“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” – Emily Carmack
The Ubuntu Building Project - Outstanding Volunteer Project 2015
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“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.” – Lauren Engibous
Volunteering on the Ubuntu Building Project
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.
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| The view form the "vollie" house |
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| Beach games and a bit of down time on local Chintsa beach |
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.
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:
- Building and maintenance of jungle gyms and safe children's play areas at nine local schools, preschools and communities
- Building of two crèches
- Conversion of three shipping containers into a classroom, medical centre and soup kitchen
- Building, renovation and upliftment of around fourteen classrooms
- Upliftment of kitchen and lunch area to support Friends of Chintsa school feeding scheme
- Building of community sports ground including soccer field, volleyball and netball courts and a club house
- Creation of three community and school gardens designed around food security
- Building of ablution blocks in two schools
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| Community Sports Centre built over two seasons on the Ubuntu Building project |
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| The beginnings of a third new classroom at Wild Coast School Silatsha |
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| The development and upliftment of school kitchen and eating area at Chintsa East school |
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| Fencing of a Wild Coast School play area |
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| Building and maintenance of a jungle gym at Somila Daycare Centre |
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!
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| Nthuthukweni Pre-school completed by volunteers |
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| Chintsa East Pre-school maintained by volunteers |
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| African Angels children playing on the jungle gym built by volunteers |
Other Highlights of the Project
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.
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| Chintsa East community soup kitchen completed in 2015 by several groups of volunteers |
Project Expectations
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.
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.
2015 Global Youth Travel Awards
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.
To find out more about the Ubuntu Building Project or inquire about bookings, please email info@volunteerafrica.co.za or visit our website www.volunteerafrica.co.za
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