Child Literacy Volunteering

sliteracyreading Volunteer at a child literacy programme that provides English support to children attending English speaking schools in the inner city of Cape Town. Volunteers provide help to children who do not speak English as a first language but want to speak and write basic English.

The founder, Maurita Weissenberg, an experienced remedial teacher, was volunteering at a Junior School in South Africa when she realised that a structured early intervention educational support programme was really needed for learners in Grade 1 - 3 (7 to 9 years old) who’s first language was not English. The programme breaches the gap between `learning to read and reading to learn`.

The project chooses to work with schools that have a good infrastructure and committed teachers: but the people we really hope to be of future service to are the previously disadvantaged families - who are paying high transport costs from township areas, because they want to provide their children with a better education.

We will also refer to the children as learning partners as we believe that you will both be learning from one another. It’s a partnership filled with mutual respect for what you both may bring to this journey you are embarking on.

We want children to have fun while learning and to be excited about what they see and hear. We want to give them the message that any dream is possible. Fear and anxiety do not play a part in learning, and all expectations are put aside.

Please note
This programme runs in the mornings only. Volunteers are then offered the opportunity to volunteer in the afternoon at either the nearby Orphans & School Literacy Volunteering programme OR at the Children’s Recovery Hospital Volunteering programme (see our website for more information of these projects).

sliteracylesson sliteracyreading

PROJECT OUTLINE
Project	Child Literacy Volunteering
Location	Cape Town
Province	Western Cape
Country	South Africa
Closest city	Cape Town
Closest Airport	Cape town International Airport
Malaria-free area	Yes
Vacinations / Advisory	Consult your local travel clinic for advice. Generally, HIV/AIDS is extremely prevalent in the South Africa so it is your personal responsibility to take care with regards to health and safety, as well as sexual relationships
Duration	Minimum: 4 week Maximum: 12 weeks
Combination	This project can be combined with any other project
Requirements	Minimum age of 18 years Police clearance Subject to availability on the project Intermediate or greater competency in English Telephonic interview may be required
Skills needed	All skills welcome Required to work with children between ages 7 and 9 years
Dates	Start every Monday except during South African School Holidays for Western Cape Province: Closed 11 December 2010 – 11 January 2011 02 April – 10 April 2011 25 June – 17July 2011 1 October – 9 October 2011 9 December 2011 - 2^nd week in January 2012
Hours	08:30 – 12:30 hours may vary, flexibility required 13:30 – 16:00 hours may vary, flexibility required
Costs*	R13, 800 for 4 weeks Additional week at R2, 900 per week
Inclusions	Airport Transfers Cape Town: 3 nights accommodation, orientation that covers everything the volunteers need to know about staying in South Africa (from social skills to transport and safety), two meals per day, bus trip into town, lunch (on the Friday), walking tour of the city, a train ride back to there accommodation and day trip (on the Saturday) Community Impact Voluntour All paperwork, placement and liaising with Volunteer Program Appointed Supervisor for duration of program Accommodation Two meals a day - Breakfast and Dinner Donation per month to the Volunteer Project, to assist in their funding A South African SIM card that works on a pay-as-you-go top up system Monthly socials for volunteers to get together and meet other volunteers (cost depends on social) Certificate & Report on Volunteer’s Program should this be required for studies or other purposes
Exclusions	Flights General visa costs and cost of visa in the case of your volunteering being longer than 90 days Travel & Medical Insurance (must cover volunteer work) In-country local transport Costs and items of a personal nature Weekend excursions Lunches (not provided by host/host family) Use of phone (landline and mobile) Towel and toiletries Accommodation if Volunteer arrives before start date Transport to Accommodation if Volunteer arrives before start date
Accommodation	Volunteer House with shared rooms. Between 2 – 3 per room, communal lounge and kitchen OR, South African Host Family in local community - own room or shared with another volunteer
Daily Transport on project	For volunteer’s own account: Pay R200/week for You2Africa shuttle (door to door from host family/volunteer house direct to project) or Hire own car
Meals	Breakfast is self service and provided by the volunteer house host/host family Lunch is to volunteers own account Supper is a cooked meal provided by the volunteer house host/host family. Please note that the accommodation and food can be basic. If you have special dietary needs you should provide this for yourself.
Host Resources	Orientation provided Training provided
Possible Tasks	Mornings Spend some one-on-one time with children in the literacy programme Assist with reading, spelling and pronunciation Assist with word games Assist children with key problems in regards to reading Create conversation to encourage language development Listen and support Afternoons Volunteer at either: Orphans & School Literacy Volunteering programme, OR Children's Recovery Hospital Volunteering programme Project highlights Empowering young children to read and learn through books Interacting with young children Helping Children to build a future Encouraging them to excel Sharing your love for reading Meeting new people and making friends
Included Tour	Community Impact `Voluntour`
* Prices subject to change without prior notice

Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 May 2011 15:48

Newsletter

Testimonials