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 consist of a pre-primary school up to Grade R and provides education for these children. They offer an after- school program that is designed to improve the educational development of school children. In addition to this, 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-Primary School
The school started off in 2011 and has grown to 4 classes up to Grade R with 70 children. Volunteers can help and assist the teachers in one of the four classrooms. A huge contribution can be made by offering remedial teaching and personal attention, to improve the individual learning levels of specific children.
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.
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.
Information and assistance before departure - Pick up on arrival and drop off at the end of your stay - A welcome pack with an information guide, free SIM card and maps - All meals - Accommodation in our beachfront volunteer house - Daily transport to and from the projects - City Tour and Introduction Programme - Direct donation to the project - On site volunteer coordinators - Free social activities
Your airport pickup is included in your fee when arriving on Monday or any other day of the week. If you choose to arrive on a weekend, we will gladly organize a cab to pick you up (or you can take an Uber) to any accommodation of your choice. We will collect you there on Monday morning at 9AM to start your stay with us.
If you prefer to come to us directly over the weekend, as well as when you depart again, we will charge an extra Weekend Fee of R200 (15 EUR) for your pick up or drop off. An additional R250 (20 EUR) per night for any extra nights outside of your booking dates. Please discuss your personal preference with us to make sure all is prepared for you.
The volunteer house is located in the popular beach front area of Humewood, and is only a 5 minute walk away from the beach. Shops, beachfront cafés, restaurants and access to other facilities are all within easy reach. It’s the perfect location to enjoy the beach after work or during weekends. The volunteer house offers spacious living conditions and is shared with other volunteers. It is fully furnished and has all the facilities needed and more.
Our full time cook will provide all meals at the volunteer house on a daily basis. This means you will be able to enjoy great South African home cooked meals, learn how to cook some of these specialties and have a House Mother to comfort you when needed. Our cook is a lady with a warm heart and even bigger embrace for those that need it and she will look after the house and the meals to provide the best possible.
We believe in participation, so volunteers will not be sitting back and get served, they still need to help her cook at times, chop vegetables, clean dishes and warm up the food for dinner themselves.
Our cook will create weekly menus offering breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as alternate meals like stews, curries, stir-fry, soups, pastas and other wholesome options. Meals will be prepared and cooked from Monday to Friday, where on weekends volunteers will only have to heat up a meal or make their own similar meals.
There is free coffee, tea and cordial juice available at any time. For breakfast you will have toast, fruit, yogurt, cereal and/or eggs. For lunch you can have sandwiches with cheese, marmalade, cold meats or other spreads. Please tell our coordinators about any wishes, vegetarian wishes and allergies concerning food.
Teaching Assistant, Mentor & Buddy
As a volunteer at the Human Dignity Centre, you will focus on the primary school and after-school projects and activities. You can make a difference and impact lives.
$287/week
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