Below is a list of some of our community projects, feel free to read and enquire if you wish to get involved.

The following video is a trailer for the documentary that was made about GCU of whom The Backpack proudly supports.

We believe that by understanding, addressing and helping the social needs of the economically and socially disadvantaged communities in Cape Town, we are able to work towards a just society in which all people get to share in the wealth of the country.

Since March 2009 till December 2010 The Backpack and Africa Travel Centre has donated R350 000 towards our community projects together with our guests who have donated a huge R55 000.

Together we are making a difference!

The Backpack and Africa Travel Centre is not just a hostel in Cape Town; social responsibility is integral to our business and we enjoy providing accommodation as well as the opportunity to get involved with the Capetonian community on a grass roots level.

Please speak to the travel centre if you would like to volunteer.

Choose to make a difference!

GCU – Great Commission United

Since 2007, The Backpack and Africa Travel Centre has been supporting the GCU financially, as well as giving our guests the opportunity to volunteer or visit GCU, benefitting both parties with experience and aid.  In a neighbourhood where literacy is 24% and the average child drops out of school at 12 years old, our homework tutoring and life skills programme that we introduced has a powerful impact on the lives of many children in Cape Town.

Choose to make a difference!

The Rope Skipping Project

The Backpack and Africa Travel Centre collaborated with GCU soccer academy to provide a fun and healthy activity for the young girls in the Heideveld area in Cape town.  Girls take part in rope-skipping once a week.  In addition to training, the girls participate in local competitions and our hostel in Cape Town funds the exceptionally strong GCU rope skipping team to travel nationally so that they can take part in national rope skipping competitions.  Read on GCU’s website about their success, contributing to the girls development of self-esteem.

The Backpack and Africa Travel Centre has extended its funding to develop the programme to reach all the children at the local school in Heideveld, Cape Town, and has been integrated into their physical education.

You can donate your R50 key deposit while staying at The Backpack and Africa Travel Centre – these funds go towards the GCU programme.

Choose to make a difference!

Vallies Stitch and Bitch Programme

In support of the Baphumelele Creche in a local township, Khayelitsha, The Backpack & Africa Travel Centre enjoys supporting the Vallies Stitch and Bitch Program where we have collectively knitted over one hundred blankets for the AIDS orphans residing at the creche. We have old age homes around Cape Town contributing to this project with their fantastic knitting skills.

Choose to make a difference!

Garden project

The Backpack & Africa Travel Centre has grown with GCU and one of our developments along the way is the Fruit and vegetable garden at Woodlands Primary school in Heideveld.  Our objective is to teach the learners important skills; not only the basics of gardening, but also the benefits of hard work, patience and the rewards of effort.  The garden will also allow the learners to experience a peaceful and beautiful space in their community.

Choose to make a difference!

You can make a difference too…

If you have been travelling for a while and have gathered too much luggage, feel free to donate them to The Backpack & Africa Travel Centre. Your donations will be given to our Soccer and Jump Rope Project.

What makes us a different hostel in Cape Town is that we want to make a difference.

Choose to make a difference!