Participate in Namibia
Would you like to volunteer and take action to help disadvantaged children in Namibia?
In our local Educational Centres in Okakarara, Gobabis and Rehoboth, you will work with our helpers to give children and young people access to education. You will help with meals, set up games and sports activities, help with homework and play an active role in shaping everyday life. You lend a hand - with your hands, your commitment and, if necessary, with your specialist knowledge.
We offer various opportunities for cooperation:
An FSJ with the weltwärts program of Volunta gGmbH
Ein Jahr mit dem weltwärts-Programm nach Afrika
We are a partner organization of Volunta gGmbH, a company of the German Red Cross in Hesse. Volunta is a recognized sending organization of the weltwärts program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the sponsor of the development volunteer service. By applying for the weltwärts program at Volunta, volunteers can work for a year in our projects in Okakarara, Gobabis or Rehoboth.
For application deadlines and further information, please go directly to the Volunta website and apply there:
3-6 months voluntary service at our locations
Get involved with your heart, hands and know-how - and actively help shape educational opportunities in Namibia.
Would you like to get involved in our Educational Centres? We are looking for motivated volunteers aged 18 and over - ideally with previous experience in education, sport, tutoring, IT, horticulture, crafts, nutrition, guest services or building services - to work in Okakarara, Gobabis or Rehoboth for at least 3 months.
Important:
- Please send application documents (German & English) with letter of motivation, CV and certificates 5-6 months before the start to mitarbeit@stepsforchildren.de
- Apply for an eVisa in good time (at least 3 months before departure) at https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na/workvisa-services
- You are responsible for your own travel and accommodation costs (from €10/night)
- Please make sure to come outside of the Namibian school holidays if you want to help out at the Educational Centres möchtest.
We will coordinate your assignment together with our centre coordinators. We look forward to seeing you!
Felizia in Namibia says hello!
Felizia was one of our volunteers who was at steps in Gobabis together with Anna. Read her interview during her stay at steps for children here.
Namibia with a sense of purpose
Volunteer in our locations in Namibia, support local children and young people with your time, knowledge and attention - and return with the unforgettable experience of real encounters.
Immerse yourself in real encounters and support our projects at the same time: stay overnight in lovingly run guesthouses in the heart of Namibia or combine your time out with a social vacation on site. This will make your stay an unforgettable experience - for you and the children you accompany on site.
Enjoy a peaceful night's sleep in sustainable accommodation units that are perfect for a few nights away from popular, hustle and bustle tourist strongholds. When you visit us in Okakarara or Gobabis, you can see our work for yourself and meet the children and staff in the project. The guest house is not only a place to sleep, but also a place for cultural encounters within a few minutes' walk.
By renting our guest houses, you support our social projects and thus our concept -
Income for education.
Okakarara
Experience Okakarara up close: Our cozy double rooms with private bathroom and shared kitchen offer comfort and independence. Single travelers and couples are very welcome!
Accompany us to the educational projects on site and gain exclusive insights into the sewing workshop and vegetable growing - real help for self-help to experience first-hand.
Gobabis
The lovingly designed guesthouse in Gobabis offers a cozy atmosphere where you can feel at home. The pleasantly furnished rooms with private bathrooms and small desks provide space to relax and reflect. In the large communal kitchen with adjoining dining room, you can comfortably prepare your own meals and chat with other guests.
On request, we can take you on a personal tour of our facilities in Gobabis. This will give you exclusive insights into our educational work and allow you to experience first-hand how help for self-help is implemented in practice.
Social leave
With a few nights in our guesthouses, you can work in the preschool with our staff and volunteers during the day, assist with afternoon classes, or help out in the soup kitchen.
Experience the real-life practice of a social education center that cares for the poorest children and young people in Namibia and understand daily challenges that are guaranteed to be different from your own at home. Your donation is being received—you can verify this yourself. You can also book a guided tour of the town so that you don't miss out on the most interesting spots and regional cuisine during your stay.
Social vacation in Okakarara
Help in the soup kitchen
in the preparation and serving of meals
Maintenance
the school buildings, guest houses and greenhouses
Afternoon care
in the subjects English and mathematics
Assistance with sports games
Assistance with art projects
Kindergarten and preschool
Assistance with games
Morning reading session
Bitte bedenke bei der Planung deines Aufenthaltes:
Working with children and young people is not only about professional input, but also about the relationship with each other. The longer your stay, the greater the chance of passing on valuable knowledge to the steps children in the long term.
Social vacation in Gobabis
Help with the guest house
Guest house marketing
Guest house organization and management
Assistance at school*
Dance and sports lessons
Helping to organize afternoon lessons
Planning vacation activities especially for steps homes and guardian angel children
Assistance with computer lessons for the afternoon children**
*Good knowledge of English and solid previous pedagogical knowledge absolutely necessary
**Technical knowledge required
School holidays in Namibia
Please note that although the steps guest houses are open for overnight stays throughout the year, guided tours of the steps facilities are only offered outside of Namibian school holidays and during the week (Monday to Friday).
Holidays
Period
Winter holidays
Good Friday
Easter
Spring holidays
African Children's Day
Summer holidays
Namibian Children's Day
International Teachers' Day
Winter holidays
07. Dec. 2025 – 12. Jan. 2026
03. April 2026
06. April 2026
29. April – 29. May 2026
16. June 2026
21. Aug. – 06. Sep. 2026
28. Sep. 2026
05. Okt. 2026
05. Dec. 2026 – 10. Jan. 2027
steps travel - Adventure and social encounters in Namibia
Experience Namibia not just as a travel destination - but as an affair of the heart.
Breathtaking landscapes such as the dunes of Sossusvlei and the impressive wildlife of Etosha National Park await you on your journey. But the special thing is the deeper experience:
Du begegnest den Kindern und Mitarbeitenden der Bildungszentren von steps for children, singst gemeinsam mit ihnen, lernst erste Worte in einer lokalen Sprache und spürst die Verbundenheit, die über Kulturen hinweg entsteht.
Marvel at a fertile garden in the middle of the desert and visit a Herero, Damara or San family in their home - real encounters that touch you.
Die Organisation deiner Namibia-Reise erfolgt über externe Veranstalter. Vor Ort wirst Du von erfahrenen Guides begleitet, die mit Herz und Fachwissen die Geschichte, Geologie, Fauna und Flora des Landes vermitteln. steps ermöglicht dir dabei die besonderen Begegnungen an den Standorten. Untergebracht bist Du in komfortablen Lodges – mit dem Gefühl, tief einzutauchen und nachhaltig zu wirken.
Experience that takes root
Many dedicated retired professionals want to pass on their knowledge - and provide support where their experience makes a difference. Children, young people and employees at our locations in Namibia also benefit from this valuable expertise. Whether in pedagogical work, in technical areas or in organizational development - the exchange at eye level strengthens our teams in the long term.
If you are an expert in a particular field and are interested in a meaningful stay abroad, we look forward to hearing from you.
The World of Feelings
The German psychologist and psychotherapist Ernst Diebels, who came to Okakarara through the Senior Expert Service (SES), developed a curriculum that uses role plays, exercises and short stories to introduce people to the world of their own feelings and moods and helps them to understand these inner processes in other people too.
Insights from social supporters
Take a look at how our local helpers support children in Namibia in their everyday lives.