As a sports coach volunteer, you will have plenty of support from your local coordinator who will discuss the day ahead, who you’re working with, and give you tips and pointers to get the most of the day for you and your students. In addition, you will have the opportunity to try out different teaching methods and find those that work best with your students.

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day to learn about your surroundings and local culture. Thereafter, your program will continue as usual from Tuesday throughout the rest of the week.

Orientation Day Schedule

• Welcome: Introduction to Cape Verdean traditions and culture; House rules, Code of Conduct and handling of documents,
• Basic Kriolu Lesson
• Visit local supermarkets and ATMs, and explore the surroundings of our centre.
• Lunch
• Visit to Mar De President Beach and spend some time on the beach before returning back to the centre for dinner.

Weekly Schedule

Monday

• Breakfast
• Introduction
• Lunch
• Introduction
• Dinner

Tuesday to Friday

• Breakfast
• Sports Coaching
• Lunch
• Sports Coaching
• Dinner

Evenings and Weekends

After a day of sports coaching, you can choose to explore the area or head further afield on the weekends. Many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their new volunteer friends during the week and plan their weekend adventures as they go!

Please note:

Cost of transport to locations is not included, but will usually be around £1.50 per day.

This schedule can be changed depending on weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

The city is named after the indigenous plant Tarrafe, and is also called Mangui or Mangue. Situated in the northern part of the island of Santiago, Tarrafal is a fishing port with a vibrant community and friendly people who will love to get to know you!

About the Accommodation

Our centre offers safe and comfortable surroundings with dorm-style separate male/female accommodation, communal areas and shared western toilets available.

And if you’re travelling to Cape Verde alone, you will quickly make new friends of fellow travellers and on-site staff who will be there too! Also, you’ll find WiFi available throughout the communal areas of the house so you can catch up with friends and family whenever you choose. (Cape Verde is only 1 hour behind the UK, so you’ll not be waking them up in the middle of the night!).

Food Arrangements

Authentic African cuisine is delicious!  Typical Cape Verdean food includes rice dishes, beans, fruits, vegetables, chicken, beef, and fish with its own characteristic African spices.  However, if you’re not too adventurous to begin with, you’ll find a mix of local and Western food to enjoy at our centre, with all meals, tea, coffee, and filtered water included in your stay. There are 3 meals during the week and 2 meals on weekends.

Facilities
There are ATMs, mini-marts, some shops and restaurants close by in the city centre.

The beautiful islands of the Cape Verde were initially uninhabited until the Portuguese discovered it in the 15th century. The country flourished during the 16th and the 17th centuries due to the Atlantic slave trade. But with the decline of the slave trade in the 19th century, the country experienced an economic crisis. Yet the location of the island made it survive as it became a significant commercial center in the 19th century, as the location was perfect for re-supply of the ships. In the present day context, the economy of the country is mostly relying on the services provided by the country targeting the growing tourism industry.

Cape Verde has a mild climate compared to the mainland of Africa with an average high temperature of about 26 °C during February and 31 °C in September. The country has an irregular rain pattern in the months between August and October and it is in September that the country experiences its maximum rainfall. The country can boast about the rich vegetation and the forest that provides a rainforest habitat although the close proximity to the Sahara is makes most islands with no mountains mostly dry. The islands as initially were isolated; the existence of a number of endemic species mostly the birds and reptiles can be seen although the existence is threatened by the human developments.

Explore Africa’s most westerly point with it’s incredible volcanic landscape and black and white sand beaches.

Culture
As the Portuguese discovered the country; the culture is immensely influenced by them. Rural Portuguese practices are displayed in the social and cultural patterns of the country.