Learning to surf (more than just waves)

Ratings
Overall
4
Impact: 4
Support: 3
Fun: 4
Value: 5
Safety: 2
Review

The kids you get to work with will change your life. They are beautiful, so resilient and will teach you oh so much. I was in the Surf Outreach Program, so I got to surf everyday, hang out with the kids after school, and also help out in the schools once in a while. I built some amazing relationships with the kids and community members, however, working with Dreams to Reality, IVHQ's local partner, was probably the worst part of my experience

However, Dreams to Reality as an organization is very lacking. They did not provide proper security to the volunteers, were anything but transparent about where our fees were going, and very difficult to work with.

I will be returning to Muizenberg to see the kids that I worked with and visit this beautiful place, however, I would never work with DTR again. DTR showed me the bad side of 'voluntourism' and I would not want to support them again.

My suggestion would be to look into other organizations in Muizenberg, as the place and the people contain so much beauty. (ALSO S/O to David Kennedy - the best adventure leader/tour guide around town, if you will be in Muizenberg, find this dude and go on some of his tours!!!)

Would you recommend this program?
No, I would not
Year Completed
2014
Private Note to Provider (optional)
Very questionable use of program fees by Dreams to Reality. Had a lot of issues with them and transparency and how they treated us volunteers when we confronted them about where our money was going.
The place is and experience is amazing but the organization is very very difficult to deal with and left a very sour taste in my mouth (which is still there almost 2 years later)

If I was going back to Muizenberg I would never pay to participate with Dreams to Reality again. Very sad reality after building such amazing relationships with the community and kids at their partner schools.