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.

My time with SAVE volunteering was amazing. The SAVE program deserves a lot of credit for their work, and especially for making all of us feeling included as volunteers. My project (Sunshine) has given me a lot of inspiration and overall it is a incredible good project. I enjoyed playing with the children everyday and watching them develop and grow in confidence and in English. I really miss seeing them every morning and singing lots of songs with them.

I felt really included and made lots of new friends from all around the world. It was fun to connect with them at dinner about stories of the children. The children were so cool. It was fun to be with the small children in the mornings and teach them english through play and crafts and then to be with the older children in the afternoons learning to surf and skate (sometimes the children taught me).

Over all an amazing experience - I would love to go back.