Program Reviews

In 2016, I volunteered with SAVE as a little 16 year old. I loved the Educare Project at Sunshine School, my fellow volunteers, and the staff at SAVE so much that I came back this year! This project is for everybody and anybody who is willing to dedicate their time for the benefit of others, no matter of age. I was doubtful about having a better experience this year, but miraculously I did. I now feel as though Cape Town is a second home and the people I have met are a second family. Outside of project, I have made friends from all over the world and gone on adventures all over Cape Town! Project itself, however, is by far the most rewarding and enlightening experience I have ever had. While you spend countless hours teaching and assisting the students, they spend just as much time teaching you about yourself. The students are eager to learn and share laughs with you, all while claiming a piece of your heart. I returned to Cape Town to continue and further the impact in which SAVE makes daily on the lives of many underprivileged children. By far, volunteering with SAVE here has been the most incredibly rewarding, fulfilling, and fun experience of my life. SAVE does an amazing job of ensuring that we all feel safe, comfortable, and have a good time during our time in Cape Town.

I loved my time in South Africa, Cape-Town. I was part of the surf project, loved working on the preschool in the morning and spend some time with the older kids at swim, skate or surf in the afternoon. The best thing about this project is that the kids are so happy with so little. This project really shows that volunteering work can make a big difference. Besides the "work" i met so many great people from all over the world, some of them became friends for life. The housing was perfect, in a nice and safe neighborhood. Would love to come back sometime.

I really enjoyed working at Hartees Wildlife Project! One of the things I loved was that we got the chance to work with different animals at several different locations. The monkeys were the best because they would try to jump on our shoulders when were were doing feeding! The leaders were great because if we wanted a tour they would arrange it for us. The area is fairly quiet, so expect to not mingle with locals much. But the volunteers are from all over the world so it makes for a great social experience!

I participated in a SAVE volunteer program and unfortunately ended up leaving early. I did not feel welcomed, respected, or safe while working with SAVE. I was placed in a room without a lock for my first night. My program fee included three meals a day but my house did not have a refrigerator to store food, and there was no food left at the other houses where they told me to eat. There was poor communication between staff and volunteers which left me feeling confused about the work we were doing and uneasy about the program.
I am not necessarily trying to discourage anyone from working with SAVE because I am sure they are doing good work and making an impact in the townships; I just want to make others aware of my experience so they will be prepared and know what to expect.

This was my first long travel alone. I have learned more about my self during this travel, like how I handle social situations etc. My favorite memory with the kids was that one girl wondered Where I have been when I haven't seen her for 2 weeks. Also that during holidayclub when we where playing soccer, one of the kids started to call me "Messi". And a couple of weeks later that was my name for this kid. My favorite memory is also that you become so tight with the people you hang out with, you become like a family. One tips is to ask as much as possible about the projekt when you get there, also ask questions about how the people live etc, Because you learn much from it. This travel gave me perspective, to see another angle of live and What people sees as important. It have given me things to think about.

When I first entered Wings of Hope, the preschool I was working at I would have never thought that the children would make my heart grow so much. Although, finding ways to teach the children, keeping them quiet and learning about a completely different culture were challenges I was facing at the beginning, I soon fell in love with their ability to make you smile just by being themselves. I was very surprised about how willing the children are to learn and how fast they do so. If you like children, teaching and experiencing something different and new, this is a place you will enjoy. I do, however recommend that you stay at least one month, as this will allow you to get to know the children best, learn more about their routine and personalities and for you to really settle down. Nevertheless, besides the work, you will meet amazing people from all over the world with whom you get to enjoy everything that Cape Town has to offer.

Working with kids that live under the most unimaginable circumstances have a way of opening up your eyes to what truly matters. I work on a school back in Denmark where my students have every opportunity in the world to succeed and be happy. Still I've never been met with such gratitude like I did at Zusakhe, the kids there had nothing yet they smiled at the world like they had everything. Materialism means nothing to them compared to love and affection.
A story i would like to share is about a very special little girl named Inam. She has the biggest heart I've ever met. I can't give an example of a special big gesture she did but I can honestly say I've never before met a kid that cared so much for the other kids. Every time we went to the bathroom she would let the other kids come first. She would always share her lunch snack with the entire class and whenever someone was cold she would offer her hoodie.
I really miss this girl. She was very quiet and still if she was missing for just one day, it affected the entire class.

I was able to teach children in the age from five to six. When I came into the class I didn't knew what to expect. I mean they told us before that they might me underdeveloped but it's still something different to actually experience what they know and where they can improve.
In my time in Wings of Hope Educare, DuNoon we worked on the Alphabet, counting skills but I also started rituals in class like singing a morning song and brushing the theeth after Snack time.
So everyone has the possibility to Change something in the daily lifes of the children.
If it's just a little Thing for you it might be one of the changes that Change a Kids life so they will be able to finish High School in a few years.

It's way too hard to tell just one story, so just basicly the whole experince in SA was just amazing. I'm amazed how I felt so many feelings just in couple of weeks, just because of that I wosh I could've stayed longer! I just fell in love with the kids in Sunshine, they gave me so much. I think I've seen quite a lot in my job as in Fostercare in Finland, but I learnt so much from new coulture and so heartwarming thoughts from new people.
Things worked out well with Save, Saltycrax and everything was planned well and went well. The staff was helpful and made us feel welcomed. We had good times with other volunteers and I think I made some friends for lifetime!

Save is an organization that works with the heart. They work really for the kids to get it as good as possible, and if something resists, there is not much doubt that it will work out anyhow. Working for Save offers so much for the volunteers, one sees how much the staff work and will therefore help as much as you can by yourself. Save has helped so many children, and it's so nice to see that they actually make a change in their lives. There should have been many more organizations like Save, then the world would be a better place to live.