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Hout Bay Children's Programmes
This project caters for the children in a developing community near Hout Bay. As a volunteer, you spend mornings caring for young children while their parents are at work. Afternoons are spent in one of two aftercare programmes that assists older children with their homework and creative activities once school has finished. You may choose which one to participate in.
Overview:
| Location | Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Duration | From 4 weeks |
| Dates | February to November |
| Requirements |
|
| Minimum Age: | 18 |
| Your impact | |
| Documents required | Enrolment form, curriculum vitae, letter of motivation, passport copy, proof of medical insurance, police clearance certificate |
| Day of arrival | Sunday |
| Day of departure | Saturday |
Highlights
- Work with an inspirational team in a very welcoming & loving environment.
- Bring happiness and joy in the daily life of children - you are able to leave a lasting impact on the children’s life.
- Choose between two afternoon options.
- Volunteer in one of the most picturesque areas around Cape Town.
- Get personal support from the volunteer coordinator.
- Combine the project with an English course in the morning and volunteer only in the afternoon.
- Experience amazing tours and adventures in and around Cape Town.
- Make new friends from all over the world.
Project Information
The Hout Bay Children’s Programmes project provides Early Childhood Development services and care to the poor in the community of Imizamo Yethu near Hout Bay in South Africa.
This project services an Educare Centre in the morning and two After-School Programmes in the afternoon. You can either participate in the morning project and choose between one of the two After-School Programmes in the afternoon or only volunteer at one of the two After-School Programmes in the afternoon after your English course in the morning.
Educare Centre:
The Educare Centre offers basic care and preschool education for the children of the Township of Imizamo Yethu. Children are also provided daily with two warm, nutritious meals, snacks and fresh fruit and yoghurt.
Children are cared for in a loving environment and are taught Christian values and simple life skills and are prepared for formal schooling by employing teachers from the community and empowering them to become excellent professional educators.
Their mission is to give the children that vital head start for successful lives in the future South Africa.
Since 1999 the school has grown and now cares for 285 children between the ages of 1 and 6 years, with 18 staff members from the community. Since 2007 the Educare has been extended and now consists of 11 classrooms, 17 toilets, a well-equipped kitchen, 2 offices, a covered veranda and a large playground.
After School Programmes:
The projects core work is to provide a safe and nurturing space for vulnerable children between the ages of either 6 and 12 or between 13 and 18 years who have suffered from the effects of HIV/AIDS, poverty, and other stressful life circumstances.
This programmes offer a structured, holistic after-school care programme and family support centre.
Homework assistance, academic performance assistance, literacy and numeracy skills as well as life skills, gardening along with psycho-social activities and counselling as well as assistance in emotional resilience to negative life events is provided.
Six out of 10 children live in multidimensional poverty. This makes them vulnerable to abuse and trauma, which again leads to psycho-social problems in their young adult life.
Research shows the development of emotional intelligence, along with academic support, has the potential to help sustain learners in school and improve their prospects of employment, further education, and training.
Education brings hope for the future and promotes self-worth and dignity. All people should have the right to these.
Your Role
Educare Centre: Monday – Friday, from 09:00 – 13:00.
Generally, the role can include:
- Welcoming the children and assisting with getting ready for their day at the school,
- Meals – help with laying and clearing of tables, supervise eating during breakfast, snack & lunchtime,
- Brushing of teeth – assist with toothpaste, supervise brushing of teeth, washing of hands and toilet routine during and between lessons. Toilets, washbasins and floor are to be kept clean,
- Before morning break – prepare fruit and hand out to the children. Water/tea to be served to each child.
- Outside play – you assist the teacher to supervise and play with the children, i.e. ball games etc.
- Music ring – assist with songs, rhythmic activities, games and books.
- Sleeping time – assist with floor cleaning and preparing classroom for resting time,
- Assist in kitchen and with food service,
- Bring in your own experience, try new things and implement new programs, be creative and flexible,
- Emotional support
Furthermore you can choose between two After-School programmes, also available for afternoon volunteering only. Please contact us for details.
Primary After-School Programme: Monday – Thursday, from 14:00 – 17:00 and Fridays from 13:30 - 15:30.
Tasks involve:
- Assisting in kitchen and with food service,
- Assisting with art, music, or physical science during class or in the afternoon with homework,
- Assisting specific children, paying special attention to either English, writing, drawing, maths, or general schoolwork. The coordinator will advise you where your assistance is needed,
- Teaching children small nursery rhymes and songs,
- Bringing in your own experience (try new things and implement new programs, be creative and flexible),
- Emotional support,
- Tutoring, also in groups (lesson on your home country, cooking lesson etc.).
Secondary After-School Programme: Monday – Thursday, from 14:30 – 16:15.
Fridays from 13.30 – 15.15 and Saturdays from 9:00 – 13:00 are optional for volunteers to attend.
Your responsibilities include the following:
- Help students from grades 8-12 with their homework and assignments,
- Facilitate “ice breakers” with the students (a short activity to stimulate connection between participants at the start of or during a session),
- Engage in the life skills/leadership programme on Monday and Friday (Fridays are optional),
- Assist students in Maths on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday (Saturdays are optional),
- Facilitate and participate in English language improvement sessions for the students on Thursday. English is rarely their first or home language, they are mostly Xhosa speakers, but English is the medium of education at the school.
It is important to note that this description serves as an example only. The daily tasks and challenges depend on the volunteer and the work that needs to be done. The final job description can thereforevary substantially from the above.
Accommodation
You will live at the Volunteer House. It is a private house in an upmarket residential area in Cape Town. Volunteers are accommodated in twin bedrooms but may upgrade to single rooms upon request. There are 4 bathrooms to share, a communal kitchen to cater yourself, a dining room, a lounge with TV and DVD and a beautiful garden with a swimming pool.
Bedding is provided. Towels will be not provided.
There is a washing machine at the residence for you to use which works with tokens which can be purchased for R40 per load.
Photos
Testimonials
Jelle from the Netherlands
"I chose to participate in projects in Cape Town, South Africa due to it being a multicultural society, a nice city with great people. I loved the interaction with the kids and the teachers at my volunteer project, and believe my volunteer projects make a positive impact by uplifting the community and helping kids who need it most. I would advise other volunteers to be patient and remember why you are there, its for the kids, not for you. One of my best memories at the projects were the happiness in the kids faces when I brought cookies and muffins."
Luiz from Brazil
"Before traveling to South Africa, I imagined how the people lived here. This last month passed so fast but it was time enough to realize two things: The first one is that you will always learn something different every day. The second one is that to be a volunteer is amazing and makes you see the world differently. Much love for these children who have cheered up all my days, I already miss them."
Mirella from Brazil
"Only those who participate in the project, know the lack that these children experience at school & how much you will miss them when you go. It was 6 intense weeks that taught me a lot. The classes with the children helped me to improve my English and the more you teach others, the more you learn - so I learnt a lot doing the volunteering. I'm very grateful for everything!"
Jessica from Brazil
"The experience was way more than I expected. I got to practice my english, to learn how to live with other people with different cultures in the backpackers, and of course, work with the amazing children. It really amazed me how they're loving of anyone who comes in to help. It is true that the job can be exhausting, because the children have a lot of energy and will not always listen to you. That's why I think one of the greatest things I learned was to be patient and tolerant. In the end, you understand it all, you become more compassionate and it's totally worth it. The community of Imizamo Yethu is so warm and loving, it is truly amazing to see how they can be happy with so little. It really gives you a chance to rethink about what matters in life. Thank you so much for all the support during my project"
Larissa from Brazil
"I had an amazing and incredible experience in my project. Every day was special and my favourite part of the day was when I was at the school with the kids and teachers. They had their own way to show love and kindness. When I was with the kids, I just wanted to give them my love, smiles and joy. We need to play together, sing, talk and we did homework too. Every day my heart was changed and transformed to a better heart full of kindness, patience and life understanding. In short, every single human being should go through this experience because it is shocking in a positive way!"
Marie from Germany
"It was always my dream to come to South Africa and to help in a community and work with kids. I would like to make the difference in another one´s life. After my graduation from high school this year, I travelled to Cape Town for two months with Good Hope Volunteers. The organization helped to find an accommodation and organized the transport to the project. In the morning I worked at a daycare, and in the afternoon at an after school program for kids from 6 to 13 years. At my first day, I was overwhelmed from the kids giving me so much love. They made it so much easier for me to be there and to handle my homesickness. The projects were completely different what I really appreciated. In the morning I worked in the daycare where the children are from 1 to 6 years old. The children were so cute and I loved the hugs and kisses getting from the kids. My job included to play with the kids, to help the teacher, to sing and dance or to go to the toilet with them. In the afternoon I was at the after school program. That´s a program where kids get help by doing their homework or reading. It is like a big family, everyone is so nice and the kids are so lovely. In my two months there I did homework with the same child everyday. So I had the chance to get to know the kid better and better and I really appreciated this. I am so glad to have been part of this projects and I am very grateful meeting so many amazing people. I did great experiences and I really had the time of my life there!! Cape Town is a beautiful city where you can experience so much. The weather, the beaches and the landscape are amazing! Now I can call Cape Town my second home and I will miss everything so much! Thank you so much Good Hope Volunteers for making possible this amazing experience I had in Cape Town."
Ayume from Brazil
"I spent such a good time at this project. It was the best experience that I had in my whole life. The kids are kind and happy. It was a pleasure to be part of their lives. We shared great moments together such as playing in the park, singing, feeding them, learning Xhosa, teaching Portuguese, helping with their homework, playing soccer, dancing and the most important thing: loving. I am in my country and I already miss them. I could learn more about life and I know that I am not the same person anymore. I grew with these kids and I love them so much!"
Gabriela from Brazil
"My experience can be described with one word: perfect! I received pure love and warmth from these kids at the project. My time there was not so long but I've learnt so much from them. I'm so glad that I choose this project and Good Hope Volunteers. I will always be thankful for the incredible moments with these lovely people. I'm going back home wishing that I could stay. Thank you for everything, it was an unforgettable experience!"
Vanessa from Switzerland
"It was a wonderful experience to assist the teachers in this project. I also learned interesting facts about the culture and life of the people thru the children's eyes. Despite the poor living conditions the children were always full of joy, fun and laughter. The children and the people I spent time with will always be in my heart. I am so glad and thankful that I was able to experience this and I recommend the volunteer project to anyone from all walks of life."
Raphaela from Brazil
"Working with the kids was the best experience of my life, it was an unique opportunity to grow and open my eyes to what is really important in life and how we should be thankful for everything we are. I’ve learned a lot and I'm going home with the certain that I'm not the same person I was when I got here."
