General Info
One of the schools you'll work in is located on an organic farm. Here you’ll work with children from more affluent backgrounds. This is a ‘Montessori’ school and has computer facilities and basic sports gear.
You’ll then take the knowledge you’ve gained and share it with a poorer school located on a nearby Game Reserve. This school lacks many facilities – it is really poor and you will make a difference to the children.
South Africa has everything and in this region you will have lots of opportunities to see Game Reserves with wild animals in their natural habitat. We also have a rage of optional activities you can get involved in before or after your placement!
You’ll assist at two different pre-schools, combining and sharing information and teaching. One is a more affluent school based on an exclusive residential development on a working organic farm, and the other is a poorer school on a nearby Game Reserve.
As the first school uses the Montessori method of educating children, your aim will be to learn the routines of the more affluent school and take these valuable methods to teach at the poorer school.
This project is varied and challenging. Giving material goods is easy, but giving constructive attention, care and sharing knowledge is life-changing for disadvantaged children, giving them confidence and stimulating their intellect.
This project is situated in the beautiful hills between Johannesburg and the Magaliesburg Mountains in the Gauteng province (formally known as the Transvaal).
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT
An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Africa and the many diverse cultures in South Africa
The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.
New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, 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
And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
WORK CONTENT
THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
The Montessori school is located on an organic farm and is a small independent school for up to 25 children, between the ages of two-and-a-half to four years old. Having started in 2010 from small beginnings, the plan is to grow into a Primary School and later into a High School like no other in Africa. Their aim is to also sponsor as many local disadvantaged children as possible.
The school is in beautiful, secure surroundings on the farm, with top class facilities, instruction and, most importantly, it honours and maintains the high standards of Montessori education and its philosophy. At the Montessori School, the method of teaching concentrates on providing a place where the spirit of children and the spirit of nature work together.
The school will provide an exceptional educational journey for children and the surroundings will foster respect for Mother Nature and allow children to experience peace and tranquillity.
The staff welcomes volunteers who would like to gain pre-school experience. There are 10 children at present, and numbers are expected to grow steadily. Apart from extra hands keeping 10 busy children busy, they would love to start a Drama and Music section at the school.
The school day starts at 8am, and you need to be there by 7.45 before parents arrive with their children. Their “Prepared Environment” will be filled with only the best equipment that will entice them to want to learn and work at their own individual pace.
There is also a focus on incorporating the environment into the curriculum. The children have a hands-on experience of growing their own vegetables and fruit in the school’s own vegetable garden. This encourages them to understand the seasons and cycles of nature as well as equipping them with vital life skills.
The children are encouraged to explore their natural ‘sense of wonder’, which will be expanded into all areas of learning as they get older – mathematics, language, science, geography, cultural studies, practical life, art, sensorial, music and drama, etc.
“THE CRADLE” PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOL
The Montessori school also sponsors a local disadvantaged pre-primary school on a nearby game-farm, where you can assist by taking methods from the Montessori school and sharing with the underprivileged kids. This ‘bridging’ of schools and knowledge is a very exciting concept and welcomed with open arms by the staff there!
If you have initiative and are full of ideas, this project is an ideal place to introduce and incorporate your ideas and improvements.
After spending some time at the Monaghan Montessori Pre-School, you will take all you have learnt and carry it over to the The Cradle Pre-Primary School. This school is run by two sisters, Tumelo and Martha, who have a fairly good knowledge of English. Apart from a few children from The Cradle Nature Reserve, most of the children come from the poor local disadvantaged community, making a total of 39 children. Outside the fenced area of the school playground is natural bush and giraffe, monkeys, springbok and other buck pass by. There are also rhino on the farm.
The day will consist of drawing, painting, learning letters and numbers, constructive playing, baking, drama and lots of singing! The curriculum is quite flexible, and you can use your initiative to introduce and include English in all activities. Each child can be assessed to ascertain what their needs are, both intellectually and sociably.
Useful items to take with you could include children’s books, magazines for information and cutting out pictures, dressing up clothes, toys, games, fun creative stationery or even a sewing machine. There is a huge fabric factory shop not far from the farm and you could have fun creating costumes for the children. Teaching the teachers to sew would be an added advantage for the children!
The children are given breakfast and lunch and there is a mid-morning break, too. Many children from local communities arrived at The Cradle School scruffy, hungry and unhealthy, but two good meals a day have made a huge difference in their health and concentration and you can help these children progress with daily mental stimulation.
Although the local mother-tongue is “Tswane” (one of the 11 South African official languages), English is a necessity in the modern world. Most of the older group can speak and understand a little English and the Montessori method of teaching English will help both teachers and volunteers transmit this knowledge to these children in a creative and easy way.
The children also love having their photographs taken!
Optional afternoon activities
Close to Monaghan is Refilwe, a residential centre for children of all ages who don't have parents. There are a number of cottages and each cottage has a foster mother who looks after a small group of children. These foster mothers try to createas normal a home environment as possible.
The children benefit immensely from afternoon activities, such as Sport, Art, Drama, Music, or just playing games and having fun. You will be taken to Refilwe after being picked up from The Montessori or The Cradle during the week and fetched again at 4.30pm.
After a full day with children, you can relax, have a swim in the pool, watch TV, email home, prepare for the following day if necessary and on occasion enjoy a Braai (South African BBQ) ... on days when there is no storm! In this area, thunder, lightning and rain are commonplace around 4pm, but the storm usually passes quite quickly, clearing up to leave the beautiful surroundings watered and refreshed after the dry, hot day.
This project is varied and challenging. Giving material goods is easy, but giving even a little constructive attention and care and sharing knowledge is life-changing for disadvantaged children, and will give them confidence and stimulate their intellect... a priceless gift!
LOCATION
This project is based on a residential project, situated on a working organic farm. Although luxury living, one feels as though one is living in the bush, with jackals, guinea fowl, small buck, hedgehogs and porcupines wandering freely. There is also an abundant and varied birdlife.
The Farm is situated just north of Lanseria Airport, lying between the cities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Mogale. It is 1 360 acres in size with the Jukskei River meanders through it for more than 3km providing several kilometres of common river frontage. A major difference between the estate, and most other upmarket developments, is that it’s actually a working farm, with a strong emphasis on organic agriculture.
Benefits:
Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £795 for two weeks. You can participate for up to one year, subject to visa requirements.
Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).
You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.
Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.
Requirements:
No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.
