INSIGHT

Read about our volunteers’ experiences.

Claudia Ressler (Refugees)

Leonard Kleinschmidt (Community Development)

Miriam Geiling (Education)

Valérie Kuffer (Health / HIV/AIDS)

Read about our partner organisations’ experiences.

AIDS Training, Information, & Counselling Centre (Health / HIV/AIDS)

Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town (Refugees)

Field: Community Development

Volunteer: Leonard Kleinschmidt

Country: Germany

Dates of Volunteering: July – September 2008

Where did you volunteer and what did you do?

I worked in a crèche in the township of Kayamandi. My work mostly involved helping the kids do their tasks, such as counting and drawing, and assisting the teacher with planning and preparing the lessons. Beside this, I helped set up a computer room for public use and training courses. I also helped with German translations for use on the organisation’s website.

Why did you choose to come to South Africa to volunteer?

During my secondary schooling, I was fascinated by the biography of Nelson Mandela, titled “Long Walk to Freedom,” and started to read more about the Republic’s history. It was also necessary for me to choose an English-speaking country. Last but not least, I think I was also influenced by the magnificent nature of friendly people portrayed in media.

Did your volunteer programme match your expectations?

I think about 150%! I have experiences that I will always remember, met unbelievable nice people, and I believe I changed as a person for the better.

What did you most enjoy about your experience?

I think it was the mix of the volunteering in the crèche – the people are so friendly and appreciate your work so much – and the support provided by Atlantic Volunteers during my stay and life in the township. This all gave me a new perspective on so-called third world countries and developing countries. It’s so great that you can experience that you can indeed change something!

What was most challenging about your work and how did you overcome this obstacle?

Because of working in a crèche, the conversations with the kids were difficult in the beginning. After a short time, however, I could speak some isiXhosa – the kids are the best teachers!

How did you make a difference in your community and the organisation you volunteered with?

Things like the computer room and the translations really made an impact. You just have to work on things and turn them into reality. Yes, you actually can!

How has your understanding of South Africa and the field you worked in changed from volunteering?

Living in a township offers you a view behind the scenes. You are faced with poverty, crime, and suffering, and you get to see a South Africa you never see in media. You can see the impact and remnants of apartheid. I’ve learned that bringing new projects with international investors or expanding on existing projects is key in improving the quality of life here.

How did Atlantic Volunteers support you in your volunteer work?

Atlantic Volunteers gave me a South Africa crash course, brought me in contact with a very dear friend, gave me skills and knowledge that helped me work in my project, and assisting in my planning of trips in and around Cape Town.

What advice would you give to a volunteer preparing to depart for South Africa?

Don’t plan too much in your home country! Don’t book any trips in South Africa from home as I found you will get it much cheaper there! Also, prepare various ways to travel safe with your money, such as with money belts or fake purses.

Would you recommend this placement for future volunteers, and why or why not?

Definitely! I found Atlantic Volunteers to provide fantastic support and contact, on top of the fact they are a non-profit organisation. The Atlantic Volunteers staff members are very friendly and really care about the things you’re doing and how you’re doing. It’s a personal atmosphere and the perfect kind of support! Thanks so much!

Field: Education

Volunteer: Miriam Geiling

Country: Germany

Dates of Volunteering: July – September 2008

Where did you volunteer and what did you do?

In the morning, I worked in a primary school where I supported the teacher and helped the children with their exercises. In the afternoon, I worked  in a children’s home. I mainly played and looked after the children there.

Why did you choose to come to South Africa to volunteer?

In April of 2008, I graduated from university and, together with a friend, decided to go to a foreign country to volunteer. We’re both very fascinated by South Africa, its culture, and its people.

Did your volunteer programme match your expectations?

Yes, the organisation and support during our volunteering was very good. In the primary school, we felt they really needed us. The children there were so happy we helped them, so it was very satisfying for us. In the children’s home, though, there were many other volunteers and the children preferred to be on their own.

What did you most enjoy about your experience?

The culture, the country, and its people. And, of course, the beautiful landscape.

What was most challenging about your work and how did you overcome this obstacle?

The biggest challenge about my work was dealing with different perspectives and attitudes, many of which were different than I was used to.

How has your understanding of South Africa and the field you worked in changed from volunteering?

I learned to enjoy things more and value the things I have as home, such as my family, a job, food, a home, and especially safety and security.

How did Atlantic Volunteers support you in your volunteer work?

We met with them regularly so we could share and exchange our experiences. They accompanied us the first time we went to our work, which made it easier for us to manage something new. Also, when we had questions or needed help during our volunteering, Atlantic Volunteers supported us.

What advice would you give to a volunteer preparing to depart for South Africa?

Plan in advance, including what you need and don’t need there. When you go in the winter, make sure you have enough warm clothes!

Would you recommend this placement for future volunteers, and why or why not?

Yes.

Field: Health / HIV/AIDS

Volunteer: Valérie Kuffer

Country: Switzerland

Dates of Volunteering: September – December 2008

Where did you volunteer and what did you do?

I was volunteering in two organisations for three months.

The first one was a training centre in the HIV/AIDS field where I was helping in administration. Although the everyday work was administrative in nature, the experience was really interesting as I gained a good understanding of one of the biggest problems of South Africa. Through all the chats and fun we had, they explained to me why and how HIV/AIDS spread so quickly in South Africa, what challenges exist for their work in HIV/AIDS, and why tuberculosis is the terrible twin of HIV/AIDS.

The other organisation was a public hospital in Cape Town. There, I was working with children every morning. It was really nice because most of these children are at hospital for a while and their family is not able to stay with them all the time. Some don't even have families, so except for the nurses, they don't have any visits and they sometimes stay for very long. Volunteers were therefore there to play with them, to stimulate them, and to make them laugh. I could sometimes assist the occupational therapist to stimulate a very weak child. I will always remember two children in particular – a little boy and a little girl – both orphans that were so weak and small at the beginning that they couldn't even lift up their heads. I was going nearly every day to make them exercise and after three months, they both gained a lot of strength and hold up their head. They both had been at the hospital since they were born.

Did your volunteer programme match your expectations?

I was very happy to have two projects at the same time as it was more diverse and allowed me to see different sides of the health field in South Africa. I also found working at two places kept me busy and provided me with more of a holistic perspective of the country.

Field: Refugees

Volunteer: Claudia Ressler

Country: Germany

Dates of Volunteering: September 2008

Where did you volunteer and what did you do?

I worked briefly with a refugee centre. I had many tasks, which included distributing food vouchers, arranging phone calls, handling paperwork, and other administrative duties. I also helped prepare food for their weekly soup kitchen.

Why did you choose to come to South Africa to volunteer?

I decided to work as a volunteer when I was already in Cape Town. I initially came to complete an internship for my studies, but later decided to change the type of work I did and volunteer with Atlantic Volunteers.

Did your volunteer programme match your expectations?

Yes, my volunteer programme matched my expectations. I had a great time and met so many nice people. The work was also enjoyable.

What did you most enjoy about your experience?

I really liked the staff at my organisation, as well as the refugees. It wasn’t always easy, but I had never seen so many people with smiles. They have often nothing – no home, no food, no job – but they have a family, friends, and a smile.

How did Atlantic Volunteers support you in your volunteer work?

Atlantic Volunteers was simply there. They helped me, answered all my questions, and our contact was always positive.

What advice would you give to a volunteer preparing to depart for South Africa?

1.Do not believe all the negative media reports! Be careful, but also trust people and don’t believe there is only crime.

2.I do not know if you can be well prepared for South Africa, but it is an advantage when you can work unprepared!

3.In Germany, I would say: “Du kannst dir sicher sein, dass alles anders kommen wird!”

Would you recommend this placement for future volunteers, and why or why not?

I would recommend the organisation, but I have to say my time there was very short and not every volunteer was happy there. It also depends, however, largely on your own expectations.

Field: HIV/AIDS

Organisation: Western Cape AIDS, Training, Information, & Counselling Centre

How have Atlantic Volunteers volunteers made a difference in your organisation?

Atlantic Volunteers volunteers have made a difference by helping in areas where there have been work overloads or staff shortages.

What do Atlantic Volunteers volunteers typically do in your organisation?

Atlantic Volunteers volunteers are used exclusively in the area of administration, assisting in the ATICC library and, once they are familiar with the functions of ATICC, they assist with distribution of media and at reception.

What do you most enjoy about hosting Atlantic Volunteers volunteers in your organisation?

The individuals who have volunteered  through Atlantic Volunteers have been wonderful people with amazing personalities.

Why do you choose to work with Atlantic Volunteers to help meet your volunteer needs?

Given ATICC’s intense and extensive training, information and counselling/testing responsibilities each year, it is a relief to know we don’t have to contend with interviewing and screening volunteers. Atlantic Volunteers does this on our behalf. All we have to do is peruse the credentials of the volunteers concerned.

Most importantly, ATICC does not have a budget to employ additional staff. From an ethical and a moral perspective, it would be wrong of ATICC to utilise voluntary service of unemployed/impoverished South Africans without having the means to reimburse them for services rendered. Foreign personnel, on the other hand offer their services voluntarily. They bring their own finances for however long they stay and require no remuneration. From an ethical and a moral perspective, this is acceptable as they come for the experience, as well as to see the sights, and not because they need to work in order to earn money.

How has Atlantic Volunteers supported your organisation in hosting volunteers?

Atlantic Volunteers supports ATICC in ensuring the right persons were placed in our service. Furthermore, ATICC is able to utilise the services of the volunteers, but is not expected to coordinate their accommodation, transport, health requirements, or other aspects of their visit. Thus Atlantic Volunteers supports ATICC in these ways. 

Any other feedback you would like to provide?

ATICC does not host interns as the infrastructure to provide appropriate or adequate experience in respect of the requirements for social work, psychology, or teaching interns does not exist. Additionally, ATICC is not in a position to take responsibility for external placements of student interns.

Field: Refugees

Organisation: Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town

How have Atlantic Volunteers volunteers made a difference in your organisation?

The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town relies heavily on the help of volunteers. Without them, we would not be able to run the services we offer. Atlantic Volunteers is one of our closest partner organisations and many Atlantic Volunteers volunteers have contributed greatly to the Scalabrini Centre.

What do Atlantic Volunteers volunteers typically do in your organisation?

They support our Employment Help Desk as consultants and assistants, teach English classes, make up most of the Scalabrini Soup Kitchen team, sort our clothes donations and organise their distribution, assist us with the development of our projects, and have even launched one out of their own initiatives.

What do you most enjoy about hosting Atlantic Volunteers volunteers in your organisation?

Hosting a volunteer at our centre is a joy, but also a responsibility. On one hand, we are in need of their help, and on the other hand, it is important to us that their time with us is also a rewarding experience for them. It is a give and take, and in the end, the most rewarding aspect is the learning experience. All of us get to spend a lot of time with people from other cultures – be that staff, volunteers, or clients. It is wonderful to experience how all of these people from different backgrounds come to work together effectively and, at the same time, grow personally from their experience.

Why do you choose to work with Atlantic Volunteers to help meet your volunteer needs?

For some portfolios – especially that of the Employment Help Desk consultant – it is of great importance that the volunteer can commit to volunteering for a longer period of time. The issues the volunteers have to deal with are not easy ones and it is a complex field that requires some time to get into.

Generally, volunteers from overseas are looking for a longer term volunteer experience, which is one of the reasons Scalabrini chooses to work with Atlantic Volunteers. What is more important, though, is that those volunteers usually possess qualities that make them great team members – an exceptional openness to different cultures and an eagerness to learn and broaden their horizons, as well as great enthusiasm and energy with which they go about their work and thus help us develop our services further.

Our multicultural team, clients, and volunteers work together in pursuing Scalabrini’s mission to foster integration and fight xenophobia.

How has Atlantic Volunteers supported your organisation in hosting volunteers?

Scalabrini has been working with Atlantic Volunteers for quite some time now and it is good to know that the friendly Atlantic Volunteers team knows the centre well and can make competent and reliable choices when it comes to referring an applicant to us. We look forward to continuing work with them in the future!