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Male
member since Feb 6 2016
South African
Host overview
The Amapondo Children's Project (ACP) started in 2001 and was registered as a NPO in 2006. We focus on recognizing the needs of the local people in order to create community led initiatives, jobs, education, self-empowerment and valuable exchange whilst utilizing the skills and experience of both national and international volunteers.
Volunteers are able to combine the projects that are being offered in Port St. Johns. The project is also open to volunteers and community members designing their own programs. Examples of past projects have been a football club, a surfing school, a mountain biking race, and a health centre. All projects are coordinated by the Project Manager. Depending on new projects or needs from the ongoing projects, the things you get involved with as a volunteer can differ. Volunteers are most welcome to offer suggestions and, if they have a special skill, to create a new project whilst utilizing their skills.
The ACP is currently involved with The Mthumbane Pre-Primary School:
Mthumbane Pre-Primary School is a two classroom educational institution for children aged three to six. There are between 60 and 80 pupils registered at the school, although not all of them come every day. Mthumbane has only two teachers, one of whom is a volunteer assistant. Connecting the school with the ACP has allowed for valuable improvement within the learning environment, as well as giving them a supporting voice with social services and other important governing institutions.
The ACP has assisted them with building maintenance, refurbishment, painting the walls, stabilizing the electricity connection, building play facilities for the children, helping to fence the garden, and even gardening work. Our Volunteer Program has had a huge benefit in the teaching of English to the children. Three of our volunteers (who were qualified teachers from Europe) began composing a workbook and example curriculum for the teachers at Mthumbane.
Work Posts
References
What we provide
Dorm bed
Cook own food
Local pick up
How we work
We use volunteer packages, depending on how long you volunteer. For one week you pay R1499. This includes:
- your accommodation at Amapondo Backpackers Lodge (dormitory)
- pick up in Mthatha
- transport to the project you’re participating in
- 1 Wild Coast cultural tour
- Admin and 24/7 support from our Volunteer Coordinator
- A small amount of this money goes directly to the project as financial support to increase the sustainability of the Project.
Starting from your second week, third week and so on, we add an additional tour so that while volunteering with us; you also get the chance to explore the Wild Coast. Depending on your skills and the time you can spend with us, we will calculate the costs and give you an exact price. Please note that the longer you stay, the cheaper it gets.
Amapondo Backpackers Lodge has a restaurant and bar where you are welcome to wine and dine. There is also a communal kitchen that you are welcome to make use of. There is a range of accommodation available in our volunteer packages from dorm rooms to camping and we can also provide private rooms and beautiful cottages which might suit a larger group, a family or a couple.
