WORK DESCRIPTION:
The schools we work with are mainly for the underprivileged children in the local community and they have a love for sports and are very keen and eager to learn. Sports classes are run in conjunction with the Life Orientation classes. The average class size is between 15 and 40.
You can coach a variety of sports, such as Cricket, Football, Netball and Rugby. Although facilities are basic, there is still a lot that you can do to help the children in their development of sports skills.
The purpose of the Life Orientation classes is to develop Team work, Confidence, Self Esteem, Communication Skills and Leadership. These classes also help to develop skills, knowledge, values and attitudes that empower learners to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions regarding:
■ Health promotion;
■ Social development;
■ Personal development;
■ Physical development, movement and orientation to the world of work.
As sports lessons are run in conjunction with Life Orientation classes, it is difficult to say how much of your day will be devoted to coaching sports, because it depends on the school timetable. Therefore, some of your day will also involve teaching general classes as well. However, if you use your initiative and enthusiasm to generate sports activity when and where you can, or even after school, you'll have areasonableamount of sports coaching ... and the children will love it!
Sports in South Africa are becoming compulsory. Unfortunately many children don't receive a proper sports education at their school, which is why your help is needed. You'll also provide essential education for the school teachers, who'll learn from you and be able to carry on with your coaching assignments once you've left, ensuring some continuity for the children.This is not a full-time sports project and won't fill up your entire timetable, you will have the opportunity to teach other subjects during the day, such as conversational English or any other subjects you may be interested in.
ACCOMMODATION: THE VOLUNTEER HOUSE:
The volunteer house in Knysna is within walking distance of the town, yet set against a natural green belt. The bird life is prolific and often the local Vervet monkey troop comes to visit to entertain the volunteers with their antics. The sunset views from the top balcony of the volunteer house of the Knysna lagoon are beautiful and great way to relax after a day working at your placement or to catch up on your tan in the summer. See photo on right-hand side.
The house is large and spacious and also has a self-contained flat downstairs for couples and families. The bedding in the two same sex dorms and the towels in their ensuite bathrooms are changed regularly every Friday by our much loved cleaner, Pretty, and there is plenty of cupboard space to store your clothing.
Facilities include a kitchen kitted out for cooking, dining area, a few bathrooms, TV, DVD player, free Wi-Fi, garden and several wooden verandahs.
There is an outside courtyard and garden in the secure grounds where you can have a typical South African barbeque known there as a ‘braai’. Make sure you try the local spicy sausage known as ‘boerewors’ and the Karoo lamb chops are to die for on a ‘braai’, but if fish is more to your taste then a fish ‘braai’ with South African ‘snoek’ is a must.
FOOD:
You'll be given a food budget which will cover your basic essentials (but not extras like alcohol, snacks and eating out). The kitchen has all the cooking amenities that you might need to take advantage of preparing meals with some of the great seafood, meat, fresh fruit and vegetables South Africa has to offer.
There are supermarkets and local shops where you'll do your food shopping.
There are plenty of excellent restaurants within walking distance that offer the most incredible local and international cuisine which our volunteers rave about. Knysna is also famous for its oysters and even has an annual Oyster Festival where everyone eats and drinks far too much!
The waterfront and marine is beautiful and full of restaurants and cafes with cuisine that ranges from breakfast, coffees, cakes and snacks, through to sumptuous meals and various different nationality menus.
