Volunteer Abroad: Uplifting Social Volunteer project in Cape Town South Africa

Magister Student Placement Organisation

http://www.magister.co.za

Hercules Pillaar Road Stellenbosch Cape Town, Western Cape 7607 South Africa

Call Us

Phone: 002721 8844725

Fax: 0862126307

Description

The organisation is an NGO which is focused primarily on providing an early intervention literacy programme. They focus on language enrichment by offering extra help and remedial assistance to children who are learning in English as a second language. They currently have five centres operating in six schools around Cape Town. The current schools are Observatory Junior School, Prestwich Primary in Green Point, Zonnebloem Boys and Girls Schools in Walmer Estate, just above District Six, Claremont Primary and St. Agnes in Woodstock.

The organisation was started 10 years ago in Observatory Junior School by Founder Director and Remedial Teacher. The children they help with literacy are not English speaking but attend English speaking schools. They are dependent on volunteers who teach the children once or twice a week or even more. All volunteers are fully trained to teach the programme. This programme has been specifically designed by remedial teachers and a Speech and Language Therapist. All of the children are assessed twice a year and the results enable us to follow the learners' progress through the programme. Every week over 250 volunteers teach over 300 children in 5 centres.

Specific Duties for Volunteers:

- Teaching of learners in a fun and creative space.
- Working closely together with the centres team in creating and organising resources.
- Computer skills are a great advantage, so you can help the team out.
- Possibly testing under supervision and helping with library duties.
- Other projects may be implemented at the school in the coming year such as assisting in a lending library, reading in class with pupils, etc.

This organization looks for keenness and flexibility, plus the ability to think independently and to use initiative. In addition to working within the schools, they are always on the look- out for help with fundraising and administration work. They are in the process of working on their curriculum and re-writing their training manual. They also need help with data capturing, marketing, facebooking, tweeting, blogging, etc. If you are interested in any potential administrative projects please consider bringing your laptop with you to South Africa.

The organization see the volunteers as ambassadors of youth and role models for their children. Their learners need to be able to look up to the young people they are dealing with and witness model behavior from them. They are also always very welcoming of mature students or older people who are looking for a fulfilling experience.

Highlights

-Volunteering in a meaningful and life changing project in South Africa
-Volunteering in one of the most beautiful cities in the world
-We take care of all the necessary paperwork with your host organisation or institution
-We assist you with the visa formalities, insurance and flight bookings.
-We organize an accommodation for you that suits your needs and budget.
-We welcome you at the airport, take you to your accommodation and show you around.
-On arrival you'll get an information folder about Cape Town including important phone numbers, tips and details
plus a discount card for several backpackers, bars, restaurants and car hire.
-You will receive a local SIM-card for your cell phone from us.
-We accompany you on your fist day of volunteering and give you a friendly introduction to your new colleagues.
-We assist you with renting or purchasing a car if needed.
-You will receive our weekly Newsletter.
-We organise weekly meetings and affordable and exciting monthly weekend trips for all 'Magisters' and friends of Magister
-If you are interested in travelling we can get you large discounts with well known local tour operators.
-We are always available for you before, during, and after your stay.

Accommodation.

You will stay in a shared student apartment/house in Cape Town. These costs are not included in the placement fee.

Your arrival.

On arrival in Cape Town, Magister will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation. Your will normally start on a Monday and Magister will take you to your first day, to introduce you to the staff members and the project.

Qualifications

This program is open for anyone who has a passion for children and who is patient!
- English must be of a high level
- Medical & travel insurance
- At least a 4 week length of stay
- At least 18 years

Other requirements:

Does the volunteer need any special skill or qualification?

No, but it is an advantage to have worked with children before and to be confident with one-on-one interaction. An emotional maturity is a pre-requisite, because as previously mentioned, the children that the project works with come with varied and complex issues, so they are looking for volunteers who display sensitivity and empathy towards the children they come into contact with.

Dress code?
Casual dress (jeans are fine) and comfortable shoes. The schools are very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter as the schools have no heating or air-conditioning.

Intern Types

Education
English as a Second Language
Linguistics

Languages

English

Cost in US$:

620

Cost Includes:

Cost Include Description:

Programme fee includes:
-Placement with the literacy programme
-Airport transfer to accommodation and welcome package
-Simcard
-Assistance with visa requirements
-Assistance with finding accommodation and transport options
-Personal contact in Cape Town and network with other international students 24/7
-Support from Magister
-Discount on trips and activities

Programme fee excludes:
-Return flight
-Visa costs of 60 euro for 90 days visa (visa extension costs R425)
-Student accommodation in Cape Town
-Breakfast, lunch, supper
-Transport to and from the project
-Personal insurance (medical and travel cover)
-Personal expenses

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

yes

No experience is required, but it is an advantage to have worked with children before and to be confident with one-on-one interaction. An emotional maturity is a pre-requisite, because as previously mentioned, the children come with varied and complex issues, so we are looking for volunteers who display sensitivity and empathy towards the children they come into contact with.

Volunteer Types

Community Development
Curriculum Planning
Education
English Teaching

Literacy
Primary Education
Teaching
Volunteering

Writing
Youth

This Program is open to

American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

Apartment/Flat
Dormitory
Group living
Home-stays

Participants Travel to South Africa

Independently

Application Process Involves

Letters of Reference
Resume
Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

4 weeks

Post Services Include

Alumni Network
Job and Internship Network

Magister Student Placement Organisation's Mission Statement

As one of the most established and well known intern and volunteer organizations in Cape Town, Magister's main objective is geared towards the matching and placing of qualified International students and volunteers with dynamic Cape Town based companies and organizations. Magister also caters for the needs of backpacker tourists and newly qualified entrants to the labor market. With our wide network of contacts and range of skills we strive to ensure that your experience abroad remains an unforgettable one. While strengthening foreign ties between South Africa and other countries, Magister offers great value to their students and invests in their personal development and education as well as their careers. By liaising regularly with the students and providing professional advice and individualized services, we aim to ensure the easy set-up, smooth running and successful conclusion of ventures. We encourage the students to get to know one another and establish relationships that will support them throughout their stay in South Africa.

Year Founded

2000

Boomers Abroad

Program Photos

Uplifting Social Volunteer project in Cape Town South Africa