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NAME: Anuji Chahal
AGE: 19
PLACEMENT: Teaching Sport
COUNTRY: South Africa
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What experience do you feel you gained?
Woah! Where to begin?! It was the first time living away from family, and I
most definitely felt somewhat homesick during the first couple of days. It
would be difficult to relate to the current house mates as conversation
often revolved around past events and people, which you would not know
anything about! But as soon as you became intergraded into the house, the
house mates became your family, and homesickness dissipated into
nothingness. I feel my ability to relate and communicate to people has much
improved. Having people of different ages in the house was definitely a
benefit. Originally I thought it would be difficult for teenagers to get
along with people 24 years and above. In fact it was enlightening being with
these people, through talking about their past experiences, and having some
of their maturity rub off on you (I hope at least!).
I was so taken back by the children. They showed so much affection at
Sunridge Primary School. Indeed it is very difficult at times to carry out a
teaching role. But it was also very rewarding at the times when the children
show an understanding of what you have said. It soon dawned on me that kids
just love having fun, so some of the sports lessons I took was just a huge
mess about with the boys and girls. I think those are the lessons that are
most memorable, spinning the kids around, picking them up upside down and
the kids playing with our hair, holding our hands and hugging us none stop.
The smiles and love that they all radiated was immense. To think that some
of these kids have so little in terms of material possessions, and the
hardship some of them face, it just astounds me that they can be so happy
and good individuals. The experience highlighted to me how much value I put
on material things, and how much of my happiness is associated with that. At
several points I thought to myself I should be the happiest person alive
since my life was so easy and privileged. But I think where ever you are in
life, you fail to appreciate your current circumstances because it becomes
second nature. Only when you leave your environment, your comfort zone, do
you really appreciate what you have and look to better yourself. But then
you enter a vicious circle where by you fall back into your privileged
circumstances and take it for granted once more. Which is why I think
travelling is a good thing, keeping you on your tip toes, and giving you
many worldly insights in a short period of time.
What was the best thing about your placement?
Again another tricky question! Scenically Knysna, or in fact South Africa,
is outstanding. Around every corner you would be met by a postcard
image. Even in this winter season, the weather was great, sunny and
warm. Because the pollution is at a much lower level in Knysna than back
home, the sunsets and stars at night were so much more spectacular!! Even
the memories of climbing the hill to get back to the house were good. As
much as it was a pain to climb, many CRAZY events would have never
transpired without it. The children at the school obviously played a big
part to the placement. In that respect, so did the teachers. Leon the
principle of Sunridge is a character I’m not going to forget any time
soon. His passion for the kids, his affectionate nature and his energy in
the way he speaks makes him a unique person I am privileged to have met in
life.
Living with the other volunteers was a fantastic experience. I think it has
put me in good stead for campus living at university. It was great to be
around such diverse people 24/7, which allowed me to gain much insight into
how other people live. But to become such great friends, almost a family
unit, is one thing I am going to miss the most and what I think has been the
best part of the placement.
Would you recommend this placement to anyone else?
Who would I not recommend the placement to would be the better question. I
had such a fantastic time and so did the other volunteers around me. Indeed
we all looked forward to getting back home to see family and friends again,
but we didn’t want to leave either since each day brought about a new
adventure, leaving little time to be idle or become bored. So yes this
placement has my full recommendation, and I believe a couple of my friends
will be pursing it in their gap year next year.
What type of person do you think this placement would suit?
As I have said before, communication and ability to relate to people is
fundamental to this placement. You are surrounded by people 24/7, whether
it is other volunteers, children or students. And to enjoy, learn and
appreciate the experience fully, you also need to talk to the local people.
So confidence is another important faculty. Having a caring nature and
consideration towards others is vital, especially when living in a house
with other people so that the place stays clean and everyone gets their fair
share of food. Being open minded, wanting to learn and contribute in all
respects I would say would be a good thing. The placement was different to
everyone’s preconceptions. But in the majority of cases including my own,
it was just SOO much better! It helps therefore to have the open mindedness
to expect something different, to learn because there will be so many
opportunities to discover new things about people and yourself and lastly to
contribute to all activities such as being entertaining and caring to those
around you, making the experience more enjoyable for all.
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NAME: Melanie Green
AGE: 19
PLACEMENT: Teaching English
COUNTRY: South Africa |
Melanie Green
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| I
wanted to send you a small note to say a huge thank you for helping me to
have an amazing trip. I absolutely loved every minute of it! I was
teaching at Chris Nissen Primary school and once I got passed the initial
culture shock, it was amazing! I decided to mainly teach the older end of
the school (grade 7, 11- 15 yr olds), as these children can speak the best
English, and, as I was wanting to teach drama, it was more appropriate.
Grade 7 have a lesson called Art and Culture, and the teacher was away on
maternity leave, so I took over from a past volunteer, Katy and continued
to teach these classes, with help from the 2 other volunteers, Aarti and
Becky. At first me and Katy taught quite a bit on music from around the
world, which was really good fun. Those kids can really dance! Then I
focused quite a lot on "performing" and what was involved in performances.
All these lessons lead to an amazing talent show which was held in the
last week of our placement. |
| We
had rehearsed a lot throughout the weeks before in class time, but mostly
after school, with acts such as gospel singing, kwaito and pop dancing,
rapping, gumbance dancing and acting sketches! Although very stressful, by
the time the kids knew what they were doing and we'd hired the big sound
system, it was fantastic! We also charged the affordable fee of 2 rand to
watch so we fundraised money for the school. I have so many amazing
memories of Chris Nissen school. |
|
Leaving was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, especially because I
got close to a lot of the kids. I’ve got a book full of messages from
Grade 7, and they're lovely souvenirs. All the staff were fantastic too,
and we enjoyed a few cocktails in Chilli Groove bar when we left!! |
| Past
volunteers told me about a soup kitchen that was set up in a small house
in one of the townships, and we went along to help one day. It was heart
breaking to see so many kids, hungry and dirty, but with the biggest
smiles on their faces. I automatically felt committed and continued to go
when the 2 volunteers went home. The soup - side of things was only the
first 15 minutes or so, when we would hand out bread and fill their little
chipped cups up with soup. The rest of the time, we spent dancing,
singing, playing games, skipping and having a real laugh with them. They
were so cute, ranging from 2 years old to 18. They were all so curious of
us at first, which is understandable, but once they realised we were there
to help, they really warmed to us! They'd talk to us about their days at
school, what they enjoyed doing, who the "fancied", ask us questions about
ourselves, or some would just sit on you and stroke your skin and hair or
just dance and sing! After about a week, they were calling us their best
friends! It was such a brilliant experience and again, it was so hard to
leave. |
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We got close to a lot
of them, especially the older ones, as they'd come and chat to us and ask
advice on boys/girls and it was like having a friend from home with us!!
When we left, Benji ( the guy who runs it ), was telling us about a creche
he is wanting to set up, linked with the soup kitchen and I would love to
go back to see how its going. |
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And of course how
could I forget to mention Newton Street! The house I was living in was
fantastic and so much fun! Everyone was so nice and our regular Friday
nights out in town certainly did bring us closer together!! I loved
staying in the house, and the lifts to school every morning with Jim and
the food Pauline cooked and talking to Julie (our excellent cleaner)
everyday after school. It all added to my brilliant time in South Africa!
I would definitely recommend it to other potential GAP year takers! |
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It definitely was a
real culture shock for me and it has changed my life for the better! I see
things in England very differently and can't wait to get back out there!
I'm still in touch with a lot of the friends I made out there. Teachers
from the school, pupils from the school and a few of the older ones at the
soup kitchen, via air mail, texting and emailing. |
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It really was the best
experience I’ve had and I am already planning to go back next year in my
uni summer holidays, if you'll have me!! I made some really good friends
in the house as well who I am planning to meet up with within the next few
weeks!
So thanks again and
cant wait to get in touch to plan my next placement!
Mel |
NAME: Jessica
Clenshaw
AGE: 20
PLACEMENT: Teaching English
COUNTRY: South Africa |
Jessica Clenshaw |
| What experience
do you feel you gained? I have just gained so much confidence
with the teaching that I wouldn't think twice now about getting up in
front of a class and just teaching whereas before I wouldn't know where to
begin. There is also obviously lots of other things, like I've gained
confidence with travelling and met lots of different kinds of people and
learned a little about their culture. |
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What was the best thing about your placement?
There isn't really a particular thing that I could pick out. The
teaching experience as a whole was great even when the kids were naughty
it was always a good learning experience. When I could see the progress
that I'd made though it obviously felt good. Like when I took some kids on
the computer and just taught them simple things like how to write capital
letters. What completed the whole experience and made it equally
unforgettable was the trips that we did, particularly the trips that Jim [Travellers
SA Assistant Manager] organised. We had such a good time. |
Would you recommend this placement to anyone
else? Definitely!
What type of person do you think this placement
would suit? Almost anyone as they could do pretty much whatever
they wanted to do in the school. The kids are generally very rowdy though,
particularly in the younger years, so taking a whole class can be a big
challenge.
Can you think of any improvements that could be
made to the placement? No. |
Can you describe a typical day? (e.g Start time,
morning duties, lunch hours, afternoon duties, any other duties.... )
Jim [Travellers SA Assistant Manager] would drop us
off at school at about 7.35 and we would wait until 8.00am until the bell
rang and we would then go to the classroom. Normally the teacher I was
working with would introduce the lesson and then I would help
with what she was doing, i.e. by taking half the class, but sometimes I
would introduce the lesson. |
| Twice a week I took out a class for netball when my
teacher had a free period. There were two lessons and then a reading
period before first break. The lessons were generally about 45 minutes but
this often changed from day to day so we never really knew! There were
then two more lessons before second break and then another two afterwards.
During break times we tended to sit in the staff room where there was
always a lovely cup of tea waiting for us! and we were able to eat the
food we had brought with us. Sometimes some of the children, particularly
the older ones, would come in and chat to us. |
| Thank you so much. I had such a wonderful time. I look through my photos
so often and often wish I was back there! |
|
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NAME: Karen Mackay
AGE: 19
PLACEMENT: Teaching
COUNTRY: South Africa |
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What experience do you feel you gained?
I feel have become much more independent, self-confident and improved my
ability to extemporise ten-fold. I also think I’ve become better at
communicating. Being quite quietly spoken, I really had to project my voice
in class to have any chance of holding the attention of 50 or so chatting
kids. Also, talking to kids and teachers whose first language is not
English, and especially with my broad Scottish accent, I had to learn to
speak slowly and clearly to make sure I was understood. Mind you, even when
I thought I was enunciating perfectly I still got many a blank look or smile
and nod - and that was from the English guys. Perhaps more than anything,
working with kids in the township who have literally nothing, yet still
greet you every morning with huge smiles on their faces can’t fail to change
your attitude to and outlook on life. It’s cliché, but it really makes you
think about how much we take our lives and opportunities for granted, and
what an outrage it would be to waste them. |
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What was the best thing about your placement?
The best thing about the placement was undoubtedly the kids. Although they
could be little buggers at times, the huge smiles on their faces when you
waved or said hello to them in the playground (especially the wee ones)
would melt your heart. No matter how bad a day I’d been having (a lesson not
going quite to plan or a class being especially naughty) the smiles on their
faces made it all worthwhile. Not once did I leave school feeling anything
other than happy to be there and thoroughly glad I’d come. Outside of
school, I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know some great people,
going on some fantastic trips (cheers Jim - Travellers organiser))
and all-in-all leaving with many fond memories that I’m sure will last a
lifetime. |
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Would you recommend this placement to anyone else?
I would definitely recommend teaching in Knysna, and have already. It’s a
lovely little town and the people are generally very laid-back and
friendly. In Thembelitsha in particular, the staff were thrilled to have us
(especially since we were the first volunteers at the school) and there was
plenty of opportunity to get involved in classes and (occasionally)
extra-curricular activities. |
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What type of person do you think this placement would
suit? It can be a bit intimidating standing up and addressing a
class of 50-odd boisterous kids (and they are boisterous), so it would suit
someone with a bit of confidence in themself. Mind you, no matter how
confident you are to begin with, it is something that grows with each
lesson, so really anyone with a bit of enthusiasm and who’s prepared to get
stuck in will do fine. Since the organisation in the schools is generally
terrible, it would suit someone who’s prepared to relax and go with the flow
a bit. You never quite know what you’re going to be doing day-to-day and
occasionally you just have to embrace the chaos and make the best of it.
Anyone who takes themself too seriously and gets uptight when things don’t
go to plan (and they never do) will just go mad. |
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Can you think of any improvements that could be made
to the placement? To my mind, everything about the placement was
top-notch. Bill and Jim are both lovely guys, always available to discuss
any difficulties, and Jim especially was continually going out of his way to
make sure we all had an enjoyable and fulfilling trip. Cheers and hoots to
both! |
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Was there anything that you weren’t
told before you went away that you think future volunteers should know?
Nothing I can think of. |
Can you describe a typical day?
A typical day starts early: somewhere between 6 and 6.30, depending on how
many times I hit ‘snooze’ on the alarm clock. That gives me just enough time
for a quick shower, a bowl of cereal and a few cups of strong coffee before
Jim arrives to give us a lift into school. We usually get to Thembelitsha at
around quarter to 8, just in time for the bell (which has to be a contender
for longest school bell in South Africa - if not the world – you honestly
think it’s never going to end…) and the occasional sporadic staff
meeting. On Mondays and Fridays, the kids have ‘Devotions’ first thing and
assemble in the car park (for want of an actual assembly hall) to sing hymns
and prayers. To hear all 800 sing the Lord’s Prayer in perfect note and
harmony would bring a tear to your eye – beautiful doesn’t do it justice -
it’s an awesome spectacle.
On our first day at school, we met Mrs Grootboom (Travellers’ liason with
Thembelitsha) who showed us around and, after a bit of a chat (my input to
which, she later confided, she hadn’t understood a word of… this was clearly
before the enunciating!), decided where she thought we could be of most
help. As Grade 5 was missing a Technology teacher, I was happy to fill the
void – though, I must admit, it’s not exactly my specialist subject.
For my first few classes another teacher sat in to make sure the kids didn’t
eat me alive (I’d been forewarned they were a “naughty class” and the kids,
bless them, did their utmost to live up to this tag throughout). After that,
I taught the class on my own. From 8 until 8.50 the whole school has a
reading period to try and improve their English. Once this is over, each
Grade follows its own timetable, with 2 periods before short break, 2 after,
and then long break (which, at 20 minutes, isn’t really all that long). The
kids have afternoon classes after long break, but since we were picked up
again at around 1, we only really had 4 teaching periods a day, plus the
reading period.
Now, when I say each Grade ‘follows’ a timetable, I’m perhaps being a bit
kind; to be honest, I don’t think my classes actually ran to mine once in
all my time at Thembelitsha. A lot often depends on which teachers have
turned up for their classes and which have swanned off to George (and it is
always George – I never did find out what they all do down there). You get
used to the lack of organisation pretty quickly though, and since you never
quite know what you’re going to be doing each day (Technology, English,
Geography, hangman…) you do learn to extemporise!
As I’ve mentioned, our school-day usually ended at around 1 o’ clock, when
Jim came to pick us up. The rest of the day we had to ourselves to indulge
in such multifarious activities as laundry, lesson planning, nipping to the
internet café, taking a stroll down-town for some lunch or even going for a
wander to the waterfront. Oh, and napping. You do get terribly good at
napping in South Africa.
Dinner was usually around 6-ish, lovingly prepared by Pauline, bless her
heart, and was most often enjoyed in front of a riveting episode of Isidingo
or Backstage – depending on the preferences of various housemates. After
that, it was either a night in front of the TV (and South African TV really
does have to be seen to be believed… it’s so horrifically bad it’s actually
quite entertaining) or out to Chillis or Zanzibar for a few drinks. Either
way, it was always relatively early to bed, to recharge the batteries in
time for an early start and another hectic day in Knysna. |
|
I had an
amazing time in South Africa, truly one of the best experiences of my life.
It’s a fantastic country, full of friendly people, and I’m definitely
endeavouring to return at some point in the future.
Many thanks
to all at Travellers for making it possible. |
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NAME: Jo
Sohn-Rethel
AGE: 19
PLACEMENT: Teaching
COUNTRY: South Africa |
|
What
experience do you feel you gained?
A really fun, interesting
and fulfilling experience. I definitely think my confidence has built and my
communicational skills have developed due to the experience. It's been a
very different experience to any other work I've done as It is much more
interactive and less stressful! |
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What was the best thing
about your placement?
Definitely communicating with the children by helping them paint, playing
sports and helping out in the classroom. It's been really rewarding leaving
a mark on the school and seeing them happy. I've also made good friends of
the other volunteers. |
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Would you recommend this
placement to anyone else?
Yes, as you can derive so many skills from the experience whether you want
to teach or not. I also think all the volunteers make a big difference to
the schools they are at. |
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What type of person do you
think this placement would suit?
Any sort of person really. You have to be enthusiastic about working
otherwise there's not much point. It's good to be a bit outgoing but I'm not
and I did fine. |
|
Was
their anything that you weren’t told before you went away that you think
future volunteers should know?
Maybe a bit more about what
school they'll be at and what they'll be teaching and also how many other
people are in the house. But otherwise no. |
|
A
typical day?
Wake up at 7:00, get to
school at 8:00, Watch telly/sleep for first lesson, paint with children for
rest of lessons. Play with kids at break, get a few snacks. Finish school at
1:45, get home at 2:00 and have lunch, go shopping in town, play a bit of
sport or go for a jog. Have dinner at 6:30, hang out with other volunteers,
maybe go out for a drink or play pool in the evening. |
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NAME: Chris Beach
AGE: 18
PLACEMENT: Teaching English
COUNTRY: South Africa |
Chris Beach and friends
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What experience
do you feel you gained? I believe I gained maturity and
self-confidence from this placement. While I have no desire to teach when
I’m older, doing the placement allowed me to experience what teaching is
like, as well as learning the way in which children are educated in less
privileged countries. Teaching in a township school for two months has
given me a broader outlook on life as I now appreciate how fortunate I am.
Were I to have another time at school I think I would be more polite and
appreciative towards my teachers!
What was the best thing about your placement?
Obviously the teaching was great, however the most memorable parts
of my placement was the trips that Jim [Travellers SA Asst. Manager]
took us on. They were so much fun and well organised. The placement would
not have been anywhere near as good had he not done so much stuff with us.
The first month was especially good as the group all got on so well with
each other and with Jim.
Would you recommend this placement to anyone
else? Absolutely, and have done already.
What type of person do you think this placement
would suit? This placement would suite anyone who is positive,
laid-back and looking to have fun. This depicts South Africans and their
culture quite accurately and therefore to fit in people should be prepared
to arrive with this attitude. Things often don’t run on time or go as
expected and people should be able to take this in there stride and go
with it otherwise they may find themselves frustrated.
Can you describe a typical day? (e.g Start time,
morning duties, lunch hours, afternoon duties, any other duties.... )
My typical day started when I forced myself out of bed at 7.10, an
entire 20 minutes after my alarm first sounded. With just five minutes
before we all had to leave it was a real mission to get ready and be in
the car by 7.15. In truth I was rarely in the car by this time but it
didn’t matter providing I wasn’t the last person.
Ten minutes later two other volunteers and myself would
walk through the playground towards the staff block of Sunridge Primary.
On the way many children would run up and wrap their arms around us and
hold on even as we walked. The older children would shake our hands. This
happened without fail at the beginning and end of every day.
Once in the staff room Leon the headmaster will come out
to see you. He’s a really nice man and will make you feel at ease. If
you’re white then he will most likely call you David Beckham if you’re
male, and Britney Spears if you’re female. Naturally, I was David Beckham.
After a fully Afrikaans assembly which seems to go on
for eternity, school starts and I would wonder round the different
classrooms and ask if any help was needed or take a class which had no
teacher present. I would either help teach a lesson on which ever topic
the class was doing or I would choose something to teach them. I’d take
them out and play football or rugby as a reward for good behaviour as that
is what they really enjoy. The general behaviour in class is not
particularly good and therefore rewards for good behaviour is needed.
Fighting in and out of class is a regular occurrence, not helped by the
fact that they love WWE Wrestling and have no concerns about practising
the wrestling moves on each other! After taking lessons and playing
football or rugby I was usually quite tired and in need of some time to
relax.
School ended at 1.00 and the rest of the day was up to
us. We would normally eat out for lunch and have a few cold South African
beers with our meal. The evenings would either be spent watching videos
and drinking some fine Stellenbosh wine or going out to Zepplins for a few
games of pool and some more beer. At just 70p a bottle it would have been
rude not to drink a lot of it. I was normally in bed by 11 and preparing
myself for another eventful day in South Africa.
Please use this space to note down your any
general comments on your placement that you think may be relevant. This
will help us to maintain the standard of our placements or make any
improvements which may become apparent from your input.
South Africa is the best place. Jim is the man. Say no to Good Swazi. Do
the PADI diving course. Have a great time. |
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Zoe Anderson |
NAME: Zoe
Anderson
PLACEMENT: Teaching English
COUNTRY: South Africa |
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Hello, |
|
Just to say thanks for your email ...
South Africa is really fun. I'm
teaching at Percy Mdala School (the kids are actually older than me!!) but
I think I'm teaching them quite a lot, so its cool.... |
|
One
kid said i've helped him so much and he's never got such high marks in
biology, which was really touching! |
|
I had a very lovely welcome from Bill [Travellers
SA Manager] and his wife, and the house [where we live] is absolutely
incredible!! You should advertise that volunteers will literally be
staying in a tropical MANSION!! |
|
Jim [Travellers SA Assistant Manager]
is so so nice and he and Shannon have made the place so homely! I don't
think there's anything Jim hasn't done in the house that we need!! Its
perfect. He's also so kind - always talking us to school and other places! |
|
Thank you all for this amazing
opportunity! Thank you. |
|
Zoe Anderson |
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NAME: Helen English
AGE: 19
PLACEMENT: Teaching English and working at the Centre for Dolphin
Studies
COUNTRY: South Africa |
Helen with some of the children that she helped during
her placement.
|
|
After three months in
Africa, I made it home alive, brown and very hardcore! It was the most
amazing thing I've ever done, living, working and experiencing the
African way of life. My first challenge was teaching some of South
Africa's poorest children at Thembelitsha Primary in Knysna. It was a
huge shock to see the children so happy and willing to learn in such
poverty stricken situations. All they had were the smiles on their cute
little faces. I was teaching them English, geography, technology, music
and all the netball I could remember. To see my classes learn and fill
in the worksheets I made for them was very rewarding and it made me
proud. The hardest part was gaining their trust and respect as a
teacher, as well as a friend. Once I had accomplished that, teaching a
class of forty five got a lot easier. I will always treasure the cards
and letters the children made for me. They are extremely special to me
as it feels as I really did make a difference to their lives. Some of my
school children's home lives were extremely poor and very upsetting for
me to learn that some lived in the orphanage we helped in, and others in
the Soup Kitchen. These places, and the children in them, became my
life for seven weeks, and it was very hard to say goodbye. I felt like
some of the children, especially Shandre [the most gorgeous baby] and
Meriloo [a beautiful thirteen year old] were mine and I should be taking
them home. |
|
My second project was
working for the Centre for Dolphin Studies in Plettenberg Bay. This is
a well known organisation that research, rescue and study the marine
life around South Africa. It taught me a lot about whales and dolphins,
and also what seals eat! I was given the opportunity to carry out some
amazing work, such as spotting for whales and dolphins from the beach,
helping out on the research boats and tourist boats, and also collecting
seal faeces for dissection, washing bones and reconstructing skeletons!
I was extremely lucky on a few of the trips I went on, and once
experienced a large feeding pod of over five thousand dolphins and
twelve whales all together. Another time our boat took the interest of
a Brydes whale, and it was fascinating to see it come right under our
boat in the clear water. |
|
Along with all the
work, there was plenty of time for fun and seeing the rest of South
Africa. I did some incredible things, like jumping out of a
plane, doing the worlds highest bridge bungee, riding an ostrich, seeing
the most incredible animals on safari and breathtaking views. The
people that I met there are absolutely amazing and they really made my
experience extra special. We had some fantastic nights out experiencing
the 'nightlife', along with some fun road trips and eventful weekends
away. I'll never forget them, and I know we will keep in contact for
years to come. |
|
My last two weeks were
spent with my parents and my brother, who flew out to meet me. It
was so good to see them after so long, and we spent an amazing week in
Cape Town, and then traveled up the coast to where I was living. I
introduced my family to the children and the people I met whilst I
worked there, and was able to show them around, and take them to my
favourite places. We then spent a few days in a private game reserve
having sundowners and picnics in the bush and our own tailor made days. |
When it
was finally time to fly home, it was a very sad day for me.
South Africa had been my home for three months and I had
experienced and achieved so much there, I didn't want to
leave. Once back in England, it was fantastic to see all my
friends and the rest of my family, and they all know how
much I missed them. The memories are still very much alive
as I'm constantly being asked about the trip, and showing
photos. I carry pictures of the children with me so I can
remember them when I need reminding of where I have been,
and their daily struggles. Some of my friends have said that
I'm a different person, and I have matured a lot, developing
a deeper, more caring personality since being away. I agree,
taking a gap year helped me decide what to do in my future,
as well as seeing another part of the world. I'm now
looking forward to university in September, and the new
experiences that it will bring. I definitely know that I
will be going back to South Africa, and I'm going to be
thinking about the children that are still there, and my
adventures, everyday.
I would
like to thank Travellers Worldwide with all the help in
organising and their advice. For me, there was no better
way for me to spend my year out. The people were extremely
helpful with everything, and always so friendly, in both
England and South Africa.
|
 |
NAME: Luke Brennan
AGE: 19
PLACEMENT: Teaching English
COUNTRY: South Africa |
| What experience do you feel you are
gaining? I am absolutely loving this experience. I feel like I am
really making a difference at my school placement and at the same time
feel that I am benefiting from being there just as much as the students
are from having me there! There's so much opportunity for extra
involvement as well. For example, as well as teaching dance and drama at
the school I am also directing a play and giving private dance classes
at lunch times. The volunteers also get the opportunity to visit and
help out at a soup kitchen and orphanage in the township which we go to
a couple of times a week after school. This is great fun and also a very
humbling experience. |
So far what is the best thing about your
placement? I don't think I could actually define my "best
experience" as one moment. What with teaching at the school, rehearsals
for my play, the dance classes,
soup kitchen, orphanage, hanging out at home with the other guys, going
for a drink, the worlds highest bungee jump, trips to the beach, and
countless other activities we really are spoilt for choice. I have been
here for over
2 months now and I can honestly say there has not been 1 day that I
haven't enjoyed!! |
| Would you recommend this placement to
anyone else? I would definitely recommend this placement. It is an
amazing experience with a lot of opportunity to make a difference. The
area is beautiful and travelling is easy. The house we stay in is lovely
and the Travellers staff are such kind, loving people which really makes
it feel like a home away from home. What with all the other volunteers
and the travellers staff it really does feel like our own little
family.. well our own very big family I suppose!!!! |
What type of person do you think this
placement would suit? This placement would suit someone who has an
interest or passion for teaching. You must also realise that Africa is a
completely different way of
life - far more laid back than I was used to back in England. A person
considering this placment would need to be the kind of person who can
make the most of situations, stay positive and use their own initiative
to achieve
the goals which they feel on completion would benefit the students the
most. |
| Can you describe a typical day? The
bus picks us up at 7.10 for an 8 o'çlock start at school. School
finishes at 2pm and then we have the choice of going to the orphanage,
soup kitchen or hanging out at home or in town. We usually all eat
together at about 6/7pm. Obviously the days are quite different on the
weekend when we go on trips and out in the evenings etc.. there's also
the opportunity to get a gym membership, play sports, fish and other
activities which I enjoy doing throughout the week. Also, of course,
some time is spent planning lessons and activities for the students. |
| I am incredibly happy with my placement and
am glad I chose to do 4 months instead of just 1 or 2 as I am just
really getting my teeth into the program. Really am just LOVING this
experience! |
|
NAME: Kara Heubi
AGE: 20
PLACEMENT: Teaching English
COUNTRY: South Africa |
 |
|
What experience do you feel you are gaining?
Not only are you seeing changes in the children through your teaching
but changes in yourself being exposed to a foreign culture. I cant tell
you how differently you see the world when you live in another
country---it is something everyone should experience, especially in such
a beautiful, friendly country as South Africa! |
| So
far what is the best thing about your placement?
The kids. You cant
get enough of them. |
|
Can you describe a typical day?
We get up around
6:00 and rush to get a shower in and make a sandwich for lunch. Pauline
comes to pick us up at 7:10 and we arrive right before school starts. We
usually have a few periods off here and there but otherwise we are busy
teaching or grading papers. After school, we all sit around for a cup of
tea on the porch and chat before we head off to the soup kitchen. There
the kids great us with the biggest smiles as they all line up with their
plates ready for us to serve the food. We take a taxi back home and
watch tv until dinner is ready (around 6). Usually one of us makes it
and another cleans up and we rotate throughout the week. Later on, we
sit around the table and chat for hours until finally we hop into bed at
11 or 12. The weekends are a different story as we travel loads, seeing
sights during the day and enjoying a good meal and some drinks at a bar
at night. |
|
|
NAME: Mark Horridge
AGE: 23
PLACEMENT: Teaching English
COUNTRY: South Africa |
| I have just completed a 3-month volunteer
teaching program in Knysna, South Africa and would like to give some
feedback to maybe inspire others to do the same. I graduated from
university in England with no clear direction of what I wanted to do for
a career and wanted to see the world before I became stuck with a family
or in a job. I had no previous teacher training, only limited exposure
to children and had not travelled anywhere more exotic than Falaraki or
Magaluf. But after it all I can honestly say it has been the trip of a
lifetime and I would recommend it to anyone. |
| I taught at Fraaisig primary school where I
mainly taught English and sport, but also did maths, geography, history
and technology. I was the only volunteer at my school but that only
resulted in more attention and pampering from the staff and a much
closer relationship with the pupils. |
| We would wake at around 7am and be picked
up by the legend James our driver, who dropped each of the volunteers
off at their respective schools that were scattered throughout the
Knysna townships. The journey involved a humbling drive with the strange
backdrop of James’s dodgy CD’s along with the sight of him trying to
avoid the many animals that ran riot in the townships. Personally the
morning trip through the townships put what we were doing into
perspective as it forced home the huge responsibility we had volunteered
to undertake. Of course the townships were home to most of our pupils
but to see their smiling faces in the face of such adversity was a
memory that will stay with me for life. |
| Once at school I mostly stuck to a
timetable which was uniquely drafted for me and my wishes and involved
most subjects, breaks and free periods. In English for example the
English teacher and I would mainly stick to the syllabus but I was also
free to create my own lesson plans and worksheets in what I thought
would help the pupils learn more effectively. The children had their own
stationary and workbooks, spoke good English, and we would do most of
our work from the blackboard. If I took a sport lesson I would alternate
the classes and grades to ensure that most children got to go outside,
which they all loved to do. Apart from a few essential baseball lessons
I simply asked the kids what sport they wanted to do which usually
resulted in a lot of soccer, cricket and rugby. We would then march to
the sports field and organise teams in some fun way that ensured every
child got involved. If I can offer any advise for sport teachers it
would be to organise the lesson before hand in your head and get the
kids doing something instantly. This is because they get rather excited,
ok chaotic on a biblical scale, if they are left outside with no local
teacher present. In other lessons I would mostly assist the local
teacher by walking around the class and giving individual help or simple
assistance with spoken English. |
| During my stay at Fraaisig I took over the
football team where I hosted training sessions, picked the team and more
importantly organised friendly matches against other volunteer schools.
Needless to say Fraaisig won which ensured a close volunteer
relationship and a good time had by all. Having returned home from
Africa I have since acquired a donated full football kit that I will be
shipping to Fraaisig shortly. Also during my stay I organised a fund
raising fun day for the school were we all basically had a big party on
the local playing field. |
| The non-school aspects of your trip will
provide as many memories as your time at school. Knysna is a lovely
little town which gets very busy with white tourists from time to time
and has a good night life to let your hair down at the weekends. My
biggest surprise was just how developed Knysna was, and my decision to
bring everything with me in a rucksack was instantly regretted as soon
as I drove onto main street and past KFC and shops just like Boots and
WH Smiths. During the week we would hire many DVD’s, visit the cinema,
go to the beach or visit the town. There is enough on offer to keep
anyone with an ounce of personality going and if you get to Knysna I am
confident you will fully enjoy it. |
|
In summary your trip to South Africa
will be as good as you want it to be. If you are enthusiastic, motivated
and can use your initiative you will have the time of your life, but if
you want a holiday with a permanent base this is not the place, as the
first priority is the children and not yourself.
Mark Horridge5 |
|
Katie Dunbar -
on her teaching
placement in South Africa |
| [Katie did two placements with Travellers, one in South Africa and
one in India, and in both places the people thought she was delightful.] |
| "Just to note to thank you again for
all of your hard work in enabling my trip to South Africa ... it meant I
got to visit not just another country, but another continent.
South Africa, and particularly in Garden Route,
surprised me with its beauty, complexity and friendliness. I am so
pleased that I got to experience this fantastic part of the world which
I wouldn't otherwise have thought of during my gap year travels.
I was welcomed very warmly at Heidedal Primary School
with a speech by Mrs Josephs and a finger buffet in a decorated
staff-room. (The poster said, KATIE DUNBAR WE WELCOME YOU! and
there was a huge Union Jack on the wall.) ... My lessons are going very
well and I'm in demand with the children who keep sending me letters and
asking for my presence in class. My host family have taken me to
Jeffrey's Bay, Knysna, Mossel Bay, PE [Port Elizabeth] and the
Grahamstown Festival.
Once again I had a great time, largely due to the
hospitality and friendship of my family and the staff ... Mr Faro (the
English teacher) organised for me to stay with his brother-in-law's
family in Cape Town - fab! I thoroughly enjoyed the teaching at Carmen and
Heidedal [two schools that Katie taught at] and will recommend the
programmes ..."
|
| Heidi Rowlands
- writing to her Travellers Project Co-ordinator in the UK shortly after
her arrival in South Africa to do her Teaching Project. March 2004 |
Hi Andrew,
[Andrew Kemp is Travellers UK Project Co-ordinator for Teaching in
South Africa] |
Heidi Rowlands |
| Sorry I've been a long time in replying.
well, first impressions .... it's soooooo beautiful, everyone who's
visited England always says its really green, but in fact it is so much
greener here! There are so many trees and hills, and of course there is
the gorgeous view of the Lagoon! I just love it!! |
| Everyone is so friendly as well. All the
children at Sunridge [School] came up to me and started hugging me
on my first day, which was so sweet!! Yes, I've met Leon [the Principal
of Sunridge School]. He made me introduce myself in [morning]
Assembly on the first day, which was nice of him! Yeah, he's really nice,
though, as you said, and he said he's going to take me to the Law Courts,
which is nice of him, because next year I'm going to study law at
University. Yeah, I'll say hi to him for you when I next see him! |
| Thanks for all your help with planning my
trip : ) :) :) :) |
| Heidi |
| Sarah
Henrickson - Teaching in South Africa |
 |
Hi Stephanie, We have settled in very
quickly considering we only arrived yesterday! The people from our house are
wonderful as are the two girls we have met so far from the other house.
Knysna seems fantastic and everyone very friendly and helpful. We have
already arranged to go to the orphanage this afternoon, tubing and to a
braai tomorrow, to church on Sunday and to Jim's music rehearsal on Tuesday,
so we are quite busy!
Thanks for your e-mail, I will write again when we have been into school
to let you know how we are getting on.
Sarah |
| Emma
Lynwood - Teaching in South Africa |
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for your e-mail. The journey over from Australia wasn't the best
(late departure from Sydney meant a missed connection at Johannesburg!!) but
arrived here as planned on Monday.
Knysna is really beautiful and the weather has been great so far. The house
is really good and fellow volunteers very friendly and helpful. I went to
the soup kitchen project yesterday which was fantastic and am off to the
orphanage later today which I'm looking forward to. Jim did our induction
this morning and the first day at school is tomorrow, before the easter
break.
So, really it's all very positive and going well!
Thanks, Emma |
 |
|
 "Hasan came
as a stranger,
a foreigner to our school,
and left as a friend."
School Principal
Heidedal School
 |
Linnhe Bratt - Teaching
in South Africa |
|
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks so much for the
birthday email - that was very kind of you to remember. Had a great day
out with everyone and went out on the lagoon in a catamaran - which was
very memorable. Me and Beci are having a great
time altogether - house is great, people are great and school is
wonderful. I wish that we could stay forever!
Linnhe |
| Nicola Lymer - Teaching in South Africa |
|
"Half way. Where has the time gone? Teaching can
be exhausting but also very rewarding. For example, when your lesson
plans are enjoyed by the students, that's rewarding. I have started an
after-school club, teaching some of the Grade II girls self-defence and
kick-boxing. Most enjoyable. Amazing what you can achieve with lack of
equipment but students who are keen to learn!"
[At the end of her stay] - " When I first
considered this programme I planned 3 months. I then decided 4 months
... Well, I've finished and my 4 months became 5 months! My life has been
wonderful. It's not the teaching alone, it's the people too, especially
my family. The majority of my memories will be with them and being part
of their family.
Tonight we have a farewell dinner to attend which is
for 3 leaving teachers and myself, where I know I am going to be asked
to give a speech. Well, I've decided to sum it all up in a poem, so that
is my speech ... your programme has been fantastic. I've had no real
problems, but when I have both Bill [SA Manager] and yourself have been
on the end of the phone. I thank you both for that ... I wholeheartedly
thank you and your company [for the opportunity] to have these
experiences." |
| Fay Toop: South Africa |
| "After being introduced to the
school, they made me feel extremely welcome. The students and teachers
both were friendly and helpful, and my family made me feel at home.
[At the end of my placement] I felt I had settled in
well at school and with my host family. And I knew I would miss them
both." |
| School Principal's Report on Hasan
Iqbal, volunteer teacher in SA |
| "The visit of Hasan Iqbal to our
school heralded in a new phase in our teaching, namely international
support of our curriculum and especially our English Language
curriculum. After a week or two of acclimatisation, adjustment and
preparation, Hasan started teaching the sixth and seventh graders. It
was quickly clear that although he was not a teacher, he could manage
the classes well.
Initially his accent was at times difficult to
understand but he soon won the hearts of the learners. This was due to
the way in which he interacted with the learners. His interaction with
the teachers helped the latter to update their conversational English
and improve their communication skills.
Hasan stayed in the community. This gave him an
opportunity to meet with different people, thus making his stay an
enjoyable one. He was an asset as far as cricket and the general
programme of the school is concerned and could even accompany the
learners wherever they had to play matches.
Hasan came as a stranger, a foreigner to our school,
and left as a friend of Heidedal Primary school. We wish Hasan well for
the future. Our thanks to Philip [Travellers MD] and Bill [SA
Manager] who made this experience possible. We look forward to a long
and lasting relationship with Travellers."
|
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|
|
Helen Proctor - DIARY: Teaching in Khanyisa in
Limpopo Province |
|
Week 2
After our induction week during which we supervised and observed lessons,
introduced ourselves to the teachers here at Khanyisa and at other local
schools we have now finalized our teaching timetable and have teaching
planned at Khanyisa and 3 other village schools in the Giyani area. We will
spend the majority of the mornings here at Khanyisa teaching the young
primary school children swimming and helping out where needed, most of the
pre-school children (aged 3-4) haven’t been in water before and so we work
with them on a one-to-one basis – it’s a team effort and all of us will help
out with this, very worthwhile and rewarding though and great fun too! We
will also spend an hour on a Friday morning working with the grade 1
classes, Ellie will work with the children individually to help them with
their English while me and Gemma take groups of 4 and work on their teamwork
and motor skills by playing little games with balls and the jungle gym.
The out-reach
programme is what we find most rewarding. Over the course of our placement
we will visit 3 schools in the Giyani area, Benson Shiviti primary school,
Ndzalama primary school and Hatshama primary school each week. Ellie will
be teaching drama whilst me, Gemma and Dennis will be coaching netball,
soccer and cricket respectively. We will spend about 2 hours a week at
these schools working predominately with the older primary school grades.
These schools have absolutely nothing and so for us to enable the children
to play sport or to learn drama is what makes the work we’re doing here
worthwhile. Teaching at these schools is quite tough, we usually teach
between the hours of 12-4, the hottest period of the day, and we have groups
of about 80 wanting to play; it’s difficult, especially when we only have
about 4 netballs between 80 girls, but the enthusiasm of the children and
their willingness to learn more than makes up for it. The enthusiasm of
the children at these schools is amazing, every time we pull into the school
yard with a truck full of sports equipment they rush to greet us. The
children are so friendly, especially the younger ones. They always want to
give us hugs and wave to us when ever we drive past.
On Friday we
started our Friday night sports fun club thing (we couldn’t come up with a
name!) in Kremetart. This gives the local children in Kremetart a chance to
come along to the sports field right opposite our house and play sports for
two hours. We take all the equipment from Khanyisa and set up football
matches and cricket matches. Me and Ellie gathered the younger children
together to play games like ‘stuck in the mud’, bulldog and duck, duck,
goose. They loved it and so did we. Fridays are exhausting, after working
with the grade 1 classes at Khanyisa in the morning, teaching at Ndzalama in
the afternoon and the Kremetart sport thing after school we’re in need of a
drink or 10 at snoopi (the village bar!)
Outside of
school life got a lot better for us this week. We finally had our water
supply fixed and now we have a fully functioning fridge and a/c (absolutely
needed in this heat!). We’ve been going to the village bar quite a lot too –
it’s so cheap! 50 for a beer and about 1 pound 50p for a meal!!! We’ve met
so many friendly people there too, last Friday (fri week1) we met up with
some of the staff from the school who introduced us to their friends.
Lynne, a friend we’ve made at school, introduced us to her friend Danny who
has since taken us to Makhado (a town near Giyani) for dinner and even took
us to a luxury resort in the Mpumalanga Province for the weekend. He and
his friends took us to all the tourist hot-spots in Mpumalanga including
God’s Window, Pilgrim’s Rest (from where you can see Mozambique) the Blyde
River Canyon and the Mac-Mac falls. This part of South Africa is considered
to be the most beautiful by many South Africans and so we were especially
grateful for the effort Danny and his friends made to show us around. The
headmaster and his wife Marina have also taken us out and showed us some
interesting places. With marina we visited Tzaneen, Modjadji and the oldest
Baobab tree in the world (6,000years old!!) it is so big it has a bar inside
it! Bizarre!!
Week 3
This is a short week at school as there is a short mid-term break for two
days but we’re still in school prepping for the event we’re organizing later
this week. As the Cricket World Cup is next month we thought we could use
it to teach the children about different countries and cultures and set up a
mini-cricket tournament for them to compete in. We’ve divided the grade 4,5
and 6’s into 8 groups (each group will represent one of the big 8, i.e.
England, Australia, South Africa etc) They will spend tomorrow (wed) and
Thursday learning all about their country, producing a banner, creating a
presentation etc before competing against each other in a world cup style
tournament on friday, we’ve even managed to get Wimpy to sponsour prizes for
the 1st and 2nd placed teams. We just hope it all
works out ok and that the children enjoy it (and learn something too)
As this is my
last full weekend in Giyani before I leave to do some traveling, we’ve
decided to visit the Kruger Park this weekend. We have been on a little
safari here in Giyani. The Man’Ombe nature park is full of giraffe, zebra,
springbok and other animals and it’s right opposite the school.
|
Helen Proctor |
|
Mary Stokes on her placement at Thembelitsha School - Knysna |
|
What experience do you feel you are gaining?
I've just been learning about everything. Life is so different here it
really gives you a new perspective on everything. On my first day I was so
nervous I didn't know if I would be able to do it, but then I realised that
everything was going to seem totally alien and the best thing to do was give
it my all... which seems to have worked!!! I have also been taught some
Xhosa words by the kids!!! Which was amazing...a sharing of cultures!
So far what is the best thing about your placement?
I've been taking this little group of grade 5 for recorders and we have been
working towards performing in assembly on Monday, which is cool. It is so
cool seeing them just learn so quickly - one girl started just 2 weeks ago
and she is as good as the rest of them now.. playing along with old
macdonald like a pro!! In my first week my grade 7 class performed a song in
assembly, which was awesome, they remembered the actions and the words and
looked like they were having a great time up there.
Would
you recommend this placement to anyone else? Definitely. It's just
amazing to see kids who really want to learn. I love it when the kids come
up and ask me what we are going to do today!
What type of person do you think this placement would suit?
Anyone who is willing to just throw themselves in the deep end. The kids at
Thembelitsha are just amazing, with a little patience and a lot of
enthusiasm you'll have a ball!
Can you think of any improvements that could be made to the placement?
I would have liked to have a little more time to do some more music
with the kids, (maybe a little choir) but I have been lucky to be able to do
the recorder group.
Was their anything that you weren't told before you went away that you think
future volunteers should know?
Stay away from the tuckshop at break
time!!! Unless you want to be grossed out by the chicken feet - that was an
initiation I would have liked to skip!!!
No, in all honesty I think
Travellers really did cover everything.
Can you describe a typical day?
We normally get picked up about 7.30
and get dropped off at school about 15mins later. On Monday we have assembly
but apart from that the 1st lesson is dedicated to reading. In this class I
have been able to do some Shakespeare and some poetry and next week I plan
to do Red Riding hood. Try and get there a little early because the kids
have "praise time" before lessons start, with some of the most amazing
singing you'll ever hear. I was so surprised the first time I walked into
the class and they were there singing in multipart harmony without any
teacher input! Wow. After reading there are 2 lessons and a short break, 2
lessons and lunch and then one lesson... we usually get picked up before the
last lesson around 1.30, although Anna and I have been helping with netball
this last week so we have been picked up later.
You will have to do some marking - I
spent about a week marking poems and I also do some marking in class. I have
been lucky as I was able to take some lessons myself. We spent a few lessons
making some amazing posters about synonyms and we have been doing some work
on poetry..and of course you might be able to teach them a song or two..
which is so much fun! (Though I was truly humbled when I heard some of
theirs!)
I've just had a great time, thanks so much for helping me be a part of life
here in Knysna. The kids really are great and they are so excited to learn.
The memory of them performing "I'm going on a bear hunt" will stay with me
forever as will their pride as they declared that they were the "mighty
Thembelitsha!"
Being able to get involved with the Arts centre and the soup kitchen was
awesome fun as well. I loved playing with the kids at the soup kitchen - we
took some giant bubbles and their screams of laughter when they popped them
were so infectious, and my shoes will forever be tinted blue after the
finger painting incident!
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