Just about THE MOST FUN you can have on a volunteer project!

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Imagine getting up for work in the morning and knowing that today you will do a little creative art, some sport and perhaps some music or dance. Not only will you do this but you will do it with a group of fellow volunteers who are enthusiastic and energetic and pretty frickin' funny! As well as your team of vollies you will meet between 15 and 25 amazing, inspirational children at the school gate who will revel in your enthusiasm, engage in the opportunity to be endlessly creative and love you forever for providing soccer balls, nets and a tournament plan!!! I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to volunteer and help run a holiday club over Easter in South Africa. Having taught in South African Schools for a few months I totally looked forward to letting loose with the learners and seeing them outside of a classroom environment. Unfortunately for the rural school learners in South Africa, a "formal" sports education and creative arts don't seem to be a part of the everyday curriculum in school and I often feel that creativity and creative thought processes are not nurtured in this school environment. I find it awesome therefore, that a small group of people can provide the opportunity for the children to be creative and provide the resources for them to "go for it" outside of the classroom.
"7 Minute Soccer" tournaments were a favorite for the kids, with teams of between 5 and 7 competing against each other at the most popular sport in South Africa, as well as an introduction to American football and ultimate Frisbee (which were totally new to me too!) The creative side of our volunteer team came up with some awesome craft activities to get stuck into with everything from drawings of safari animals to magic sand bottles and sea shell mobiles (all of which brightened up the hall for 2 weeks and are now brightening up the kids homes!). Musical and dance activities included making musical instruments and a marching band, creating an African rainstorm on the body and playing an endlessly hilarious game of musical statues. Spending 2 weeks at the holiday club reminded me of exactly what it is that I volunteer for- not only to share my time, energy and creativity with children who enjoy it and hopefully gain something from it, but also to share an experience like this with like-minded people whose presence enhances the experience further. The time that I worked with the children of Chintsa East and Bulugha Farm schools at holiday club was exhausting but endlessly rewarding. If only everyday was the holidays 😊

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Comments

[Eric]

I enjoyed your South Africa post. It sounds like you are having fun there. My blog is looking for travel photos and reviews of volunteer programs abroad. If you have the time, email us some at [e-mail] or check us out at dirty-hippies.blogspot.com Continued fun on your travels, Eric