Project Video Now Online
Volunteer Role
You will be working closely with local children in the rural community schools, helping them to develop important computer literacy skills, sports programmes and a variety of new development
schemes.
The weekly project areas covered as a volunteer will be:
1) Computer Literacy Skills Development
One of the major areas to be overlooked within rural schools in South Africa is the technology fields. Computer Literacy, considered in today’s developed societies as a basic human right, is only in its infancy in the Wild Coast region. With your help, this programme will be putting into place the necessary training and continued support for these schools to allow them to produce competitive learners for the demanding technological world. Without these basic skills, equality in education (something the country is striving towards) will not be achieved.
You do not need to be a computer genius to take part in this project: The programme over the years has developed a structured IT learning syllabus for you to focus upon in your lessons, but any extra skills you can bring will be extremely valuable. You will find that the enthusiasm, smiles and willing attitude these children convey for you will make your experience tremendously enjoyable and worthwhile, leaving you with a deep sense of positive achievement.
2) Interactive Sports Development
The sports programme is a new and exciting drive to introduce and develop on-going growth and appreciation in the sporting arena in the communities of the Wild Coast. For the most part, the local schools lack the resources and the capacity to provide effective sports programmes, which is why they need your help.
You will typically work on the sports initiatives for 2 afternoons a week and the children are invited to freely attend: Most of whom jump at the chance to interact with you and play outside with their fellow classmates. Volunteers have taught the children a variety of various sports and team exercises in the past. You will be helping to develop new sport’s disciplines, teamwork and an understanding of sport etiquette in the schools. Sport offers a means to encourage not only a healthy lifestyle, but also develop necessary social skills and peer understanding that is essential to the stability and well being of society, not to mention the opportunity for children from extremely difficult backgrounds just to play with their friends!
3) Local Development Schemes
When this programme first began, the local schools were in extremely deprived conditions: Many without electricity, running water or local transport, creating many problems with sanitation, education and the safety of its children. Since the development schemes came into play, and volunteers started coming into the schools, there has been a tremendous impact on the development of the facilities at the schools. You will need to go into the schools with a flexible attitude and prepared to help in any way possible.
What’s Included in the Programme
- Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as building materials, equipment, supplies, foodstuffs, etc
- All airport transfers from the nearest international airport upon your arrival into East London
- Arrival orientation in South Africa
- Excursions listed in your orientation
- Accommodation and meals during your orientation and placement
- Full support and assistance from your co-ordinator throughout your time on your placement
What’s Not Included in the Programme
- Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement, which should include cover for repatriation
- All flights
- All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
- E-mail/Internet and telephone calls
- Soft drinks, wines and spirits
- Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary
