Teaching Assistant, Mentor & Buddy
Coordinator | Martijn
Coordinator | Martijn
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
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.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
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.
- Learning materials and school stationary for the children
- Sporting equipment and materials for the children
- Toys, puzzles and educational games for the children
Typical day
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
Free-time 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.
Water Sports
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Music
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Sports
Riding
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (basic level)
required
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Volunteers at this project need to be mentally strong, open-minded, proactive, and willing to make a contribution how small or big. Nothing you can offer is too small to be helpful!
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from
08:30
- 14:30
What's Included
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.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) in Port Elizabeth. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Starting your volunteer work is on Mondays only.
You will either be picked up at the airport or any accommodation in Port Elizabeth on Monday. You will then have time to settle in and explore the area. Tuesday will be your introduction day at the project. .
If you arrive before Monday, we can assist with accommodation at a backpacker’s hostel or guesthouse for you.
Participation is in full weeks only (7 nights per week) and the project will be closed for approximately 3 weeks over Christmas and New Years’ time every year.
Please keep in mind that Human Dignity Centre does not take on volunteers during school holidays (breaks). If your time at the project overlaps with school holidays, please chat to us. We will be happy to arrange for you to be placed at any of the other projects that do operate during these dates.
Public Schools – 2021 Holidays (breaks)
27 March – 6 April 2021
12 June – 5 July 2021
18 – 27 September 2021
2 December 2021 – date to be determined
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
4 - 12 weeks
Program fees
4 weeks
(min. stay)
$1,210
5 weeks
$1,465
6 weeks
$1,720
7 weeks
$1,975
8 weeks
$2,230
9 weeks
$2,485
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$3,250
Average fees
$287
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Khaya Volunteer Projects
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Khaya Volunteer Projects during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
Volunteer World is the world's leading comparison platform for international volunteer opportunities. We guide you through a safe and easy
application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if Khaya Volunteer Projects cancels your trip
Support & Mediation
We cover your back no matter what happens
Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Khaya Volunteer Projects.
What are people saying about Volunteer World?
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
You might be also interested in
Keetmanshoop, Namibia
Feeling adventurous? This wildlife project in the spectacular South West African country of Namibia offers volunteers the journey of a lifetime.
Musina, South Africa
Experience adventures in all areas of conservation at this fascinating project situated in Limpopo.
Hoedspruit, South Africa
Volunteers get to live in the African bush while you work hands-on with many animals, at a well-organised game reserve in the magical landscape of Limpopo.
Cape Town, South Africa
Help at-risk children and youth with reading and other skills development, in breathtaking Cape Town.
Cape Town , South Africa
Work with babies and children in a recovery hospital in beautiful Cape Town.
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Ithemba is a special day care center where mentally & often physically disabled children aged between six and 18 can go to.
404 Not Found
Why am I seeing this?
You requested a page that doesn't exist on this site any more. This could be caused by a link you followed that was out of date, by a typing in the wrong address in the address bar, or simply because the post has been deleted.