General Info
This is a truly unique teaching location in the heart of Zulu country. Almost all our volunteers fall in love with the children and the setting and most of them maintain a connection with the community long after they return home. This is a project rich in cultural experience!
You'll work with local children and you'll see the difference you make to their lives. You can also teach music and dance ... and then the children will teach you how to dance their way, the tribal Zulu way! You can teach sports, too, if you'd like to do that, or if you have computer or IT skills, they would really love you to teach them.
LOCATION:
This project is based eMakhosini in KwaZulu-Natal, a province that is exceptionally rich in tribal culture and ethic diversity. The location is rural, in a Zulu village, giving you a truly African environment and experience.
eMakhosini is a microcosm of the history of South-Eastern Africa. In the valley one will find stone tools left behind by Stone-Age hunter-gatherers who were probably of the valley’s earliest inhabitants. 15th century stone-walled structures still stand showing the settlements of the forefathers of the great Zulu Kingdom. It was here that King Shaka was born and where seven of the great Zulu kings lie buried.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:
► An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into the different cultures of South Africa.
► New skills, more confidence and invaluable personal and professional development.
► An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
► The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them
► And maybe best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The classes are quite large, with an average of around 50 pupils per class and a maximum of 63. They run with youngsters from around 5½ years (Grade R) to about 15 years old (Grade 7) and teach the usual curriculum subjects as well as human and social sciences, technology and three languages: Zulu, Afrikaans and English. You’ll teach conversational English and some grammar (plus any other subjects you may choose to). In the junior schools, English is taught in Zulu and is done by translating words and phrases. Many of the children don't reach the standard required for the subject and when they get to high school where everything is taught in English, they find it very difficult to learn their other subjects.
This is where you will be able to play a big part. By exposing the children to conversational English and helping them to build up the confidence to use the language in the classroom, on the playing fields or in extracurricular activities, you'll be helping them to cope better with learning all their subjects in high school.
TEACHING ARRANGEMENTS:
On your first day of teaching you will be taken to the school and introduced to the principal, the teaching staff and pupils. You will be made very welcome by all! You'll have weekends free and this will also allow some time for travelling and sight seeing. If you would like more time to travel during or after your teaching, this can be arranged.
"On my first day at the school, the kids put on some entertainment for us. I was in my element as two young boys started beating the drums with plastic irrigation pipes with a rhythmical, mesmerising thumping. Surrounded by the entire school in a neat circle, naturally talented voices harmonised in perfect melody as a group of 12 young girls danced a traditional dance, followed by the boys, who were dressed in tribal springbok and goat skin cloths. They told a story in emotion and rhythm. The performance lasted more than half an hour, by which point I had to contain myself not to run in and dance with them!" Jim Morel
ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation is in a ranch house overlooking the village. Surrounded by bush and thickets of indigenous trees, the house is set in the eMakhosini Reserve, an enormous consolidation of rural settlements and land which the community has retrieved to protect it from modern day development. Wildlife has been reintroduced and alien plants removed to bring it back to its former glory, and historical sites preserved for many future generations to learn from and enjoy.
The accommodation is around a 20-25 minute drive from the school, and you'll be transported to and from school every day. You'll be given a budget for food which will cover all your meals. All you will need is pocket money for extras, such as Cokes, shampoo, travelling around, etc.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:
► A 5- or 7-day Safari from Cape Town up the renowned Garden Route,
taking in Dolphin and Whale Spotting, visits to many tourist attractions, such as a visit to a brewery(!), the Bloukrantz Bungy Jump (reportedly the highest in the world), and a guided tour of the Cango Caves.
► Surfing Courses: In the buzz city of Durban.
► Paragliding Course: Soar over the impressively beautiful Drakensburg Mountain. You'll get a licence at the end of the course which qualifies you to do solo paragliding around the world.
► 5-Day Bush Survival Course: This is a fantastic experience and opportunity to see lots of wild animals in their native habitats in Game Reserves. You'll learn a lot and you'll really enjoy learning some bush skills in the great outdoors!
This project can also be combined with any of our other projects in South Africa. That way you’ll get a good knowledge of two or more very different regions of the country.
WHAT TO DO NEXT:
Talk to us - We're there to help you. Call +44 (0) 1903 502595
Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!
If you’d like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us! If you’d like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we’ll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.
It’s as easy as that.
