This historically disadvantaged but nonetheless vibrant, multicultural rural township community in the greater Plettenberg Bay region, has been supported by this project since the early-2000's.
Flexibility as to the community's needs and the ambition to really make this world a better place, is the duty we look for in our volunteers.
| Location | Kurland Village, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Duration | From 2 - 12 weeks |
| Dates | From February to end-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 | Sunday |
The learner mentor-centre received external funding support to relocate to a now dedicated centre within the community. These developments have enabled the continued needed support to village learners who
* attend the local primary school to Grade 7, plus
* those in the senior grades who commute daily to senior schools outside of our immediate area.
The IT-based centre provides plenty of scope for volunteers to assist learners of all levels with much-needed development in numeracy, mathematics and the sciences, as well as assist with homework and project research.
The community also has two long-established non-governmental youth-care facilities, one registered for 100 and the other for 60 pre-school children. Both facilities are driven by concerned, passionate individuals who provide basic day care and formative developmental programmes for children aged between 2 and 6 years old. Volunteers engaging with the pre-school youth do everything from formal formative level class input, outdoor sport & recreation activities, feeding & cleaning through to the learner rest time after the midday meal.
The volunteer will have an immediate, hands-on involvement lending support to routine daily activities in the classroom and outdoors, as well as with the daily feeding programme, plus outdoor play and rest periods. You will be encouraged to participate in the activity planning process, making use of available resources and/or those newly acquired. Your involvement will make a real and meaningful difference where it is most evident and required – helping prepare the foundation needed by village children for their eventual transition to the more formal public sector education facilities.
Generally, many of the pre-schoolers are collected by their older siblings and taken home after 14:00, which results in low numbers at the pre-school in the early afternoon.
Volunteers may remain there until later in the afternoon OR move to the learner centre.
The children’s home language is mainly either Afrikaans or Xhosa (although there are some other minority languages) but English, as a common second language, is increasingly understood from age 5 years upwards.
The volunteer routine is widely varied around the pre-school, possible facility upgrades plus the school term and holiday activities of the respective mentor-centres. A great degree of flexibility is required.
The pre-school centres volunteers will again be participating in formative input processes and it is expected to assist with and supervise the children engaged in developmental activities such as joining dots, colouring in, improving manual dexterity by using scissors to cut and paste, building models, learning the alphabet and to count, recognising script, singing, dancing, group activities and outings to the play-park. You will also assist in meal preparation, meal dispensing and tidying up thereafter, and also maintaining discipline during group activities or quiet-time.
A routine programme from Monday to Friday could be as follows:
Weekends:
Any public holidays, whether falling on weekdays or weekends, will follow the Saturday/Sunday routine.
It is important to note that this description serves as an example only. The daily tasks and challenges depend on the volunteer, the time of year and the work that needs to be done. The final job description can therefore vary substantially from the above.
The accommodation is set in a 5-hectare smallholding amidst indigenous forest and open grazing pastures in The Crags and about 25 minutes from the main town of Plettenberg Bay.
You are accommodated in fully equipped, shared two-bed rooms, with bedding & towels provided, so might be sharing with another volunteer of the same gender. There are numerous bathrooms for communal access and use. Volunteers have full use of the well-equipped kitchen plus the two verandah areas - with large fire-places. It is here that guests and hosts gather for social interaction and where evening meals are served for all to enjoy.
A large group entertainment area complete with an under-cover combination plunge-pool/hot tub, a bar facility plus an outdoor braai (BBQ) area is provided. Friday is officially declared as “Braai Day” with local residents visiting for sundowners and a braai to mark the end of the week with the team and guests. The property also provides a golf practice putting green and a proper boules/pétanque track.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the main homestead and entertainment areas only.
Three daily meals are provided. You will make your own breakfast and lunch.
Amani Martins
"I chose South Africa because I've never been here, so it was a great opportunity to meet this amazing country. I loved the most being with the kids, receiving their love and playing with them. I'll never forget the hugs of the children. I would recommend GHV for anyone because they care about your well-being and for me it was a great experience”
Tim Strenger
"I just had a great 3 months here. The project was cool, I enjoyed helping the children and the school on a daily basis. I think I made a change and left a good spirit there. I also made friends for a lifetime, and I sure enjoyed it!”
Stephanie from Belgium
"I came to the Community Children's Project to soak up the South African optimism and energy. I'll be leaving behind a new family at the accommodation, a beautiful area filled with amazing hikes, views and sights and of course a school of children with ear to ear smiles. I've been filled with energy and the simplicity of life and nature has pulled me back to reality. Coming here was certainly a highlight of my life story. Thanks to all!"
Santiago from Colombia
"My experience was better, because in my first couple of weeks I went to different places within the project. I was introduced to the children, the elderly and many of the different projects within the community. I have more opportunities to create some projects in different contexts. Mac also helped me to visit the kindergartens in the area and the library. It’s good to know you can stop when you need a break at the Pepper Mill Cafe. I had the most wonderful experience and I am so glad I did this."
Rikke from Australia
"This was the most amazing, challenging and fulfilling experience. I have learnt a lot about myself especially when having to initiative in situations that I would never have even considered. I came here wanting to experience the real South Africa and I’m definitely feeling as though I have."
Laura from Brazil
"Working here in South Africa and the kids for five weeks was the best experience I have ever had. It was all about coming here with a wide open heart and bringing live and happiness to the children. I hope that I made a difference in their lives as much as they did in mine. They are so lovely."
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