Swaziland Teaching Volunteers

  Swaziland

• Other Cities in Swaziland: 
Lobamba

Length of Position: Contact us for more information
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Starts on the first and third Monday of each month during term time.

Description: Your role on the project will be to get involved with various activities within local schools in Swaziland that offer education to many young Swazis, generally aged between 6 and 14 years. You will be working towards providing these vulnerable children with hope of a positive future and supporting them in many different ways.

You will be helping to teach the children English and other relevant subjects that will improve their future prospects of employment. As primary schools are in the greatest need of support, the majority of placements will usually be within primary schools.

You may be working in timetabled conservational English lessons, shadowing a local teacher or even taking responsibility for teaching a class of young adults or children on your own. There are also various extra activities, including teaching the children practical agricultural skills, sports lessons, constructing basic shelters, water systems and other physical structures needed at the schools.

Here are just some of the activities that you may get involved in throughout your time on the project:

* Teaching the children, which can involve anything from shadowing a teacher to taking your own classes: This could include English, maths, the sciences and geography
* Preparing and marking tests, exams and homework for the children
* Introducing new sports or developing the existing sports within the schools e.g. football and netball
* Organising and taking extra curricular activities such as music classes, school plays, * HIV and AIDS awareness workshops and any other activities that you would like to include
* Assist with agriculture classes and with maintaining the vegetable gardens with the children, which help feed them and vulnerable families
* Participating in some Home-based care support, donating food and supplies to impoverished families and child-headed households, assisting children with their education or homework etc
* General assistance within the school by getting to know what's happening and getting involved wherever possible. The more effort and energy you can put into your placement, the more you are going to get out of it.

Highlights: Swaziland, named after the prominent Swazi tribe, is one of Africa's smallest but wealthiest nations. It is landlocked in the very southeast of the continent by South Africa and Mozambique. Politically, Swaziland is a Monarchy, with the King as the Head of State. It is traditional for the King to reign alongside the Queen Mother, who is seen as the spiritual and national Head of State. The population, as of 2004, is 1.1 million, with a majority of people living in the capital Mbabane and the largest settlement Manzini. The majority of the population are of the Swazi tribe descent with a small number of Zulu and white African descent. 82.7% of them are Christians. For such a small country, Swaziland has a pretty diverse geography, with mountains, savannah and rainforest  it also has a very progressive view towards conservation and there are many national parks to visit. Swaziland actually sued to be part of the British African colonies, but became independent in 1968.

Cost in US$: from 2,269; 250 deposit

Experience Required: no

Age Range: Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants health.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Swaziland Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Written Application

Real Gap Experience's Mission Statement:

Real Gap offer over 350 projects and travel options in over 35 countries over 6 continents. So whether you are interested in volunteering, community work, conservation, paid work overseas, teaching English, learning a new skill, adventure travel or sports and expeditions, you will find what you are looking for with Real Gap.

Not only about we passionate about responsible travel, we are pretty keen on making sure you have a good time too! Our travel advisors have traversed the globe and taken their own gap years, so they can give you all the advice you need to plan yours. You will also get support from both our on-site and office staff who understand the needs and expectations of Real Gap travelers.

Year Founded: 2005