Soweto Pre-school Volunteering

  South Africa

Gauteng Province,  Johannesburg

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Start any day of the month

Description: Volunteer at a pre-school in the township of Soweto. Soweto is the most populous black urban residential area and is also known for its political history. Soweto has grown hugely as a tourist destination with many visiting the nearby home of Nelson Mandela.

Since its beginning Soweto has been plagued by problems of poor housing, over-crowding, high unemployment and poor infrastructure. Recent efforts by the democratic government have started to transform the typical corrugated-iron sheet shacks landscape into a more modern township. Soweto in many ways sets trends in fashion, music, dance and language.

Your volunteering time will be spent at our partner pre-school situated in Meadowlands zone 11, which was the heart of the old hostel housing scheme. Meyers Educare and Preschool (MEPS) was founded in 2001 and is run by Ubaba and his wife Mildred with the help of one other caregiver. They provide a much needed service to over 90 children from their community. The preschool is run from their home and provides a safe environment for the children utilising 2 small inside rooms, an outside shelter and a few play structures.

The school is registered with the Department of Social Development and Mildred has some basic formal training. All kinds of volunteer support is needed from qualified edu-care professionals to those with an interest in childcare. Our volunteers will contribute to the upskilling of the caregivers; to improving the infrastructure and stimulating of the children.

You will be accommodated in the nearby Lebos Soweto Backpackers less than 1.5 km from the preschool where you will be volunteering your skills.

Lebos is the first and only black owner backpackers in South Africa; the only backpackers in Soweto; a 2007 Tourism Investment Award winner and is one of only 50 properties in South Africa that is Fair Trade in Tourism accredited. Lebo also runs guided bicycle tours in the surrounding community and hiscyclists are well known in the community.

Your accommodation will either be in communal dormitories or limited private rooms are also available at the backpackers. Meals of the day will be a combination of home cooked food and traditional dishes.

The Project Contribution included in your overall fee will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the project during your actual volunteer stay on the ground.

Highlights: This project is situated in the heart of vibrant Soweto and within close distance from Nelson Mandela's home

Qualifications: None required, but educare workers will be an advantage

Cost in US$: Contact us for more information

Experience Required: yes

None, but educare experience is an advantage

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

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Voluntours's Mission Statement: We are a multi-award winner in the Imvelo Awards for Responsible Tourism for Southern Africa in 2007 and 2008 (Johannesburg). As well as winners in the prestigious Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award 2008 (London). We are a volunteer placement organisation and tour-broker operating within South Africa placing volunteers in South Africa. We intimately manage your volunteer experience from home. We will match your unique skills and interests with carefully selected volunteer projects, and also help organise the rest of your trip. A variety of long and short-term placements are available. Volunteers are housed either within the community or nearby. A project donation is included in the costing to ensure sustainability and transparency.

Year Founded: 2005