We work within several schools in the townships of Knysna. Mainly primary schools although we also do work with a local high school too. All these schools are government schools which cater for the poorer communities and charge very low school fees and in some cases, nothing at all. Therefor amenities and facilities are very basic, and classes are big with teachers having to cope with larger numbers in the classrooms. In the past we have seen classes with learners of over 60 in a class although the average is around 45 learners per class.

English is taught from Grade 1 in South Africa, so we normally focus on the older classes from Grade 4 upwards although many volunteers prefer helping with the little ones. The learners mother tongue is often isiXhosa or Afrikaans, so the learners learn English as a second and sometimes third language. Volunteers really help a lot in this area as just by spending time with the learners they improve their conversational English making them more confidant with the language so we often as volunteers to try and do a few English classes too along with the other subjects they would like to assist with.

Volunteers give additional support to teachers and help wherever possible from lesson plans, taking lessons, marking papers and assessments, and coming up with fresh new ideas to keep the class stimulated. Help with social media, fundraisers, sports events, or talent shows is also hugely appreciated. For those not so confidants of their teaching abilities, there are work books to assist you with your lesson plans which are all based around the South African syllabus so you have guidelines to work from which is a huge help

There are a variety of areas volunteers can assist in.

• Foundation phase classes of Grade R and Grade 1- the cutest classes of the schools
• Drama, dance, and music in Creative Arts classes. Please let us know how your talents can be utilised here.
• Physical Education and Sports which often take place in Life Orientation classes
• Teaching English- always a huge plus!
• Mathematics
• Small reading groups with the librarian in the library
• Natural Sciences
• Social Science
• Technology and in some cases Computer skills depending on school

The school day starts at 7.45 am and ends the latest at 2.30. There are two small breaks in between for a snack or even just choir practice if music is your passion.

If you already have a qualification, skill, or experience, we will be extra happy to be able to put it to good use on your placement.  If you are using this project for practical credits for your studies, please let us know so that we can liaise with your university lecturer. If you do not have any qualifications or previous experience, then do not worry! The whole idea of volunteering is to provide help and assistance wherever needed, immerse yourself in a different culture, and make a lot of memories- both for you and the learners!

This project runs in the South African school terms only. We do suggest you try and book closer to the beginning of term and not the end as that is when assessments and exams take place. The last 3 weeks of the 4th term of the year are never a good time to volunteers as when the children have finished writing their final exams, the majority only attend school to pick up their reports and the numbers are very low in the classroom

If you are not able to volunteer in the dates of the school term and can only volunteer in the school holidays, we suggest that you get involved in our youth development placement holiday program or our safe house volunteer project helping to give the foster children safe, busy and occupied with fun activities in the holidays

After-school activities

There are a few activities that you can take part in after-school. You can either help at the children at the safe house with their homework, the after-school club with the youth development centre, assist with grassroots soccer coaching, visit the local elephant park, do some shopping, have lunch at the Waterfront on the lagoon edge, hike the Pledge nature reserve or just getting a well needed nap as the children can be exhausting as they have so much energy. Please note that after-school activities do not take place every afternoon.