Volunteer in South Africa: Disabled Children/ Special Education/ Old Age Care Project

Volunteers in this project will be working with disabled children, helping children who need special education, or assisting senior citizens remain active. The general age ranges of the people you will be assisting varies from 5 to 44 years old and, have a variety of physical and mental disabilities like cerebral palsy, down syndrome, water heads, hemiplegic, hearing, speech, sight, autism, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and TB.

In the special education group, most of the students have learning disorders and have a short attention span. Basic reading and writing skills according to their age and intellectual abilities have not been achieved. Due to their disabilities most learners experience problems learning anything. Learners are divided into class groups according to their functionality. In one class group teachers have to work out different individual programs according to the intellectual abilities and capacities of the learners. All learners require specialist services like speech & occupational therapy. Physiotherapy and services from social workers and nurses are essential.

If you wish to take care of the older citizens than volunteers should help with the physical stimulation classes. Many in the older group just need help stretching and walking so volunteers improve their physical conditions and maintain them. Much of this is done during the physical stimulation classes at Rusthof Old Age Home.

Skills/Qualifications Needed

There are no specific qualifications required for this project. However, volunteers interested to work must have love for the kids and seniors and, willingness to share their time and compassion with patience and high flexibility.

Role of Volunteer

Volunteers in this project must have a lot of patience. Some tasks include teaching the special education students and helping them with therapy. Volunteers may also help take care of all the disabled children and all tasks included in that. The seniors will also need help with their physical stimulation as you monitor progress and supervise activities.

Room/ Food/ Supervision

Volunteers mainly stay with homestays in the communities. Our host families are active community members, mature, trained and experienced with international volunteers. You will get a single room (or sharing with another volunteer) in a homestay. The accommodation will be clean and simply furnished. Local host will manage 3 local meals a day. During the volunteering period, local organization staff will guide, help, and supervise you.