The Pre-Vet Experience Kicks Off for an Exciting Year

Remembering one of last years successful giraffe relocations

Our first student of the year has arrived and the Pre-vet Project 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!

Student Lifeguards Pass the Test

This 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.

Gana, Lulama, Sandile & Anele - proud, newly qualified Lifeguards

I'll be there "Just Now"

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!

You can read the original article "12 Odd South African Expressions that Drive the World Crazy" here.

I'll be there Just Now

It was 2008 and I was a recently arrived English volunteer living in Chintsa.

Travel Tips - How to Get to Chintsa, South Africa

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!

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:

Booking International Flights

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.

Community Preschool Volunteer Project

VA32's Community Preschool Project 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.

In 2016 we will be partnering with two local schools - the African Angels School foundation phase and Acacia Tree Nursery School.

About the Schools

Sponsor A Lifeguard: Friends of Chintsa Project

Just 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.

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.

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.

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.

Read more about the campaign on the crowdfunding page. And remember, every little helps. If you can't afford to give a donation please share the cause and encourage others to assist.

Friends of Chintsa
www.friendsofchintsa.org

Computer Geek Club 2015: Texas State University Volunteers

17 participants. 13 Texas Student University (TSU) teaching volunteers. Five days. A whole host of multi-media technology to get to grips with.

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.