Volunteer with Children in Hout Bay, near Cape Town, South Africa

The Hout Bay Children's Programme caters for the poor in a developing community near Hout Bay. As a volunteer, you spend mornings caring for young children while their parents are at work. Afternoons are spent in an after-care programme that assists older children once school has finished.

The Hout Bay Children’s Programmes project provides Early Childhood Development services and care to the poor in the community of Imizamo Yethu near Hout Bay in South Africa.

This project services a Day/Educare Centre in the morning and an After School Programme in the afternoon. You can be involved in either or both projects, but we recommend attending both.

• Day/Educare Centre: Monday – Friday, from 08:30 – 13:00.
• After School Programme: Monday – Friday, from 14:00 – 17:00.

Generally, the role can include:

• Welcoming the children and assisting with getting ready for their day at the school.
• Breakfast – help with laying and clearing of tables, supervise eating during breakfast, snack & lunchtime.
• Brushing of teeth – assist with toothpaste, supervise brushing of teeth, washing of hands and toilet routine during and between lessons. Toilets, washbasins and floor are to be kept clean.
• Assist the programme coordinators in all areas of the daily activities.
• Before morning break – prepare fruit and hand out to the children. Water/tea to be served to each child.
• Outside play – you assist the coordinators to supervise and play with the children, i.e. ball games etc.
• Music ring – assist with songs, rhythmic activities, games and books.
• Lunchtime  – move tables and chairs onto the veranda, oversee eating and help with clearing.
• Sleeping time – assist with floor cleaning and preparing classroom for resting time.
• Assist in kitchen with food service.
• Assist with art, music or physical science during class or in the afternoon.
• Some children may need special attention with English, writing, drawing, maths or general schoolwork. The volunteer coordinators will advise you where your assistance is needed.
• Emotional support
• Tutoring

Video

Start Dates

This project is available from February to November.

Costs / Benefits

A once in a lifetime experience!

Requirements

You should have experience with children, or even be qualified as schoolteacher or nursery school teacher. Dance, arts and crafts would be a recommendation.