When Our Duty of Care Begins and Ends

VACorps’ duty of care begins when you arrive in Cape Town and continues until three days after your internship ends or your departure from South Africa—whichever comes first. Your official program dates are outlined in your internship agreement, and we’re here to support you from the moment you land through to the end of your program.

If you choose to stay on in South Africa beyond this period, you’re welcome to explore independently. However, please note that VACorps cannot provide support or assume responsibility for you outside of the official duty of care timeframe.

We are committed to ensuring a safe, supportive, and enriching experience for all participants. This Duty of Care statement outlines the responsibilities we take seriously—and clarifies what falls outside our scope.

1. Prioritize Participant Safety

We take reasonable steps to promote participant safety during their stay, including:

• Conducting thorough vetting of housing and internship placements

• Providing a comprehensive orientation upon arrival

• Offering 24/7 emergency support

• Maintaining clear protocols for responding to illness, injury, or personal crises

2. Provide Local Support

Our team is based in Cape Town and available to assist participants with:

• Navigating daily life in a new country

• Addressing concerns with housing, health, or internships

• Accessing medical or mental health resources as needed

3. Maintain Emergency Protocols

In the event of a serious emergency (e.g., medical crisis, accident, or safety threat), we will:

• Contact local emergency services as needed

• Notify the participant’s designated emergency contact

• Provide in-person support when appropriate

4. Respect Adult Autonomy

Most VACorps participants are legal adults. We support their independence and decision-making while offering guidance when requested or needed. We do not share personal, medical, or mental health information with families unless the participant has provided written consent—except in emergencies where there is risk of serious harm.

5. Foster Community & Connection

We facilitate two group activities per week to help participants connect with one another and build a sense of community. These events are optional but encouraged, as they create opportunities for support and connection outside the internship setting.

While we do our best to stay attuned to participants’ well-being, our ability to assist is limited by each individual’s willingness to engage with staff and communicate their needs. If something seems amiss, we will likely reach out—but we rely on participants to speak up if they are struggling. In addition to regular check-ins, we strongly encourage students to contact us at any time if they need help.

What We Don’t Do

To ensure transparency, it’s also important to be clear about what falls outside VACorps’ scope of responsibility:

• We do not provide medical or mental health care but can help connect participants to qualified professionals.

• We do not supervise participants in their daily activities.

• We do not guarantee specific outcomes from internships or experiences.

• We do not share information with families without consent (except in emergencies involving serious risk).