Choose to make a difference and enrich your life by volunteering in this critical community project. GCU in conjunction with The Backpack is offering a volunteer program where you will be a teacher aide at Woodlands Primary School, assisting in the library and reading to children. You may just want to assist coaching soccer and rope skipping.
WHO SHOULD CHOOSE THIS PROGRAM?
The program requires people with maturity and initiative. A minimum age of 21 is required, unless volunteers have previous experience. The program is a grass routes project which often requires flexibility. This program requires people with a passion for people and or soccer!
PROJECT TIMES:
The project runs from 10am – 5pm Monday to Thursday, during South African School Terms.
The 2012 School Terms are as follows
TERM ONE: 11 January to 23 March
TERM TWO: 10 April to 22 June
TERM THREE: 16 July to 28 September
TERM FOUR: 8 October to 7 December
TRANSPORTATION:
You are responsible for your own transportation costs. These vary depending on the number of volunteers and interns on the program. These costs vary from R200 to R800 per week per person.
You may wish to hire a vehicle from The Backpack & Africa Travel Centre for the duration of your placement.
ACCOMMODATION:
We will assist you with accommodation. depending on your requirements. Accommodation can vary from shared dormitories to private rooms with families in Cape Town. Accommodation prices vary from R900 to R1500 per week. Private rooms can be arranged on request and are subject to availability. Meals are not included.
VISA REQUIREMENTS:
Please contact the South African Embassy and apply for a volunteer visa.
INSURANCE:
Travel insurance is essential and a copy of your insurance is required prior to your arrival.
HEALTH:
No vaccinations are required on arrival in South Africa, however, we do recommend you contact your local Travel Clinic prior to your departure. South Africa has a high rate of Tuberculosis. Tetanus is recommended. Please inform us if you have serious health issues, failure to do so, may result in you being asked to leave the project.
SECURITY:
You will be volunteering in a community riddled with drugs and gangsterism. You may not leave the project unless escorted by one of the GCU or Backpack Staff. Common sense will minimize your opportunity of being a victim. We insist on you using our door to door transport when you are arriving and leaving the project. You may not use public transport.
BACKGROUND CHECKS:
Due to the fact that you will be working with vulnerable children, we may request Police Clearance Certificates.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THE PROJECT:
A cellular phone, appropriate clothing, (no revealing shorts, shirts or skirts are to be worn).
Sunscreen, stationery and comfortable sports clothing and shoes are required.
WHO IS WHO IN THE PROJECT:
Mario van Niekerk is the project manager and co-ordinator. His contact details will be given to you on arrival. Mr Koert is the headmaster of Woodlands Primary School. Toni Shina and Lee Harris are the owners of The Backpack & Africa Travel Centre, who are responsible for overseeing all the volunteers and interns.
WHAT TO DO DURING YOUR DAYS OFF:
The Backpack & Africa Travel Centre is an award winning hostel and travel shop. We have many weekend getaways, daytrips and short safaris.
MONEY:
The South African Rand is our local currency. The Rand fluctuates and we recommend you bring a debit or credit card. ATM machines available , however, most have daily restrictions on what you can withdraw. Travellers’ Cheques are widely accepted, however, they carry a fee to change Travellers’ Cheques.
COMMUNICATIONS:
You may have to purchase a cell phone in South Africa (approximately R200), as most foreign phones are blocked once arriving in South Africa. You will have to take an invoice from The Backpack to the Cell phone company when you purchase a sim card. All South Africans have to register their sim cards. Telecommunications and internet is generally pricey in South Africa. Internet is relatively expensive in South Africa. Expect to pay R30 for 60 minutes. If you use your own laptop you can pay for what you download.
ON ARRIVAL:
Please email us your flight details so we can arrange a meet and greet service. The fee for this service is R200.00 per person and must be paid on arrival to The Backpack.
Please contact toni@backpackers.co.za if you would like to know more.
GCU is a registered NPO (033-755 ) which offers various levels of contribution for companies that wish to become a “Friend of GCU”.
We offer the following levels of membership:
Bronze
- Donation: R1500 p/a
- Listing on the GCU website
Silver
- Donation: R2500 p/a
- Listing on the GCU website
- Link to your website
Gold
- Donation: R4000 p/a
- Listing on the GCU website
- Link to your website
- Usage of the GCU logo on your print material, website etc.
- Usage of the wording: “We are friends of the Great Commission United and support this body’s work in local communities by means of an annual donation. See www.gcu.org.za for more information.”
Platinum
- Donation: R9000+ p/a
- Listing on the GCU website
- Link to your website
- Usage of the GCU logo on your print material, website etc.
- Usage of the wording: “We are friends of the Great Commission United and support this body’s work in local communities by means of an annual donation.
- Usage of official GCU Website photos and /or printed material for your brochures and on your website (subject to approval of your artwork by GCU)
Diamond
- Donations amounting to CONSIDERABLY more than R9000 p/a
- Same benefits as PLATINUM membership PLUS your entry on the website will be highlighted and given special mention
- Diamond status is granted solely at the discretion of the trustees – applications to be made in writing
Other
At the discretion of GCU, any company that makes a notable contribution in terms of goods or services will be afforded benefits in accordance with the above scale.
Become a Friend of GCU
Please contact mario@gcu.org.za or on telephone +27 73 4747769