Teaching Assistant, Mentor & Buddy

About the Program

The Human Dignity Centre (HDC) has been running for many years as a registered non-profit organisation that supports local communities in need and runs a variety of projects in the Walmer Township area of Port Elizabeth

HDC consists of a primary school with classes from Grade R to Grade 3 (4-8 years old) and provides education for 64 children on a daily basis. They also offer an after-school program that is designed to improve the educational development of school children.

The centre runs a community program as well as an "orphanage without walls" project. The aim of these two projects is to make sure that vulnerable children within the community of Walmer receive the care they need.

Typical Tasks

Pre School and Primary School

The primary school started off in 2011 and has grown to 4 classes with 64 children (4-8 years old). Volunteers can assist the teachers in one of the four classrooms. One of the most urgent requirements is offer personal attention and homework supervision to children with special needs, where you can really make a difference as a volunteer.

After School - Care Program
In the afternoon, there is an after school program that is especially designed to help the children with their personal development. As a volunteer you can organise all kinds of activities such as football matches (very popular in South Africa!), homework supervision, arts and dancing. You can help improve the kids’ English, or work with them on their writing skills or with mathematics. If you see yourself as an open-minded person that takes initiative and is geared toward uplifting of vulnerable communities, then this is a perfect program for you.

Community Work
As a volunteer you can assist the community workers with their home visits in the community of Walmer Township. You can assist with their orphanage program and with sorting donations – by preparing the parcels to be distributed.

Project Needs

There is, besides daily aid and assistance, also a need for financial support. Any possible gifts and donations provided by volunteers and their network of people are extremely appreciated. Instead of collecting goods and materials for donation, it is recommended to purchase and donate these on location.

Volunteers will generally work for 5-6 hours a day for 5 days a week including the following activities.

• Assistance in primary school
• Helping in the sewing shop
• Think of activities for the children for after school
• Play sports
• General assistance in the centre

The Eastern Cape and the surroundings of Port Elizabeth show a large variety of natural beauty and make PE a great central place to visit the variety of South Africa. To the East you will find the Wild coast (former Transkei and Ciskei) which is mostly rural and undeveloped, but closer you will find Addo Elephant Park and great coastal villages such as Port Alfred. To the North you will find the great Karoo; a semi desert area with wide open spaces, large nature areas and long open roads with historical places such as Graaff Reinet, the Baviaanskloof Wilderness and much more. To the East towards Cape Town, you will be amazed by the Tsitsikamma National Park, holiday villages such as Plettenberg Bay, Knysna and natures Valley or the surf mecca of Jeffrey’s Bay. This gives you plenty to see and visit while you are here.
During the weekends or after work there are a few beautiful places in Port Elizabeth as well that you can visit. Such as SAMREC, where you have the biggest penguin colony in the world, Sardinia bay, or catch a boat and go sandboarding on the Sunday river.