Community Work with Special Needs Children Near Cape Town

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: multiple start dates year round

Description: South Africa has gone through a huge process of development in the last decade, putting the dark days of apartheid behind it and making strides in reducing social inequality. The scars inflicted by that period will take a while to heal though and problems continue to linger. This project operates a day care centre for mentally and physically handicapped children from a local South African township. The centre is run by a former i-to-i volunteer to the project, so say hi from us! Your job will be to offer sensory stimulation through a variety of activities such as game playing and arts and crafts as well as assisting staff in the general running of the centre. Well provide you with all our support to make sure you are ready and raring to go.

*What does the project do?
A group was started up in Masi due to families wanting their children to go to the sister project; Ocean View special care unit. As Ocean View was full it was decided that there was a need in Masi for the children there. So, in 2003 a group was started which ran two mornings a week. Both projects have now been combined and the group runs out of a nursery, although there are plans to move to bigger premises. It now runs Monday to Friday with the children's ages ranging from one to fourteen years.

*Why does the project need volunteers?
Volunteers are needed at the project to help assist the local staff. The activities and trips are limited by the staff members as the children often require high levels of help and care. There is little government funding for these types of initiatives and the brunt of the work falls on volunteers while the local community supports the project.

The children also need care on a daily basis to help stimulate their minds and bodies in way that can help them with their disabilities. Also the project is about having fun with the kids.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights:
* Knowing that you're making an immediate positive impact on the children's lives
* Getting under the skin of South Africa - you'll learn more than a tourist ever will
* Enjoying the sites and sounds of Cape Town and the surrounding area - the best place in the world?

Qualifications: The only qualifications you need are a love for children, patience, an imagination and a sense of fun!

Your role as a volunteer:

On a daily basis you will interact with the children by playing games, helping with arts and crafts and sensory stimulation. You will also assist staff in the general running of the centre and help with excursions and day trips. You may also get involved with the adult workshop, allowing disabled people to perform productive work.

Cost in US$: USD 1975.00 for 4 weeks, USD 275.00 for every week thereafter

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994