CAPE TOWN TEACHING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

This project is based in a rural community near Fishhoek/Simonstown on the outskirts of Cape Town. Volunteers will become involved in pre-school and possibly primary school education as well as a number of community development initiatives. The classrooms are ill equiped but the children are very enthusiastic with a real desire to learn. A wonderful opportunity to work with young disadvantaged children and help on valuable programmes that will benfit the community for years to come.

	Location:	CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA	Dates:	Any date throughout the year
	Fees:	£895 - 2 weeks £1,295 - 4 weeks £1,695 - 6 weeks £2,095 - 8 weeks	Payment:	£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
	Reference:	AV002

General Information

This project is based at Red Hill, a vibrant rural community within site of The Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point the most South-Western tip of the African Continent. It is open to all volunteers aged 18 years and over and no previous teaching experience is required.  There are several ways in which volunteers will assist:

Classroom Assistant Teacher

The schools in this community are extremely poorly equipped and classrooms are often metal containers that have been donated. Despite the lack of facilities the children are keen and eager to learn and volunteers will work as teaching assistants in the classroom, contributing to a better education for these young kids. Volunteers enable them to receive the individual attention they need and may also have the opportunity to organise their own classes. Helping with crafts, painting, sports coaching and special needs are just some of the areas in which  volunteers assist as well as helping at meal times and with general cleaning, maintenance and refurbishment of classrooms.  A highlight for many volunteers is the opportunity to be involved in the learn to read programme, a one-on-one learning initiative which has been hugely successful in other schools in the area.

Term dates for 2010 are as follows: 

1st term      13 January - 26 March
2nd term     12 April - 9 June
3rd term     12 July - 1 October
4th term     11 October - 10 December

During school holiday periods volunteers will be largely involved in running holiday clubs with the children, although there will still be work in the pre-schools as well as painting, building etc.  The project may be slightly less structured at these times, there is no shortage of work to be done in the local communities.

Red Hill Community Pre-School - 35 pupils, 1 teacher and 1 cook

This little pre school has been running for over 10 years in Red Hill teaching children whose ages range between 2 and 6 years, and mostly from a Xhosa background. The school, which is run out of several containers, has very limited resources but a wonderful teacher - Vuyiseka Lombo - who has been teaching 35 children from the community for the past 4 years.  Vuyiseka is assisted by Ntombi, the cook.   The children are given two meals a day, breakfast and lunch, which are sponsored through a "Sponsor a Child Initiative". Until recently, the Valley Development Project sponsored the teacher's wages, but sadly this is no longer the case and the teaching costs and cook's wages are totally financed from the volunteer project fees.

Children of Hope Edu-care Centre -  39 pupils, 2 teachers 

This little pre-school, located on the upper slopes of Red Hill, caters for 39 youngsters who come from a more Afrikaans background and whose ages range from 3 months to 6 years. The facilities here are much better than at the Community School thanks to a generous donation, but the children need as much care and attention as others in this disadvantaged community. The school is led by two ladies, Sophia Dick and Ntombi - who do amazing work with their little charges.

Primary School

This primary school in the township of Masiphumelele, has over 1300 pupils and up to 49 learners per class. Children are aged from 7 to 15 years and range from grades 1 to 7. Volunteers have the opportunity to be placed as an assistant teacher in one of many classes needing extra support. Those with specialised teaching areas or interests (Maths, English, Science, Technology) will have the opportunity to be placed within subject specific teaching.

Grades 1 to 3 remain with the same teacher and do a variety of lessons ranging from English, Maths, reading, craft and P.T. Volunteers will assist the teacher by providing extra support for the learners that are struggling to keep up (usually basic Maths and Engligh), general classroom help and supervision, marking of work or whatever support is required by the teacher.

Grade 4 - 7 learners move around from classroom to classroom according to their subjects/timetable. Volunteer help in the older classes will be more subject specific and the volunteer shoud feel comfortable with the subjects they choose to assist in. For those volunteers that have experience in teaching or a willingness to teach, they will have the opportunity to create and present their own classes at the teacher's approval.

Community Projects

All  volunteers will spend their mornings assisting in one of the schools, but the afternoons will be spent rotating between the following community projects:

Building and Painting Schools

Schools in Red Hill lack classrooms and facilities, and as a result are limited in the number of children they can take. Volunteers will help with general maintenance - fixing fences, mending windows, rebuilding and painting - hard but rewarding work!  Lighter work is also available for older, less physically able volunteers so that everyone can be accommodated!

Educare Centre

Volunteers will assist teachers with the after school care - helping to play games, reading on a one-to-one basis or during story time - or have the opportunity to use any particular skills they may have, either with the children - perhaps in art, music or dancing or with the teachers in computing, administration or finance.

Primary School extra-mural involvement 

The Principal is very keen to get sports up and running and has dedicated Wednesday afternoons for sports coaching and is very excited about volunteers helping out with volleyball, netball, basketball, football and eventually to rugby. Volunteers can assist with coaching if they have teaching experience and knowledge of the rules. During the first couple of months of the year the focus is on athletics and volunteers are able to assist with practices and sports days.

Masiphumelele Library

Masi is very lucky to have a wonderfully-resourced library and great facilities. The library offers many services to the community and volunteers can help on a great deal of existing programs including arts and crafts, puzzles, games, literacy, one on one reading, homework club and maths club.

General Information on the Project

• In general, the more volunteers put into a project, the more they get out of it. For those volunteers joining as teaching assistants, it is suggested that they come with simple lesson plans or ideas; perhaps they could make and bring charts of say body parts or maps of Africa, and thus take the initiative with these children whom they will very rapidly grow to love.
• If volunteers wish to join the project during periods of school holidays, they will be more involved in assisting the teachers in the community projects, but may also be involved in holiday clubs as well as some building or painting work. Projects at these times may be slightly less structured but there will be no shortage of exciting and worthwhile activities with which to get involved!
• Although Red Hill and Masiphumelele are essentially townships, they are both safe and peaceful and full of wonderful people. This is an exciting project with lots of opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of the people in these communities.
• All children have to pay school fees - a very minimal amount to us, but a huge commitment for families who only have one working parent or, in some cases, no working parents at all. Volunteers are welcome to join the "Adopt a Child" initiative (information available on arrival) when they can take responsibility of sponsoring a child's school fees for a year - receiving quarterly updates on the child and his or her progress. Needless to say this leaves a lasting impression in the community.
• Volunteers on this project will live with volunteers on the Cape Town Medical and Community Programme, and depending on the project needs at the time, may be working alongside them in the afternoons on community work.
• It should be borne in mind that projects are continuously evolving, improving and adapting to local needs and areas of involvement may change from time to time. However, all activities with which volunteers will be involved will be extremely rewarding and exciting and leave wonderful and lasting memories.

The highlight was the general interaction with the children and the contribution that I made to their learning in what was a relatively short time. The people I have met even though they have limited material possessions are very positive and happy and it has been a real and genuine pleasure to meet them. I can honestly say that there is nothing that sticks out that has been a major issue in terms of something that I have not enjoyed.  I have only been on the project for 3 weeks but I have got more than I imagined out of my participation. I have met some genuinely nice people and I think my whole experience will prompt a career change into a more social orientated role.  The project as a whole is well run and structured. I would have no hesitation in recommending it to others. The Project has made me realise what is really important in life. I would also like to say that the people involved in running the project who I have met on a day to day basis are a real credit to the organization generally.
Robert, Aged 33, UK

I loved this project. I had an amazing time and look forward to my next visit. All of the projects you do here are great. There are so many great people that I have met. I have gained some friends that I will never forget.
Lauren, Aged 19, USA

Day in the life...

Volunteers should see this as a typical day but itineraries may differ depending on the needs of the project and number of volunteers at any one time, but this is a good example:

7.00	Get up, have breakfast of cereals, toast, tea/coffee and get ready for the project
7.45	Head off on the short drive to the project
8.00	Start work at the community school to which you are allocated where you will rotate between different tasks and classes to ensure variety NB Some schools offer breakfast or a mid-morning snack
12.30	After serving the children their lunch, volunteers will be picked up and taken back to the volunteer house for lunch
14.30	Volunteers will leave for one of the community projects where they will spend the afternoon playing with the children at the schools or building and painting the classrooms.
16.30	End of the working day - when volunteers will be collected from their projects and taken back to the volunteer house. There the work of the day will be evaluated and the schedule for the following day discussed. Volunteers can also, if they wish, be dropped off in the town to check their emails.
18.30	Dinner at the volunteer house, following which volunteers often venture to one of the local night spots for a few drinks.

Travel Highlights included in your placement

• A visit to Cape Point, situated within the Southern Section of Table Mountain National Park, globally recognised for its rich, diverse and unique fauna and flora
• A trip to Boulders Beach, home to a growing colony of the vulnerable African Penguin. Also a safe and enjoyable swimming and snorkelling spot
• A visit to the summit of Table Mountain where you will find the best views of Cape Town. The Cableway takes you to the summit in under 10 minutes and the cable car's rotating floor ensures that all passengers get a 360 degree aerial view of the city

Optional Extra Highlights offered in and around Cape Town

Although these are not included in the fees paid, the local project managers will be happy to assist with any arrangements. Below is a guideline of the prices volunteers should expect to pay for the most popular activities:

Aquila Private Game Reserve - ZAR 1200
City hop-on-hop-off double decker bus - ZAR 130
Shark Cage Diving - ZAR 1500
Sky Diving - ZAR 2000
Abseiling down Table Moutain - ZAR 495
Surf Lessons - ZAR 250
Garden Route Weekend - ZAR 3500

Support

Support and advice is available from the Project Managers whilst on the project and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support

Orientation

A comprehensive information pack will be sent to all  volunteers upon booking their trip and further advice and information will be provided via telephone and email before departure. A full orientation will be provided on arrival at the project by the local support team including information on the current status of the projects and familiarizing you with the local surroundings.

Accommodation and Meals

Volunteers will be accommodated in a fully furnished house in the rustic town of Noordhoek, at the foot of Chapman's Peak.  The house, which is spacious and comfortable, is set on a private and secure one acre property with a large garden, a swimming pool and barbecue.  It is within easy walking distance of a shopping mall and cinema and has satellite tv and a games room with a pool table, darts and table tennis.  All rooms sleep up to four people and are en-suite with a fridge and a lock up safe for valuables. All bedding is provided but not towels.  The house is staffed with a cook to prepare meals and a cleaner to service the rooms.

Getting There

Fly directly into Cape Town International Airport where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation.
(There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport - for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)
Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you

Fees

What is included

• Financing that goes directly back into the project with which the volunteer is placed including funding of teachers' wages, medical supplies, building materials and equipment. These fees can also be used to buy vehicles, equipment and even new housing for volunteers in order to expand the project.
• Airport transfers to and from Cape Town International Airport on arrival and departure
• Full orientation programme. "On-the-job" educational activities and support from your volunteer coordinator and local staff
• Daily transfers to and from projects for the duration of the visit
• Weekly laundry service during your stay
• Full board and lodging at the volunteer house including 3 meals a day
• Outings to Cape Point - the most south-western tip of Africa; Boulders Beach to see the African Penguin Colony; and world famous Table Mountain 

What is excluded

• Travel insurance to cover your placement (to include cover for repatriation)
• Personal items eg clothes, travel goods
• Return flights to nearest International Airport
• Email/internet and all telephone calls
• Visas and any trips undertaken other than in the planned programme. For example volunteers may wish to travel down the Garden Route, do some shark diving etc. The local project managers can help plan these for you
• Soft drinks, wines and spirits