WIRED! Community Development Work in South African Schools

  South Africa

Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: 2008: Oct. 26 2009: Jan 25, Feb 22 April 12 May 10, 31 July 19 Aug. 16 Oct 4, Nov 1

Description: The Community Development Work in schools program primary focus involves developing computer literacy skills within the classroom environment and secondly, working on environmental and sports programs. In a country consisting of vastly different levels of development, one of the major areas to be overlooked within the education system is that relating to the technology fields. In the few schools that have electricity, very few have computers, and those that do have been left to develop in a vacuum with inappropriate and non-existent support structures for the maximizing of the resource potential they have. The sports program will focus on creating a formal sporting framework where new sport's disciplines, teamwork and the understanding of sport etiquette are developed. The environmental programs will support a range of targets from Marine and Costal Education, Water and Sanitation, vegetable gardens and general aesthetic improvements to the schools and playground development. It is into this challenging and exciting arena that we are appealing to the international volunteer community to support, through appropriate skill provision, for the attainment of these goals.

Volunteers will help teach basic computer skills in a classroom environment and help with devleopment of appropriate teaching aids. They will also help provide sports for the youth using energy, enthusiasm and skill. Volunteers will also help with some enviornmental and aesthetic uplifting of the schools.

Highlights: In addition to the incredible volunteer opportunities, volunteers can participate in coastal hike, estuarine exploration, bush walks, rural village visit. (Optional excursions include introduction to abseiling using the climbing/abseiling wall before actual cliff descents.)

Qualifications: Volunteers need to be 18+ years old. Computer knowledge, even basic, is needed with the computer literacy program.

Cost in US$: $2360 for 4 weeks. Please visit our website for additional information.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: There is not a typical volunteer at GeoVisions. Volunteers are college students, retired people, professionals who want to give back in volunteering for a short period of time. Volunteers are interested in conservation, children, poverty, teaching, computers, sports and so much more.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2-6

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

GeoVisions's Mission Statement: GeoVisions is committed to help individuals develop global skills to succeed in the twenty-first century. These skills will ultimately lead to greater cooperation and understanding among nations and peoples of the world. We are committed to treating every person on a GeoVisions program with respect, and devoting our energies to helping participants meet their individual and collective goals.

Year Founded: 2001