tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30653601719753476722024-03-06T22:02:47.268+02:00Volunteer Africa BlogThe latest on VA32's volunteer programs, guest blogs from volunteers as well as tips & advice on volunteering in Africa from the VA32 team!Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-89508615556684822442016-03-04T19:30:00.000+02:002016-03-04T19:30:21.267+02:00The Pre-Vet Experience Kicks Off for an Exciting Year<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfPL-QvMlZgAYFWE80uiAqbUYpElHkz99gQ26V88uPHJmg7AMF4HBSsQnhi2lNLXdUKh2UE090vls2CrUm9pYkysBxj6HeDi3AEIWb470OFW1vPkGaFDux-2WEERPY1QTh-Emz2MO95X5/s1600/P1180687+%25282%2529+ALEX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfPL-QvMlZgAYFWE80uiAqbUYpElHkz99gQ26V88uPHJmg7AMF4HBSsQnhi2lNLXdUKh2UE090vls2CrUm9pYkysBxj6HeDi3AEIWb470OFW1vPkGaFDux-2WEERPY1QTh-Emz2MO95X5/s400/P1180687+%25282%2529+ALEX.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remembering one of last years successful giraffe relocations</td></tr>
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Our first student of the year has arrived and the <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/pre-vet-internship-experience.html" target="_blank">Pre-vet Project</a> team is ready for a fantastic 2016. Capture season is not yet up and running but we expect this year to be busy and our new vet, Tendai, starting in May will be brought right into the thick of it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_Bu3BxZcyVEdy73PAGxOSf1NliQP1wLNDv1s9uMam6VL8uFI-dELsPr7N4BBWXfCYOMHKxpM7Uuu2TCQW8Qdzod3Tcdt8lj-F8q_kId4oYoiNh8HF8mZfWB9v0L3MqSorCdwmx3QmXiU/s1600/P1170881+%25282%2529+ALEX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_Bu3BxZcyVEdy73PAGxOSf1NliQP1wLNDv1s9uMam6VL8uFI-dELsPr7N4BBWXfCYOMHKxpM7Uuu2TCQW8Qdzod3Tcdt8lj-F8q_kId4oYoiNh8HF8mZfWB9v0L3MqSorCdwmx3QmXiU/s320/P1170881+%25282%2529+ALEX.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In the meantime our students will be spending time with local vets continuing with wildlife call-outs; agriculture related activities such as cattle pregnancy testing, clipping hooves and vaccinations; as well as assisting with community projects such as dog dipping and horse care. Along with a number of other projects, last year we started a programme at the East London Zoo and that will be continued with more enrichment for the animals and assistance for the staff.<br />
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We hope to see as much enthusiasm from our students in this coming year as we did in 2015.<br />
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Alex<br />
<b>Pre-vet Project Co-ordinator</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Chintsa, Amatola Coastal, 5275, South Africa-32.823269 28.115193900000008-32.849957 28.074853400000009 -32.796581 28.155534400000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-60160061568500742042016-02-29T15:06:00.001+02:002016-02-29T15:06:08.719+02:00Student Lifeguards Pass the TestThis weekend in Chintsa saw a lot of smiles and jubilation amongst the UNSTRESSED Surf School crew with the trainee-lifeguarding team completing and passing their training program. The internationally recognised qualification will open up job opportunities for the young, beach loving guys including employment options such as life guarding at both local and international pools, beaches and more. The certificate also acts as the first building block for some of the team who wish to become surf instructors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVThzJuluGhqyQ_bc9vygVeEJ9CvK-9dA2DtVCkWUf-2JtyQMyLXSK_gvUwGhe_3FSxU2Xaopv9RYlZCnsheRyfDouHapNjRIukFWFPpCs8GIvnhAtR_3BY_QXTS02Z7qgO9eErVxp6j9C/s1600/lifeguards-qualify-2016-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVThzJuluGhqyQ_bc9vygVeEJ9CvK-9dA2DtVCkWUf-2JtyQMyLXSK_gvUwGhe_3FSxU2Xaopv9RYlZCnsheRyfDouHapNjRIukFWFPpCs8GIvnhAtR_3BY_QXTS02Z7qgO9eErVxp6j9C/s400/lifeguards-qualify-2016-01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gana, Lulama, Sandile & Anele - proud, newly qualified Lifeguards</td></tr>
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A huge well done to Anele, Gana, Sandile & Lulama for all of their hard work, training and studying for the past few months as well as to co-ordinator Catherine and local Friends of Chintsa champions who drove the project from the front.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53am6HBhmAaa_3PrF9bna9QqJGvT0C7tsbHFs0oIOabw8JbFbqcyUf7mR5tRySJ0wG8EA2asVMiJUvjYYtUKL0irMsyNQ80KPzJLJ-cj0Iy_yGlvzSrIp8gdjtI22aik828-fQQulTxu_/s1600/lifeguards-qualify-2016-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53am6HBhmAaa_3PrF9bna9QqJGvT0C7tsbHFs0oIOabw8JbFbqcyUf7mR5tRySJ0wG8EA2asVMiJUvjYYtUKL0irMsyNQ80KPzJLJ-cj0Iy_yGlvzSrIp8gdjtI22aik828-fQQulTxu_/s320/lifeguards-qualify-2016-02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thank you also to everyone in our network who supported the project through donations, "shares" and likes. For such a small village we indeed have a huge and caring community :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0czYHifPTj_WGRmZwyeUeUtz5lrVfQIKa9kMyW23lZrL5X25eaGYnWb_Usb0I5y1Kn0qL6FscT2hrAKo2A7Jr3zVDvS0P4s3O-R2Tr-q7e7LvhEH6zeOblkTOvXRKY-fe4CplYWK4L0Hm/s1600/unstressed-surf-school-feb-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0czYHifPTj_WGRmZwyeUeUtz5lrVfQIKa9kMyW23lZrL5X25eaGYnWb_Usb0I5y1Kn0qL6FscT2hrAKo2A7Jr3zVDvS0P4s3O-R2Tr-q7e7LvhEH6zeOblkTOvXRKY-fe4CplYWK4L0Hm/s400/unstressed-surf-school-feb-2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrations with the UNSTRESSED Team<br />at local spot The Barefoot Cafe</td></tr>
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<br />Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Chintsa, Amatola Coastal, 5275, South Africa-32.823269 28.115193900000008-32.849957 28.074853400000009 -32.796581 28.155534400000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-90707524130541114782016-02-15T16:56:00.000+02:002016-02-15T16:56:04.597+02:00I'll be there "Just Now"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVoLvri24glNbfQc7xO4yt5BocXd-eXY4O_0TZYE-kItjZ3L1QNJR-WPtDYHnlqbkRyPoRq1HoPv2DyP5te0oXyQhvcn-pkMy6jkQ6ghPFGBCPQUDZybZreekG_VB5HsPfTr6-tW9fldy/s1600/sunshine-chintsa-south-africa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVoLvri24glNbfQc7xO4yt5BocXd-eXY4O_0TZYE-kItjZ3L1QNJR-WPtDYHnlqbkRyPoRq1HoPv2DyP5te0oXyQhvcn-pkMy6jkQ6ghPFGBCPQUDZybZreekG_VB5HsPfTr6-tW9fldy/s320/sunshine-chintsa-south-africa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I read a hilarious article recently about South African slang terms that drive people mad and it spurred me to to share my experience of when South African slang caught me out!<br />
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You can read the original article <a href="http://aboveandbeyondtravelcc.com/2015/09/18/12-odd-south-african-expressions-that-drive-the-world-crazy/" target="_blank">"12 Odd South African Expressions that Drive the World Crazy"</a> here.<br />
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<h4>
I'll be there Just Now</h4>
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It was 2008 and I was a recently arrived English volunteer living in Chintsa. <br />
<a name='more'></a>One morning on the way to volunteer at a nearby school my mobile phone dropped out of my pocket in the bus. When I got back to the VA32 office after a morning teaching I managed to get hold of Papa G, the driver of the bus, who had luckily found my phone. Relieved I asked him how it was best to get it back from him and he said he'd be at Buccaneers Backpackers (a 15 minute walk across the beach) "just now". I said "Great! I'll meet you there!" and proceeded to make my way across the beach post-haste. After waiting for about 30 minutes at reception I started to wonder if maybe I had the location wrong and Papa G was somewhere else. I called him from the Buccs phone and his reply was "yes yes, I'll be at Buccaneers just now". Relieved that I wasn't a total idiot I hung up and waited. And waited. And waited.<br />
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It turns out that "just now" means anything from "in an hour or so" to "later today" to "this evening" to "tonight".<br />
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After about four and a half hours of twiddling my thumbs Papa G pulled up with a big smile on his face to deliver my mobile phone. I didn't have the heart to tell him how long I'd been waiting but rather gave him a big smile back, said thanks and turned around to make my way back across the beach home.<br />
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Lesson learnt: "Just now", "Now" and "Now now". Chintsa works on the infamous African Time and patience is a virtue.<br />
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Have you ever been caught out by a South African slang term? Share your story with us "now now" (actually now - right now) by commenting below.<br />
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April<br />
<br />Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Chintsa, Amatola Coastal, 5275, South Africa-32.823269 28.115193900000008-32.849957 28.074853400000009 -32.796581 28.155534400000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-4155429234876886572015-12-22T18:30:00.000+02:002015-12-22T18:30:00.156+02:00Travel Tips - How to Get to Chintsa, South Africa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiHM9qsa2oBevQ6aYvyiGeXOD8HCcAcTbSloRja9iZ-w0RbhDOrkT44_59oRvgU95PaWYpJaLw4T__-i46RZ6WwiISjZuIC7n8slG0SWIVHkkevAiR7aSox_oV9k0II4TbHN5nsyf5ylP/s1600/P1080715_contrast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiHM9qsa2oBevQ6aYvyiGeXOD8HCcAcTbSloRja9iZ-w0RbhDOrkT44_59oRvgU95PaWYpJaLw4T__-i46RZ6WwiISjZuIC7n8slG0SWIVHkkevAiR7aSox_oV9k0II4TbHN5nsyf5ylP/s320/P1080715_contrast.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
It's always super exciting to have made the decision to volunteer and journey to an unknown country to find your next adventure. If you're thinking of booking and you need to know the price of flights and what flights to book or you have confirmed your volunteer placement and are now looking into booking your travel - this blog is for you!<br />
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Here are our top travel tips to help you book your travel to South Africa (and Chintsa) and make the journey here as easy as possible:<br />
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<h3>
Booking International Flights</h3>
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Chintsa is in the Eastern Cape, the nearest city is East London (approximately 40km away). If you're coming from outside of South Africa you need to fly into either Cape Town or Johannesburg international airports and then book a domestic flight from there to East London.<br />
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If you're booking flights on line we recommend that you search for your international and domestic flights separately. This is generally the most cost effective way to book. Here's an example of a search I did today:<br />
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I used booking engine Cheapflights.co.uk based on a return trip leaving the UK on Sun 31st Jan and departing South Africa on Mon 16th Feb:<br />
Search 1: <a href="http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/search/flights-to-East-London-(South-Africa)/from-Heathrow/departing-2016-01-31/returning-2016-02-15/" target="_blank">London Heathrow - East London South Africa</a> - cheapest flight £584<br />
Search 2a: <a href="http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/search/flights-to-Or-Tambo/from-Heathrow/departing-2016-01-31/returning-2016-02-15/" target="_blank">London Heathrow - Johannesburg OR Tambo airport</a> - cheapest flight £435<br />
Search 2b: <a href="http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/search/flights-to-East-London-(South-Africa)/from-Or-Tambo/departing-2016-01-31/returning-2016-02-15/" target="_blank">Johannesburg OR Tambo to East London airport</a> - cheapest flight £51<br />
Search 2 totals £486 - <b>almost £100 cheaper</b> than the original search.<br />
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For international flights it's usually good to browse options on booking engines like Expedia, Cheapflights, Tripsta, Lastminute.com or your preferred flight search engine.<br />
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<h3>
Domestic Flights in and out of East London</h3>
If you're in South African already you will just need to get to Chintsa. There are several ways to do this - one is on a domestic flight. In the past it has been expensive to book a domestic flight in and out of East London but this year two budget airlines have started offering cheap flight options from both Cape Town and Jo'burg.<br />
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I personally use cheapflights.co.uk to search the best options for domestic flights too as it can save time - rather than checking all three airline's websites. Otherwise you can search direct with the airlines. Here's an example search (I looked for return flights to match the dates on the above itinerary):<br />
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Search 1: <a href="https://www.flysafair.co.za/" target="_blank">FlySafari</a> - Johannesburg to East London - cheapest option R 1298.00 (that's roughly £57 on today's exchange rate)<br />
Search 2: <a href="http://www.kulula.com/" target="_blank">Kulula</a> - Johannesburg to East London - cheapest option R 1186.00 (about £52 on today's exchange rate)<br />
Search 3: <a href="http://www.flysaa.com/za/en/home!loadHome.action?request_locale=en_ZA&splashLocale=EN&splashCntry=ZA&isCookieEnabled=false" target="_blank">South African Airways</a> - Johannesburg to East London - cheapest option R 1469 (£65 on today's rate)<br />
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<h4>
Other ways to get to Chintsa from elsewhere in SA...</h4>
BazBus - the Bazbus is a hop-on hop-off bus service designed for backpackers. They run buses between popular towns, cities and backpackers throughout South Africa. Buccaneers Backpackers is the Bazbus stop in Chintsa. This option is especially fun if you're already in Cape Town and have a little time to spend exploring - you can buy a one way ticket from Cape Town to Chintsa and hop on or off the bus as many times as you like, all the way up the Garden Route! <a href="http://www.bazbus.com/index.html" target="_blank">Find out more about the Bazbus routes, ticket prices and timetable.</a><br />
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Bus - you can get a bus from your current location to East London. The most reliable and safe bus services in SA are Translux, Greyhound and Intercape. I did a search travelling from Cape Town to East London with Intercape on Monday 1st Feb - the ticket price was R480 - 580 (approx. £21 - 26) depending on the ticket type. As the bus services drop off in East London you will then need to pre-book a shuttle service to get to Chintsa from there. We use a company called Imonti Tours who are based in East London - you can get in touch with Velile for prices of the journey either via his <a href="http://www.imontitours.co.za/tours.html" target="_blank">website</a> or call him on +27 (0)43 721 2082.<br />
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Hire a Car - if you have time to spare and hold a full drivers license you can also hire a car. Car hire is very competitively priced in South Africa - especially taking the exchange rate into consideration! You can get a small car for as little as R250 per day that's about £11 per day (not including fuel).<br />
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<b>Ask us!</b><br />
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You can always ask us for more info - our travel guru Karen is available to help plan your trip and give guidance on booking and logistics. You can get in touch with her on her email address karen@volunteerafrica.co.za<br />
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*PLEASE NOTE that all prices in this blog are intended as a guideline - travel dates, times, the exchange rate and other factors will affect the cost of travel.<br />
<br />Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Chintsa, Amatola Coastal, 5275, South Africa-32.823269 28.115193900000008-32.849957 28.074853400000009 -32.796581 28.155534400000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-89468182297433217392015-12-03T12:02:00.001+02:002015-12-03T12:02:21.343+02:00Community Preschool Volunteer Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQ2667OZVAdLrQZ13CcNCUsNtuiy0WAx75L2lISOhvx5y_J1kLwxW2HgX_rIlo2mhG60vz0vkzf994ZfxKGLxhefEZq8E_17geCZ9JgwNWoE0RCcKaKcBVzxORqGf7VImdVyBGE4EEHXM/s1600/community-preschool-project+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQ2667OZVAdLrQZ13CcNCUsNtuiy0WAx75L2lISOhvx5y_J1kLwxW2HgX_rIlo2mhG60vz0vkzf994ZfxKGLxhefEZq8E_17geCZ9JgwNWoE0RCcKaKcBVzxORqGf7VImdVyBGE4EEHXM/s320/community-preschool-project+%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/volunteer-with-preschool-children.html" target="_blank">VA32's Community Preschool Project</a> has been partnering with local preschools for over 5 years. The schools that we work with change from time to time depending on where the biggest need is currently identified.<br />
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In 2016 we will be partnering with two local schools - the African Angels School foundation phase and Acacia Tree Nursery School.</div>
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<h3>
About the Schools<a name='more'></a></h3>
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<b>African Angels Independent School<br /></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQFazEVyGXP1jxTjhwSnm6qMwWd9MziV8DcjoX0fsdmazzjhyphenhyphenJUJFGXFu-9raRvCdnp5BYr_DnsSFQvuS_gCvl5YgsI6fGDXk_cy5CUmrhIOTckO2NZMF5smbLNyG27oCYmUXY2PanAum/s1600/2015-05-13+13.52.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQFazEVyGXP1jxTjhwSnm6qMwWd9MziV8DcjoX0fsdmazzjhyphenhyphenJUJFGXFu-9raRvCdnp5BYr_DnsSFQvuS_gCvl5YgsI6fGDXk_cy5CUmrhIOTckO2NZMF5smbLNyG27oCYmUXY2PanAum/s320/2015-05-13+13.52.07.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers assist children one-on-one<br />in the Angels foundation phase<br />reading program</td></tr>
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The African Angels charity has was established by founder Lou Billett and designed to offer support to families living in disadvantaged rural areas in and around Chintsa, in ensuring that their children get the opportunity to have a stable, high quality schooling education and environment from foundation phase to matric at 18 years old.<br />
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The charity works on the belief that working together with the parents and carers of the children is the most effective way of ensuring a commitment to the arrangement. All parents are asked to pay a small portion of the school fees as well as ensuring that their child is present at school in their uniform and has a snack for break time. </div>
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Until 2012 the Angels were schooled in pre and primary schools in and around East London. This arrangement proved challenging for many of the students for several reasons: </div>
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1. Living in Chintsa means a 40km journey to and from East London daily to get to school. This journey adds approximately 1.5 - 2 hours to the already tiring school day.</div>
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2. On top of this the homework expectations were high and many of the learners have do not have access to support in this at home.</div>
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3. In the large classes of mainstream schools the Angels were not getting either the academic or emotional support needed on a daily basis.</div>
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In an attempt to tackle these issues, in 2012, Lou established the African Angels Independent School in what was a dilapidated high school building. With the help from VA32 building volunteers the school was uplifted and prepared for the brand new intake in January 2012 and the Angels have never looked back! With a team of dedicated and caring teachers, smaller class sizes and a closer proximity to home, its amazing to see the Angels thriving in their new school.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK0EiCUCQB1_Fk_Oc7OYUe2iR5dM3EQlnA_GcNPy99wwK3nLEWaFff6hbPK36iNnaFAUYGV2W71LP5wWehIg3_pPzHNl_AX-0jum8DMJXzTQJHbWflNYnTLl10LPotPHPSfFfQuRBsGgW/s1600/2015-05-13+14.00.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK0EiCUCQB1_Fk_Oc7OYUe2iR5dM3EQlnA_GcNPy99wwK3nLEWaFff6hbPK36iNnaFAUYGV2W71LP5wWehIg3_pPzHNl_AX-0jum8DMJXzTQJHbWflNYnTLl10LPotPHPSfFfQuRBsGgW/s320/2015-05-13+14.00.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
VA32 preschool volunteers will be placed in the foundation phase classes to work with the Angels teachers. The teachers are in great need of support in the classroom - volunteers will work one-on-one and in small groups to assist them in completing tasks, reading and maths. Volunteers can also take the opportunity to get involved in planning activities, lessons and teaching resources. At the Angels school the supportive team will always try to use the personal passions, enthusiasm, skills and knowledge of each volunteer which can enrich the educational experiences of their learners.<br />
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Find out more about the African Angels charity on their website <a href="http://www.sponsoranangel.org/">www.sponsoranangel.org</a><br />
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<b>Acacia Tree Nursery School</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlBZz0e4bLXW4-UdziCBjz30iyuWBnBbfNQCoH20HTFoDiqjDwG0TdPPghiHLULEAAFQ764xr4YoVkZScoW9djvbd-xOW77NByWxxpJWrGfyTwiAr8yv58FcVPDSnuKphbzU3awDiGdxI/s1600/IMG_1974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlBZz0e4bLXW4-UdziCBjz30iyuWBnBbfNQCoH20HTFoDiqjDwG0TdPPghiHLULEAAFQ764xr4YoVkZScoW9djvbd-xOW77NByWxxpJWrGfyTwiAr8yv58FcVPDSnuKphbzU3awDiGdxI/s320/IMG_1974.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Veliswa at school</td></tr>
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The Acacia Tree Nursery School was established in 2009 and is situated in Chintsa West on the Muller Family Farm. The school is the dream of Tom and Madeleine Muller who, having experienced the Waldorf Education System themselves, wanted their own children to have the same beginning in their formal education. Waldorf education is based in experiential learning and focusses on the individual development of each individual child.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">The Acacia Tree Nursery School is run by partnership team Tom and Veliswa. Having been with the school since its inception, Veliswa's role has grown from teachers aid to fully fledged preschool teacher - specialising in Waldorf education. Veliswa is a huge part of the school - bringing with her a solid grounding in Xhosa culture which she loves to explore with the children. </span><br />
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The school was built on the ethic of providing a nurturing and consistent schooling environment to all children - they offer a sponsorship program to disadvantaged families whose children attend the school. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpI_noA7tjqU1fZk7udyL39xJghCOH0R-afy9yonpkCJaHloBFZfrll8fIM-rf0gXsHdJCkji-lauxCeZnm1HYNrKWIxYOreOWytNwKW_WSIoC0S6XLLUqTJUx65NhpeEYzLrb5Ra-ipuD/s1600/IMG_1495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpI_noA7tjqU1fZk7udyL39xJghCOH0R-afy9yonpkCJaHloBFZfrll8fIM-rf0gXsHdJCkji-lauxCeZnm1HYNrKWIxYOreOWytNwKW_WSIoC0S6XLLUqTJUx65NhpeEYzLrb5Ra-ipuD/s320/IMG_1495.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caught in action! Ball skills outside in the play ground</td></tr>
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VA32 preschool volunteers work closely with Veliswa in the classroom, assisting with the everyday running of the school with tasks such as: preparing resources and equipment for activities like baking, arts, sewing, structured and unstructured play, assisting the children in taking part in tasks, helping out at meal and break times, helping to plan and facilitate activities and tasks.<br />
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Similarly to the Angels School, Acacia Tree is a nurturing environment where volunteers are encouraged to share their own passions, skills and experiences with the learners.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxikZC99R1JqyLGQEV30QMOe6Rn-7vAeU2aJk96Z2sDFvrPk0ynhpYSIdZVm8EjnydTEKYBrpbUado4r6Bcgdt1wUIW2qTbI2u1p_LPl-KdivpKY0Y1UWI3gioCvVUyDiQPY-O8gvTVu6o/s1600/dance-nov2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxikZC99R1JqyLGQEV30QMOe6Rn-7vAeU2aJk96Z2sDFvrPk0ynhpYSIdZVm8EjnydTEKYBrpbUado4r6Bcgdt1wUIW2qTbI2u1p_LPl-KdivpKY0Y1UWI3gioCvVUyDiQPY-O8gvTVu6o/s320/dance-nov2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteer Chloe - a dancer - sharing her love of<br />dance with the learners</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3BoaKFmabjO5BTmxGw48lgpKSgAlt3G5OT3buI41d-QqHcsUny3eSBX9NUr-lspDpS3856uv6IV-rqG3h-fLi5vP9-vLuzXSUBPjEIMKsRAUXjvLyuHWBZNB72j3sZH4QbC2E6qSnNBg/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3BoaKFmabjO5BTmxGw48lgpKSgAlt3G5OT3buI41d-QqHcsUny3eSBX9NUr-lspDpS3856uv6IV-rqG3h-fLi5vP9-vLuzXSUBPjEIMKsRAUXjvLyuHWBZNB72j3sZH4QbC2E6qSnNBg/s320/IMG_1303.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arts, crafts and play are a very<br />important experience in<br />foundation phase education</td></tr>
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Find out more about the Acacia Tree Nursery School on their website - <a href="http://www.acaciatreenurseryschool.org/">www.acaciatreenurseryschool.org</a><br />
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<h3>
Special Offer for 2016 Bookings</h3>
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VA32 is currently seeking volunteers for the Community Preschool Project 2016 - we're running an incredible TWO for ONE on volunteer placements. </div>
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Two Weeks TWO PEOPLE - <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.125px;">£ 587</span> / <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.125px;">$ 984 / </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.125px;">€ 807</span></div>
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Four Weeks TWO PEOPLE - <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.125px;">£ 1 000 / </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.125px;">$ 1 591 / </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.125px;">€ 1 400</span></div>
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T's & C's apply. To qualify for the offer all bookings must be confirmed with a 35% deposit by 31st December 2015.</div>
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Find out more by emailing april@volunteerafrica.co.za or getting in touch with us via our website.</div>
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Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Chintsa, Amatola Coastal, 5275, South Africa-32.823269 28.115193900000008-32.849957 28.074853400000009 -32.796581 28.155534400000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-83640178953140189072015-11-21T12:08:00.000+02:002015-11-21T12:08:00.377+02:00Sponsor A Lifeguard: Friends of Chintsa ProjectJust over four years ago, the UNSTRESSED Surf School was established by a team of local surfers and with the support of key international donors. Inspired by the want to engage young people in Chintsa in a healthy love for the Ocean, in an amazing sport and in learning the skills and experiences surrounding being a part of something so pro-active.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm8cncKe3DpZa137cLWiR3QUZRHCQLCRE0curj8eYYJKo6uLrFKmeswKKVRpsfpFIW-SihvyalaJH64dMy5NZfU55NtYEmBslFOGnAWluiAEzrxE7Hb06caXfLDpkNoZ6PWqlH6xgTj9B/s1600/1.Unstressed+Surf+School+-+posing+with+the+students.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm8cncKe3DpZa137cLWiR3QUZRHCQLCRE0curj8eYYJKo6uLrFKmeswKKVRpsfpFIW-SihvyalaJH64dMy5NZfU55NtYEmBslFOGnAWluiAEzrxE7Hb06caXfLDpkNoZ6PWqlH6xgTj9B/s400/1.Unstressed+Surf+School+-+posing+with+the+students.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Four years down the line UNSTRESSED is mentoring both junior and senior surfers - a hand selected team of individuals who show commitment to being a part of the initiative as well as enthusiasm for surfing.<br />
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Most recently four of the senior surfers - Lulama (19), Sandile (19), Gana (18) and Anele (18) have begun the journey into becoming qualified as life guards - a qualification which can not only lead to them being employable as lifeguards can also lead to further qualifications such a Surf Instructors and more. In line with their passion for the sea the qualification is quite a challenge with the guys having the swim strongly in the sea, communicate in hand signals and understand weather and wave patterns both theoretically and practically.<br />
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Friends of Chintsa is calling for assistance in getting these four young students through their training. It costs £895 per student to cover the cost of their training, transport to and from East London to swim, equipment and (lots and lots) of food to keep their bodies and minds nourished.<br />
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Read more about the campaign on the <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sponsor-a-lifeguard#/story" target="_blank">crowdfunding page</a>. And remember, every little helps. If you can't afford to give a donation please share the cause and encourage others to assist.<br />
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<b>Friends of Chintsa</b><br />
<a href="http://www.friendsofchintsa.org/">www.friendsofchintsa.org</a><br />
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Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-14107363509520144482015-11-19T11:47:00.000+02:002015-11-19T11:47:01.867+02:00Computer Geek Club 2015: Texas State University Volunteers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6ec0yckARjlied7KCnpfrEcxZeMqxZUqNKa2qHRHT3rhfa9MyQfvYpt2p4KK72WL6GXKVtRGtcmPCXpr5oa01amlZBqs0Yyv_abu_Wq16dlLn2CjL7b9WI0ud7P0S_8FeefbDEXa8IWu/s1600/2015-07-15+13.05.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6ec0yckARjlied7KCnpfrEcxZeMqxZUqNKa2qHRHT3rhfa9MyQfvYpt2p4KK72WL6GXKVtRGtcmPCXpr5oa01amlZBqs0Yyv_abu_Wq16dlLn2CjL7b9WI0ud7P0S_8FeefbDEXa8IWu/s400/2015-07-15+13.05.54.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />17 participants. 13 Texas Student University (TSU) teaching volunteers. Five days. A whole host of multi-media technology to get to grips with.</span></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, five days may not seem a lot, but do not underestimate the powers of TSU volunteers and their professor Lori Assaf. Following the success of Geek Club 2014 and prior to the arrival of the group, Lori and I discussed how to not only match but also extend and ignite passion in the abilities of our talented young geek clubbers. We wanted to engage not only the young people of Chintsa, but also get them thinking about their own community and how they interact with it. Last year, saw the same participants research their dream careers, along the way they met and interviewed guest local speakers about different careers - from Dr Madeleine Muller to our very own Thobs the tour guide. We ended up with some fantastic presentations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Day 1</b></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Getting to know you </span></b></i><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Monday morning brought eager and early geek clubbers! We kicked off the week with a morning dedicated to getting to know each other. We split off into groups, with each group having a dedicated geek club mentor and two TSU volunteer teachers. "Me, myself and I" was the name of the game - each person introduced themselves and spoke about an </span>artefact<span style="font-family: inherit;"> that they owned, whether it was a necklace or a picture of their family. This was a great way for students to start making connections with each other and as a group.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The next part of the morning saw the discussion move towards Chintsa. We had a series of </span>artefacts<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to study which fell under the different categories that we were going to focus on during the week; sports in the community, politics/governing body, Xhosa traditions & customs in the community and education in the community. We investigated the origins of the artefacts through discussions and practised interviewing techniques. From an old sports trophy to an article about Xhosa circumcision rites featuring our very own Sandile. The aim was to find out more about the geek clubber’s community of Chintsa. In their groups students begin to draw elaborate, and detailed maps. They labelled important places to them - whether it was the soup kitchen, their home or Nthukthukweni </span>crèche<span style="font-family: inherit;">. This exercise triggered fantastic conversations surrounding their thoughts about the community. “Why are there so many churches in Chintsa?” “What is happening to our local school?” “Why is the sports fields not fixed yet?”</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDWfVCnCSbdbIiOJS56EAvS16Voh7Uti2sQXwfKjOp-f03ViA1ETjdSyXAwf648odl1uscFxK9ohMcaY4hyTzaZvaw_0rSeItcGlXkHwI2GTM9kgJzjfEIduIk1t9hk0mKWcmrM-SwMVr/s1600/2015-07-14+14.03.32-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDWfVCnCSbdbIiOJS56EAvS16Voh7Uti2sQXwfKjOp-f03ViA1ETjdSyXAwf648odl1uscFxK9ohMcaY4hyTzaZvaw_0rSeItcGlXkHwI2GTM9kgJzjfEIduIk1t9hk0mKWcmrM-SwMVr/s400/2015-07-14+14.03.32-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of chill and game time on the village green at lunchtime</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next stop was sandwiches and games! “There’s a fire in the mountain, run, run!” This was a sure fire hit with everyone, pitching in having fun together. Before we knew it was time for our first guest speaker of the week. Naidoo came and spoke to us about sports in the community. It was interesting to learn about not only the history of sports in the local area but also the history and development of their sports trophies which once began life as recycled and painted plastic bottles and are now snazzy engraved trophies.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Day 2</b></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Siyavuya<br /></i></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jEOzS8jJza04ZrqNtZRTvvo_ox6sLMSxcnGZMMPaPSQk3gbW0ac1Zr0FEoy8YOCxjIdRnS0faKMyJrZMtK-ULR8WtSqSbwx_8eCYn0Y4qPe1sSdZCllCoTGv5WDGz56MpTuLtuWPIrf-/s1600/2015-07-14+14.03.32-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jEOzS8jJza04ZrqNtZRTvvo_ox6sLMSxcnGZMMPaPSQk3gbW0ac1Zr0FEoy8YOCxjIdRnS0faKMyJrZMtK-ULR8WtSqSbwx_8eCYn0Y4qPe1sSdZCllCoTGv5WDGz56MpTuLtuWPIrf-/s400/2015-07-14+14.03.32-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siyavuya Roll Call is created! LOVE the smiles from all sides :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">We started the day off with a bang by learning a new song Shabooya! It is a rap which always begins with the rhyme “"shabooya sha sha shabooya roll call". Temie (from Temie’s soup kitchen), heard our roll call and suggested that we change it to something else - Siyavuya - which means "we are happy". I </span>couldn't<span style="font-family: inherit;"> think of anything more apt. The aim of the game is to learn more about each other, and try to rhyme which is the perfect recipe of an ice breaker... An example of one of my rhymes was “My name is Charlotte, I live in Chintsa, I try to surf, have you ever been here?”</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">After our new fun roll call we went back to our groups where the work continued filling out the community maps of Chintsa. The attention to detail from students was impressive and it was interesting to see how some maps focused on different parts of the village depending on whereabouts they lived but also on their interests. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPWldrROV9DJW6kdtlfEvGjYPtGvp2yj2b9AVZp5O6Ur-8MmAi5WpaHZ1Xjz5uwx8FCVQRhbdcTIX4Ie4r2IKaDDcIkLf4-01iHHxrA3hR1g7LGLm6Ao5KPjfjjDBY0pxbjWEe3U6WL65/s1600/2015-07-14+14.03.50-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPWldrROV9DJW6kdtlfEvGjYPtGvp2yj2b9AVZp5O6Ur-8MmAi5WpaHZ1Xjz5uwx8FCVQRhbdcTIX4Ie4r2IKaDDcIkLf4-01iHHxrA3hR1g7LGLm6Ao5KPjfjjDBY0pxbjWEe3U6WL65/s320/2015-07-14+14.03.50-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">The rest of the morning was spent beginning the geek clubber’s projects. With the help of our TSU volunteer students, the learners began to consider which part of the community they wanted to research and present. They had the freedom to choose any aspect or issue within the community which interested them in addition to choosing any technological medium they wished to focus their project on, whether it was creating a movie, song, book or Powerpoint Presentation...the list is endless! The TSU volunteers helped learners to decide on their projects by asking questions and utilising technology resources which got the students thinking about issues surrounding their project. Questions asked included “What do you already know?” “What do you WANT to learn?” “Describe your plan for collecting information on this topic”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">It was really exciting to see multi-technology devices being used by the kids. We were lucky enough to have 10 ipads which TSU brought along for their stay, and the speed with which our students picked up how to use them was fantastic. Okuhle began experimenting with filming, Patrick was busy recording a song, whilst Yanga and Awonke decided to start researching Chintsa on google maps.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFZ20huHbeLPHnzeQe1M_J1Xf-sy0uEgu16q0mgYXFqczHL2caP1km3lQQCLmpSGRdJ54snAEa0ARVQ79OypIdXfTzUHvnX69mbskSi0r6DCkonHZkWl2CcOvpVpl-pAEpzzbxiu8tB2I/s1600/2015-07-14+14.03.50-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFZ20huHbeLPHnzeQe1M_J1Xf-sy0uEgu16q0mgYXFqczHL2caP1km3lQQCLmpSGRdJ54snAEa0ARVQ79OypIdXfTzUHvnX69mbskSi0r6DCkonHZkWl2CcOvpVpl-pAEpzzbxiu8tB2I/s400/2015-07-14+14.03.50-2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okuhle getting to grips with the notebook!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before we knew it, it was time for our daily dose of sandwiches and games - today's game was SPLAT! This proved to be a massive hit, no-one ever tired of playing it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Our second guest speaker of the week was Mjozela, who came to talk to us about the history of crime and crime prevention in Chintsa. The geek clubbers were curious to find out about tackling crime rates and how Simon begun his security business in the village.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaq_j1V-lStBKTYChUol7hU7_wn8lKOoPZMhcTH3w35OaFlnvZJe2r5f42d0_ZpQhia5MefaaMxHWF_uUSauneVC-LabzV8Smu7HXWpoRuxgCPh87eX95351gN2bu55dKhPEbTmTtW5uc/s1600/2015-07-14+14.03.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaq_j1V-lStBKTYChUol7hU7_wn8lKOoPZMhcTH3w35OaFlnvZJe2r5f42d0_ZpQhia5MefaaMxHWF_uUSauneVC-LabzV8Smu7HXWpoRuxgCPh87eX95351gN2bu55dKhPEbTmTtW5uc/s400/2015-07-14+14.03.40.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mjozela chatting to the learners about his<br />security business in Chintsa</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Wednesday</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Field Trip</i></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwfc65tE7Hu7CfupmDCi1SUhAHBvxfqpxRj4q_gCBCAZs8PgaWo18j4sGKhOpZSFqjtyEfpc1-RmEYBfoG4i5Styn01CGcvag2wHyuvNID0nUT9bPW6fW9wnjz9c9JlHQzlHfm21NcrIV/s1600/Geek+Club.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwfc65tE7Hu7CfupmDCi1SUhAHBvxfqpxRj4q_gCBCAZs8PgaWo18j4sGKhOpZSFqjtyEfpc1-RmEYBfoG4i5Styn01CGcvag2wHyuvNID0nUT9bPW6fW9wnjz9c9JlHQzlHfm21NcrIV/s200/Geek+Club.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking to and from<br />the interviews in the<br />village</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Today’s geek club started with the TSU volunteers meeting the geek clubbers in their own community. Each group had already planned and decided which part of the village they wished to visit and why. This was a fantastic research opportunity for the students to document their area of interest. Nezizwa’s group visited the playing fields to document its progress, her research question was surrounding the future of the local sports field. Whilst Tito’s group investigated the local bus stop. </span>Due to the drugs and crime moving into his area, Tito was unhappy where he was and was looking for an alternative.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Meanwhile, Sandile engaged a local church leader and asked him questions about the amount of churches in Chintsa. His research focused on why Chintsa has 10 churches, and yet there is only one god?</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMpGDbuAMQIX_CUA9FoGMz5f2oKtnJBUHQXPBaKhBJTIlVlf-q1d71naciGYduc3-WMCM5Dmn9TZ94DhlFrBKhcVekoCZwwK14lIHQB0lcA0P9XsvbOJkjjGds1xohlgDvZqBbmhT7kSM/s1600/2015-07-16+12.56.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMpGDbuAMQIX_CUA9FoGMz5f2oKtnJBUHQXPBaKhBJTIlVlf-q1d71naciGYduc3-WMCM5Dmn9TZ94DhlFrBKhcVekoCZwwK14lIHQB0lcA0P9XsvbOJkjjGds1xohlgDvZqBbmhT7kSM/s320/2015-07-16+12.56.07.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning to record their projects<br />on multi-media devices</td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After a successful morning, each group made its way back to camp armed with photographs, videos and interview notes. Geek Clubbers eagerly began documenting their project in their own ways. It was inspiring to watch Yamkela’s group filming their own news channel based on what they believed to be the biggest issues in Chintsa. I learnt many new things about area 17 that I did not know about before, and I was impressed with Yamkela’s articulation of its issues.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://youtu.be/n06fJNLPZh0" target="_blank">Yamkela's groups News Reports on youtube</a></span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="256" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n06fJNLPZh0" width="401"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Armed with our sandwiches we had another fun break! Which of course would not have been complete without a few games of SPLAT! There was no room for any other game. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Today it was the turn of the subject Xhosa traditions and customs. The brilliant Phumla Pakamile took us on the story of male circumcision. Long time friend of VA32, Richard Bullock’s was recently invited to document the circumcision rite shadowing some of the young men in the village - you can read more in his article <a href="http://magazine.africageographic.com/weekly/issue-48/xhosa-circumcision-ritual-south-africa-its-hard-to-be-a-man/" target="_blank">"It's Hard to Be A Man"</a><span id="goog_734875610"></span><span id="goog_734875611"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgya8mlfO4xf4RqN0iSOatlfkOYqaJ60Kszx48sca2BXvdf_4ShkbNuGw9Ixvm-abHQXLLUj0-lG3oWCe5-_bKnFVhXFlq9u-wPclnRT_mZn2sKwdVnebGNvo8Lt9CGmwsvxMkEE-m8lubb/s1600/2015-07-15+13.05.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgya8mlfO4xf4RqN0iSOatlfkOYqaJ60Kszx48sca2BXvdf_4ShkbNuGw9Ixvm-abHQXLLUj0-lG3oWCe5-_bKnFVhXFlq9u-wPclnRT_mZn2sKwdVnebGNvo8Lt9CGmwsvxMkEE-m8lubb/s200/2015-07-15+13.05.50.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUt7eX0ikRqHWANdRldpOUiW_nqyISBTKGTNBue8uINgVdSKlys7mZIwreYJjc9klrVd77XVdbLdjWRrt9BuuBwbze5VPexxE4itfUrigDgFSOd1sMu5wDO8JPT6al_k2S1piS1FWpU47/s1600/2015-07-15+13.05.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUt7eX0ikRqHWANdRldpOUiW_nqyISBTKGTNBue8uINgVdSKlys7mZIwreYJjc9klrVd77XVdbLdjWRrt9BuuBwbze5VPexxE4itfUrigDgFSOd1sMu5wDO8JPT6al_k2S1piS1FWpU47/s200/2015-07-15+13.05.58.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Thursday</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Together<br /></i></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkviHA0EYv5gOwZri-Px786Ef9w47hyphenhyphenA0djyaDuYjNJDSK0wykotbobDmrFjsVBOyePbSDZq-B9I8GbEcdcI02fo-OINTSsauYW9p0SaNCHjBQteBZ80iywg34vfami72IpgLPutTvitw2/s1600/Geek+Club+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkviHA0EYv5gOwZri-Px786Ef9w47hyphenhyphenA0djyaDuYjNJDSK0wykotbobDmrFjsVBOyePbSDZq-B9I8GbEcdcI02fo-OINTSsauYW9p0SaNCHjBQteBZ80iywg34vfami72IpgLPutTvitw2/s320/Geek+Club+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Laughter, music and jokes. Watching each group beaver away at its own project, made me realise the strong relationships which TSU volunteers and geek clubbers had established over such a short period of time… and we only had one day left! Okuhle and Lindsay spent time today editing their imovie about Chintsa East Health Outpost. Initially quiet and shy, Okuhle’s confidence blossomed with his passion for acting! Lindsay and Okuhle filmed scenes which involved a young boy being ill and treated by a nurse at the outpost. I was asked to feature in the film as nurse, which proved to be a lot of fun! Okuhle is a very convincing ill person.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">After a long morning, we managed to squeeze two guest speakers into one slot. Sandy came and talked to us about SANCO (South African National Civic Organisation) in Chintsa. It was insightful to hear how SANCO was established, and hear how there are a lot of logistics behind decision making. Next to step up was Phuma who spoke to us about the history of education in Chintsa. From its humble beginnings of one large classroom, one teacher and 7 grades, to an established school with several classrooms and teachers. (Though of course, this in itself is not without challenges, with students dealing with teacher absenteeism, lack of resources and several grades sharing one classroom on a daily basis).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Friday</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Looking forward</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">This morning saw the end to five fantastic days of research, technology and a lot of hard work. The TSU volunteer house was transformed into a viewing area with plenty of chairs and sofas ready to accommodate our big bustling group of Geek Club 2015. There was an air of both excitement and trepidation as we settled down to watch everybody’s projects. Despite having an initial shyness about their work being shown, there was a quiet pride which each young person had. And so they should! This was supported with warm praise by the rest of the geek club. What was exciting to see was the emergence of Chintsa ambassadors, real positive role models for the young community of Chintsa, not afraid to discuss issues which they felt passionate about. Whether it was the unfinished sports field, the issues of area 17 or want of a better education at Chintsa East School. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://chintsaeasttsu.weebly.com/history-project.html#/" target="_blank">You can see some of the work complete by the Geek Clubbers on a website about the project set up by Lori.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">The morning was a special moment for the project, though bittersweet as it meant the end of a journey for our TSU volunteers and Geek Clubbers. But in many ways it was also the start of friendships, with calls of “see ya at sports”, “catch you at surf school!” as they made their way home after the presentations.</span><br />
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</span> <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” <b>Nelson Mandela</b></i></span></blockquote>
A big thank you to Lori and the amazing TSU teaching volunteers for recording and sharing the projects completed by the club, as well as their images and experiences on the website above.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIw07Rsy3zqLWbblGa6PZna8dDqD82Tloj71JN1W_pXRVBkKYPri1x05DVdEH-14MUZZShwy6gzRkQa9QPSMsVL7ERO4CU-TC6scfZNDZBOaDrd2mFvwKp_WE1b9eo2xlvqVBKX0CYFRes/s1600/2015-07-15+13.05.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIw07Rsy3zqLWbblGa6PZna8dDqD82Tloj71JN1W_pXRVBkKYPri1x05DVdEH-14MUZZShwy6gzRkQa9QPSMsVL7ERO4CU-TC6scfZNDZBOaDrd2mFvwKp_WE1b9eo2xlvqVBKX0CYFRes/s400/2015-07-15+13.05.51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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VA32 is excited to see what the collaboration with Texas State University brings in 2017.<br />
<br />
Charlotte<br />
<b>Volunteer Co-ordinator, VA32 </b><br />
<br />
<i>Find out more about volunteering on the <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/volunteer-with-children-computer-literacy.html" target="_blank">Wild Coast Schools Project</a>, teaching computer literacy, technology and multi-media skills to young learners in rural South Africa. </i>Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-85650628804821307102015-11-05T09:00:00.000+02:002015-11-05T09:00:05.480+02:00Teaching English & Computer Skills in South Africa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB2FmmLLBh9HQrz1EHgKcSgYOQ6quh30gJ9ia6IlcfCg-3GLgA-1v9knt6SBHJwuG7isPPCfJaCscXHqM_kB7WYh1VOOCxYyHIhPLfuln8VRekjAGkLj_Gu48JXDIOywyW4j9abu3lp4i/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB2FmmLLBh9HQrz1EHgKcSgYOQ6quh30gJ9ia6IlcfCg-3GLgA-1v9knt6SBHJwuG7isPPCfJaCscXHqM_kB7WYh1VOOCxYyHIhPLfuln8VRekjAGkLj_Gu48JXDIOywyW4j9abu3lp4i/s320/IMG_0552.JPG" width="320" /></a> The final blog in our series of experiences shared by Texas State University teaching students who volunteered in the <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/volunteer-with-children-computer-literacy.html" target="_blank">Wild Coast Schools</a> for three weeks during July this year. This blog was written by Bri who volunteered at Bulugha School teaching computer literacy and English. Bulugha School has been receiving weekly computer lessons from VA32 volunteers since 2005. It is interesting to read about the difference in experiences from Bri and Emily (whose blog entitled <a href="http://volunteerafricablog.blogspot.co.za/2015/08/the-challenges-of-volunteering-in-south-africa-teaching.html" target="_blank">"The Challenges of Volunteering in Rural South African Schools" can be read here</a>), who completed the same projects but in different schools. The level of English speaking, creative thought and competency on the computer equipment is higher at Bulugha School where volunteer presence has been sustained and consistent, and makes teaching in Chefani School a bigger challenge where support is intermittent and the learners have not had as much exposure to technology or experience in the English language.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfdi1L016iIMtsz2Lxk4E7IKfeHobt2ZVU11gnfJMKRo4R1bHn0x8W5_7EelNvjjYUU294EouKDEh2_LmhYatbLLPl-jerEwfnYjeranP12K_jV0cdOTqZrjVJ51-_3pvKsrQ_GA4FhBu/s1600/IMG_0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfdi1L016iIMtsz2Lxk4E7IKfeHobt2ZVU11gnfJMKRo4R1bHn0x8W5_7EelNvjjYUU294EouKDEh2_LmhYatbLLPl-jerEwfnYjeranP12K_jV0cdOTqZrjVJ51-_3pvKsrQ_GA4FhBu/s320/IMG_0571.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"For the past 8 days we have been working at Bulugha Primary School. We worked with 4 different grades, 4, 5, 6 and 7. We saw each group every other day. With grades 4 and 5 we taught a project called “The Best Part of Me.” This project consisted of the children picking their favorite body part and writing a short poem. When the poem was completed, the students took pictures using the iPads. They also recorded themselves reading their poems aloud for the iMovie. After all the work was compiled the students used iMovie on the iPads to create their own movie. They added music, special effects, and even titles onto the slides. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqqC5zM9rPf_OjiifLtT1iKC7btqyKm-6Vjfm5eUeI9vVV0AskIfF_zUPuOZbcSamJ9pUqcQg3w_hIaWuTyp5s6QlgYGYr1uI1jLppCR6oAp20vlABe-hzDpNC2DFgaZqYsKgGOUNIURS/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqqC5zM9rPf_OjiifLtT1iKC7btqyKm-6Vjfm5eUeI9vVV0AskIfF_zUPuOZbcSamJ9pUqcQg3w_hIaWuTyp5s6QlgYGYr1uI1jLppCR6oAp20vlABe-hzDpNC2DFgaZqYsKgGOUNIURS/s320/IMG_0557.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It was so impressive how quickly the learners caught on. After one student made their movie, he or she helped guide the others through the process without our help. It was outstanding seeing how they supported each other.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">With grades 6 and 7, the students created a “This I Believe” poem. For this project the students picked one idea they strongly believed in and wrote a paragraph on it. They wrote why they believed in their topic and a story about the meaning of their belief. It was absolutely lovely seeing how passionate the students were. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LP37CybL514fDmBu-3SU8AGqmqVIdn-MK3BagLxKysDM_bxciBME-N5Wa3J7Ls4xQeqdI1JJyngIoWxJhMvQUTbnETJEEieX4TuY14zle_-CGxMfP8vqaTUy-gY-APtqnBbWHSfMkcE1/s1600/IMG_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LP37CybL514fDmBu-3SU8AGqmqVIdn-MK3BagLxKysDM_bxciBME-N5Wa3J7Ls4xQeqdI1JJyngIoWxJhMvQUTbnETJEEieX4TuY14zle_-CGxMfP8vqaTUy-gY-APtqnBbWHSfMkcE1/s320/IMG_0546.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Their ideas were not just about every day things. The children were passionate about the ANC, unity and non-discrimination. The students’ ideas were brilliant. Students then took photographs around the school for their iMovies. They also recorded themselves reading their papers to put in their movies. It was impressive that these students quickly picked up on the technology. I couldn’t be more proud to say I worked with these students. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The first part of wanting to become a teacher is wanting to give students opportunity. You want to help them in ways no one else could ever do. After working with these children I could see how much they appreciated the volunteers that come every year. The crazy thing is that I came into this school as a teacher but I left learning more than I could have taught. I learned about kindness and patience from the children. When we were trying to speak in Xhosa they were so determined to help and work with us. I learned about the compassion that runs through these children. They were so proud of who they were, where they came from and what they believed in. I am so fortunate to have had the privilege to be surrounded by them. I will take away all the things I have learned and memories I have made and cherish them in my heart forever."</span></blockquote>
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<br />
By Bri<br />
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<b>Volunteer Teacher on the <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/volunteer-with-children-computer-literacy.html" target="_blank">Wild Coast Schools Project</a>, Chintsa South Africa</b><br />
Teaching Student at Texas State UniversityVolunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-5562240474730703472015-10-29T17:30:00.000+02:002015-11-02T13:34:59.194+02:00Volunteering with Preschool Children in South Africa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUf6pksR0LbyZ8T1yhTOAqFF8BemV9r8r5fHbWJ02N9SwGHIvD9LdIT_8ziz8EISREFXXQSbpV8DMQV01COXXNWIdYTuGuK3lnLkda68W519mquklf7T7DmUW_0dv23PRrvCBxIH4ZVIo_/s1600/TSU2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUf6pksR0LbyZ8T1yhTOAqFF8BemV9r8r5fHbWJ02N9SwGHIvD9LdIT_8ziz8EISREFXXQSbpV8DMQV01COXXNWIdYTuGuK3lnLkda68W519mquklf7T7DmUW_0dv23PRrvCBxIH4ZVIo_/s1600/TSU2.jpg" /></a>Meagan - a teaching student from Texas State University who joined VA32 for 3 weeks during July this year, shares her experiences working in a rural Wild Coast preschool. Foundation phase education in the Eastern Cape of South Africa is one of the most challenging areas to work in. Generally the preschools and day care centres are under-staffed and under-resourced with few facilities and a lot of children!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"Our first day at the school I, myself and the rest of my peers at that school, met the principal and all the teachers in the computer lab. After we all met, the teachers left the computer lab and shortly after, I went to the crèche where I would be teaching to meet the kids. To my surprise though, it was just the kids, Pumi (the teacher) was nowhere to be found. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Not sure what to do with a room full of four to six-year-olds whom didn’t speak any English, I told them all hello (luckily one of the only words I knew in Xhosa) and that my name was Meagan. Then, so that I was not sitting there awkwardly, with us all staring at each other while waiting for Pumi to get there, I pulled out some children’s books from my backpack. I read a couple of books to the class before Pumi arrived. I knew that no one understood what I was saying, and the room would get a little loud at times with some of the kids still talking but I just kept reading and showing the pictures. </span><br />
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There was one little girl, Uminathi, who kept yelling “thulani!” toward one little boy who was being pretty loud and disruptive. At the end of the first book I looked up at this little boy and said, “So I guess your name is Thulani?” No one really responded, unsure what I just asked in English. Later, I learned that “thulani” means “be quiet” and that the little boys name was actually Khanya. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Pumi was a great teacher once she got there and she was very accommodating - helping us understand what was going on, the tasks and plan for the day. Most days started out with Bible study in the morning, next mental math, and then usually some sort of lesson in Xhosa. The theme of the week was "jobs in transportation", so the lessons were parallel to that theme. At some point during the day the children would take out activity books that they each had and these activities usually followed the theme also. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My favorite parts of the day were when everyone sang and danced together. There was a song for the days of the week, the months of the year, “If you’re happy and you know it,” and several others in Xhosa. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The last day we were there we helped Pumi with a cooking lesson. The whole class peeled and shredded carrots, cut onions and cabbage and then cooked meat and macaroni. They put it all together and ate it for lunch. Pumi had us try it and it was quite delicious! </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I will admit that, I felt a little useless in the beginning of my time there before we found our place in the classroom. We learned pretty early on though that we would be just fine, because luckily, love and play are both universal languages."</span></blockquote>
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Meagan<br />
<b>Volunteer on the Community Preschool project, Chintsa</b><br />
Teaching Student at Texas State University<br />
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VA32 partner with several preschools in the rural communities in and around Chintsa. Find out more about the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_691055944"></span>Community Preschool Project<span id="goog_691055945"></span></a>.Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-12110978726323430422015-10-15T11:36:00.000+02:002015-10-15T11:36:41.718+02:00Volunteering in the African Angels School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKmjeOz-28sWO2VGLB75iCuYbACZoKURhWBpwjJnPnc00czHN3gM9Pu7d1z15A2er5SAPO_OjCCrqFyFCm1Ns2JAA_fAF3ZdrwZD0J6qpzhwkc3EMstOp0L6FHfGVhMGruRjhyaS-mA2o/s1600/11998117_948072301931760_391313060_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKmjeOz-28sWO2VGLB75iCuYbACZoKURhWBpwjJnPnc00czHN3gM9Pu7d1z15A2er5SAPO_OjCCrqFyFCm1Ns2JAA_fAF3ZdrwZD0J6qpzhwkc3EMstOp0L6FHfGVhMGruRjhyaS-mA2o/s1600/11998117_948072301931760_391313060_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKmjeOz-28sWO2VGLB75iCuYbACZoKURhWBpwjJnPnc00czHN3gM9Pu7d1z15A2er5SAPO_OjCCrqFyFCm1Ns2JAA_fAF3ZdrwZD0J6qpzhwkc3EMstOp0L6FHfGVhMGruRjhyaS-mA2o/s1600/11998117_948072301931760_391313060_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKmjeOz-28sWO2VGLB75iCuYbACZoKURhWBpwjJnPnc00czHN3gM9Pu7d1z15A2er5SAPO_OjCCrqFyFCm1Ns2JAA_fAF3ZdrwZD0J6qpzhwkc3EMstOp0L6FHfGVhMGruRjhyaS-mA2o/s320/11998117_948072301931760_391313060_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As a follow on to our previous blog <a href="http://volunteerafricablog.blogspot.co.za/2015/08/volunteer-teaching-english-in-south-african-schools.html" target="_blank">"The Best Part of Me"</a>, volunteer Brittney shares her thoughts and experiences teaching at the <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/volunteer-african-angels-children.html" target="_blank">African Angels Independent School</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"My first day at African Angels I was a little reluctant to do anything with the classroom full of 1st graders… With a teacher in the room I wanted to help, but I didn’t want to step on any toes or disrespect her. However after I asked one question she opened up completely and told me to let her know if I had ANY plans for her class. I immediately lit up and started to think of a plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There were many things I wanted to do but with such a short time period to work with I decided on one big class project. We were going to pick our favourite body parts and write about them, then at the end I would put them all together in movie form. On my second day working with my new class of first graders I brought in a book titled “The Best Part of Me,” and shared it with my class. We discussed our favourite body parts as individuals and I proceeded to explain the project to them. It took a few days and lots of writing but we eventually we got it finished and on my last day we set aside time in our day to watch the movie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I've never worked in a classroom the way I was able to in my time at African Angels. I'm thankful for Mrs. Karina Smith welcoming me into her classroom and allowing me to take charge of her class planning and instruction while I was visiting. Working with these skills has reassured me of what I want to do with my life and has put a desire in my heart to do more with this school. Not only are the kids amazing but the teachers that work with these kids are heart-warming, and Lou, the founder, is one of the greatest people I've ever met.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It’s hard to put into words how much this experience has meant to me. However, I have every intention of coming back to work more with African Angels."</span><br />
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By Brittany<br />
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<b>Volunteer on the <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/volunteer-with-children-computer-literacy.html" target="_blank">Wild Coast Schools Project</a>, South Africa</b><br />
Teaching Student at Texas State UniversityVolunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-20356854988491044562015-10-05T15:55:00.000+02:002015-10-05T15:55:52.088+02:00Top 3 Outstanding Volunteer Program - Global Youth Travel Awards 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Volunteer Africa 32 degrees South (VA32) are proud to announce being awarded third place in the Outstanding Volunteer Program category at the <a href="http://awards.wystc.org/2015/09/26/and-the-winners-of-the-global-youth-travel-awards-2015-are/" target="_blank">2015 Global Youth Travel Awards</a>, announced in Cape Town last week. We entered the category in collaboration with project partner <a href="http://www.isvolunteers.org/" target="_blank">International Student Volunteers (ISV)</a> whom we have built a solid working relationship with since 2009, when their volunteer groups were first hosted in Chintsa.<br />
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<i>“The past two weeks have opened up my eyes to new people and new cultures. I gained friends and knowledge about South Africa and the beautiful communities. This experience with ISV and VA32 is on that cannot be topped”</i> – Emily Carmack<br />
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<h4>
The Ubuntu Building Project - Outstanding Volunteer Project 2015</h4>
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The <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/volunteer-building-classrooms-africa.html" target="_blank">Ubuntu Building Project</a> which, since 2005, has seen volunteer groups taking part in high impact two week building projects, has made a real difference in Chintsa and surrounding communities, fulfilling larger-scale building and infrastructure requirements at rural South African schools and community centres, which have been identified by local stake holders and VA32. Often these projects arise from a lack of funding to provide essential facilities.<br />
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<i>“Another life changing experience for me. ISV is an amazing organization. I was engrossed in the culture and the community. Will miss so many great people and kids. The leaders at VA32 are all amazing people to work with. Wish it was longer than 2 weeks.”</i> – Lauren Engibous<br />
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<h3>
Volunteering on the Ubuntu Building Project</h3>
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VA32 run the volunteer project from arrival at East London airport where each group is met by their local project leader and transferred to Chintsa and the volunteer house. Our "vollie house" is just minutes from the beach and is managed by local mother Nomakwezi who, as well as keeping hungry volunteer bellies full, keeps an eye on the general running of the household.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view form the "vollie" house</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach games and a bit of down time on local Chintsa beach</td></tr>
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Once settled in Chintsa volunteers are taken through a comprehensive orientation - designed to make the transition into SA life as smooth and quick as possible. This includes team building through beach games - both volunteers and staff getting to know each other and the area. VA32 staff run volunteers through the routine of the house and day, language and cultural guidelines, general health and safety as well as a walk through the Chintsa village to see past projects completed, get a feel for the area and begin to meet the community. The first evening over dinner, ISV and VA32 leaders work together to begin going into detail about the groups current project in more depth.<br />
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After in-depth health and safety talks and demonstrations on site, it's time to get stuck in! Past projects completed by volunteer groups include:<br />
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- Building and maintenance of jungle gyms and safe children's play areas at nine local schools, preschools and communities<br />
- Building of two crèches<br />
- Conversion of three shipping containers into a classroom, medical centre and soup kitchen<br />
- Building, renovation and upliftment of around fourteen classrooms<br />
- Upliftment of kitchen and lunch area to support Friends of Chintsa school feeding scheme<br />
- Building of community sports ground including soccer field, volleyball and netball courts and a club house<br />
- Creation of three community and school gardens designed around food security<br />
- Building of ablution blocks in two schools<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community Sports Centre built over two seasons<br />on the Ubuntu Building project</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_gboOywXnLmo2D7NJc282i3IyyzlOb2NSEBaDC-OMhXrCjBUDkQcTJ0HphHwuuCBfZQO-f8PhzBrrMptM-SASn3JRzR8u84akWgpdmUjn5U2gXiS3M7KHouJG9i8_gtac0xTTN4UZ-PX/s1600/DSC_2208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_gboOywXnLmo2D7NJc282i3IyyzlOb2NSEBaDC-OMhXrCjBUDkQcTJ0HphHwuuCBfZQO-f8PhzBrrMptM-SASn3JRzR8u84akWgpdmUjn5U2gXiS3M7KHouJG9i8_gtac0xTTN4UZ-PX/s320/DSC_2208.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginnings of a third new classroom at<br />Wild Coast School Silatsha</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTy0sBANyChlL4Z4zWIM5buqiJ7PBUpeigTmA7TIf890bWYvEdwHnXNSGkz0IWLkx_MMe0g4tW6a1I38v2hYVm9vw2ii1FB8yTPbS3doSIMFyzpYNO6fe23LzO9T9QfI2sYjngM4xSbyPN/s1600/IMG_6281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTy0sBANyChlL4Z4zWIM5buqiJ7PBUpeigTmA7TIf890bWYvEdwHnXNSGkz0IWLkx_MMe0g4tW6a1I38v2hYVm9vw2ii1FB8yTPbS3doSIMFyzpYNO6fe23LzO9T9QfI2sYjngM4xSbyPN/s320/IMG_6281.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The development and upliftment of school<br />kitchen and eating area at Chintsa East school</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7UR3rRlyuosf_dzxYzH0tuIf_OuE_m7dAytPiN2HVeDT6NZS_9KNmdxxSoCdl0hacauZXHjz7K1dz3Ys5bQIMor6fqsOq86cct3z5HJVidKMKkRjnpF2ujxAclphcfMzEeEbrqAYGCI7/s1600/IMG_6244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7UR3rRlyuosf_dzxYzH0tuIf_OuE_m7dAytPiN2HVeDT6NZS_9KNmdxxSoCdl0hacauZXHjz7K1dz3Ys5bQIMor6fqsOq86cct3z5HJVidKMKkRjnpF2ujxAclphcfMzEeEbrqAYGCI7/s320/IMG_6244.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fencing of a Wild Coast School play area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHq14bafj9dWxcWk-l33RNFEhZl0b7G-vU0QFtmcaveogd_p3P5kAtYgwfBYYwUfrxCPGT-kniLocZpk-c7fUwEyXQxWgwFCp1DwA4fYqyiFkKEOiSdRIRF0tm0t6DqgGVUvsStSNnp7x/s1600/20150526_114452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHq14bafj9dWxcWk-l33RNFEhZl0b7G-vU0QFtmcaveogd_p3P5kAtYgwfBYYwUfrxCPGT-kniLocZpk-c7fUwEyXQxWgwFCp1DwA4fYqyiFkKEOiSdRIRF0tm0t6DqgGVUvsStSNnp7x/s320/20150526_114452.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building and maintenance of a jungle gym at Somila<br />Daycare Centre</td></tr>
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Volunteers are expected to work hard physically - tasks can include digging, mixing cement, moving materials such as cement, sand, stone, water, bricks and wood, laying bricks, planting poles, plastering, painting, drilling, hammering, sanding and much much more!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHuJPJhuLwhY07vHq5arxomCtlJEVFlusKkQzAcGkvLrERRd3hpcQmUgS2w6bcNtmePborZ-80svYXtqFGIwIs07qST1DNByFTXWy4bfVFLevWMf8TtV5IWcWI2IEW8UH4lov0MgtsZOf/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHuJPJhuLwhY07vHq5arxomCtlJEVFlusKkQzAcGkvLrERRd3hpcQmUgS2w6bcNtmePborZ-80svYXtqFGIwIs07qST1DNByFTXWy4bfVFLevWMf8TtV5IWcWI2IEW8UH4lov0MgtsZOf/s200/IMG_0451.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nthuthukweni Pre-school<br />completed by volunteers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfyqRT7E4_25tKjMv3OLy1KfkXy9EA5j4gy2gdCIEh8IdAPlKIjfnprrb7i3rSkW_XSvZq9ia1d_apBwtzwqvlMLeUc6c_eEPaLIGAdYCBuWzoo32YJ7DbWjLKfXp7CK3ZcfGmxcgqV0i/s1600/DSC_1991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfyqRT7E4_25tKjMv3OLy1KfkXy9EA5j4gy2gdCIEh8IdAPlKIjfnprrb7i3rSkW_XSvZq9ia1d_apBwtzwqvlMLeUc6c_eEPaLIGAdYCBuWzoo32YJ7DbWjLKfXp7CK3ZcfGmxcgqV0i/s200/DSC_1991.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chintsa East Pre-school maintained<br />by volunteers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfdMd9TUAQulITbmh3mjMz5ulwM-TwlJrngePL3EWfg_8I8anFs4P_Fh40kwqJeNZZQax_hSWI98nZWfpPIGPbRu6FWcD6mxTf4c4JS4n8TJY0R_9C9b6o6uezv7nlW6u6zyNShmFwfTk/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfdMd9TUAQulITbmh3mjMz5ulwM-TwlJrngePL3EWfg_8I8anFs4P_Fh40kwqJeNZZQax_hSWI98nZWfpPIGPbRu6FWcD6mxTf4c4JS4n8TJY0R_9C9b6o6uezv7nlW6u6zyNShmFwfTk/s320/IMG_0500.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Angels children playing<br />on the jungle gym built by<br />volunteers</td></tr>
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<h4>
Other Highlights of the Project</h4>
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Due to the physical nature of the work volunteers are doing, we allow for two afternoons off. During this time volunteers see some of the highlights of our area including the Morgan's Bay cliffs, a visit to Mama Tofu (South Africa's oldest registered tour guide) and a beach hike. Volunteers are also encouraged when time allows to take part in some of VA32's other initiatives which run alongside the Ubuntu Building Project - for example the Community Kids Sports Initiative which volunteers facilitate two afternoons a week in Chintsa village. This opportunity allows extra time to spend with local children in the community and is often a great highlight for our participants. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0GkqJ0AOWn5A1AxdaiIG7Qh5COlPav1FkFcBqVBi0b8RjVUt1xT97sgSd5MG4mru_DBgPBPEpmK7hLQnlE4o_3WQNydXjP8zJhS6xer3RDJ5yec3qSYppMwypQEXg9wdoVdtpv2Y9v8A/s1600/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0GkqJ0AOWn5A1AxdaiIG7Qh5COlPav1FkFcBqVBi0b8RjVUt1xT97sgSd5MG4mru_DBgPBPEpmK7hLQnlE4o_3WQNydXjP8zJhS6xer3RDJ5yec3qSYppMwypQEXg9wdoVdtpv2Y9v8A/s320/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%25287%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chintsa East community soup kitchen completed in<br />2015 by several groups of volunteers</td></tr>
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<i>“It immersed me in a culture so different from mine, and opened my eyes to the ample opportunities I have to make a difference. My time here in South Africa has been an amazing journey – one that ill be telling to my children and their children. VA32 welcomed me as their own and ignited my passion for travelling and service to a world that has given me so much.”</i> – Thu Anh Nguyen (Cathy)<br />
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<h4>
Project Expectations</h4>
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Ubuntu Building Projects are designed around a two week duration. Volunteer groups need to understand that they may not see the start or end of the project in person, but every single task completed is vital to the entirety of the project.<br />
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At VA32 we understand the importance of communicating the context, history, current state and future aims of each particular building project. Our group leaders are experienced and knowledgeable and volunteers will be added to a mailing list post-project to keep up to date with project development and progress. In recent feedback from ISV volunteers the VA32 leaders were rated 4.7 out of 5 for explanation of project goals and 4.9 for professionalism.<br />
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<h3>
2015 Global Youth Travel Awards</h3>
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To be considered the third top outstanding volunteer program in the Global Youth Travel Awards 2015 is an honour. VA32 is proud to work in partnership with ISV in providing outstanding volunteer experiences which are authentic, community driven and develop rural communities as well as enriching the lives of volunteers and community alike. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcq-UTlnQ_vvlZ428Lm6l05PedpbzYo2qm1YYG31owzoO00hItJ7JbysvRbC5Hq0bwyqylqpSbQZnTNknvAiEgxtu8eu2PBCFN1eQ5br6tYx817heBjOTLTAzj7jfN0J3mBPahyphenhypheny9FlKEp/s1600/africa04.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcq-UTlnQ_vvlZ428Lm6l05PedpbzYo2qm1YYG31owzoO00hItJ7JbysvRbC5Hq0bwyqylqpSbQZnTNknvAiEgxtu8eu2PBCFN1eQ5br6tYx817heBjOTLTAzj7jfN0J3mBPahyphenhypheny9FlKEp/s200/africa04.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Volunteering is a two way teaching and learning exchange – the more you put in, the more you
get in return. Africa is not a charity, you cannot change the world in a few weeks, but a few
weeks will change your world</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To find out more about the Ubuntu Building Project or inquire about bookings, please email info@volunteerafrica.co.za or visit our website <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/">www.volunteerafrica.co.za</a></span>Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-64472611841472574892015-09-03T10:54:00.000+02:002015-09-21T14:07:24.155+02:00Volunteers Help to Build Chintsa East Soup Kitchen<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCYI5G-dNXDzYQtIihhuPQGK_n5hdGWCfLJQiLdQmW5PzBzJTanDhdEhTFSfeup6ibjize0MFRiAnYIfwTHd4zwqipMtWQ8fKVqn3Aju-58Eja0r5jsBwp8x8FrrBbEZE_dJ4u_sdx-3a/s1600/532908_576285499171959_6131064670150116362_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCYI5G-dNXDzYQtIihhuPQGK_n5hdGWCfLJQiLdQmW5PzBzJTanDhdEhTFSfeup6ibjize0MFRiAnYIfwTHd4zwqipMtWQ8fKVqn3Aju-58Eja0r5jsBwp8x8FrrBbEZE_dJ4u_sdx-3a/s320/532908_576285499171959_6131064670150116362_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children lining up for a hot meal at the soup kitchen</td></tr>
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Local hero in Chintsa, Temie, is an inspiration to many in our small town. Temie recognised that during weekends and school holidays, many children in Chintsa East village went without food - during the week this need is covered by school feeding schemes such as the Bulugha School scheme which is run and managed by the school, and the <a href="http://www.friendsofchintsa.org/index.php/edu-projects/chintsa-school-feeding-scheme" target="_blank">Chintsa East Feeding Scheme which is managed by Friends of Chintsa</a>. Temie took it upon herself, with the help of a few friends, to try to alleviate this problem and provide disadvantaged children in the village with at least one hot meal per day during days when they are not at school.<br />
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Temie's Soup Kitchen was born!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTt7Tn-9IGpSmb9Y3Dpnh-IqxCCxcJggEuHi5lL71aDzsyBNR7e5X0QUWnlsUxZRqxWL1A7iSal0tpb38zIVIvIZ1dHJ_wRRaulkyKEZQLpbmMlwobVugdfEve91NJpREXkR_nrUCEtn5/s1600/soup+kitchen+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTt7Tn-9IGpSmb9Y3Dpnh-IqxCCxcJggEuHi5lL71aDzsyBNR7e5X0QUWnlsUxZRqxWL1A7iSal0tpb38zIVIvIZ1dHJ_wRRaulkyKEZQLpbmMlwobVugdfEve91NJpREXkR_nrUCEtn5/s320/soup+kitchen+logo.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/CHINTSA-EAST-SOUP-KITCHEN-officially-known-as-Chintsa-East-Drop-In-Centre/672953799482225?fref=ts" target="_blank">The Soup Kitchen (now a registered NPO and officially known as Chintsa East Drop in Centre)</a> has had a long journey; it began with the ladies cooking with whatever old pots and pans they could find, serving in as many bowls as could be rounded up and cooking on an open fire. The project initially received support from a few local volunteers and donors to provide food, time, cooking skills, fuel and equipment.<br />
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The commitment shown by Temie and her team is a real inspiration and has seen the project grow enormously. It was recognised that the initiative was in desperate need of better cooking equipment and facilities to support the cooks in their task and provide the children with a safe and comfortable place to sit while they eat.<br />
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This Winter three volunteer teams joined the Soup Kitchen Project and worked in partnership with a wealth of local supporters and volunteers, in the construction of a kitchen facility and seating area for the children. Local supporters sourced an old shipping container to form the basis of the kitchen which was placed on 17th June. From the 24th June - mid August the project was joined by a team of German student volunteers led by Helmut, followed by a team of <a href="http://www.isvolunteers.org/destination/south-africa/volunteer-projects" target="_blank">International Student Volunteers (ISV)</a> led by local group leader Milton, and Family Burnett from the UK who worked with group leader Tobs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The container upon arrival and placing</td></tr>
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Volunteers completed a host of tasks which supported the area in becoming functional as a kitchen and feeding centre as well as safe and clean for the children. This included:<br />
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- Repainting the container<br />
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- Digging foundations for the front patio and picnic spot<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl power! Local volunteer Sandi helping to<br />
dig foundations</td></tr>
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- Mixing cement and laying the foundations for the patio</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgVbfg8F2xC7Iu3PxbOa3MW2thn0NnjmJJSrp7w-0iyLFQ5HtRFpId24U0y7N7NEGzBJPpAi8rz4PeI8da6q1rF8yw05x4YVlTshLMIVrAND6K9oYj325voIFh_5q7IERKFMO_daK1qyV/s1600/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%252851%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgVbfg8F2xC7Iu3PxbOa3MW2thn0NnjmJJSrp7w-0iyLFQ5HtRFpId24U0y7N7NEGzBJPpAi8rz4PeI8da6q1rF8yw05x4YVlTshLMIVrAND6K9oYj325voIFh_5q7IERKFMO_daK1qyV/s320/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%252851%2529.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Old man" Helmut (as he is<br />
affectionately known)<br />
getting his hands dirty</td></tr>
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- Building the patio up to the right level and filling it<br />
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- Laying a concrete slab for the patio<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzi1dXuRVFSU_DKZbKo1pCHPZVMe5zxPb9B1oDT_8LbbTEBfn0-avaAsH5R_fscdEQa_DnWoKo3Gjw_ewfVkx_f_6VujG4FhGt7Lzu_LBied4c5f_33SHybKMYNTmfpk5RU4oDifjDdlt/s1600/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%252847%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzi1dXuRVFSU_DKZbKo1pCHPZVMe5zxPb9B1oDT_8LbbTEBfn0-avaAsH5R_fscdEQa_DnWoKo3Gjw_ewfVkx_f_6VujG4FhGt7Lzu_LBied4c5f_33SHybKMYNTmfpk5RU4oDifjDdlt/s320/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%252847%2529.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young local volunteer Khanye<br />
learning to lay a concrete slab</td></tr>
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- Building a surrounding patio wall<br />
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- Plastering the wall<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to plaster - not as easy as it looks!</td></tr>
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Once this building work laid the basis of the building and picnic area, volunteers began putting up the roof trusses and preparing the area for roofing<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting up the roof trusses</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The centre is starting to come together!</td></tr>
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<br />
- The roof sheeting also had to be prepared, cleaned and painted in preparation for installing<br />
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<br />
- And eventually the roof was installed!<br />
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Other work included fencing the area to create a safe surrounding environment for the children<br />
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<br />
- Digging and filling drainage channels to protect the building and area from running water when it rains<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWi3O97QEklkQl9QWZk6f9l4vb32n1EMnKETqzjqjSRQ8MyP15dJuw8_qiAgXJkFdwEHH_rH_fw-P9i4_LueKITW6QPgD5TixX9ttnU3e_baFopCaeijr_osBr6xE97WU8lqFM9Q4_Srz/s1600/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%252856%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWi3O97QEklkQl9QWZk6f9l4vb32n1EMnKETqzjqjSRQ8MyP15dJuw8_qiAgXJkFdwEHH_rH_fw-P9i4_LueKITW6QPgD5TixX9ttnU3e_baFopCaeijr_osBr6xE97WU8lqFM9Q4_Srz/s320/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%252856%2529.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local volunteer Rose<br />
"in the trenches"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
- Building a wheelchair access ramp to the patio area<br />
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This huge amount of work created a fantastic and functional space for the drop-in centre to use. To finish off this great project volunteers spent time beautifying the space to make it a fun and colourful area to spend time in. This included:<br />
<br />
- Painting the Soup Kitchen logo and fun murals on the sides of the container<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGk0BkyPdzpmiYjudq33wZS-TjLzSDExyrvY5pH8QfkFaJaEnKePM3o_sxl0VnXuFnle2QvX6QXexMCdbb-x_xNPkiIHk3CqtJ-QUAMlIlGQGqG3O6vd5aS332rMxvYSpMT9MXF7j2bhHS/s1600/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%252846%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGk0BkyPdzpmiYjudq33wZS-TjLzSDExyrvY5pH8QfkFaJaEnKePM3o_sxl0VnXuFnle2QvX6QXexMCdbb-x_xNPkiIHk3CqtJ-QUAMlIlGQGqG3O6vd5aS332rMxvYSpMT9MXF7j2bhHS/s320/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%252846%2529.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">International volunteer Hannah<br />
painting the logo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFQ1vhqqAgh-QAgnGdqkP8BlMbi2GdBYRuqfebFEduFiJBoSf8SrFGnODJ6vmNhro1elx2TRkH6mAgI5MshctHA_z7hJ0n1-BZKXcC5Nnl39C1ShkG1OK31NyrXae0HNivsr4fZ6xzxrj/s1600/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFQ1vhqqAgh-QAgnGdqkP8BlMbi2GdBYRuqfebFEduFiJBoSf8SrFGnODJ6vmNhro1elx2TRkH6mAgI5MshctHA_z7hJ0n1-BZKXcC5Nnl39C1ShkG1OK31NyrXae0HNivsr4fZ6xzxrj/s400/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%25287%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ISV volunteer team outside the container - looking good guys!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
- Painting the surrounding walls at the patio area<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG27uDS-8NqpzgrcddwB1kYunxk3eOl5jh3psRE-lJ5TLRwWID3zLqtR5IMpE761m7XNhD_FQGFmQskajxT3C40URc8cO0VJJ3XRvxjpaWVt7nAZHPdVFQpBjEJTEf5vlfRtpaybKK3Bkz/s1600/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%252874%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG27uDS-8NqpzgrcddwB1kYunxk3eOl5jh3psRE-lJ5TLRwWID3zLqtR5IMpE761m7XNhD_FQGFmQskajxT3C40URc8cO0VJJ3XRvxjpaWVt7nAZHPdVFQpBjEJTEf5vlfRtpaybKK3Bkz/s320/volunteers-help-to-build-soup-kitchen-south-africa+%252874%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paintings even include a blackboard for the children<br />
to write on while they're waiting for their lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Family Burnett began building wooden benches for seating in the picnic area<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The carpentry team trying out their picnic benches at luncthime</td></tr>
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The project is a real success story with local and international volunteer involvement every weekend, local and East London schools and businesses support through food and equipment donations and the essential aim - to feed disadvantaged children on days when they do not have access to hot food - is being met.<br />
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A huge well done and thank you for your commitment, time, hard work and support to all of the volunteers involved in this project - seeing the project unfold and develop into an established drop in centre with appropriate cooking facilities is a huge step and we can't wait to see the continuation of the initiative in the Chintsa village,<br />
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If you would like to support the Chintsa Drop-in Centre you can get in touch with them via their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/CHINTSA-EAST-SOUP-KITCHEN-officially-known-as-Chintsa-East-Drop-In-Centre/672953799482225?fref=ts" target="_blank">facebook page</a>. The initiative is always in need of donations including good cooking equipment and food donations, funds towards the upkeep and running of the centre and volunteers to assist with cooking, cleaning and general upkeep.<br />
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Thanks for information and images for this blog from VA32's Milton and Thobs, Helmut and the Chintsa East Soup Kitchen team.Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-85911189429642074122015-08-28T16:21:00.002+02:002015-08-28T16:21:59.623+02:00"The Best of Me" by African Angels StudentsAs a part of the Texas State University student blog series, Brittany put together a movie of the project "The Best of Me" which she worked on at the African Angels Independent School. Grade 1 learners were tasked with picking their favourite body part, describing what it was and why it was so important to them. Here's a hand selected few of their projects in a stunning movie by Brittany:<br />
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By Brittany</div>
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<b>Volunteer on the <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/volunteer-with-children-computer-literacy.html" target="_blank">Wild Coast Schools Project</a>, South Africa</b></div>
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Teaching Student at Texas State University</div>
Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-6255775619507478272015-08-20T10:16:00.000+02:002015-08-27T12:51:42.265+02:00The Challenges of Volunteering in Rural South African SchoolsVA32 are lucky enough to partner with Texas State University who bring a group of teaching volunteers to Chintsa annually to support the <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/volunteer-with-children-computer-literacy.html" target="_blank">Wild Coast Schools Project</a>. The students volunteer in various rural schools including Bulugha School which is on the outskirts of Chintsa and gets consistent support from volunteers in their permanent computer lab, and Chefani School which receives intermittent support when volunteer numbers allow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learners at Chefani School</td></tr>
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Volunteer teacher Emily took the time to share her experiences and the challenges that she faced while teaching at Chefani School. This is the first in a series of blogs and movies shared by the Texas State volunteer teachers:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Working in Chefani (a rural school on the Wild Coast of South Africa) was such a meaningful experience! In the beginning, it was quite apparent that the learners here were not too familiar with working with volunteers. This made the first few days quite difficult. I felt that a majority of the children were apprehensive of us being there and teaching them something new, which made it difficult to establish a connection with them. This improved, however, over the next few days as they became more comfortable with us even just being in their surroundings. What sealed the deal in establishing our relationship with these kids was playing games with them before we began our work. This allowed them to loosen up and become much more comfortable with us as a group and as individuals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It was also clear from the start that the majority of the learners have not been exposed to much English so this barrier was, at times, very difficult to try and overcome. We had an easier time working with the grade 4 and 5 children right off the bat because we worked with choosing our favorite body parts. The physical act of pointing out these parts on our bodies made the language barrier much less and we always encouraged them to use their home language as much as the English words. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The learners’ skills on the computer improved a lot over the course of time that we worked with them and I was very proud of their final projects.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">With grade 6 and 7, our final project was an essay entitled, This I Believe. We gave the learners the template to write this essay about what is important to them and they were meant to fill in the blanks. We started this project off by showing them pictures of subjects varying from violence and pollution to surfing and netball. We encouraged the learners to study these photos and write what they saw or how they felt about them. It required a bit of guidance and perseverance but they were eventually able to dig deeper and write really beautiful statements about these pictures. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When it came to choosing what was important to them individually, however, it proved to be a bit more difficult. We gave them examples like family or sports and I sometimes got the feeling they just chose some of our suggestions because it was easier. I do not fault them for this at all though because I cannot imagine how hard it must be to think and write in a language you are not totally familiar with. I truly believe that if we had more time in this school and with these learners then they could have been able to dig deeper and really portray the meaning of this project on a personal and individualized level. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Working in this school and doing this project allowed me to grow immensely as a future educator. It taught me patience and perseverance. It taught me that there are great days working as a teacher and that there are also days that leave you frustrated with a sense of helplessness. Above all though, it taught me that determination and a desire to help is what needs to be the driving force behind teaching every child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">By Emily</span><br />
<b>Volunteer Teacher on the Wild Coast Schools Project</b><br />
Teaching Student at Texas State UniversityVolunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.847897100000004 28.090183100000008 -32.8210671 28.130695100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-81385947025729626982015-07-23T12:29:00.001+02:002015-07-23T12:29:58.573+02:00Volunteers Build New Loo's in Rural Schools<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A completed toilet black<br />in one of our partner<br />Wild Coast Pre-schools</td></tr>
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It goes without saying that schools need loo's! Yet in many rural pre-schools in the under-developed Eastern Cape of South Africa there is a lack of sanitary facilities. VA32, with the assistance of volunteers from <a href="http://www.isvolunteers.org/destination/south-africa/volunteer-projects" target="_blank">International Student Volunteers</a>, have begun to tackle this issue in partner preschools in the wider Chintsa area.<br />
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Volunteer groups have been working with VA32 project leader Milton at Mzwini and Somila Day Care Centres at the Southern end of the Wild Coast of South Africa.<br />
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The toilets are built on the long drop design which is a particularly popular solution in rural areas where there is little access to running water.<br />
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"Long drop" toilets (also known as pit latrines) come in varying shapes and sizes. The building of the toilet begins with a deep hole in the ground...</div>
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(when planning to build a long drop it must be taken into consideration whether there is a ground water source anywhere near the hole - the pit must be an appropriate distance from any ground water sources to prevent water contamination). </div>
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Once the hole is dug the platform and "out house" for the loo needs to be built.</div>
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Inside the outhouse is a wooden bench which acts as the toilet and toilet seat.</div>
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In the toilets at Mzwini and Somila we provided a toilet for the teachers and a toilet for the learners.<br />
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Doors were then added to the blocks and bright paint to uplift the area. There is also ventilation built into the toilet blocks with opening windows and between the walls and roof.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW4JzJveut0SGxutBvHHMY-pShgkY2SXOVCSloHnRMnVq0KY_rJe5KimCug4y8xSDWGPayn9v8kQvMfEkr1GogB8D-h64Q8MjbwQPS-G7taTODL4JHwC-mfmX0DmaSBJ-DqMDYTW50sTw/s1600/2015-07-20+17.46.21-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW4JzJveut0SGxutBvHHMY-pShgkY2SXOVCSloHnRMnVq0KY_rJe5KimCug4y8xSDWGPayn9v8kQvMfEkr1GogB8D-h64Q8MjbwQPS-G7taTODL4JHwC-mfmX0DmaSBJ-DqMDYTW50sTw/s400/2015-07-20+17.46.21-2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The toilet block at Mzwini Day Care<br />Centre</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HvWkKCULRcM27UtAHUyEAAB2HjUVPtKVCJ0sfgXkAi5_8gwj9dWjmToNOMVq0ziok5FDmhWF0BK70qljoN5Rl1gQC42AvJzPfX9bY61GPqbWg3w_Rh_G6EzLIZDEOQQgRHaWAIn94PT8/s1600/2015-07-13+10.51.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HvWkKCULRcM27UtAHUyEAAB2HjUVPtKVCJ0sfgXkAi5_8gwj9dWjmToNOMVq0ziok5FDmhWF0BK70qljoN5Rl1gQC42AvJzPfX9bY61GPqbWg3w_Rh_G6EzLIZDEOQQgRHaWAIn94PT8/s200/2015-07-13+10.51.17.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65KCIMumZTu-Q9cQqBPSCHwq2X7Gi-eYTI7ImaoCtt7sLBQvJlvsmMGOmz_XoEgaBVPgMZpfqCT1yUQQ_r0cuhytNviBwQVR5UMA1VMUqQu2eQisrscrBBZQ40qjDeWPbzA53Mt3Bl9Pr/s1600/2015-07-13+10.51.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65KCIMumZTu-Q9cQqBPSCHwq2X7Gi-eYTI7ImaoCtt7sLBQvJlvsmMGOmz_XoEgaBVPgMZpfqCT1yUQQ_r0cuhytNviBwQVR5UMA1VMUqQu2eQisrscrBBZQ40qjDeWPbzA53Mt3Bl9Pr/s200/2015-07-13+10.51.34.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaPzcd6A4dopXgrQ52UOv9QrnEgSZWQEWzNAiC5_cZ9_BAMbD8toinnhAqvfgYupkak4C5MpzCIvi_37jextnghObana2zM7Y3X6AmauZK8K7PxNSVMgL0O6vpkjUiRQnRJ98wIgFDiIU/s1600/2015-07-13+10.51.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaPzcd6A4dopXgrQ52UOv9QrnEgSZWQEWzNAiC5_cZ9_BAMbD8toinnhAqvfgYupkak4C5MpzCIvi_37jextnghObana2zM7Y3X6AmauZK8K7PxNSVMgL0O6vpkjUiRQnRJ98wIgFDiIU/s200/2015-07-13+10.51.57.jpg" width="112" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1l0EsZjzKZuYN0G_SwuCPIexPRaPeov_Mj7NML5tMBP-3AQQzbtWaLp66ZpVF81Y8KqNE4kKj68qBICw_vIufNSG98dgH0rGtoEbMxn94uWjX_TVbogFymiLWpFJ5cfnBFTsIXH3TzJA/s1600/2015-07-13+10.52.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1l0EsZjzKZuYN0G_SwuCPIexPRaPeov_Mj7NML5tMBP-3AQQzbtWaLp66ZpVF81Y8KqNE4kKj68qBICw_vIufNSG98dgH0rGtoEbMxn94uWjX_TVbogFymiLWpFJ5cfnBFTsIXH3TzJA/s400/2015-07-13+10.52.07.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The toilet block at Somila Day Care Centre</td></tr>
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A huge thanks to all of the volunteers involved in this important project as well as partners <a href="http://www.cora.org.za/" target="_blank">Caring for Orphans in Rural Areas (CORA)</a>.<br /><br />To find out more about volunteering in Africa with VA32 visit our website <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/">www.volunteerafrica.co.za</a><br /><br />Milton & April<br />
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Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-66894046001815453412015-07-03T19:31:00.000+02:002015-10-19T16:12:00.393+02:00Hygiene Friendly "Tippy Tap" Built in Rural South African Pre-schoolRunning water is something we take for granted every day. Every time we flush the toilet, wash our hands, rinse a cup, need clean clothes or fill a pot of water to cook... it's there.<br />
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I have, during my time in South Africa, experienced a few occasions of having no running water; it's really scary. To turn a tap on and nothing come out and to not know when it will is a feeling that makes ones life feel quite out of control of your own life. To have to collect water from a tap down the road, a river or dam to wash your pots and plates, to not be able to wash your hands, body or clothes clean for a day or two - if you've ever experienced it you'll know the feeling.<br />
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In the majority of townships in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, this is a every day thing. A part of life. In Chintsa East village up the road there are a number of taps. Some plumbed into houses, some leaking badly, some cut off, some communal taps where families queue to fill up buckets and basins a few times a day.<br />
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In rural homesteads where families live in close quarters, where schools are over crowded and lack facilities, a lack of running water can exacerbate issues such as the spread of illness and bacteria which can lead to sickness.<br />
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VA32 recently placed volunteers in rural daycare centre Somila which hosts up to 35 children per day while parents and carers work. The school has no running water and, until recently, had no toilet facilities for the children. Upon installing long drop toilets it was recognised that there was no running water for the children to wash their hands. <br />
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Volunteer Jordan Luongo - a student at the University of North Carolina, majoring in Public Health and Health Education - approached project leaders Kelly and Milton about the building of a "Tippy Tap".<br />
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A Tippy Tap was installed near to the entrance to the toilet. <a href="http://www.tippytap.org/the-tippy-tap" target="_blank">Tippy Taps</a> are taps designed for rural areas where no running water is available. Not only are they easy to make out of mainly recycled materials, they promote hygiene and the use of soap and hand washing, they are foot operated to prevent the spread of germs and the used water can be re-used in gardens.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxmsz_d2w2e6b4qclRb_LkOUaYwLA698pK5A9CVN1JwUntwHy-h4b9yrMnrFRyKZHSvGprvGcP-zWNcn8Eu-m__zLvXXfNEWqIckXG25xLDzErYL58GMM282br3RJH1iYLfzJH4Zl9cT9/s1600/20150522_134441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxmsz_d2w2e6b4qclRb_LkOUaYwLA698pK5A9CVN1JwUntwHy-h4b9yrMnrFRyKZHSvGprvGcP-zWNcn8Eu-m__zLvXXfNEWqIckXG25xLDzErYL58GMM282br3RJH1iYLfzJH4Zl9cT9/s400/20150522_134441.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tap is operated by standing on<br />
the pole at the bottom to tip the<br />
container which is full of water</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0b26xWTenXl1TBVuiZvQBYPzeWpfRbepKk5B-26SdCiRb-CtqKqI3PWFAxTd2pQ6GhspmFJ6FkMeNwwmkvrfHPz8z6tWSSo5Sd10ceHqzL5Lg4sMAa7OvNMfjQ3oKnuFl2mhDYExrsjCb/s1600/IMG_7301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0b26xWTenXl1TBVuiZvQBYPzeWpfRbepKk5B-26SdCiRb-CtqKqI3PWFAxTd2pQ6GhspmFJ6FkMeNwwmkvrfHPz8z6tWSSo5Sd10ceHqzL5Lg4sMAa7OvNMfjQ3oKnuFl2mhDYExrsjCb/s320/IMG_7301.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The container has a small hole drilled into it to<br />
control the amount of water which is released as the<br />
container is tipped</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_osqjdt5NKqtd70eSYScYL-Jv9bSPvE_OiESg81aB3iDQYwsWxGGaKVM6A3lrwpRSjAt24OOINd1TCzMpVjgb6a4EOIeGmYVSvx3EUNXDEDXnrMPf9QdPtzPby3fxbgucgiI_AI5n-8Q/s1600/IMG_7305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_osqjdt5NKqtd70eSYScYL-Jv9bSPvE_OiESg81aB3iDQYwsWxGGaKVM6A3lrwpRSjAt24OOINd1TCzMpVjgb6a4EOIeGmYVSvx3EUNXDEDXnrMPf9QdPtzPby3fxbgucgiI_AI5n-8Q/s320/IMG_7305.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The container is simple to fill - water tanks recycle rain<br />
water at Somila and this water is used again in the<br />
Tippy Tap container</td></tr>
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The tap is simple for both children and adults to use and promotes hand washing and basic hygiene in the school.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgYrZspYL8krA0oTtVLZHNpijr8JpOBACrCdziFToESSDEasXphpgxwCCjeHhYh_8DHvhwnqIyIJIy0D2prNnxhWQZp4KpuL9kLkMga6Tmcuj9Uteo0LeABK3qKc-RzSjNX4-eZeggZkN/s1600/IMG_8723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgYrZspYL8krA0oTtVLZHNpijr8JpOBACrCdziFToESSDEasXphpgxwCCjeHhYh_8DHvhwnqIyIJIy0D2prNnxhWQZp4KpuL9kLkMga6Tmcuj9Uteo0LeABK3qKc-RzSjNX4-eZeggZkN/s400/IMG_8723.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young learner at Somila uses the tap with help from one of<br />
the volunteers who installed it.</td></tr>
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Read Jordan's personal experience of being the inspiration behind the first Tippy Tap in our partner rural schools, in her blog <a href="http://www.isvolunteers.org/blog/tippy-tap/" target="_blank">Jordan Luongo on Building a Tippy Tap in South Africa</a>.<br />
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It would be great to see more Tippy Taps installed in rural Wild Coast Schools where running water is not accessible. A great project for this season :)<br />
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April<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/" target="_blank">Find out more about VA32 volunteer programs on our website: www.volunteerafrica.co.za</a></i><br />
<br />Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-10373593974609400362015-07-02T11:16:00.001+02:002015-07-02T11:16:46.399+02:00Playtime at Somila Daycare Centre, South AfricaIt's high season here in Chintsa! The 16th May marked the arrival of our first group of "impact" volunteers. By "impact" we mean - short term with an immediate and measurable outcome. Our impact groups stay for two weeks and are challenged with either completing an entire small project within that time frame (for example building a jungle gym) or being a part of a longer term project (for example building a classroom which could take a whole season).<br />
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This season there will be nine groups of volunteers taking part in various Community Development projects in the wider Chintsa area.<br />
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The first and second groups were based at Somila Daycare Centre. This project works in partnership with <a href="http://www.coraza.org/" target="_blank">Caring for Orphans in Rural Areas (CORA)</a>, a South African organisation which works together with rural communities in improving daycare facilities by creating or uplifting centres, establishing feeding schemes, playgrounds and vegetable gardens, assisting in training and mentoring the management of centres amongst other support, in the wider Wild Coast area.<br />
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The task set for our team was to build a jungle gym, fence the playground area, build a child friendly tap and install toilets for the school.<br />
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The first job taken on was the jungle gym. The team prepared the ground and dug holes to plant the poles.<br />
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Then the power tools came out to get the base of the jungle gym put together!</div>
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The team moved really quickly with the project.. and here's the finished article :)<br />
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The team then began digging to prepare for the installation of the long drop toilets...<br />
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The team starts to put the timber frame together...<br />
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The toilet block starts to take shape!<br />
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With painted zinc attached to the frame...<br />
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Door frames inserted...<br />
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And the block almost complete!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2xSOkSmsWAtxsp-uN-8HEQWLkpJhuxhQh4wu-LiVmdS-Y6oMCqLgEKHZP4-Xocc-saTTyA1n50Ev8pvokx74ftO_33Zt1WBa1bzBEw1SNcK5D8hy0vM9OkXhAaYLIoHscbW4jnltdbDu/s1600/20150610_150748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2xSOkSmsWAtxsp-uN-8HEQWLkpJhuxhQh4wu-LiVmdS-Y6oMCqLgEKHZP4-Xocc-saTTyA1n50Ev8pvokx74ftO_33Zt1WBa1bzBEw1SNcK5D8hy0vM9OkXhAaYLIoHscbW4jnltdbDu/s400/20150610_150748.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group leader Milton demonstrating the<br />completed toilets ;)</td></tr>
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A huge thank you to the first two groups of volunteers who were really hard working and put a lot of blood sweat and tears into the projects at Somila - well done guys :)<br />
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Read more about the "Tippy Tap" which was installed at Somila in our next blog and look out for the next groups work on our <a href="http://volunteerafricablog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>!<br />
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Milton & April<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/" target="_blank">Find out more about our volunteer projects on the VA32 website: www.volunteerafrica.co.za</a></i>Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-10120384289830232922015-02-04T10:32:00.000+02:002015-02-04T10:32:00.474+02:0057 Volunteers, 40 Project Days: Project Complete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>57</b></span> <b><span style="font-size: large;">Volunteers, </span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>40</b></span> <b><span style="font-size: large;">Project Days,</span></b></div>
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<b><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">40 </span><span style="font-size: large;">Hours</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>of <b>Building, Digging, Cement Mixing, Gardening & Painting</b></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Mandela Park Creche</u> - </b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Classroom Extension & Garden Development Project</u></b></span></div>
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2014/15 summer season with VA32 saw an incredible community development project at Mandela Park Crèche - a rural Wild Coast School near Chintsa, South Africa. Over the months of November to January this small crèche benefited from great work completed by enthusiastic volunteers from VA32 project partner <a href="http://www.isvolunteers.org/destination/south-africa/volunteer-projects" target="_blank">International Student Volunteers</a>.</div>
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The task was to extend the existing classroom (a shipping container), roof the classroom and create a child-friendly, educational, outdoor space for the learners to enjoy. </div>
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Here's how it went:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first group of volunteers arrived!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4i0ku02Nzg_8Tz_sxOB8YyzvI6xw5Op4Fq_HVwCwkj2ig0U0AyF-E2XWWAah6yj1IYCdFCZI7oGh_u4MCoQEgeu8JBgOeO7gxc0zTbju5CNpRUAXZWzNoXbUjeHHv9C8l4oA5YbyL2p1B/s1600/2014-12-04+10.24.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4i0ku02Nzg_8Tz_sxOB8YyzvI6xw5Op4Fq_HVwCwkj2ig0U0AyF-E2XWWAah6yj1IYCdFCZI7oGh_u4MCoQEgeu8JBgOeO7gxc0zTbju5CNpRUAXZWzNoXbUjeHHv9C8l4oA5YbyL2p1B/s1600/2014-12-04+10.24.41.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And started laying bricks...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...plastering...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...fitting windows...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and laying pathways.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHJ9Zp_7N8YiB0GvMN9-T3-5hNoTPdmPcFT3Se8wjayfEsazEi82qB2M94CZD6HaV4Qm9gTvAOER7AVK4Xv7lGgQQUbdNaepHLaKaZ9Nh7GIpolTKUXj72JtxLQOqEwTOoOMtSfiFbxH9/s1600/2014-12-11+08.36.55-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHJ9Zp_7N8YiB0GvMN9-T3-5hNoTPdmPcFT3Se8wjayfEsazEi82qB2M94CZD6HaV4Qm9gTvAOER7AVK4Xv7lGgQQUbdNaepHLaKaZ9Nh7GIpolTKUXj72JtxLQOqEwTOoOMtSfiFbxH9/s1600/2014-12-11+08.36.55-2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trusses were added...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one by one...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Until the roof was ready to be laid!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncigBKvEcKkRCxhyxjq1PWXEicF65ExzYKge4rBWlHGeqbAcDxB22oI36Q6_YGhrLHsrNtL-1RhnFn99Yt1c4tTNDqSSIVb12ooqpdd571CxrPer2oOzEjWxjDIfZPlot-Ro6NhPAJ4du/s1600/2015-01-15+18.34.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncigBKvEcKkRCxhyxjq1PWXEicF65ExzYKge4rBWlHGeqbAcDxB22oI36Q6_YGhrLHsrNtL-1RhnFn99Yt1c4tTNDqSSIVb12ooqpdd571CxrPer2oOzEjWxjDIfZPlot-Ro6NhPAJ4du/s1600/2015-01-15+18.34.25.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNI_7E6ifKrj6NUA2pO6SQfrz6z-mrroHKa6YqmIw1QfMEkqBP25keqvwY0zwc6bOLaN2vHTxy-X4UHCwbgTrmy0GygK2oYJeRo_N6ZWs770HyXUOuoHuaRD6NVsimWSXQ1KEZQu-wGQvG/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.40-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNI_7E6ifKrj6NUA2pO6SQfrz6z-mrroHKa6YqmIw1QfMEkqBP25keqvwY0zwc6bOLaN2vHTxy-X4UHCwbgTrmy0GygK2oYJeRo_N6ZWs770HyXUOuoHuaRD6NVsimWSXQ1KEZQu-wGQvG/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.40-1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roof was completed and the pathway covered, with railings<br />to guide the children - job well done!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRB_SoviIh544hQXtMljb1l7DhIQfF4ctgyFxWmdEhzIougrOWl2lZ7R38sZZqhMGUJxaFYdGE6g5kNwT0UsKU3SnPq4g6sKyV1xfFTpI9nHe1ID0fq7xGWHCkQFM69PlxdPPN5QZqd9F/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.38-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRB_SoviIh544hQXtMljb1l7DhIQfF4ctgyFxWmdEhzIougrOWl2lZ7R38sZZqhMGUJxaFYdGE6g5kNwT0UsKU3SnPq4g6sKyV1xfFTpI9nHe1ID0fq7xGWHCkQFM69PlxdPPN5QZqd9F/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.38-2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now it was time to make the building look<br />great...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuj4J2fJ_qnJKAhylxN_sA6Cp_v8-jT03beeq5Nq60JjS8TBfVJmYE13g3AN8FKidrk6h6HQRba-l3FJTujr-cMAf2mu9UFNN2SoGEWHaoEALXLp3wBWJYOtquBVqzc4guehQ6pfxfU1f/s1600/2015-01-26+18.13.25-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuj4J2fJ_qnJKAhylxN_sA6Cp_v8-jT03beeq5Nq60JjS8TBfVJmYE13g3AN8FKidrk6h6HQRba-l3FJTujr-cMAf2mu9UFNN2SoGEWHaoEALXLp3wBWJYOtquBVqzc4guehQ6pfxfU1f/s1600/2015-01-26+18.13.25-1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...with gorgeous murals by our<br />creative volunteer team</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeVQhBiR7ugKFjO4_ItR48OX_o6AHPOgjBUUy_4awcV7X0wLUwZ8-gpV_Dr0VLiFzHamSCPUC0kBCPUtmIGJnaPyKyIoCEul6VLwI8Pibb6OGVCG3kOcBU7FX4jt1sCt6iSU7LeNAcoSi/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.18-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeVQhBiR7ugKFjO4_ItR48OX_o6AHPOgjBUUy_4awcV7X0wLUwZ8-gpV_Dr0VLiFzHamSCPUC0kBCPUtmIGJnaPyKyIoCEul6VLwI8Pibb6OGVCG3kOcBU7FX4jt1sCt6iSU7LeNAcoSi/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.18-2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40nDYr8id9CPzpJo_gSQe74tCAXQGSFMblnPOQ7I719WXfF2uMeJbSJdp8WRYGV8mOFbusLUiynMwT1JLxmjZk32ioJ4H9J7kzt9xK3gl4vrO0a1-48Y59Jp01exjq2bfKPdEvG1L1Fkn/s1600/volunteer-project-building-classrooms-africa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40nDYr8id9CPzpJo_gSQe74tCAXQGSFMblnPOQ7I719WXfF2uMeJbSJdp8WRYGV8mOFbusLUiynMwT1JLxmjZk32ioJ4H9J7kzt9xK3gl4vrO0a1-48Y59Jp01exjq2bfKPdEvG1L1Fkn/s1600/volunteer-project-building-classrooms-africa.png" height="358" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQNm-cqKGqNdTEhFv_c1fXOgtokV_Ojjm4KlbY3EkiCgpeeazMzC_NI2MNbBtFZoRzqMeAEurPZGrUkbAaq7DRUi6EETytQMgBZwXS3DO1SyBYB9CH83h_Zf1RqHlv5yGScEEubuR4MrT/s1600/2015-01-26+14.36.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQNm-cqKGqNdTEhFv_c1fXOgtokV_Ojjm4KlbY3EkiCgpeeazMzC_NI2MNbBtFZoRzqMeAEurPZGrUkbAaq7DRUi6EETytQMgBZwXS3DO1SyBYB9CH83h_Zf1RqHlv5yGScEEubuR4MrT/s1600/2015-01-26+14.36.35.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CLOSE UP - local group leader Tobs made it into the mural!<br />Cool character ;)</td></tr>
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And in the meantime, an educational garden was in the making...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgHUFsMvBbiXHxAI9Loq-8NFfZJOOhPHvgx_PWV5fchPlhTllpElOrXXnS07mpWRSuMIaAe8EL3eXPXx2wL1nzhTYnfVcOlZ_d8Tx55Z105lM5z6ZNSWaRGfePaBSrFUNX8TUr-ZoYBhT/s1600/2015-01-15+18.34.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgHUFsMvBbiXHxAI9Loq-8NFfZJOOhPHvgx_PWV5fchPlhTllpElOrXXnS07mpWRSuMIaAe8EL3eXPXx2wL1nzhTYnfVcOlZ_d8Tx55Z105lM5z6ZNSWaRGfePaBSrFUNX8TUr-ZoYBhT/s1600/2015-01-15+18.34.30.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From marking out and preparing plots to grow fruit and veg...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJaabrr-cgBMh3qnEOu_zlTnFQ-T8RljScOaFEycYOXQk7EwWwEOQB_NL8bBr8CGqSUT1N8fcNqIfvC8Q91Wa1PGOQ28xFhMSggIId4Ek4nT9SOQ1asvVUJrHJ4tWqZttADGVBUrJYhLh/s1600/2015-01-15+18.34.42-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJaabrr-cgBMh3qnEOu_zlTnFQ-T8RljScOaFEycYOXQk7EwWwEOQB_NL8bBr8CGqSUT1N8fcNqIfvC8Q91Wa1PGOQ28xFhMSggIId4Ek4nT9SOQ1asvVUJrHJ4tWqZttADGVBUrJYhLh/s1600/2015-01-15+18.34.42-1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-U3HSM96x5O8WQDo3OCgbxXtKPRQUV5uvTus7i3J-hHqW7KZvmo-9lpPT13lbI0VF7Xwh_yrGZ2r7x4jAvB829-VxuSZwbKIO6TRQV-U0OAybjHg2aRoeJ62B-BoiEmFaIZMP-U35QJa/s1600/2015-01-15+18.34.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-U3HSM96x5O8WQDo3OCgbxXtKPRQUV5uvTus7i3J-hHqW7KZvmo-9lpPT13lbI0VF7Xwh_yrGZ2r7x4jAvB829-VxuSZwbKIO6TRQV-U0OAybjHg2aRoeJ62B-BoiEmFaIZMP-U35QJa/s1600/2015-01-15+18.34.46.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and planting poles...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0dWzWFGoV-Fn7BUIQqz2XGGZyCxrAoHNfteeNeml3bXZe2Em65DJyNCrgX_f6VSt8dSuKQlR_p611k7QcRPZYcRu3Jms11FDPkusYt35ZjSK7PvLItMzKlq-Rp8UhdexdhPedK3wr0xq/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0dWzWFGoV-Fn7BUIQqz2XGGZyCxrAoHNfteeNeml3bXZe2Em65DJyNCrgX_f6VSt8dSuKQlR_p611k7QcRPZYcRu3Jms11FDPkusYt35ZjSK7PvLItMzKlq-Rp8UhdexdhPedK3wr0xq/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.37.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...building rockerys...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PUIUvfFePKpEd1op-bdOQoqrXOmyPoaVeBJMM0Zo5DRifwIDqF8f2t5r4TTr4Y6BNgIebfhHl8THqSdjPOlJBo_mTsuAIBm_Bmvui3EIvmy8_FAKrfBtCFOEFJYrPH_A-smuLb3JoabC/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PUIUvfFePKpEd1op-bdOQoqrXOmyPoaVeBJMM0Zo5DRifwIDqF8f2t5r4TTr4Y6BNgIebfhHl8THqSdjPOlJBo_mTsuAIBm_Bmvui3EIvmy8_FAKrfBtCFOEFJYrPH_A-smuLb3JoabC/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.44.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and planting indigenous cuttings and trees </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysBjFu6vrZjDE5kv7S0tYaBOaGFAi9TjFYrvCcZ64kG30dPqzGMiIkWENqwHYHu2TyE2y6bidveDHpBE4LcASH7s7vNIJbfSiz9PjHlhnqScNLkTiqPHDcPB35hCp3JMO1BohFCUoUN4q/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysBjFu6vrZjDE5kv7S0tYaBOaGFAi9TjFYrvCcZ64kG30dPqzGMiIkWENqwHYHu2TyE2y6bidveDHpBE4LcASH7s7vNIJbfSiz9PjHlhnqScNLkTiqPHDcPB35hCp3JMO1BohFCUoUN4q/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.35.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Garden of Dreams started taking shape...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyZcs2Q6tEyf6gRtEKgelCwulrv9rjglC9LDRs2AULgIel2u_0MouuJNcwmLyKAN6XzNLC198XMvsQd9TZQiMleiUEAzd0CZIr1HOeUAUhE57VxVnNyJG1oPbbGp4J_P_HtBjqTYLyCC_/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyZcs2Q6tEyf6gRtEKgelCwulrv9rjglC9LDRs2AULgIel2u_0MouuJNcwmLyKAN6XzNLC198XMvsQd9TZQiMleiUEAzd0CZIr1HOeUAUhE57VxVnNyJG1oPbbGp4J_P_HtBjqTYLyCC_/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.25.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with huge thanks to local supporters Marcus from <a href="http://www.cintsa.com/" target="_blank">Buccaneers Backpackers</a><br />and Simon Bosazza from <a href="http://www.teainthetrees.com/" target="_blank">Tea in the Trees</a> for their donations<br />of cuttings and seedlings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoJF-k_eboYzqOmAN0qbjVQp5Jr0kXo04XeOqWy7SE66vIlYbc69LwQkaikr74b0RZDGOJENZ6V2mC4zP27zq9SVJ1ILp0jAvekNgq7JEucttp22cC5JrOFHzifuJ3_uSFWwbvI0o_s7b/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoJF-k_eboYzqOmAN0qbjVQp5Jr0kXo04XeOqWy7SE66vIlYbc69LwQkaikr74b0RZDGOJENZ6V2mC4zP27zq9SVJ1ILp0jAvekNgq7JEucttp22cC5JrOFHzifuJ3_uSFWwbvI0o_s7b/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.24.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a maze and a veggie patch,</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwkaQejlTeRRN7H2pFeUSqX7okJnXsfElB8dAo1is508OQBaaQidUlJnRyItnozpF3yFyzYfIR-pFxW3xzkAluK6sNy89bYHgyA1V00a-i7i-uS_eSDCEoq46XS9MucZoiaBXaQpzYI91/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.32-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwkaQejlTeRRN7H2pFeUSqX7okJnXsfElB8dAo1is508OQBaaQidUlJnRyItnozpF3yFyzYfIR-pFxW3xzkAluK6sNy89bYHgyA1V00a-i7i-uS_eSDCEoq46XS9MucZoiaBXaQpzYI91/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.32-1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shady sandpit, seating area & tons of educational little spots for the <br />little learners to enjoy </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uyQKwmy4i_8pR9Fi2fxQ-FcBnYc_ppsDy51d5vCfEcfg6tWnbvvR2Nhn4_-JfzAO0MLGNSU936s00rIJFOoIgkXuusUPxhv5_34t6tK-I1P6nx3XZ8UzO2yB-OkYuTefqOu5CrR0Ylpt/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uyQKwmy4i_8pR9Fi2fxQ-FcBnYc_ppsDy51d5vCfEcfg6tWnbvvR2Nhn4_-JfzAO0MLGNSU936s00rIJFOoIgkXuusUPxhv5_34t6tK-I1P6nx3XZ8UzO2yB-OkYuTefqOu5CrR0Ylpt/s1600/2015-02-02+07.57.18.jpg" height="136" width="640" /></a></div>
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A massive well done and thank you from VA32 and Mandela Park for all of the time, energy, hard work, creativity and love that has been put into this project. The Crèche and school grounds have been transformed in such a short space of time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cldPsmMI4R8DNwVRtXX969VaeoKV26oaHNyygTY_WzMpzO79o2WppFVs2WJD_rV7wPblV1qhSn61SrAoxZtDk365NRwJ2XwYRoWmx6hfvURe7T88Tu5WL-JWkWmdsQP-SMv0H1Y034yL/s1600/2015-01-15+18.34.27-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cldPsmMI4R8DNwVRtXX969VaeoKV26oaHNyygTY_WzMpzO79o2WppFVs2WJD_rV7wPblV1qhSn61SrAoxZtDk365NRwJ2XwYRoWmx6hfvURe7T88Tu5WL-JWkWmdsQP-SMv0H1Y034yL/s1600/2015-01-15+18.34.27-1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wishing all of our volunteers safe onward travels, happy<br />greetings back at home and we can't wait to see you<br />again soon in Chintsa :)</td></tr>
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To find out more about volunteering with VA32 in South Africa, visit our <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/" target="_blank">website</a>.</div>
Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com3Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8344821 28.110439100000008 -32.8344821 28.110439100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-44724853216721185022015-02-02T09:36:00.000+02:002015-02-02T09:36:41.069+02:00A New Classroom for Silatsha School - The Beginnings!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxCZO4P4ON2Ir9ImtaV0KE-P1OBCxpgnimzg10m0neGWSTGp2WlCMY8FDnvsMEqvkhLZTGPMv3GSlFL52YVxBhSzttrGin5dSkEWphB96koJlxQn8yFMVTr0A2QefUcNpQyLUzLJzacnj/s1600/2015-01-27+09.44.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxCZO4P4ON2Ir9ImtaV0KE-P1OBCxpgnimzg10m0neGWSTGp2WlCMY8FDnvsMEqvkhLZTGPMv3GSlFL52YVxBhSzttrGin5dSkEWphB96koJlxQn8yFMVTr0A2QefUcNpQyLUzLJzacnj/s1600/2015-01-27+09.44.02.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Introduction to the site and other work done at the school</td></tr>
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During January we had a great team of volunteers from project partners <a href="http://www.edventureintl.com/programs/south-africa/" target="_blank">EDventures International</a> & <a href="http://www.pangeatrails.com/en/voluntravel.html" target="_blank">Pangea Trails</a>. Group leader Tobz was tasked with supporting the team of eight Aussie's and their co-ordinators on a long term project at Silatsha Primary School in Mooiplaas. </div>
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The project is building a new classroom at the school where currently several grades share the same classrooms with very limited space and facilities. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLISTfMFWoJ87lWWFWxszBTJQ1BPLWAq0crGrsD1C9cGCvaAJyaFHjNJgSvUntHY1-jqqDniz9lTusR2gO2bnNHbqcntfgbrpjEL0_uXxDjnORFgCylLikJfX_LMvUcgsSxrgGyi9DohK/s1600/2015-01-27+10.12.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLISTfMFWoJ87lWWFWxszBTJQ1BPLWAq0crGrsD1C9cGCvaAJyaFHjNJgSvUntHY1-jqqDniz9lTusR2gO2bnNHbqcntfgbrpjEL0_uXxDjnORFgCylLikJfX_LMvUcgsSxrgGyi9DohK/s1600/2015-01-27+10.12.45.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging out and clearing the earth- preparing to lay the foundations</td></tr>
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With a total of ten days to work on project the team had no easy feat! They were tasked with clearing the foundations and building up three courses/layers of wall with blocks. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3f-8LIa3xzVfjNMbsXSdbNtSxrvZZdEGv5cBb1sK-Zs4AYK6SmGiUZ-O4CBD9bM6_DLFwX_OcVVlunmxdwLhaBoHINMVYSJFRBg55wUHhiSeXu2eAvPH3bjhxnEYGj6EvojIi5rg6vmh/s1600/2015-01-27+09.46.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3f-8LIa3xzVfjNMbsXSdbNtSxrvZZdEGv5cBb1sK-Zs4AYK6SmGiUZ-O4CBD9bM6_DLFwX_OcVVlunmxdwLhaBoHINMVYSJFRBg55wUHhiSeXu2eAvPH3bjhxnEYGj6EvojIi5rg6vmh/s1600/2015-01-27+09.46.44.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixing cement for the foundations - hard work!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick break for action shots :)</td></tr>
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The group managed to build one classroom sized foundation and build
up three layers of cement blocks on top of the foundations. They also supported the school by doing a bit of
gardening; cleaning and clearing the garden and planting vegetable seedlings which will help the schools feeding scheme.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The foundations! :) :)</td></tr>
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<b>Highlights!</b><br /><br />The group were great - energetic and enthusiastic on site and always responding to feedback and suggestions. This allowed us to finish the task we were set even though it was a lot of hard work. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Our trip to visit the infamous Mama Tofu - always a highlight :) <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well done team!!</td></tr>
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Can't wait for this project to progress next season - keep an eye on the vlog for more :)</div>
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Tobz & April</div>
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<i>To find out more about VA32 volunteer projects visit our <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/" target="_blank">website.</a></i></div>
Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8344821 28.110439100000008 -32.8344821 28.110439100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-70562042480041849172015-01-29T10:38:00.000+02:002015-01-29T10:38:39.775+02:00Volunteering with VA32 in South Africa - Mandela Park Crèche <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixA0PIRNLaIH6saV0TOlum5uq0M2_gO3KQhJjo0CptiJL3_ba7U9_pB5t8fjjC3ZBL4GimtiYpRnwJVVimzw7SMFIkGxw6dyWCdWztSwKFgFsGgxJLKl4rDJPc_lrAb8xa_3ZSH_Q4M71H/s1600/2015-01-26+18.13.25-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixA0PIRNLaIH6saV0TOlum5uq0M2_gO3KQhJjo0CptiJL3_ba7U9_pB5t8fjjC3ZBL4GimtiYpRnwJVVimzw7SMFIkGxw6dyWCdWztSwKFgFsGgxJLKl4rDJPc_lrAb8xa_3ZSH_Q4M71H/s1600/2015-01-26+18.13.25-1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
To put my first week as a volunteer in South Africa in a few paragraphs is near impossible. I’ve learnt more, been challenged more and met more interesting people than I have in my twenty one years of living. My initial expectation of the trip was that I would feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction from helping those who needed it. However I was soon to realize I also was in need of help. A different kind of help. The kind that opens your eyes and mind, and allows you to feel things you have never felt before.<br />
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Each week day our group of thirteen, along with Jax (our project leader), Miller and Ash (local co-ordinators), worked on restoring a crèche named “Mandela Park Day Care” situated in Mzwini. The task of watering the vegetables in the garden was my very first task and it was not as simple as getting the hose and turning on the tap. The most basic things I had taken for granted in Australia, I was soon to realize, took a much longer process here. Watering involved walking a short distance to fill buckets of water and individually carry them back. By the time I had reached the vegetables I had already thoroughly watered myself! Every step of the way I received support from the excited kids in the township. No task was ever dull or without reward. A few boys decided to stop their own fun on their hand-made, wooden go-kart and lend it to us to pull the buckets on. If there was a lesson to be learnt that first day it was that we should all try to be more like these boys. Every day was much like this, and every task became a fun activity with laughing children around us. They were always trying to assist us, even when the job really was too labour intensive for them. When they were not assisting they were showering us in hugs and kisses.<br />
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When we were not working we were discovering steep dunes on the beach to conquer, or going for breathtaking hikes through bush and beach. In only one week I have made friendships that will last a lifetime. A family unit has formed in the house thanks to bonding activities like beach volleyball and late nights playing and teaching each other card games. It has made my experience of South Africa and volunteering so much more than what I had expected.<br />
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Jax’s enthusiasm and knowledge of all things South Africa and conservation inspired all of us to work that much harder to complete our project. My daily interactions with not only the kids, but also with Jax, Miller and Ash, have opened my eyes and mind, allowing me to view the world from a different perspective. One where an individual really does have the ability to make a difference. That is what Volunteer Africa has offered me, and I have gladly accepted.<br />
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A happy little volunteer,<br />
Tian<br />
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Find out more about VA32's projects in South Africa - <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/">http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/</a>Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-75378274760133231702014-12-05T10:00:00.000+02:002014-12-05T10:00:11.528+02:00Volunteer Teaching Video Editing in South African Wild Coast Schools<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMEnfHfoHzDaGrCvhmG3OChF9DnTR4w24-lC8dvP9CEK2JkLXbY8DvvbQzEDsu5EWOCCSwsB2_GHqYIrKsXtG_WuAH7of-qTA7N0KHJFn3YblAvVaFx2QY9cze-bBopSXFGAdvEwpmhJr/s1600/volunteer-in-africa+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMEnfHfoHzDaGrCvhmG3OChF9DnTR4w24-lC8dvP9CEK2JkLXbY8DvvbQzEDsu5EWOCCSwsB2_GHqYIrKsXtG_WuAH7of-qTA7N0KHJFn3YblAvVaFx2QY9cze-bBopSXFGAdvEwpmhJr/s1600/volunteer-in-africa+(1).jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young learners get the opportunity to work<br />with cameras and video cameras on the<br />Wild Coast Schools Project</td></tr>
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With the end of the school year in sight, the kids at Bulugha Farm School have been pressing to wrap up their final projects. In this last term, the kids have had their technological horizons broadened with the introduction of a totally new kind of program. While the majority of the year has been focused on the essential Microsoft Office programs, the introduction of Wondershare Video Editor was a welcome change of pace.<br />
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The idea was to produce a “mini documentary” to tie in the year’s animal theme. Each student had written a few sentences about their chosen animal. After recording themselves reading their sentences, they were shown how to string together clips of themselves with clips of their animal. Next came the basic assembly, the intro/outro pages were placed, special effects were thrown in, and background music to top it off.<br />
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With Windows Movie Maker being lost due to technical difficulties, Ash and Victor had to search for a similar program. The resulting Wondershare, while not the “world standard” of video editing software, provided the kids an opportunity to experiment with the basics. Familiarity with terms such as import, export, cut, timeline, drag and drop, etc., is a skill that can easily be applied to the majority of other video editing softwares. The program itself did provide some challenges, such as leaving a watermark on the exported video, unsynchronized audio/video during editing, or the occasional crash. However, despite the sometimes major setbacks, the kids were able to use the program to create some pretty great videos.<br />
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With the concept of video editing being totally new, there was no shortage of work for the volunteer teachers. Despite our varying levels of experience with video editing software, Wondershare was not a program that any of us had heard of prior. While it was fairly simple to use, the combination of unfamiliarity with the program, on top of the varying degrees of language barrier, proved itself a challenge. Instructions such as “drag and drop the intro to the beginning of the video” often resulted in a video with several different introduction clips scattered throughout. Unfortunately, these instances often went unseen by the teachers (despite our best efforts), and the mistakes often weren’t noticed until the video had been finalized and exported. However, in the end, the majority of students were able to assemble, edit, finalize and export a finished video.<br />
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Challenges aside, the students picked up on the material at an impressive rate. While the pace at which everyone completed their tasks varied, by the end of class each student had usually done what was needed. Apart from the issue of absences, staying on track to complete the videos by the end of the school year was not a difficult thing to do. When kids who had been absent the previous class showed up, they were generally able to get caught back up after some one-on-one time with one of the volunteers. For the most part, the eagerness to learn the material and see the end result helped keep the kids interested and motivated to finish.<br />
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Now, in the last days of the 2014 school year, all that is left to do is to have a presentation day, and show off the best of the best videos. It’s been an enjoyment teaching a group of people so enthusiastic, and I’m very happy with the end result of the project. With new plans for the new year, I’ve no doubt that the kids at Bulugha will continue to learn and grow their knowledge of computer literacy with the help of volunteer like me.<br />
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Tyler<br />
<b>Wild Coast Schools Volunteer, 2014</b><br />
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Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com4Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-3478855786113162722014-12-04T10:55:00.000+02:002014-12-11T10:57:38.032+02:00Pre-School Volunteering Experience | Chintsa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />My name is Tracy Rocero. I'm from Toronto, Canada and the reason why I wanted to volunteer at first was to make a difference in my life and change the life of others. That soon changed and made a huge impact on me when I first stepped into the the preschool in Chintsa.<br />
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When I first started out in the classroom I was very nervous but excited to know that I'd be doing something that I know how to do on a day to day basis (I am a teacher in Canada). Then, realizing I'm entering not just a classroom but a community - that was all new to me.<br />
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The preschool in Chinsta village has a unique program with an amazing mentor, a great community and of course the people of Chinsta. My mentors is named Phulma. She has many roles other then just a preschool teacher. She plays the role of being a school nurse, a gardener, a mother, a friend and the community super hero! I was pleased to be working with Phulma and Chwayita in the preschool but having to work with such the large numbers of children was bit of shock compared to your average preschool in Canada.<br />
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I don't think I've ever worked or met a person like Phulma. I find I don't have the words to describe how much of a big heart she has - words will not do her justice. Her personality and drive showed me that we would need more people like her in the world. She has so much energy and a strong attitude about life, if we had more people like Phulma, we would get things done a lot quicker in this world.<br />
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Chintsa East preschool was the most cosy and simple school I've come across. It's has limited resources but somehow manages use certain, everyday items for classroom themes for the week. Even with limited resources there are creative interactions with the children and Phumla always manages to maintain a positive environment. This shows that the children are very happy and comfortable with Phulma. She shares her lovely singing voice and has strong relationships with children. It's amazing to also see the older children come in during break time to hang out or help in the preschool.<br />
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I took some time with Phumla during my time volunteering to teach her a couple of children's songs, art activities and group time games. The children also got to participate. She also taught me a couple of songs that I can implement in my program back home - it was great to share our skills. By the second week volunteering I actually got to run the classroom with Phulma coming in and out of the classroom to check on how things were going. It was definitely a learning curve for me and quite a challenge. I was lucky enough that we had a low number of children that day as when everyone is in class there are around 45 children!<br />
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My time volunteering flew by - I realized that two weeks is not enough! It definitely opened my eyes and showed me that there are so many possibilities to make a change in others lives and ways to enhance the Preschool program with your own experiences and passions. From the people who play a big role in the program on a long term, daily basis, to new volunteers like me, just shows you also meet new people that can change your perspective of life. I notice the small progress and relationships I made with the children who really wanted me to stay until the term ended. I was supposed to stay in Chintsa for two weeks. I ended up extending for one more week - just enough time to see the preschool term come to an end for 2014.<br />
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Anyone who would do the volunteer trip. Would love it. My recommendation would be that it's best to stay in Chinsta for a good solid month or longer.<br />
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There's something about this place that just makes you want to stay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLHLGboJD1QV1cvg23_qOwvq52lOu60sMkYnaI2hyphenhyphenbUzP3NB5szTF3KS9bD8BTDQVsUD44XGvAACjYMGdEKacGQpWtAXya07UrznAQOSgEc8o69ZAooXyhAm-DOMKHk3Z7B_-F5oJYeHA/s1600/IMG_6653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLHLGboJD1QV1cvg23_qOwvq52lOu60sMkYnaI2hyphenhyphenbUzP3NB5szTF3KS9bD8BTDQVsUD44XGvAACjYMGdEKacGQpWtAXya07UrznAQOSgEc8o69ZAooXyhAm-DOMKHk3Z7B_-F5oJYeHA/s1600/IMG_6653.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myself, Phumla and fellow volunteer Kristin :)</td></tr>
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Tracy<br />
Preschool Volunteer, 2014<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xCDPMluQ75IwNFXk00pZ8u9xJsOQv1nmqgpLof6NLwpuUCH4rlA8QmE7IAO62np4D9gm0J9d5hyqi7YaqoLpwKhWygChoe5jQsQHSeifGPyrpnbXzxQc_fVj3PdLJ0z0tMkek30nFF4q/s1600/DSCN0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xCDPMluQ75IwNFXk00pZ8u9xJsOQv1nmqgpLof6NLwpuUCH4rlA8QmE7IAO62np4D9gm0J9d5hyqi7YaqoLpwKhWygChoe5jQsQHSeifGPyrpnbXzxQc_fVj3PdLJ0z0tMkek30nFF4q/s1600/DSCN0078.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com1Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-12776175268823337602014-11-10T14:31:00.002+02:002014-11-10T14:31:40.844+02:00Volunteering with VA32 in Chintsa, South Africa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 36pt;">One week after I arrived in this
beautiful village named Chinsta, on the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, I already wanted to change my flight to stay
longer. The Volunteer Africa 32 degrees South (VA32)
staff is awesome, they are always happy and fun to hang out with. They make you feel comfortable and at home
right away from your first day. Chinsta is just an amazing place with plenty of
different fun activities, crazy views, an unbelievable beach and the Inkwenkwezi
game reserve just 10 minutes away.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me teaching at Bulugha School</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My task in Chinsta with VA32 is
to teach the students at the Bulugha School on how to use computers and improve
their English. The school is located right on the Areena Reserve where animals,
such as giraffes and blesbok, meet you right at the fence. We teach kids from
Grades R to 7<sup> </sup>and this terms topic is on animals. With the older
grades, we have been creating mind maps and flow diagrams about animals on the
computers, using Microsoft Publisher. Later this term, we will be creating fact
sheets on their chosen animals and we will introduce them to video editing
software, so that they can create their own videos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on the tablets with the kids - they loved them!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 36pt;">We
were recently donated four tablets and have introduced them to the school to
play animal games with the younger age groups. This is the first time they have
seen a tablet and have had to use swipe gestures on a touch screen. They love
them so much they don’t want to play computer games anymore. It is amazing to
see how fast they have learned how to use them and how it has improved their
learning about animals, their English and their sentence production.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only do I teach in the
morning at the Bulugha School, I also take part in activities in the afternoons
which include; playing sports with the kids from the Chinsta Village, Gardening
and going to visit the Greensleeves Childrens’ Home of Safety every week. You
really feel that all these initiative you are part of have an impact on the
children and the society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Teaching with VA32 at the Bulugha
School is an eye-opening experience and has taught me a lot about life. Meeting
with the VA32 staff and living in Chinsta has been one of the best experiences
of my life and hope I will have the opportunity to come back soon.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Victor</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>VA32 Volunteer, Wild Coast Schools Project 2014</b></i></span></div>
Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-78154322596093377372014-10-30T11:25:00.001+02:002014-10-30T11:25:43.541+02:00Top 10 Chintsa Adventures Not To Be MissedWhether you're looking for a reason to visit or you're on route to Chintsa, here's the low down of the adventures you can get up to whilst here...<br />
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<b>1. <a href="http://www.cintsa.com/">Stay At Buccaneers Backpackers</a></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from a Safari Tent at Buccaneers</td></tr>
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Whether you're here for a night or for a month "Buccs" in the place to be. This family run backpackers is friendly, funky, relaxed and full of staff and fellow travellers to connect with. Buccs offers a wide range of accommodation options from camping and dorms to gorgeous new suites and en-suite rooms - there's something for every budget and taste. Best of all, most of the rooms have sea views (seriously gorgeous sea views!) and if you don't manage to get a room with a view, you can enjoy it from any number of communal areas designed with this in mind. You're a stones throw from the beach, they do amazing food in big portions and you'll feel like one of the family. It's an experience in it's self.<br />
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<b>2. Volunteer on VA32's Wild Coast Schools Project</b><br />
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VA32 is the volunteer organisation based in Chintsa. Our pioneering volunteer project - <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/volunteer-with-children-computer-literacy.html">the Wild Coast Schools Project</a> - was recently nominated "Outstanding Volunteer Project 2014" in the Global Youth Travel Awards and is also Fair Trade certified. Volunteers teach computer literacy in local rural schools in the mornings and join a number of community development initiatives in the afternoon. The experience of working in small local communities on needs driven projects can transform your travel experience from just "looking in from the outside" to really experiencing the community and culture that you're exploring and connecting with the people who's country and village you are staying in. Fall in love with the kids, know that you have given a little back on a long term, sustainable project and become a part of the international Chintsa community. On top of that you live in the volunteer house which is just minutes from the beach!<br />
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<b>3. Learn to Surf</b><br />
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Who hasn't fancied themselves as a tanned, wetsuit clad figure strolling down the beach with surfboard under arm - it's cool, right? Here's your chance! Buccaneers' live-in surf instructor is available for surf lessons most days of the week. He'll teach you all the way from the basic beginner skills like knowing where to lie on your board, how to catch a wave and paddle, to jumping up on your feet and riding a wave in style! Boards and suits are available to hire from Buccaneers so you can practise in between lessons.<br />
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<b>4. Take a Beach Horse Trail</b><br />
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With a 15km stretch of uninterrupted coastline to play on you'll be spoilt for choice of how to explore and enjoy the beach. A highlight for many travellers is Cintsa Horses beach horse trails where you will join a guided ride from the top of Chintsa, through Buccaneers bush and to the beach. Once on the beach more advanced riders are given the opportunity to gallop or you can simply stroll the coastline at your own pace and soak up the pristine, quiet beach from horse back. Cintsa Horses also runs a Rehabilitation Centre for abused and vulnerable horses which the trails help to subsidize.<br />
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<b>5. See the Big 5 on a Game Drive</b><br />
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It wouldn't be Africa without the wildlife. Join a game drive at local reserve Inkwenkwezi where you will be introduced to a wealth of Eastern Cape flora and fauna as well as wildlife including rhino, giraffe, springbok, zebra, and ostrich. You will hunt down the lions in their enclosure and can take the opportunity to get close to elephants and leopards if you choose.<br />
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<b>6. Zip-line Through the Trees</b><br />
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For the adrenaline junkies - take the leap and swing through the trees on Areena's giant zip line tour. Another option that's not for the faint hearted!<br />
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<b>7. Meet the Oldest Tour Guide in South Africa</b><br />
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Visit Mama Tofu - 95 year old tour guide - still guiding in her traditional Xhosa homestead around 20km from Chintsa. Local tour company <a href="http://www.ahj.co.za/">African Heartland Journeys (AHJ)</a> run this cultural tour where you will visit local projects and initiatives facilitated by <a href="http://www.friendsofchintsa.org/">Friends of Chintsa - non-profit organisation</a> - on the way to see Mama Tofu. Once in her homestead you will be greeted by African song and dancing in traditional costume, introduced to Xhosa culture and language and ways of life for this indigenous people. <br />
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<b>8. Quad Bike in a Reserve</b><br />
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Jump on a quad bike and rumble around one of the private game reserves local to Chintsa, with a guide. This adventure filled twist on a game drive leaves you out in the open air to spot bird and wildlife, get your heart beating as you navigate dirt trails and pathways and get dusty ans dirty on your adventure. A highly recommended experience.<br />
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<b>9. Mountain Bike through a Rural Township</b><br />
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If you prefer pedal power and you've got some energy to spare join AHJ's mountain bike tour which takes you through Mama Tofu's village and surrounding settlements. Not for the faint hearted you will need to pack water, sunscreen and a lot of energy!<br />
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<b>10. Enjoy a Locally Brewed Craft Beer & Brewery Tour</b><br />
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A new addition to Chintsa's attractions, Emerald Vale brewery was established in 2012 by local home brewer Chris Heaton. The craft beer is now available in a wide range of local (and non-local!) bars, restaurants and shops. You can join Chris and his team for a tour around the recently upgraded brewery where the brewing process will be explained and you get tasters at the end!<br />
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Have you been to Chintsa and do you have a highlight to add? Comment below to add your own experiences and recommendations.Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3065360171975347672.post-67616027973522032602014-09-25T09:34:00.000+02:002014-09-25T09:34:58.256+02:00Volunteers Building in SA...African Style!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDL_scRPlOnzEkNfj75jsmCnMYQKkQOaz53qXVMkPIO61nCJECwXsknFw2f5OH2Qf_flvwwRxn0MBFOHZLaAqi_JfSpvajAZk4p__F8OzsOy8eYnt8ItPz0qG6i_NknS2vRS8rVzDzG-vx/s1600/DSC_0390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDL_scRPlOnzEkNfj75jsmCnMYQKkQOaz53qXVMkPIO61nCJECwXsknFw2f5OH2Qf_flvwwRxn0MBFOHZLaAqi_JfSpvajAZk4p__F8OzsOy8eYnt8ItPz0qG6i_NknS2vRS8rVzDzG-vx/s1600/DSC_0390.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKdRpGqG9Me7je40sCrvFocu5GjGWr8RgP_4f-MO5aQtVHogjY7HkiT86qZ-Pc6RkJaijOTE6yF18ht3NsGLYkGqbtOyMbXgSPP16v_D_LXkDQuXSbuEHFk20tbVPXPuDaix6dmFcoRqg/s1600/DSC_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKdRpGqG9Me7je40sCrvFocu5GjGWr8RgP_4f-MO5aQtVHogjY7HkiT86qZ-Pc6RkJaijOTE6yF18ht3NsGLYkGqbtOyMbXgSPP16v_D_LXkDQuXSbuEHFk20tbVPXPuDaix6dmFcoRqg/s1600/DSC_0387.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a>Our final group of volunteers this season, who travelled with <a href="http://www.edventureintl.com/">EDventures</a> and <a href="http://www.pangeatrails.com/">Pangea Trails</a> to Chintsa to join one of our Community Development initiatives, began a new project at Mama Tofu's traditional Xhosa village.<br />
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Mama Tofu is the oldest registered tour guide in South Africa at the age of 93! Her homestead is a living and working example of a traditional tribal Xhosa homestead where volunteers and tourists can visit, sleep and eat while they learn about Xhosa culture, traditions and life.<br />
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Mama Tofu was assisted by local tour company <a href="http://www.ahj.co.za/">African Heartland Journeys</a> to become registered and trained as a guide and the company assist her today in supporting her tours and helping in the village when necessary.<br />
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This project created an incredible opportunity for our volunteers not only to assist in supporting community driven local economical development, but also in experiencing hands-on traditional building techniques using the resources available in the natural environment of a traditional village... i.e., cow dung!<br />
<a name='more'></a>There are two phases of work in the village; one is to assist Mama Tofu with the maintenance of existing rondavels and buildings in the homestead, the second is to support local builders in building a new rondavel.<br />
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<b>Phase 1.</b><br />
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Volunteers worked with local builders and project leader Milton to learn how to mix cow dung, soil and water to create a natural plaster which is compacted on the walls of traditional rondavels in South Africa. Rondavels are round buildings usually roofed in thatch and in rural South Africa, are generally built out of whatever materials are available locally.<br />
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Once the natural cement mixture was ready they worked together to plaster the external walls of the buildings. The process was so much fun - especially as it was the first time anyone in the group had collected or touch cow poo!<br />
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<b>Phase 2.</b><br />
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Once the basic maintenance was finished the group began helping local builders to lay foundations and bricks to build a new rondavel in the homestead which is vital to accommodate volunteers and travellers when they come to stay overnight at the village. Volunteers learnt how to lay bricks and mark out the shape of the circular building effectively. They managed to lay two layers of bricks for the rondavel walls.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying out of the rondavel shape</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to lay bricks with project leader<br />Milton</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More cow poo! :-p</td></tr>
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They also worked together to dig soil and level the floor inside the rondavel with heavy metal stamps which was a huge amount of work!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rural power tools in action ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping hands - a great shot of<br />an old rondavel behind us</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stamping the ground</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The floor on its way to completion</td></tr>
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The project is still in the earliest stages of development but we're looking forward to the next phase when our groups return at the end of the year!<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daily smiles and giggles from the girls<br />at Mama T's were a total highlight! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavy lifting - African Style!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDN8G-Uqgcte443RrxHVZhzBhILixsEY4J-oxMb8C34foTadlErtV7iRtIGJ4c2RkGqWppn1ZtRydSmrbvnAOD5m1iaA_uMfgC8Dx56fNfHnNYn8Uu3GaL3T-UPt2Rn7-yfFe-Jkaz9vj/s1600/DSC_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDN8G-Uqgcte443RrxHVZhzBhILixsEY4J-oxMb8C34foTadlErtV7iRtIGJ4c2RkGqWppn1ZtRydSmrbvnAOD5m1iaA_uMfgC8Dx56fNfHnNYn8Uu3GaL3T-UPt2Rn7-yfFe-Jkaz9vj/s1600/DSC_0482.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xhosa mama's carry their babies<br />on their backs instead of European<br />style on their fronts!</td></tr>
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Interested in joining a project like this one? <a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.co.za/volunteer-building-classrooms-africa.html">Check out our group community development initiatives on the website</a>.</div>
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Volunteer Africa Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04332035200135479116noreply@blogger.com0Cintsa, South Africa-32.8344821 28.110439100000008-32.8478246 28.090269100000008 -32.8211396 28.130609100000008