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Your work on this project combines many aspects that all help to provide a caring environment where guidance and assessment is offered to children living on the streets and children at risk.

You'll assist the Centre to provide help and hope to troubled young people. Your work will combine many aspects that all help to provide a caring environment where guidance and assessment is offered to children living on the streets and children at risk. A very worthwhile project.

Your work on this project combines many aspects that all help to provide a caring environment where guidance and assessment is offered to children living on the streets and children at risk. You will be working at a Youth Centre, helping out with anything from basic schooling such as helping them to read or write, to community projects and life skills lessons etc. The whole purpose of this is to get them ready to be taken back into the mainstream schooling and domestic home life again.

"WE HAVE HOPE!" This project is based in a township on the outskirts of Knysna, in the Cape Province. Knysna lies on the Indian Ocean coast known as the Garden Route - as beautiful a place as you'll ever see. "I'm absolutely loving South Africa. Knysna is much bigger and much more lively than I ever imagined ... I couldn't have asked for more support or a more beautiful place to live in." Gill Taylor.

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 Xhosa name of the Centre means “We have hope”. This project was set up to provide hope and help to troubled young people and their families, through building caring relationships and providing development opportunities. The centre is run as a day & drop-in centre. The attending children are collected at and returned to designated pick-up and drop-off points.

The Centre mainly targets young people at risk with particular emphasis on the needs of that person. Through fulltime and volunteer staff who seek to develop caring relationships, the Centre strives towards creating physical fitness, social competence, mental stability and spiritual maturity in young lives.

The ‘balanced life’ concept not only develops qualities of leadership, morality and citizenship, but also enables young people to effectively communicate in word and action. At the Centre, the basic needs of the children are met. They are washed, fed and clothed daily and the children participate in a variety of activities to give each child the opportunity to develop his/her own individual talents. These activities motivate the children to feel more positive about themselves and to be a constructive part of their community.

You will be working closely with the children at the centre helping out with anything from basic schooling such as helping them to read or write, to community projects and life skills lessons etc. The whole purpose of this is to get them ready to be taken back into the mainstream schooling and domestic home life again.

The programmes are all presented in a fun, experimental manner with an outcome based learning environment. The major focus is on Arithmetic, reading and writing. There are also hand craft and art programmes which are part of the weekly schedule, as well as sport coaching in soccer and cricket.

The best way to describe this project is to let one of our previous volunteers tell you about it in her own words. Joanne Pogorelsky volunteered at this Centre in Knysna, and this is how she describes a typical day on her project (but please note that this is one volunteer’s experience and your experience may vary according to current circumstances.

“Well the day for me started with a 7:10 pickup and drive in the Travellers bus to Percy Mdala where I waited for the Centre to open. I walked over the centre at about 8am. I used this time to get updated from staff on anything that may have happened after I left the day before or prepare and plan an appropriate activity for the day or week.

In theory the day would look something like: Arrive, wash/shower, devotion, eat, activity (skills based), free time, activity, eat, free time, sport or cooking/cleaning. The activities included beadwork, card making, adult education classes around numeracy and literacy, sports, gardening, cooking, religious teachings etc.

My favourite time was devotion where seemingly unruly, non-cooperative difficult to engage children became respectful, took their hats or head coverings off (which usually would never happen) closed their eyes and pronounced every word in Xhosa, Afrikaans or English. Often they would sing, naturally harmonize, dance and or play the drums during this time and you could feel the energy of these children as if it were tangible. My fondest memories are of the pure devotion sessions where the children appeared to lose their attitude and bravado and enjoy themselves.

I would leave at 2:00 being picked up by the bus again but the centre went on for another couple of hours. Then of course its home to bed, it’s an early start in the morning if you want to get in the shower before school…...."

I saw my role as to assist, educate and empower the staff to care for the children and thus empower the young people to want to improve their situation and future, and it was extremely satisfying to be an integral part of this.”

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:

--> 5-DAY 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.

--> 1 WEEK WHALES, SHARKS AND DOLPHINS Project: This is an extraordinary and exciting project in a beautiful location, surrounded by white beaches and blue ocean. And two hours from the world's third favourite city - Cape Town. What more could anyone want?

--> 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.

ACCOMMODATION:

You will most likely live in one of our volunteer houses with other Travellers volunteers. These are comfortable houses with good facilities and most have a beautiful view of Knysna Lagoon. Your meals are all provided.

"The area is beautiful and travelling is easy. The house we stay in is lovely and the Travellers workers are such kind, loving people which really makes it feel like a home away from home. What with all the other volunteers and the Travellers staff, it really does feel like our own little family ... well, our own very big family, I suppose!!" Luke Brennan

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

Talk to us - We're there to help you. 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.

Duration

Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates.

Start Dates

Flexible start and finish dates you choose. Our placements are flexible and can be tailored to match your preferences. For availability please contact the office.

Costs / 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.