Volunteer in severely underprivileged government pre-schools where you will support the children, play an active role in teacher support, resource development and implementation in the classroom. Early childhood development is one of South Africa's most overlooked priority education sectors, this is most critically felt in the rural communities. Volunteer Africa support and work with four varied pre-schools and their children where volunteers are placed according to current community and educational needs.
Volunteer Project Highlights
- "THE CHILDREN!"
- Giving back while experiencing the culture of a new country
- Living in stunning Chintsa and the beach lifestyle that comes with it!
Why Volunteer Africa 32°South?
Our motivations at VA32 are:
1. To become recognised as the leading volunteer organisation in education, conservation and social transformation projects in South Africa.
2. To provide the best possible experience to all participating volunteers.
3. To constantly strive for improved projects - taking 5 years of feedback has helped us shape this upgraded project.
Our rural pre-schools are very poor, under resourced and full of children from infants to 5 years old. The pre-schools often provide the only safe learning environment for these children - our future leaders. VA32 volunteers work alongside teachers and community volunteers to fulfil the daily needs and requirements of the pre-school children.
Project Tasks & Aims - Volunteers provide one to one & small group work support, a valuable opportunity for the children to access this level of attention and support
- Volunteers will assist teaching staff in implementing lessons, lesson planning and preparation
- Taking part and planning activites in arts, song, dance & structured play for the pre-school children
- Volunteers take part in resource development
Volunteers will at times support children in more than one of our pre-schools during their stay.
"Volunteer Africa: Laying foundations, building futures"
*This daily guide is to be used as a basic guidline only, all volunteer projects should be approached with flexibility- there will often be changes...you don't come to Africa to live a "typical day" do you?!
A "Typical" Day on the Pre-school Project!
Your days on the Pre-school Community Support Project will run typically from 8am - 5pm. Volunteers are up & about in time to eat breakfast and walk to the VA32 Office to leave for school at 8am sharp. They are dropped off at their respective pre-schools where volunteers will immurse themselves in project tasks with the children and teachers. After school (between 12-1pm) pre-school volunteers are picked up and taken back to Chintsa where they have time to have a break and some lunch. Pre-school volunteers take part in Community Development Initiatives in the afternoon throughout the week, all of which involve the local Chintsa children. These community development initiatives change over time according to what issues are being addressed in Chintsa at any one time. Volunteer Africa guarantee a structured programme of initiatives with long term progress and community development in mind. Current initiatives include a Sports Development Initiative with local Chintsa children on Tuesdays & Thursdays, assisting at a local homework club on a Monday afternoon and visiting a local orphanage to help children with their homework and spend some valuable one-on-one time with the children there. Evenings are free time.
Weekends & Free Time
The Weekend is your own time. There is plenty going on in Chintsa thanks to African Heartland Journeys who offer surf schools, beach horse trails, quad biking, canoeing and tours to meet the infamous Mama Tofu in her traditional Xhosa village. If you want to get out of Chintsa you're in the perfect spot to begin your adventure! To the north is the Wild Coast, birthplace of Neson Mandela this stunningly rugged coastline is also home to the rural amaXhosa tribes. To the South is the Garden Route with awesome surf, beautiful beaches and the worlds highest bungy bridge- perfect for andrenaline junkies! The Volunteer Africa team will help you to organise your weekend away with all bookings and car rental, making your experience as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Volunteers stay in the Volunteer Africa "vollie" house in the stunning beach village of Chintsa. Rooms are shared between 2-6 people. The vollie house is situated only 3mins walk from the beautiful Chintsa beach.
Facilities include:
Communal kitchen & living area
All mod cons. including washing machine
Hot & cold running water
All bedding
Meals
Three meals a day are included in the volunteer project fee. Breakfast is self-serve in the communal kitchen where cereal, bread, jams & spreads are all provided. House Manager Noms prepares a packed lunch for every volunteer, which includes a fresh sandwich and a piece of fruit to keep you going throughout your school day. Dinner time is a friendly affair with all of our education volunteers coming together. Noms delicious home-made cooking is a highlight for many volunteers! A typical weekly menu includes: Bangers & Mash, Roast Chicken, Burger Night, Lasagne and Spaghetti Bolognaise. On Friday nights we celebrate what it is to be South African with Braai Night (that's a barbeque!). Vegetarian options are available on request.
Nici - Project Co-ordinator
The main point of contact during your stay with Volunteer Africa. Nici lives in the vollie house and is happy to offer her help and advice in anything project and Chintsa related.
Nomakwezi (Kwezi) - House Manager Kwezi runs the volunteer house in Chintsa. This fun, young motherly character keeps the house clean and tidy, cooks delicious meals and generally keeps the place running smoothly.
Thobela (Tobz) – Supporting Staff Tobz lends a helping hand in the practical logistics of the program. Driving, airport pick-ups/ drop-offs and generally making sure you're in the right place at the right time! Tobz also takes a lead role in running that afternoon Sports Development Initiative.
Karen - Bookings & Travel Logistics
A part of the VA32 Team from it's beginnings & highly experienced in the travel industry. Karen will guide you through the booking process, happily answer any questions you may have & be your main point of contact with VA32 before your arrival.
You're bound to come across other members of the Volunteer Africa during your time in Chintsa visit about us to see who else is involved!
SPECIAL OFFER: 25% discount for all South Africa citizens upon presentation of passport. Book before 01-12-2012.
Pre-School Community Support Project Dates 2011/12
The Pre-School Community Support Project opens on 10th January 2011. Project start and end dates are every Monday thereafter. A minimum of two weeks is required for each placement. The Pre-School Community Support Project will close on Sunday 4th December 2011.
As of 2011 only arrivals on Monday and departures on Monday can be accommodated, if your arrival is on any other day of the week there may be an additional fee to consider.
Please attempt to fit placements into the set days & dates provided as this assists VA32 to ensure a streamlined and efficient experience for all volunteers.
What's Included in the Project Fee?
- Airport transfers on arrival
- 3 meals per day whilst on project
- All accommodation whilst on project
- Highly skilled & knowledgable project co-ordinators
- 24 hour support
What's not Included?
- Airport transfers if your arrival is not on a Monday
- Accommodation & meals when you are not on site
- Insurance
- All Flights
E-mail us: info@volunteerafrica.co.za Call Us: +27 (0)43 738 5523 Skype Us: volunteerafrica32
Or click here to fill in our online enquiry form!
Please tell us your full name & contact details as well as the dates you would like to join the Pre-School Community Support Project. On receipt of your e-mail we will be in touch with answers to any questions you may have and our VA32 application form.
- Please note that to confirm your booking we require a 35% deposit of the total project fee, the remaining balance is due upon arrival.
- Volunteers must be aged 18+ to take part in the project.
- Volunteers require a basic level of spoken English.
- Early childhood teaching/ education background would be of benefit to the volunteer but is not essential
- Volunteers must have a desire an enthusiasm for working with children aged 2-6yrs.
Flights & Logistics
The nearest airport to Chintsa is East London (ELS) Airport. International volunteers must fly via Cape Town or Johannesburg International Airports and get a domestic flight to East London from there. If you need assistance or advice on booking flights
e-mail info@volunteerafrica.co.za.
If you're already in South Africa or plan to arrive by any other means of transport, our Location Page will tell you exactly how to find us!
