maps, we'd suggest using Airalo to buy an eSIM and have it active before you travel. That way you're connected from arrival. You can do that easily here.
Rooms have beds with linen provided, hot showers, fans and locks on the doors. There's no air conditioning, towels, safe or mosquito protection. The spaces are cleaned at weekends, but every volunteer is encouraged to keep things tidy.
🛏️ What's included:
- Shared rooms
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water available
- Ongoing support from the local team
- Lockable rooms
- Quiet, safe setting by the sea
The volunteer house is also a place to gather: you'll live alongside other participants from around the world, sharing experiences, meals and everyday moments in an open, homely atmosphere.
Your safety is our top priority. All our programmes are carefully chosen and monitored to keep things safe, both at the schools where you'll be working and at the house that hosts you during your stay.
🔹 Background checks and safe spaces
To keep things calm and safe for everyone, we ask each participant to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. This lets us verify each volunteer's background and protect children and the communities involved in the project. The whole process is online, and we'll guide you through it.
🔹 Trusted local partners
We only work with schools and communities that offer welcoming, well-organised settings for international volunteers. The accommodation is in safe areas with controlled access, with the local team always on hand. Our partners host more than 2,000 travellers a year worldwide, ages 14 to 70+, and are experienced at managing that mix.
🔹 24/7 support
From your arrival to the end of your trip, the local staff are available, evenings and weekends included. Our UK team is also a WhatsApp message away whenever you need us.
🔹 Briefing and orientation
Before you travel, you'll receive a detailed pack with everything you need on culture, etiquette and safety. On your first day, you'll join an orientation briefing with helpful pointers for getting the most out of the experience.
🔹 A few sensible habits
Cape Verde is warm and welcoming, but as anywhere it's worth keeping a few things in mind:
✔ Avoid showing valuables openly and only carry what you need when you head out
✔ Respect local traditions, dress modestly when you're away from the beach and ask before photographing people
✔ Travel with a buddy in the evenings and follow the local team's advice on places to spend time
💡 Our aim is to give you a safe, well-supported and welcoming environment, so you can focus on what really matters: a meaningful experience.
🔹 Background checks and safe spaces
To keep things calm and safe for everyone, we ask each participant to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. This lets us verify each volunteer's background and protect children and the communities involved in the project. The whole process is online, and we'll guide you through it.
🔹 Trusted local partners
We only work with schools and communities that offer welcoming, well-organised settings for international volunteers. The accommodation is in safe areas with controlled access, with the local team always on hand. Our partners host more than 2,000 travellers a year worldwide, ages 14 to 70+, and are experienced at managing that mix.
🔹 24/7 support
From your arrival to the end of your trip, the local staff are available, evenings and weekends included. Our UK team is also a WhatsApp message away whenever you need us.
🔹 Briefing and orientation
Before you travel, you'll receive a detailed pack with everything you need on culture, etiquette and safety. On your first day, you'll join an orientation briefing with helpful pointers for getting the most out of the experience.
🔹 A few sensible habits
Cape Verde is warm and welcoming, but as anywhere it's worth keeping a few things in mind:
✔ Avoid showing valuables openly and only carry what you need when you head out
✔ Respect local traditions, dress modestly when you're away from the beach and ask before photographing people
✔ Travel with a buddy in the evenings and follow the local team's advice on places to spend time
💡 Our aim is to give you a safe, well-supported and welcoming environment, so you can focus on what really matters: a meaningful experience.
🧭 Orientation day
Your time in Cape Verde starts with a full day of orientation, designed to help you settle in, get to know the local context and start the experience safely and confidently.
On your first Monday, you'll join a series of activities led by the local team:
- Welcome meeting, programme introduction and house rules
- Practical advice on health, safety and local etiquette
- A short introduction to Cape Verdean culture, a few words in Crioulo and useful local insights
- A walk around the area, with useful info on supermarkets, transport and local SIMs. If you'd rather arrive with an eSIM already active without having to track down a SIM locally, you can buy one before you travel through Airalo, our affiliate partner.
👉 You can do that using this link
- Visit to Tarrafal town to pick up any essentials
Orientation is also a chance to start building a sense of group with the other volunteers, share what brought everyone here, and get pointers from people who know the area inside out.
📌 After this introductory day, from Tuesday you'll start the education project. By the end of day one you'll already feel part of a community.
Your time in Cape Verde starts with a full day of orientation, designed to help you settle in, get to know the local context and start the experience safely and confidently.
On your first Monday, you'll join a series of activities led by the local team:
- Welcome meeting, programme introduction and house rules
- Practical advice on health, safety and local etiquette
- A short introduction to Cape Verdean culture, a few words in Crioulo and useful local insights
- A walk around the area, with useful info on supermarkets, transport and local SIMs. If you'd rather arrive with an eSIM already active without having to track down a SIM locally, you can buy one before you travel through Airalo, our affiliate partner.
👉 You can do that using this link
- Visit to Tarrafal town to pick up any essentials
Orientation is also a chance to start building a sense of group with the other volunteers, share what brought everyone here, and get pointers from people who know the area inside out.
📌 After this introductory day, from Tuesday you'll start the education project. By the end of day one you'll already feel part of a community.
For an easy start, we'd recommend booking your flight into Praia International Airport (RAI), ideally on the Sunday between 00:05 and 02:00. That's when our pickup and transfer to Tarrafal is running.
If you arrive on Saturday, you'll need to book an extra night at the house (small supplement applies).
If you arrive after 02:00, pickup is still possible with a small extra for out-of-hours transport.
Arriving too early or too late? Not a problem: you can make your own way or arrange a private transfer (with a small supplement). Either way, please send us your flight details as soon as you book so we can help.
On arrival, a member of our team will be at a clearly marked meeting point outside the terminal, with a sign with your name or our local partner's name. All practical info is sent by email after your booking is confirmed.
📱 Useful tip: if you'd like internet from the moment you arrive, you can activate an eSIM before you travel with Airalo, our partner. Use this link.
The drive from the airport to the volunteer house takes about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes by car, and you may share it with other participants arriving around the same time.
If for any reason you can't spot the team at the meeting point, stay where you are: we'll find you. Emergency contacts are sent after your booking, along with detailed instructions.
🚖 Heading home: return flight tips
When the project finishes, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on the Saturday. The return transfer to the airport (or anywhere else) isn't included, since there are usually lots of people leaving at different times and only a small coordination team.
That said, our team will happily help you book a taxi or share a private transfer with the others heading back at the same time.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the house in your own time and get to the airport without rushing (about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes by car).
🗓️ If you're carrying on with your trip elsewhere, let us know in advance and we'll share useful tips so your departure goes smoothly.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed, we'll email you a detailed pre-departure pack with all the practical info and emergency contacts.
If you arrive on Saturday, you'll need to book an extra night at the house (small supplement applies).
If you arrive after 02:00, pickup is still possible with a small extra for out-of-hours transport.
Arriving too early or too late? Not a problem: you can make your own way or arrange a private transfer (with a small supplement). Either way, please send us your flight details as soon as you book so we can help.
On arrival, a member of our team will be at a clearly marked meeting point outside the terminal, with a sign with your name or our local partner's name. All practical info is sent by email after your booking is confirmed.
📱 Useful tip: if you'd like internet from the moment you arrive, you can activate an eSIM before you travel with Airalo, our partner. Use this link.
The drive from the airport to the volunteer house takes about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes by car, and you may share it with other participants arriving around the same time.
If for any reason you can't spot the team at the meeting point, stay where you are: we'll find you. Emergency contacts are sent after your booking, along with detailed instructions.
🚖 Heading home: return flight tips
When the project finishes, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on the Saturday. The return transfer to the airport (or anywhere else) isn't included, since there are usually lots of people leaving at different times and only a small coordination team.
That said, our team will happily help you book a taxi or share a private transfer with the others heading back at the same time.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the house in your own time and get to the airport without rushing (about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes by car).
🗓️ If you're carrying on with your trip elsewhere, let us know in advance and we'll share useful tips so your departure goes smoothly.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed, we'll email you a detailed pre-departure pack with all the practical info and emergency contacts.
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free)
Pick the project you like the look of and tell us when you'd like to travel. No commitment, the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we'll put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They'll walk you through everything and answer your questions.
3
Confirm your spot
When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.
4
Off you go
Pack your bag and travel. On arrival you'll find other travellers like you, a welcoming local team, and a trip you'll be talking about for a while.
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