After School Teaching

Our Teaching Activities For The Local Children

The Bernhard Nordkamp Centre's after school classes are geared toward helping pupils in grades 1 to 7 in English and Maths. The teachers follow the Namibian curriculum and textbooks are provided for every child.  The  Bernhard Nordkamp Centre is looking for permanent teachers and volunteers that like to teach English and Maths for two hours every afternoon, Monday to Thursday. 

Active or retired teachers or adults with good Maths and English skills and experience in leading groups of children and following a curriculum guide are most welcome. Colleges or Universities that offer a degree in Early Childhood or Primary School Education could find this an ideal internship opportunity. The director  MaryBeth Gallagher, can act as site supervisor or advisor if that is required for students who receive credit for their commitment in Namibia.

There are 170 children participating in the programme, enrolled in local public schools, grades 1 to 7. They go to school in the morning and then come to the centre for lunch and after school classes in English (reading and writing) and Maths. They are taught by local Namibian teachers as well as International Volunteers.

The success of the programme has been overwhelmingly positive. Children who were receiving marks in the 20’s and 30’s are now getting 70’s and 80’s. The grade 7 learners in our programme are getting accepted into some of the country’s top schools.

All the materials for the programme have come from international donations as well as local Namibian businesses. Each year the children receive school stationery and a backpack from funds donated through international charity organizations.

Our Freetime Activities For The Local Children

The BNC objectives are to provide children with a balanced programme of activities which will meet their individual needs, but above all, will equip them to be positive, well educated and contributing adult members of society. To achieve this, the Centre provides a formal learning programme as well as opportunities for sporting and cultural activities. There is a youth dance group, soccer, tennis, ping-pong, basketball, swimming and chess.

Our Mission

The BNC’s primary mission is to facilitate education as a means of combating the very eroding effects of poverty. That is the most solid foundation for developing healthy, positive and enthusiastic children firmly rooted in participation in quality education.

The educational focus of our program means that you will be expected to teach either a class or remedial teaching with slower learners.  Volunteers who have fitted in best with us have prior teaching experience and are usually flexible and committed to helping the children. 

Volunteers are needed at The BNC Centre from 1.30 am until 5.00 pm (we usually don’t get away until closer to 5.30 pm) five days a week.  The after school program begins with lunch at 2.00pm and you will be asked to teach from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.  Volunteers are also needed on Saturdays to help with the morning tutoring or the reading program.  During summer we visit the local swimming pool on Sundays.

In their free time volunteers can enjoy the culture in Windhoek's City Centre and travel outside the city to see the amazing Namibian wildlife and the gorgeous scenery. Weekend trips can be made to the desert and the coastal regions.