Volunteer Africa 32

The children. But also the three Es. Education, Ethics and enthusiasm.

I have a historic volunteering story with this super friendly volunteer hub in the lively coastal village of Chintsa. What kept me coming back was the direct impact I was making on the volunteer organisation's education projects. The children were learning vital technological skills which we in the western world take advantage of. The curriculum focused on the environment, which I think is a fantastic way of engaging students into becoming global citizens. Whether it was learning about litter or becoming a whizz at water filtration.

The afternoons were eclectic and focused on community driven projects which were genuinely engaging the children of the local community. From playing sports activities with children of all ages (anything from 4 up to the age of 18!), to joining in arts and crafts activities at a local place of safety for children who can't be with their parents for different reasons.

The laughter, smiles and engagement of all the young people and children I worked with demonstrated the positive impact the projects were having on each and every one who participated in VA32's community initiatives.

All aspects of the project were supported and organised by professional and outgoing VA32 staff. No question was ever too small!

A priceless, unforgettable South African adventure.

I chose to go abroad and specifically volunteer because I was disgusted by how much money is poured into regular abroad programs full of partying and not really exploring. So once I found the opportunity I signed up immediately and my parents were very worried that I was going by myself and didn't understand what I was looking for in this, since getting to college I became very philanthropic as being a sorority member I just saw a bunch of girls who were great but were just a bunch of self entitled kids who have worked for nothing nor deserve it and still aren't giving back. It made me sick and I wanted to get away and help. I know I could've helped locally as I do but, I wanted to indulge myself into the society and be a traveler not a tourist. It was the most humbling experience and I have been home for a few years now and still a day doesn't pass where I look back and just count my blessings and count the days till I can somehow go back and live there. They have the way of simplifying your life and there is no greater feeling than feeling free of American norms of pressures from society. I wish the language would have been easier to learn and that I could've extended my stay to help understand them more. I kept a daily journal as I decided to take an independent study course where I wrote everyday, lead group lectures and was able to interview local teachers. I feel that I got the most out of the groups experience because those women shared their life with me, how they took in 4 children because they were left and how they are all just happy and thankful regardless of the situation. We would then walk through the townships cleaning it up, gathering rocks to help build a wall for the school and redo the outside structure. Animals roam free in the township so pigs, goats, cows are always in the way. Older kids who begin dropping out of school by 14 start to rebel stealing things from the school, cutting down swings, so we would try and gather them to play sports to keep them busy, its incredible how tough they are. Upon returning to our house, there was 10 in a small beach house with one bathroom but we all just respected eachother so much because you knew everyone was full of pure goodness just for being there with you. That common bond brought everyone together the moment we met.