Help Children to Read Near Cape Town, South Africa

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

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

Description: Can you make learning fun?

South Africa has put the past behind it and built a new future based around equality and opportunity for all. However there are still divisions in the society, most dramatically in literacy levels between rich and poor which exclude many from the new South Africa. The 'Help to Read' child literacy initiative aims to get children to fall in love with books and improve the reading skills of 5 to 12 year old. The project teaches children the basic skills that will enable them to receive a full and rewarding education. This is a great chance to make learning fun and share your love of books with young children living in the Cape Town area. We also include our TEFL certification for everyone who chooses the project.

*What does the project do?
The primary role of the project is to help local South African children to read in order to help them enjoy a brighter future. Many South African children have parents who can't read or write English and who, therefore, can't read to them. Yet, without this, kids tend to fall behind their peers, losing confidence and self esteem. With the loss of confidence comes the loss of pleasure; kids who don't feel confident about their reading simply don't like reading, or books. This is where a volunteer like you steps in by helping the children to read.

*Why does the project need volunteers?
Literacy is a serious issue in South Africa. One in four adults is illiterate, and many children in schools are unable to read and write in English. Imagine how hard life must be for people who can't read English: they're frustrated every day by street signs, restaurant menus, and posters, they'll miss out on the entire world of computers, and they're not as employable as people who can read and write English. Volunteers don't replace good teaching; they add to it, playing the role of a literate adult in the child's life with time and attention just for them.

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

Highlights:
* Sharing your love of reading with keen, enthusiastic young South Africans
* Living life to the full in one of the world's most beautiful regions
* Exploring all around Cape Town in your free time - surfing, penguins, whale watching, WOW

Qualifications: You will need to be able to speak English for this placement so that you can read competently to the children. You will receive the Online TEFL course to train you for Teaching English but your main role will be reading from story books rather than formal teaching. You should have a genuine love for children, keen to make the stories come to life and not be afraid of reading the same book more than once!

Your role as a volunteer:

Your role will involve reading to the children, helping them to read stories and your influence as a literate and caring adult will help them to develop a love of books and see education as both accessible and achievable. You will be able to help on a one to one basis thereby giving the children more self confidence!

Those of us that love to read enjoy these privileges which most of us have taken for granted:

* Parents who read bedtime stories
* Books in English lying around the house
* At the very least, an adult in the family able to read and write English

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 years old

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Year Founded: 1994