Community School and Projects

  South Africa

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: On going

Description: We have a variety of projects available for you to get involved with. Sisonke School working with children aged 3-15 years, asks volunteers to assist with a remedial program, run art classes, provide holiday activities and support our teachers in the classroom. There is an opportunity for you to do your own lessons if volunteers have previous qualifications or experience.

Sicambeni Rural University is situated in a rural village where traditional Xhosa life can be experienced to the full. Volunteers work with the community to build sustainable buildings, design and create renewable energy systems and develop permaculture gardens.

Eluxolweni Boys Home is an orphanage for boys aged 11-18 years. Volunteers assist with homework, plan and run after school activities and help with house duties such as cooking.

Sajonisi Trade Shop sells locally made crafts, homemade jams and donated items such as clothing and books. All the money goes directly to help fund the projects. Volunteers can spend a day manning our shop and meeting a variety of characters from our local community.

Highlights: All of our projects give you direct involvement with the community. We are based in a stunning area of South Africa that is rural, traditional and unspoilt. Our projects are sustainable as local community members are involved in the running of them. We can support your ideas for new projects that will help benefit the community.

Be warned.....all our volunteers find it very difficult to leave and in fact a large number of them have already returned.

Qualifications: No qualifications are neccessary, just plenty of energy and ideas.

Cost in US$: 45

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Someone who likes something different and real. Must enjoy the simple things in life and a rural environment. Typical activities include moonlit drumming on the beach, camp fires, mud baths, waterfalls, village overnight stays with a Xhosa family.

Age Range: No age range specified

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

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

Sisonke School's Mission Statement: Together bringing life into Education and recognising that the key to change is from within.

Year Founded: 2007