World Cup Boosts Volunteering in South Africa

Muenster, Germany, July 14, 2010 --(PR.com)-- As the World Cup focuses the attention of the world on host country South Africa, it is also bringing more attention to the nation’s charitable volunteering projects, according to international tour operator TravelWorks.

A leading gap year provider in Europe, TravelWorks has noticed an increase in both interest and bookings for their volunteering programmes in South Africa leading up to and during the World Cup. This increased attention contradicts earlier predictions that inflated flight prices during the World Cup would deter potential volunteers.

“I really noticed that there were more inquiries than normal for volunteer work in South Africa or Africa in general before the World Cup,” says programme coordinator Janina Rahenbrock from TravelWorks. “I also received a few inquiries from people who wanted to do volunteer work in South Africa during the World Cup and go to a football game while they were still there. One Swiss participant even went to two of the games.”

This year’s World Cup, the first ever held on the African continent, has not only been a boon for the country’s economy; it has also brought greater awareness to the serious problems facing the country, ranging from HIV/AIDS to poverty. Though the short-term result has been positive for volunteering projects, it is unknown how long the increased awareness of South Africa will last.

“We just hope that the current interest in South Africa will lead to a longer-term increase in volunteers,” said Laura Hoesman content manager from TravelWorks. “As much as the World Cup has helped the South African economy, the country still faces many challenges, and international volunteers are an important part of the solution.”

Check out www.travelworks.co.uk for information about volunteering in South Africa.

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