Volunteer in South Africa - Global Volunteer Network

Volunteers with varying skills will be able to help in areas of academic and skill development through mentoring and tutoring activities.

Currently there are schools in South Africa that struggle to meet their achievement goals, achieve specific skill sets, and motivate young people.

There are many factors contributing to this challenge from high student to teacher ratio, lack of resources, and most important history.

We have opportunities for volunteers to assist with teaching at preschool, primary and secondary levels.

Teaching Assistance/Tutoring:

At primary and secondary levels, volunteer teaching assistants can help teach core subjects, such as English, mathematics, life skills, and science. The subjects will be relative to each school's needs; however the greatest need is typically in math and science, particularly at the secondary school level.

There will be additional opportunities for tutoring, career development, and organizing extracurricular activities for students.

Volunteer preschool teachers will teach Basic English skills and carry out basic childcare duties. This role is suitable for a caring, motivated, and self-directed person.

At this time, a teaching qualification is not required but volunteers need to be confident in the above subjects and preferably have, or are studying towards a university degree.

Soweto Project::

We have opportunities for volunteers to assist with teaching at primary level. Volunteer teaching assistants can help teach core subjects, such as English, mathematics, life skills, and science. The subjects will be relative to each school's needs; however the greatest need is typically in math and science. There will be additional opportunities for tutoring, career development, and organizing extracurricular activities for students.

Childcare:

Volunteers may work in settings such as day care centres or "places of safety" in the community. The town's Children's Home and certain foster home situations are referred to locally as "places of safety".

As a volunteer, you can help by working with children ages 2-6, helping with general caretaking like handing out porridge and brushing teeth, teaching English, reading, writing and pronunciation. Simple math and counting, body hygiene, crafts and educational games for younger children may be available as well.

Volunteers will be able to use this time to display their mentoring experience, and motivate the students toward a positive future.

Typical Subjects
Crèches/Pre-schools
Language and Literacy
Creative activities (Music, dance and art)

Primary Education (6-11 years)/Drop in Center
English
Math
Science
*Tutoring and Career Development
*Recreational Activities and Life skill workshops

Junior Secondary (12-14 years)/Drop in Center
English
Math
Science
*Tutoring and Career Development
*Recreational Activities and Life Skill Workshops

Participating communities and schools are located about 4.5 hours north of Johannesburg within the Vhembe District, situated in the northernmost province of South Africa.

Volunteer placements are primarily in the main town of Thohoyandou and its surrounding villages: Manamani, Dzwerani, Shayandima, and Itsane.

The Soweto project is located in the Southwest area of Johannesburg in a suburb called Orlando West.

You can start the program on the first or third Friday of each month so that orientation can begin on Saturday morning.

The childcare program runs year round with limited placements during the December holiday.

The Teaching program is also closed during school holidays which is towards the end of March to mid April, mid June to mid July, end of September and December/early January. There are winter school placements available during June/July. School Holidays change slightly each year.

The project is well positioned for trips to local scenic sites and Kruger National Park less than an hour away. An optional weekend excursion will be organized by our partner organization if there is enough interest. Pilanesberg National Park, Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Mozambique, Durban and Swaziland are other examples of destinations volunteers have visited in the past.

It has gotten back to the GVN Headquarters in New Zealand that one of our volunteers, Alex Lee, has been an absolute hit with the local school children at his placement in the small town of Venda, South Africa!

Nyawira Tshivhengwa, GVN's South Africa Partner, tells us that the children who know Alex as the local teacher now rush to school and push each other to be on time because the "English man" is teaching! keep reading