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One Heart Christian Foundation

Why choose One Heart Christian Foundation?

We are a non-profit company that works with the youth in the rural area near Malmesbury in the Western Cape of South Africa. Our mission is to close the gap of distance and cost to teach less fortunate youth to reach their true potential in life through our youth outreach programs, counselling, future youth and ecd centre and volunteer assistance in multi-grade classrooms of rural farm schools.

Website
oneheartcf.org
Founded
2014

Reviews

Milanie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Growth is a process

I started thinking it would only be for a few weeks. I will be the one who comes to help. But my viewpoint quickly changed. I've been here for months. Unable leave because of the love I have for this. For them. I had to learn patience in areas I didn't even think I needed patience. I had to learn how to think fast and adapt to change. Growth is a process. You think you're here to serve, and you are. But in the process of serving you learn so much more about yourself. You learn new dynamics when it comes to loving people. Loving people simply because they are alive. With no strings attached and no hidden agenda. I think the biggest thing I learned while volunteering was, kids are the one's who are the best teachers. Not adults. You learn more from them than from books. Just sit down with them. And hear their hearts. A whole new world will open before your eyes.

What would you improve about this program?
Misunderstandings can occur because we're human. Good communication is vital and there's always room for improvement.
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Andrea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

One Heart, my family.

Volunteering in one heart was something that marked my life. In this place I learned and received much more than I had to give. The people who work in this beautiful foundation are a Christian family that lives to serve those most in need. The house where the volunteers lodge is beautiful, safe, comfortable, clean, cozy and the food ea very healthy and exquisite. I will surely return to this foundation accompanied by my family. It really is something that is not enough to describe it, you have to feel it.

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Hailey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible experience

My time here was absolutely amazing! Not only are you supported by Selene and her family but you get to experience rural South Africa. Selene is an incredible woman, she is extremely friendly and made me feel part of her family. I felt totally comfortable and safe staying here.
The projects that she creates are purely for the benefit of the children of Ruste Stastie Primary School. On top of having a family and a restaurant business, Selene still finds time to not only organise projects, raise funds, find volunteers and dedicate her time and energy to her charity, but she also runs free bible classes for the students and counsels them. She is a truly inspiring woman.
The children of Rust Stasie are absolutely beautiful and are so happy to have volunteers come and visit their small community. They were very interested in my travels and life back in Australia and asked me endless questions. When I left I got a lot of lovely notes from them thanking me for coming to their home which was really touching.
It was a great experience helping in the school and living with Selene and her family for 2 weeks. I will never forget my time and hopefully will return one day.

What would you improve about this program?
We need to help get the word out about Selene´s projects and as I have been travelling I have been telling many people about this program. Funding would be a major help to get more projects up and running
Read my full story
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Ashley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience

My time with One Heart was absolutely amazing! i would recommend this organisation to anyone looking for a really warm, supportive, caring, fun environment. The work with the school you undertake is incredibly rewarding, the kids are the most loving children you will ever meet and will give you back 10x what you put in. Any help you can give is extremely appreciated. Living arrangements are really comfortable and they go above and beyond to accommodate you and make you feel welcome - by the time you leave you really feel apart of the family! This organisation is still very new but they have already made such a noticeable difference and have great plans for the future!

Response from One Heart Christian Foundation

We loved having you here Ashley! And we will always keep you in our hearts. Thanks for being a part of these children and our lives.

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Hailey Lambert

Hailey is a 25-year-old female from Melbourne, Australia. She's not content with the life that society tells her to live, so she spends her time traveling and volunteering wherever she can.
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Why did you choose this program?

I wanted to help teach children living in a disadvantaged or rural area and this program offered exactly what I was looking for.

I got to see and experience the struggle that these children go through just to become partially educated for the opportunity at a better life.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Selene provided me with all the information and support that I needed for the entire project. She also provided transportation to and from the airport, a safe living environment, and freshly prepared meals everyday while I was living with her.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Be prepared for extremely limited resources and supplies. The school is very small with only about 100 kids and 4 teachers for 7 grades.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I would get up early for breakfast every day, and walk to school (about 5-10 minutes from the host house). In the morning I would help assist the teacher or take on a class of my own (teaching English, science, mathematics, PE or art), and play with children at break time.

We would continue with classes after break, and when school ends, I would walk back home, usually with the students. There was then time to relax, read, reflect, and plan my next lesson before the family came home. I would play with the host's children and have dinner in the evening, and relax before going to bed.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Traveling to Africa on my own as a young white female was very daunting, and a lot of people questioned why I was going there and telling me about horror stories they had heard.

I was terrified about getting robbed at gunpoint or attacked while walking down the street but the people that I came into contact with were absolutely lovely. I think if you have an aura of confidence about you then people don't hassle you, and it's obviously important to be smart and safe.

Don't walk around by yourself at night or go out and get drunk and stumble home. I found the people of Africa to be extremely polite and friendly and I loved my entire experience.