Volunteer in Cape Verde with Abroad Escape.

A week in Cape Verde that moves between local life and the open coastline. You will be based in Tarrafal, a calm fishing village framed by mountains and Atlantic water. The aim is simple: settle in, understand the setting, and get used to the community before your project starts.

You start with the basics. Meeting the team, understanding the house rules, and learning early Kriolu so you can greet people and follow along. From there, the days include markets, local history, craft traditions, time on the water with local fishermen, and snorkelling where scheduled.

You will also learn to cook Cachupa and understand why it matters here.

What You Will Do

• Learn practical Kriolu for everyday conversations
• Cook Cape Verdean dishes in a hands-on class
• Spend time on Tarrafal's beaches
• Visit key historical sites including the Tarrafal concentration camp
• Make local crafts such as bracelets, baskets and hats
• Join a pottery workshop and work with clay
• Head out on the water with local fishermen, with snorkelling included
• Visit working farms and see how island agriculture operates

Why This Week Exists

• Help you understand Cape Verde through language, food, craft and daily life
• Create real exchange with the community before project work starts
• Prepare you for the volunteer weeks that follow

How the Week Runs

Monday

Breakfast, then an introduction to how the week works and a short admin session covering the Code of Conduct and program documents. After that you head out on foot: supermarkets, ATMs, the museum, the Tarrafal concentration camp and the local market. Lunch at the center. Later, back at the market for a simple craft session making bracelets you will take home.

Tuesday

A beginner Kriolu lesson focused on phrases you will actually use. Then a traditional pottery workshop with clay work rooted in West and Central African traditions. You also visit Chapel Sao Jose. After lunch: artisanal fishing with local fishermen, followed by snorkelling.

Wednesday

The food day. You will learn to cook Cachupa, not just the recipe, but the feel of it. Another Kriolu session adds useful vocabulary, spelling and everyday phrases.

Thursday

A one-hour Kriolu class focused on building simple sentences. Then a weaving workshop using coconut and palm leaves. Local artisans have been making hats and baskets this way for a long time. You will learn by doing it.

Friday

Your final Kriolu class, then another trip out with local fishermen. Afterwards, you visit nearby agricultural fields to see farming shaped by volcanic terrain, steep slopes and scarce water. You will also visit the project site where you begin the following Monday, so you arrive next week already familiar with the setting.

The schedule can be adjusted based on local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Spend your days in Tarrafal supporting a childcare center for the youngest children in the community. You will be with children aged 2 to 6 in daycare settings and early classrooms, helping local staff keep things calm, structured and encouraging.

Many families depend on these centers. Parents work long hours in low-income jobs, and childcare is what makes daily life possible. Your role is to support staff, give children more attention, and help keep the day moving in a steady way.

What You Will Be Doing

• Working with children aged 2 to 6, supporting daily routines and early development
• Helping introduce basic English through songs, games and simple activities
• Building social confidence, coordination and early thinking skills through guided play
• Supporting local teachers and learning directly from them
• Creating a steady, kind environment that children can rely on

Your Responsibilities on Site

• Assist teachers during classroom routines and care activities
• Lead or support age-appropriate games, songs and short lessons
• Keep the space safe, welcoming and organised
• Prepare materials and plan activities for the following day
• Keep clear notes so the next volunteer can continue without disruption

Purpose of the Project

• Give children from all backgrounds access to consistent, caring support during their earliest years
• Build early literacy, numeracy and confidence through real interaction
• Create learning in both directions, for the children and for you

How the Week Flows

Monday

A welcome into the community with an introduction to local customs and project expectations. A short Kriolu session helps you communicate with the children. Then a practical orientation walk covers supermarkets, ATMs and the neighbourhood. The day closes with time at Mar De President Beach before dinner.

Tuesday to Friday

Mornings: In the childcare setting alongside teachers. Songs, simple words, games and short stories. Playful English exposure that does not feel like a lesson.

Afternoons: More classroom support, creative activities and preparation for the next day.

Evenings: Free time. Some days will feel small. That is fine. This is where the work lives.

The schedule can be adjusted based on local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Teach conversational English to primary school children in Tarrafal and support local teachers who are doing a lot with limited resources. The school serves around 260 students, with five local educators. Extra hands can help when the role is handled properly and consistently.

This is not about grammar drills. It is about making language feel possible and enjoyable, giving children a reason to keep trying and a sense that the wider world is interested in them. You work alongside local teachers, follow their lead and bring your own creativity where it fits.

What Makes This Program Work

• A genuine shortage where volunteer support can help
• Playful, low-pressure English teaching through games, songs, art and stories
• Real cultural exchange in both directions
• Close contact with daily community life in Tarrafal

What You Will Do in the Classroom

• Lead and assist beginner English activities that feel approachable
• Help plan lessons with the class teacher and adapt based on student needs
• Prepare materials including flashcards, visuals, worksheets and learning games
• Run informal creative sessions such as drawing, music, movement and storytelling
• Join school events and community moments when they happen
• Keep clear records of what you covered so the next volunteer can continue without gaps
• Show up on time, prepared and ready. Consistency matters to children

Weekly Rhythm

Most days follow the same shape: classroom support in the morning, lesson planning and material preparation in the afternoon. Resources are limited, so improvising is part of the job and often where the best teaching happens.

Throughout the week, informal learning weaves through everything. Songs. Movement. Conversation. Questions about where you are from. You will learn as well as teach.

The schedule can be adjusted based on local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Available from 26 June to 7 September 2026.

When schools close for summer, the structure disappears and the gaps show. The Cape Verde Summer Camp runs throughout the school holidays to keep children engaged, active and learning, combining education, sport, creative work and community projects in a weekly program from late June to early September.

You will work across multiple areas depending on the day. Mornings focus on teaching and care. Afternoons rotate through practical projects. It is varied and hands-on.

What the Program Covers

• Teaching and mentoring children aged approximately 5 to 14 through English lessons, arts and educational sessions
• Supporting children with special needs through care, movement activities and social interaction
• Sports coaching and recreational activities for fitness and team-building
• Eco-farming, sustainability workshops and environmental awareness
• Renovation and beautification of public spaces
• Community food distribution outreach

Daily Schedule

Morning

• 06:00-07:00 - Yoga and meditation
• 06:30-08:00 - Sports coaching sessions
• 09:00-12:00 - Summer Education Program: English, art and craft, and educational movie session
• 09:00-12:00 - Special Needs Care runs in parallel for children with additional needs

Afternoon

• 14:30-16:00 - Monday: Eco-farming
• 14:30-16:00 - Tuesday: Food outreach
• 14:30-16:00 - Wednesday: Sustainability workshops
• 14:30-16:00 - Thursday: Public space renovation
• 14:30-16:00 - Friday: Environmental awareness, such as beach cleaning or tree planting
• 16:30-18:00 - Sports coaching sessions

Optional Weekend Activities

• Santiago Island round tour - payable locally
• All-terrain vehicle experience - payable locally

The schedule repeats weekly and can be adjusted based on local conditions and unforeseen circumstances. Children are aged approximately 5 to 14 and activities are adapted for different age groups.

This is a two-week project supporting children and young people with disabilities at a care center in Tarrafal. The emphasis is on presence and consistency, not intervention. You are not replacing local staff or delivering specialist treatment. You are showing up, building trust and helping the days run more smoothly.

The center supports individuals with a range of conditions, including cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, paraplegia, microcephaly, and visual and hearing impairments. In a small coastal community with limited access to specialist services, this center plays a central role in providing stability and routine.

The emotional demands are real. Progress is gradual. Communication can be difficult. You need patience, empathy and clear boundaries. The work is measured in trust and routine, not quick visible results.

What You Will Be Doing

• Supporting daily care routines alongside trained local caregivers
• Assisting with physiotherapy and motor stimulation sessions
• Helping facilitate creative, musical and recreational activities
• Offering consistent emotional presence through supervised interaction
• Supporting food preparation, mealtimes and personal care routines
• Contributing to a safe, welcoming and well-organised environment

Who This Is For

This program suits people who are genuinely comfortable with slow, relational work. Those with backgrounds in therapy, psychology or special education may be able to contribute additional support under supervision. All participants work under local staff guidance at all times. Independent care is not permitted.

Week One

Sunday: Airport pickup and transfer to accommodation. Orientation session, neighbourhood walk, welcome dinner and time to settle in.

Monday: Breakfast and a tour of the center. Meet staff, review routines and go through participation guidelines. Afternoon beach time and preparation for your first day. Evening dinner and a session learning Ouril, a traditional Cape Verdean game.

Tuesday: First full day at the center. Morning support activities, daily care routines, supervised physiotherapy and motor stimulation. Afternoon beach or free time. Evening dinner and karaoke.

Wednesday: Educational activities focused on communication, independence and daily living skills. Afternoon beach. Evening dinner, volleyball and sunset.

Thursday: Group activities focused on inclusion, confidence and social interaction. Afternoon beach. Evening dinner, volleyball and sunset.

Friday: Music, creative and sensory activities that support emotional expression. Afternoon reflection meeting with your coordinator. Evening BBQ dinner and free time or weekend adventure.

Week Two

Week two builds on the confidence and familiarity gained in week one. You will deepen your involvement in daily routines and creative sessions as you become more comfortable with participants and staff. One-on-one interactions become more natural. You may also join family support or community inclusion programs if available.

Friday of Week Two: Final session at the care center, free time for shopping or exploring, and a farewell BBQ dinner with staff and volunteers.

Saturday: Breakfast and departure by noon.

The schedule can be adjusted based on the center's programming, participant needs and local conditions.

Coach football and basketball to children in Tarrafal. Share what you know, adapt to who is in front of you, and help children grow through sport, not just in skill, but in confidence, discipline and teamwork.

You will work with mixed groups at different ages and skill levels. Some children are brand new to the game. Others already have a feel for it. Your job is to meet them where they are, keep things inclusive and give them something useful to aim for.

What You Will Be Doing

• Coaching football and basketball for beginners through to more experienced players
• Adjusting drills and explanations to suit different ages and abilities
• Using sport to teach cooperation, leadership and self-belief
• Joining community events, local tournaments and workshops where available
• Helping children set goals and stay committed, on and off the field

Typical Day

• Warm-up and stretching
• Skill drills: passing, shooting, dribbling and footwork
• Team exercises that reward communication and cooperation
• Small-sided games so children can apply what they have learned
• Cool-down and a quick debrief

The schedule can be adjusted based on local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Cape Verde is home to one of the world's most important Loggerhead sea turtle breeding areas. The turtles are protected by law, but poaching and nest disturbance can still happen. This project supports nightly beach patrols, hatchery protection and community outreach on Santiago Island.

The work happens at night, when nesting takes place. You will patrol beaches, protect nests, collect field data and support a local conservation team that has been operating in this area for years. Some nights may involve camping directly on the beach at Ribeira da Prata.

2026 Start Dates

July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, August 3, August 10, August 17, August 24, August 31, September 7, September 14, September 21, September 28, October 5, October 12, October 19, October 26.

What You Will Do on the Beaches

• Walk patrol routes to spot turtles, tracks and active nesting
• Support local staff monitoring nesting females and protecting eggs
• Help move nests from exposed or high-risk areas into protected hatcheries
• Guard hatchery sites from predators and unauthorised access
• Record field data such as sightings, nest tracks, hatchling outcomes and distribution
• Join community outreach and education sessions when scheduled locally
• Assist with beach clean-up work in the project area

Practical Realities

This is night work. You sleep during the day. Camping on the beach may be part of the program. Being prepared for outdoor conditions makes a meaningful difference to your comfort. Weather and local factors can change plans quickly.

Typical Weekly Schedule

• 19:30 - Dinner
• 20:00 - Depart for Ribeira da Prata
• 20:25 - Arrive, meet the conservation team and begin night activities
• 06:00 - Return to Tarrafal accommodation
• 08:00-09:00 - Breakfast and rest
• 13:00 - Lunch and rest
• 19:30 - Dinner
• 20:00 - Depart again for Ribeira da Prata

The schedule and activities can be adjusted based on weather, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances. Some weeks may require Saturday work.

Help local schools in and around Tarrafal become safer, brighter and easier to learn in. The work is practical and visible. You will improve the physical spaces children use every day, fixing what is worn down, building what is missing and sometimes adding creative details.

Tasks vary depending on what schools need at the time: painting, basic carpentry, brickwork, small repairs and landscaping. Local coordinators guide the work each day, so you are not left guessing what to do or how to do it safely.

What You Will Be Part Of

• Improving classrooms, libraries, playgrounds and shared school spaces
• Hands-on renovation work such as painting, carpentry, brickwork and landscaping
• Creative improvements such as murals, outdoor spaces and finishing details
• Close collaboration with local coordinators and other volunteers
• Leaving behind spaces children will actually use

How the Week Runs

Monday: Introduction to Cape Verdean culture and the project setup. House rules, Code of Conduct and documentation are covered early. A short Kriolu lesson follows, then an orientation walk to nearby supermarkets, ATMs and the area around the center. Later, time at Mar De President Beach before dinner.

Tuesday to Friday: Each morning you will head to a local school and start work. Tasks depend on the school's needs that week. The team plans the day together with coordinators. Lunch and rest breaks are built in. Afternoons continue with practical work and creative finishing touches.

The schedule can be adjusted based on local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

This program puts you alongside local farmers in Santiago Island's valleys, learning traditional cultivation techniques that have shaped this community for generations.

You will prepare soil, plant crops, harvest produce and help care for the animals that keep village life going. It is physical, grounded and practical work.

Farming activities vary with the season and growing conditions. This program works especially well when combined with Culture Week or Trekking Week.

Program Highlights

• Learn traditional farming techniques directly from local farmers and families
• Prepare soil, plant crops, harvest produce and help care for animals
• Experience Cape Verdean rural hospitality and coastal village life up close
• Improve your Kriolu through daily conversation in the fields
• Wind down after work with Tarrafal's beaches close by

How the Week Looks

Monday: Orientation, introductions and meeting your local farming partners. First look at the farm and the work ahead.

Tuesday to Thursday: Daily farm work. Ploughing, planting, harvesting and tending to animals, side by side with local farmers.

Friday: Final field work, a reflection session and a farewell gathering with the farming community.

A Typical Day

After breakfast, you travel to the farm with your coordinator. Morning tasks are assigned based on what the land needs. Lunch is shared at midday. Afternoons are for rest or lighter tasks. Evenings are yours.

The schedule can be adjusted based on season, growing conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

This medical placement has a minimum duration of 2 weeks.

This medical placement is based at a modern health center in Tarrafal and is designed for medical students and healthcare professionals who want supervised clinical exposure in a developing-country context. Your role depends on your study level, training, professional background and local rules.

Who This Is For

• Medical students who have completed a minimum of two years of academic study
• Qualified doctors and healthcare professionals looking for international experience
• Nurses and allied health professionals with at least two years of training

What You May Be Involved In

You may shadow and assist local clinicians, observe clinical routines, interact with patients under supervision, and support public health outreach where appropriate. Your specific responsibilities are assigned by your mentor based on your training and experience.

Areas of Focus

Placements are primarily in Otorhinolaryngology, also known as ENT, and Orthopedics. Depending on your background and the center's needs, your work may include:

• Assisting with patient assessments and basic diagnostic procedures alongside a specialist
• Helping explain diagnoses, treatment options and preventive care to patients
• Coordinating with other health professionals including audiology and speech and language
• Participating in outreach events such as health fairs and community medical activities
• Supporting training of junior staff where appropriate
• Maintaining accurate patient records and working to professional and ethical standards

Weekly Structure

Monday: Introduction to local culture and project expectations. Code of Conduct, house rules and program documentation are handled early. A basic Kriolu lesson follows, then an orientation walk. Later in the day, you visit the hospital for an initial tour and theoretical orientation.

Tuesday to Friday:

• 08:00 - Breakfast at accommodation
• 09:00 - Depart for the health center and begin work
• 12:00-14:00 - Lunch break
• 14:00-16:00 - Continue clinical work
• 20:00 - Dinner at accommodation

Weekend shifts may be required, including Saturdays and Sundays.

Click here for more information about the medical placement in Cape Verde.

The schedule can be adjusted based on the center's needs, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Arrival and Airport Pickup

You need to arrive at Praia International Airport (RAI) on Sunday. Your program begins with Sunday arrival, and airport pickup is included on the scheduled arrival day.

Full arrival instructions are provided after acceptance, so please wait to book flights until your place is confirmed. All arrival details and local contact information are shared in advance.

A member of the local team will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation, where you will meet other volunteers.

Your Base: Tarrafal, Santiago Island

Tarrafal sits on the northwestern coast of Santiago Island, in the northern part of Cape Verde. It is a working fishing port and the seat of Tarrafal Municipality. This is where you will be based for the duration of your program.

Orientation

Orientation takes place on Monday morning and is led by an experienced local coordinator. It covers local culture and customs, health and safety, project expectations and practical information about accommodation and daily routines. Your program usually begins in full from Tuesday onwards, depending on your chosen project and local arrangements.

Accommodation

You will stay in a fully equipped shared house for the duration of your program. Rooms are shared with other volunteers, with gender-separated arrangements in place. Bathrooms are shared with western-style facilities. The house has WiFi in common areas, lockable rooms, hot showers, fans and bed linen provided.

What Is Included in Your Room

• All meals included: three meals on weekdays and two meals on weekends
• Tea and coffee available
• Shared rooms, usually 4 to 8 persons per room
• WiFi in common areas
• Lockable rooms
• Hot shower
• Bed linen provided
• Fan

Towels, air conditioning, laundry facilities, safety box and private bathrooms are not available. Bring your own towel.

Meals

Three meals a day are provided Monday to Friday: breakfast, lunch and dinner. On weekends, two meals are included: brunch and dinner. Food is a mix of local Cape Verdean dishes and familiar Western options. Dietary requirements can often be accommodated if you tell us in advance.

Facilities in Tarrafal

The town center has ATMs, mini-marts, small shops and restaurants within easy reach of the accommodation.

Beaches and Surroundings

Tarrafal's beaches are good for weekends and free time. Pack a towel, sunscreen and flip-flops. Snorkelling and surfing are both possible from the beach.

Close to the beach you will also find the Resistance Museum, which holds some of the more significant chapters of Cape Verde's history and is worth a couple of hours of your time.