Volunteer in Cairo and make a difference in the lives of young children! Support early childhood education in underprivileged communities by assisting local teachers in NGOs, community centers, and schools. Create nurturing and engaging environments for children and experience a rewarding opportunity.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

As a childcare volunteer on our Childcare project you will help make a difference in the lives of children by providing a safe and stimulating environment. You’ll support their early development through educational activities, play, and attentive care, working alongside local teachers to enrich their learning experience. Our goal is to introduce children to new and exciting learning opportunities.

As a childcare volunteer, you will assist in NGOs, community centers, and schools by organizing and leading activities that foster children’s cognitive and physical development. While the primary focus is on teaching basic English, we also welcome volunteers who can incorporate music, games, and arts and crafts into the daily schedule. You will have the opportunity to create your own engaging activities in these areas.

To make the most of your time as a childcare volunteer, we encourage you to prepare lesson plans and bring ideas for teaching and activities. While prior experience or qualifications in early childhood education are beneficial, they are not mandatory, as you will receive guidance from experienced local teachers.

Why do Childcare volunteering in Egypt with IVHQ?

When you volunteer with children in Egypt you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

Improving access to quality early childhood education
Helping students learn and grow in a safe place
Developing your communication skills
Gaining childcare experience
Immersing yourself in Egyptian culture
Exploring Cairo and Egypt

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate in this program. If you are under 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad to explore these options

Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.

All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.

All volunteers must supply the local team with a CV after registration.

Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Not sure which program to join?

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Who is going?

Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

Egypt photo gallery

A large group of excited children with face paint and costumes smile and cheer outdoors during a festive evening celebration.

Face Paint Fun at the Childcare Center

Outdoor Play and Group Games

A group of children dressed in colorful traditional clothing proudly display handmade decorations alongside a smiling local teacher.

Cultural Crafts and Festive Dress

A volunteer leads a group of boys through an active movement session in a classroom, with raised arms and big energy all around.

Classroom Physical Activity Session

A teacher and several children engage in a pottery-making session, shaping clay items in a cheerful classroom filled with handmade ceramics.

Pottery Making and Clay Modeling Session

A volunteer helps a child shape a clay bowl during a hands-on art session in a purple-walled classroom, with paints and tools spread out on the table.

Arts & Pottery Workshop with Volunteers

A colorful and bustling market in Cairo filled with traditional Egyptian clothing, souvenirs, drums, and lanterns.

Exploring the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar

A woman stands on a desert plain at dawn, admiring vibrant hot air balloons preparing for take-off near Luxor, Egypt.

Sunrise Balloon Ride

A busy dock on the Nile River where travelers board traditional white-painted boats for a river cruise in Luxor, Egypt.

Nile River Boat Ride

A hot air balloon prepares for lift-off over lush farmland in Luxor at sunrise, with golden light illuminating the landscape.

Hot Air Balloon Over Luxor’s Farmland

Three young men wearing red fezzes sit on a stone wall, gazing out over the cityscape of Cairo on a clear day.

City Views from the Citadel

Hot air balloons float above ancient temple ruins and desert terrain in Luxor at sunrise, offering panoramic views of the Valley of the Kings region.

Aerial View of Ancient Ruins and Balloons

Tourists walk toward the iconic Pyramid of Khafre at the Giza Plateau, surrounded by ancient stone ruins and desert views.

Walking Toward the Great Pyramid of Khafre

Locals and tourists gather in a lively square outside the illuminated Luxor Temple during twilight, with palm trees and minarets in the background.

Evening at Luxor Temple Plaza

The Great Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza sit under the Egyptian sun, showcasing the grandeur of ancient architecture and history.

Sphinx and Pyramids at Giza

Cairo International Airport

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

Learn about course credit

Recommended online TEFL course

We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.

Get TEFL certified online

Location

A guide leads three tourists on camels across the desert sands in front of the ancient pyramids of Giza in Egypt under a partly cloudy sky.

Location

Cairo, Egypt’s historic capital, boasts the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum, offering a captivating mix of ancient wonders and modern life. Beyond typical tourist experiences, its lively streets, traditional markets, and the Nile River provide an immersive cultural experience.

Despite Egypt’s rich heritage and growing economy in some areas, many communities still struggle with limited access to education, healthcare, and animal welfare. Volunteers are crucial in supporting local efforts to improve living standards and provide essential aid. Located in and around Cairo, volunteer opportunities allow participants to make a real difference while experiencing the city’s vibrant culture.

Arrival and orientation

All Egypt volunteer projects start on the first and third Saturday of each month. Participants must arrive in Cairo the Friday before their selected start date.

After registering, book flights to Cairo International Airport (CAI). Airport pickup is included in the program fee. Upon arrival, a driver will meet you and transport you to the volunteer accommodation, approximately 45 minutes away (depending on traffic). This accommodation, covered by the program fee, includes the night before the mandatory full-day orientation on Saturday.

If you are already in Egypt, pickup from a central Cairo meeting point can be arranged for the Friday before your program begins.

The Saturday orientation, led by the local team in Cairo, covers essential information for your volunteer experience: an introduction to Cairo, local customs, rules, expectations, safety guidelines, travel opportunities within Egypt, and an overview of your specific project and placement. This session also provides an opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On the first day of the volunteering placement, you will be escorted to the project by our local staff and introduced to the staff at the placement you will be working with.

Weekdays

You can expect to work a minimum of 3 hours, Sunday through Thursday. A typical day would be as follows:

8:00 AM	Breakfast at the volunteer apartment.
9:00 AM	Volunteers travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project.
12:00 - 2:30 PM	Lunch is served at the volunteer apartment.
7:30 - 9:00 PM	Dinner at the volunteer apartment. After dinner you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish.

Please note that the schedule may occasionally change due to weather, public or school holidays, or other unforeseen events that could affect your placement. We recommend checking in advance whether your intended travel dates coincide with any public or school holidays.

Weekends

In Egypt, the work week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday considered the weekend. During the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or explore other parts of Cairo and Egypt. Cairo is home to some of Egypt’s most iconic landmarks, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Nile River.

Beyond Cairo, Egypt is home to a wealth of incredible attractions further afield, including Luxor & The Valley of the Kings, Aswan & Abu Simbel, The White Desert, Alexandria, Siwa Oasis, The Red Sea Riviera, Mount Sinai & St. Catherine’s Monastery.

Beyond Cairo’s famous attractions, Egypt offers a wealth of history, adventure, and natural beauty. To make the most of your trip, consider planning and pre-booking excursions to these sites through IVHQ. Contact us or your IVHQ Program Manager for more information and to secure your bookings for these unique Egyptian experiences.

Accommodation and WiFi

You’ll stay in a comfortable hotel alongside fellow volunteers, sharing a room with up to three others of the same gender. Each room is equipped with a Western-style bathroom with hot water, air conditioning, a safe, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Bedding and towels are provided for your convenience.

The hotel offers free Wi-Fi in all rooms and has an onsite restaurant. For staying connected while exploring, you can easily purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone which the local team will be happy to assist you with.

Meals

Volunteers enjoy three meals a day on Sunday through Thursday at their accommodation. Breakfast is usually either continental or a light Egyptian-style spread, while dinner features lighter mixed platters such as falafel, dips, beans, bread, eggs, and fresh produce. Lunch is the main meal of the day, offering a hearty selection of meats, breads, rice dishes, salads, and vegetables, with dinner also including a variety of these options.

On weekends (Friday and Saturday in Egypt), breakfast is provided at the hotel, however volunteers can taste the cuisine at local restaurants for lunch and dinner (not included in the program fee).

Bottled water is easily accessible in Cairo, and a suggested budget is CA$14 per week for two liters daily. Please inform us of any special dietary needs when applying so we can accommodate them.

IVHQ Communal area in the Hotel in Cairo, Egypt

Common area in the Hotel Accommodation

IVHQ Volunteer bedroom in the hotel in Cairo, Egypt

Volunteer bedroom in the accommodation

IVHQ dining area in the hotel in Cairo, Egypt

Dining area in the accommodation

Volunteer bedroom in the accommodation

A colorful bowl of Koshari featuring pasta, lentils, chickpeas, fried onions, and tomato sauce.

Koshari – Egypt’s National Dish

A hearty Egyptian stuffed bread dish cut into slices and served with a side of spicy pickled vegetables on a red tablecloth.

Stuffed Baladi Bread with Pickles

A plate of traditional mahshi including stuffed grape leaves, zucchini, peppers, cabbage, and eggplant, filled with seasoned rice.

Mahshi – Stuffed Vegetables Platter

Pricing

USD
- United States Dollars - $
- Australian Dollars - AU$
- Brazilian Reals - R$
- British Pound Sterling - £
- Canadian Dollars - CA$
- Chinese Yuan - CN¥
- Euros - €
- Hong Kong Dollars - HK$
- Mexican Pesos - MX$
- New Zealand Dollars - NZ$
- Singapore Dollars - SG$
- Swiss Francs - CHF
- UAE Dirhams - AED

Duration	Program Fee Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you. USD United States Dollars - $ Australian Dollars - AU$ Brazilian Reals - R$ British Pound Sterling - £ Canadian Dollars - CA$ Chinese Yuan - CN¥ Euros - € Hong Kong Dollars - HK$ Mexican Pesos - MX$ New Zealand Dollars - NZ$ Singapore Dollars - SG$ Swiss Francs - CHF UAE Dirhams - AED
1 week	$729 Equivalent to $104/day
2 weeks	$1,019 Equivalent to $73/day
3 weeks	$1,309 Equivalent to $62/day
4 weeks	$1,599 Equivalent to $57/day
5 weeks	$1,889 Equivalent to $54/day
6 weeks	$2,179 Equivalent to $52/day
8 weeks	$2,759 Equivalent to $49/day
10 weeks	$3,339 Equivalent to $48/day
12 weeks	$3,919 Equivalent to $47/day

All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately CA$483) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.

Weekday (Sunday to Thursday) meals and basic meals supplies on weekends
Airport pick-up
Accommodation
24/7 in-country emergency support
In-country program orientation
Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

Flights
Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.

Popular add-ons & experiences in Egypt

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Egypt program.

Airport Drop-off

Enjoy a stress free ride from Cairo back to the airport arranged by our local team.

CA$51

View all add-ons & experiences

Affordable Arabic language lessons

10, 20, 30 and 40 hour packages available

How to book IVHQ’s language lessons: Once you’ve paid your registration fee, you will be able to select language lessons as an “Add-on” via your MyIVHQ profile.

Check what's required to visit Egypt

Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.

Safety and support

A smiling volunteer traveller wearing a traditional Andean poncho stands in front of the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain in Peru. The landscape features vibrant red, yellow, and green hues across the mountains, with a small lake visible in the background.

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.

Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital	Cairo
Population	10.2 million
Languages	Egyptian Arabic
Currency	Egyptian pound (EGP)
Time zone	GMT+3

Weather and climate: Egypt has an arid, desert climate and the weather in Cairo is always warm, or hot, and the nights cool as it has a subtropical-desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures can reach the high 30s Celsius (86-95°F), especially in July and August, while winter temperatures average around 18°C (64°F). The city experiences occasional dust storms in March and April.