Volunteer Programs in South Africa for Cancer Survivors

South Africa Odyssey Program

ONSITE ODYSSEY PROGRAM

Reclaim Your Story: Volunteer, Travel, and Connect

Cancer can strip you of your purpose and place in the world. But, through A Fresh Chapter’s meaningful volunteer experiences and our innovative Odyssey Program, you will reclaim your independence, your strength, and your story—all while seeing yourself and the world through fresh eyes.

A Fresh Chapter creates opportunities for you to:

Volunteer with meaningful, community-based projects.
Connect with a tribe of like-minded people who have faced all types of cancer.
Challenge yourself to step beyond your comfort zone and practice finding peace amidst uncertainty.
Experience once-in-a-lifetime moments like a sunrise over the Taj Mahal or a visit to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu.
Access tools, resources, and support—both online and in-person—to help you navigate the complexities of living with or beyond cancer.

Explore AFC’s innovative model and what to expect from an Onsite Odyssey Program, Program Fee/Fundraising, our FAQ, and more.

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SOUTH AFRICA odyssey program

Cape Town & Beyond – South Africa

South Africa is a perfect place for you to start your fresh chapter. Whether learning about the rich and complex history of apartheid, volunteering with South African oncology organizations alongside local advocates and leaders, or participating in your first African drumming circle, you will be forever changed by the experience.

For our third program in South Africa, we will offer our participants an experience that blends time volunteering in cancer hospitals and support centers with an opportunity to volunteer with community based projects. Like all of our programs, we will blend meaningful volunteering with plenty of unforgettable moments like a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain and a day trip to the Cape of Good Hope – where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. With the diversity of natural beauty and culture in this incredible country, you’ll see how South Africa is a metaphor for life’s contradictions. The ability to hold both the light and shadows of a place will help you reframe the challenges of cancer and think about the possibilities ahead.

Reimagine a Path Forward

Set against the majesty of the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is a vibrant mix of culture and contradiction. From beautiful restaurants on the city’s waterfront to corrugated metal shacks in the townships, you will witness the complete divide between the haves and the have-nots. It can be challenging to hear stories of inequality, racism, and lack of access to services. And yet, it’s precisely because of this opportunity to experience the universality of struggle and the resilience amongst people who have faced the devastation of apartheid, HIV, and lack of access to cancer care, that you will be inspired to serve the cancer community in South Africa and leave empowered to make a positive impact on the world.

Your time in South Africa is only a part of the broader A Fresh Chapter Odyssey framework, which includes significant pre- and post-trip programming designed to help you explore and address the emotional scars of cancer and envision how you want to move forward to a life filled with renewed meaning, connection, and adventure. Through personalized support from our team – including on-the-ground support from our trained facilitators – and extensive online resources, our framework is designed to offer you a road map and an invitation to explore your life beyond cancer.

That day (in South Africa), Pelisa and I spent over 12 hours together comparing and contrasting our cancer stories, our personal hardships and insecurities, our dreams, wants, desires. What emerged from that day was one resounding theme: We all want to be seen. But perhaps to be seen, we must also take the time to really “see” someone else. No matter how different our stories may be, when we open our eyes and open our hearts, we can always find the ties that bind us. — Felicity, 2015 South Africa Odyssey Tribe

The next planned South Africa Odyssey Program is TBD.

If you are interested in applying for the South Africa Odyssey Program, subscribe to our newsletter and social media channels in order to watch for our future program announcements and have the chance to apply.

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