About the Program
This project is run as a weekly extramural activity for disadvantaged
youth from one of the local schools. Our main goal is to keep the
children occupied and off the streets after school. The project promotes physical activity as a positive outlet for energy.
Volunteers help us
teach the youth valuable life lessons through adventure activities, teamwork,
educational classes, and sports such as swimming and surfing. The
children that cannot swim yet, receive swimming lessons. Those that have
already mastered this vital skill, are given the opportunity to learn
how to surf.
For most of the children this is the highlight of their day,
which is why we also use it as an incentive for them to do well in
school, giving them a better chance at a brighter future. Those that
turn up for school every day, behave themselves in class and study hard,
will rewarded by going swimming or surfing after school. As the project is used as an incentive, we have noticed a drastic decrease in the drop-out rate for these students from a local school.
Through community involvement and training, youth who excel in this program also have access to employment opportunities. For example, a child who completed both our swim and surf program through dedication and passion for the sport has secured an apprenticeship in board-shaping with a local company.
This is a great way for the volunteers to gain experience working with
children and groups, and learn new outdoor activities like surfing –
volunteers receive teaching training and surfing lessons so they can help teach the children.
*Please note that May through to September are our winter months and it
can get quite chilly with an average temperature ranging from 5 degrees
Celsius at night to 15 degrees Celsius during the day. So, please make
sure to pack enough warm clothes if you plan your trip in that period.*
2 Day Cape Town Orientation
DAY 1: Saturday
When you arrive in Cape Town you will be collected and taken to the volunteer house in Table View.
One of the team will meet you and you will be given a orientation, shown around the property and they will also take you on a walk around the neighborhood to familiarize you with your new home away from home.
That evening you join all the other new volunteers for a traditional South African braai/barbeque.
Day 3: Sunday
On Sunday you will be collected from the volunteer house and taken by bus to the city center for a in depth walking tour. You will be shown highlights such as the colorful Bo Kaap neighborhood, Greenmarket square and plenty more. The afternoon is at your own leisure.
Typical Tasks
- Teaching kids how to swim and surf
- Teaching and skating with the kids
- Running fun days and sports programs
- Assisting with lessons on computers
- Assisting in preschools
- Educating children in life lessons such as HIV, drugs etc.
Project Highlights
- Learn to surf and teach the children how to surf
- Learn to skateboard and teach the children
- Spend most of your day outdoors and on the beach
- Learn to assist in classrooms
- Help children develop life, sport, and educational skills
- Gain experience in working with children within an organisation
- Provide children with new experiences
- Learn about South African cultures and way of life
- Develop new friendships
