Work with children in a township near Cape Town, South Africa

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: various dates available

Description: Do you recall being in nursery school when your days were filled with making dirt sculptures, coloring, story time and just running everywhere because it was more fun than walking? Why not relive those glory years by volunteering at a child care center for disadvantaged children. You can help them learn valuable lessons while also getting a unique insight into what life is like for children being raised in a township.

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*What the projects do

Doreen's Center:

The Ikhaya Creche (child care center) has been caring for children in the township for over a decade. Doreen, the founder, began the center in a shack with enough space to care for 5 children. Over time Doreen, with the help of a generous donor, has successfully grown the center to accommodate 72 children. Doreen is also part of the Educare Forum which helps creches to be set up in the area and she also plays an important role in the further development of the registered creches.

Evelyn's Center:

Doreen has also helped develop a smaller center in the home of an elderly woman, Evelyn, just across the road from the main building. Evelyn is recently widowed and she and her small team care for 31 babies and toddlers between the ages of 1 month and 3 years. You will be placed at either Doreen or Evelyns child care center depending on availability.

*Why does the project need volunteers?
Doreen and her dedicated team work hard to provide the children with the highest level of care and attention possible but an extra pair of hands is always in high demand. Most parents pay a small fee to send their children however the money collected is not sufficient to hire as many staff as they would like.

*Your role as a volunteer
Your day will be filled with teaching, playing and caring for the children. You will work from 8.30am to 1.30pm Monday to Friday and will be involved in all aspects of the center. A typical day could include assisting with basic educational games & lessons as well helping to prepare meals and feed the children. Being creative and finding new and interesting ways to keep the children engaged and entertained will be your main task. Teachers themselves do not speak a lot of English so you help with the children in this aspect will be invaluable!

Highlights:
* Getting to really know and understand township life
* Making a positive difference to the lives of the children and goals of the project
* Exploring and experiencing the region around Cape Town - stunning!

Qualifications: You don't need to be a specialist or rocket scientist to take part in this experience, but a little love, care, patience, commitment and enthusiasm will go a long way! Keeping an open mind will also help you enjoy the best experience possible.

*Project Resources and Advice
There are very few resources at the project so please feel free to bring anything from home that you think will help the children and teachers. Educational books, coloring books and pens or pencils will always be useful. Also don't forget that the kids love any outdoor games so use your imagination!

Cost in US$: USD 1535.00 for 2 weeks, USD 275.00 for every week thereafter

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 and up

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

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