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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 an aftercare programme that assists older children with their homework and creative activities once school has finished. Meals are also provided daily for the children.
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 | Saturday |
| 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.
- Volunteer in one of the most picturesque areas in Cape Town.
- Get personal support from the volunteer coordinator.
- 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 a Day Care Centre in the morning and an After School Programme in the afternoon. You can be involved in either or both projects, but we recommend attending both.
Day Care Centre:
The day care centre operates 5 days per week with a full-time principal and 21 staff members (all from the community) catering for and providing a safe learning space for 250 children aged between 10 months to 6 years while their parents can seek work in the nearby town.
Children are cared for in a loving environment and are taught Christian values and simple life skills and are prepared for formal schooling by teachers employed from the community who are themselves being empowered to become excellent career educators.
Their mission is to give the children that vital head start for successful lives in the future South Africa by pursuing the following clear purpose:
- Answer to the substantial demand for pre-primary education and care in the local community (Imizamo Yethu).
- Provide the children with balanced nutrition that is a crucial factor in the physical and mental development of youth in their early life stages.
- Teach children the English language, personal hygiene and care.
- Enable parents of historically disadvantaged backgrounds to integrate into the South African workforce by providing a suitable and reliable space and care for their children while at work.
- Create employment with reasonable pay within the community, for the community, to help break the cycle of poverty.
- Create a space of interaction for members from ALL strata of South African society from different national, social, ethnic and economic background.
After School Programme:
You can choose to attend this afternoon programme, which supports orphaned and vulnerable children and their families in the Hout Bay area after school in the afternoons.
This programme offers holistic After School Care programmes to the primary school children of Imizamo Yethu informal settlement in Hout Bay. This service includes home visiting, advocacy and referral for their family carers. They work to ensure that family units remain strong under the strain of illness and poverty, and to support communities in caring for their orphaned and vulnerable children.
Education brings hope for the future and promotes self-worth and dignity. All people should have the right to these.
Your Role
Day Care Centre: Monday – Friday, from 08:30 – 13:00.
After School Programme: Monday – Friday, from 14:00 – 17:00.
Generally, the role can include:
- Welcoming the children and assisting with getting ready for their day at the school.
- Breakfast – 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.
- Assist the programme coordinators in all areas of the daily activities.
- Before morning break – prepare fruit and hand out to the children. Water/tea to be served to each child.
- Outside play – you assist the coordinators to supervise and play with the children, i.e. ball games etc.
- Music ring – assist with songs, rhythmic activities, games and books.
- Lunchtime – move tables and chairs onto the veranda, oversee eating and help with clearing.
- Sleeping time – assist with floor cleaning and preparing classroom for resting time.
- Assist in kitchen with food service.
- Assist with art, music or physical science during class or in the afternoon.
- Some children may need special attention with English, writing, drawing, maths or general schoolwork. The volunteer coordinators will advise you where your assistance is needed.
- Emotional support
- Tutoring
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 stay at a backpackers’ in the beach-side area of Hout Bay. You will be accommodated in mixed dorm-style rooms with shared bathrooms. There are two fully equipped communal kitchens for self-catering, a lounge, board games, and tea/coffee making facilities. Linen and towels are provided. WiFi is included. Laundry is available for ZAR 100 per bundle.
Photos
Testimonials
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."
