WORK CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:
- The upliftment of orphanages and care homes.
- Adding value through services and practical help.
- Changing the living conditions for disadvantaged children and making a positive
impact on their future
- Interaction with underprivileged children and babies, enriching their lives
- Encouraging and mentoring the young people of Zimbabwe
- Assisting in preparations and execution of school lessons
- Assisting with marking and assessing Children’s Progress
- Making teaching aids
- General counselling and support to students
- Assisting in sports days with the children
- Help the teachers with arts and crafts, games, storytelling, drama and singing
- Experiencing the way of life in a third world country, immersed in the culture,
rather than as a tourist.
- Seeing the beauty of Africa with many new experiences
- Being a part of the revival and renewal of an amazing country, and her people
- Make friends for life with other international volunteers on the programme
WORK CONTENT - HIV/AIDS ORPHAN CARE:
Make an impact on the lives of underprivileged and disabled children! Act as a mentor,
and a guiding and helping friend to the youths at the homes. The need is so great;
there are many different activities volunteers can get involved in, depending on
their expertise and passion.
Activities include Teaching assistance, study programmes, workshop hosting, sports
coaching, repairs and maintenance at the homes, painting, gardening, youth camps
and life skills training are just a few areas in which you will have to opportunity
to impact on these young people’s lives.
Your help in caring for babies and younger children will involve changing and feeding
as well as assisting with planned activities and games at the homes.
Maintenance of the orphanages is a major problem, and despite the lack of funding,
there is also a need for manpower to assist with things such as painting and general
repairs, as well as the maintenance of vegetable gardens, depending on what the
current need is.
This is a chance to make a difference in someone’s life, as well as spending some
time living in a third-world country with different cultural norms. Take advantage
of the beauty of an African country, which offers many new experiences.
WORK CONTENT - TEACHING ASSISTANCE:
Teaching is leading a child to responsible adulthood through imparting academic
and life-skills. The children that you will come into contact with on this project
are keen to be taught and molded.
Through the academic support you will give them and their teachers, you have a chance
to address the issues of oversubscribed classes and poor teacher-student ratios.
With approximately 2184 students at Mkoba 4 Primary School, the average class size
is 55 students with one teacher, with around 312 students per grade.
Classes are hot seated as there are not enough classrooms and resources such as text
books and teaching aids are also grossly inadequate. Here you have the chance to
make teaching aids that can assist the teaching and learning process.
Although Somabula Primary School, with a total of about 280 children, is much smaller
than Mkoba 4, they also need volunteers to assist. With student – teacher ratios
being about 40:1, you can offer valuable support to the students who lack sufficient
individual attention. The teachers also find themselves overwhelmed at times and
welcome fresh ideas and enthusiasm.
This school also has a significant number of boarders. These children are desperate
for extra ‘homely’ attention assisting with their studies and social skills, but
also caring for and making them feel special and important. Your presence on this
project can make a meaningful difference to the lives of the children you come into
contact with.
You will also have the opportunity to assist the teachers in two Pre-Schools. Mickey
Mouse and Hopeful Life Orphan Care Centre have 160 and 60 children respectively.
They both aid in the development of younger children before they enter Primary School
and you will be able to play a vital role in that.
START DATES:
The start dates for 2015 are:
Sep: 14th and 28th
Oct: 12th and 26th
Nov: 9th and 23rd
Dec: 7th and 21st
For 2016 the start dates are:
Jan 4th, 18th
Feb 1st, 8th, 15th, 29th
Mar 14th, 28th
Apr 11th, 25th
May 9th and 23rd
Jun 6th and 20th
Jul 4th and 18th
Aug 1st and 15th and 29th
Sep 12th and 26th
Oct 10th and 24th
Nov 7th and 21st
Dec 5th and 19th