Happy Holidays

Monthly Update: November/December

Read a blog exclusively about our World AIDS Day celebrations here.

The 10^th of December was a sad day here for African Impact St Lucia as we said goodbye to our final three volunteers as they left to return to their homes after a very successful and productive six weeks. Read on to discover how we closed up the projects for the 2012 year.

Creche

Throughout November, volunteers were teaching at Snenhlahla Crèche, the last crèche in our rotation which now means that each crèche in Khula Village has received 12 weeks of lessons prepared by African Impact volunteers and staff.

Midway through the month, volunteers implemented a new style of teaching that will be put into place next year at all the crèches where we teach. This new idea involves dividing the children into groups and having a volunteer at each “station.” Volunteers prepared a seven minute activity for each station and when that time was up the children would move onto the next station. This means that the learners are in smaller groups which will make it easier for them to learn. Smaller groups of learners also allow volunteers to give each one more individual attention and it helps hold the learner’s concentration, making for a more interactive morning at crèche.

Mama Gumede cuts the graduation cake!

African Impact volunteers were part of a very special day at Inkanyezi Crèche on Friday the 16^th of November when seven of the children graduated! We started the morning helping set up chairs, transporting tables, DJ equipment and making food to feed 100 people. African Impact also created certificates for each of the graduating students – something that had yet to be done for Inkanyezi’s previous graduates. The graduating students were dressed in gowns and hats and presented to the audience what they had learned this year at crèche. This was followed by a heartfelt speech from Mama Gumede who thanked everyone involved in making her crèche such a success.

Afterschool Club

As the holidays grew nearer the children at Khula Afterschool Club were fewer, however when time allowed us we would do arts and crafts, puzzles and even a spot of dancing with the kids.

At Ezwenelisha Afterschool Club, since the children live on the school grounds we were never short of children to entertain. Although some were sitting exams, plenty remained to play football, read stories, make name badges, and more.

On December 5, Sofie and Nokwethemba attended the Monzi Primary School Graduation for Grade R and Grade 7. The theme of the day was ‘My Life, My Future’, and Business Manager Sofie gave a small HIV Education lesson. Together with the police speaking about crime and drugs, and one of the nurses from Ezwenelisha Clinic speaking about healthy living, among other speakers, the entire day gave great advice to the graduates about taking responsibility for their lives.

Adult Literacy Club

A rewarding way to spend our last week on project was giving the ladies from our Ezwenelisha ALC class their certificates. The ladies were awarded certificates for completing 8 weeks of English lessons with us. It was decided that they would not have to sit a test but that the current course was to generate excitement and interest for next year and our current students are keen to return to continue to learn English with us into 2013. Next year we hope to follow the New Headway books which make learning and teaching English very simple.

Medical

Volunteers celebrated World Diabetes Day (14^th November) at Khula clinic by preparing and presenting an informative speech on the condition. Volunteers Niels and Elsbeth spoke to the patients that were waiting to be seen and held an open question and answer session for the people who still had questions afterwards. They also distributed information leaflets to everyone that were double sided – one side English and the other side isiZulu. To complete their morning, volunteers joined Ezwenelisha Support Group at Yoga instructor David’s house where they continued to discuss diabetes and enjoyed juice and biscuits while sitting around the pool.

As the end of the year drew to a close medical volunteers and Nokwethemba began seeing and preparing patients with necessary supplies and clinic runs for over Christmas.

Our home based care folder that was ‘reviewed’ by past volunteers in October was further improved as volunteers Jenni and Niels created a ‘Red, Orange and Green Light’ system. This will tell future volunteers whether a particular patient needs to be seen once, twice, or three times a month.

To keep past medical volunteers updated on your patients here are how some of them are doing:

Big Mama – Big Mama been in great spirits when we have gone to visit her over the past six weeks. She looked a lot brighter and in less pain than when we have visited her in the past. Volunteers also spent time with her suggesting small exercises that she can complete every day as she is very keen to lose weight.

Gogo Breast Cancer – unfortunately Gogo Breast Cancer’s wound is still weeping. Volunteers cleaned and redressed the wound and have given her extra bandages so she can keep her wound clean over the Christmas holidays.

George - is out of hospital and back at home.

Bheki -  Becky’s Karposi’s Sarcoma has now spread to cover the whole of his left leg. The sores are no longer oozing which is a good thing however he does still feel pain in the joints at his toes. Volunteers left Bheki with painkillers and Savlon wash in order to keep the sores from becoming infected again.

Garbage Pick-Up

Lots of people are still interested in participating in our Garbage Pick-Up project, which has flourished over the past four months. This project, which started in August, finished last week and has had over 100 people from Khula involved in picking up trash around the community.

Still a favourite amongst volunteers and staff, it is always nice to see the difference we are making – which is evident when volunteers must load 20 bags of garbage into the cars to be brought to the dump.

One of our patients receiving her Bronze Certificate.

Gardening / 10 Families

With crèches coming to a close for Christmas and Afterschool clubs starting to get quiet the volunteers have had a very active few weeks with lots of building projects. Volunteers continued to make bricks for the next stage at Inkanyezi Crèche. Some mornings (which have longer project hours) volunteers made over 50 bricks and in the afternoons over 30.

Volunteers have also completed making gardens for each of our 10 Families. As part of our 10 Families programme, those involved who have gained over 10% of their original body weight and show improved energy levels and positive living receive a garden from African Impact. We are proud to tell you that everyone on our 10 Families programme has reached this stage.

Another garden that the volunteers have tended to is our AMREF garden. Volunteers over the past four weeks have all had a hand in weeding the garden. Volunteers collected onions, carrots, chillies and tomatoes that were then delivered to our Home Based Care patients. Now the garden has been cleared they planted peanuts and beans as we are coming into the summer months these crops need little water to flourish.

Other news

Volunteers have been jam packing their weekends to make the most of their time here. One weekend all the volunteers and staff headed through iSimangaliso Wetland Park where they had a very successful game drive seeing buffalo, kudu, warthog, water buck, hippo and rhino before they reached Cape Vidal beach where some volunteers went surfing while others sunbathed, read a book and prepared for an afternoon braai. This is always a favourite among volunteers as after a busy week it is nice to have some down time.

Another exciting tour that our November volunteers were lucky to go on was the Leopard Mountain Bush Walk. This tour took the place of Ghost Mountain because it is now too hot to hike the mountain. On their walk volunteers got caught between two rhinos and a lone buffalo. This lengthened the suggested time of their walk (as you can imagine!) having to dodge these extremely dangerous animals but volunteers said it was one of the most exciting things that they have ever done!

Celebrating World AIDS Day 2012

Local girls pose for a picture on our garbage
collection project the day before the event.

When the first individuals suffering from AIDS were discovered in the United States in 1981, there was no such thing as World AIDS Day. These individuals suffered in a silence that surrounded HIV/AIDS for years, particularly in America but also throughout the world, until the first World AIDS Day in 1988.  

For us at African Impact – St Lucia, the 1st of December is likely the most important date on the calendar. It’s a line underneath all of the work we do throughout the year with AIDS orphans, HIV education and support groups in the communities in which we work.

Worldwide, an estimated 33.3 million people are living with HIV, and more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the main battleground in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS, and South Africa is an important area to work in because of the large number of individuals living with the virus. Our message on World AIDS Day was one of education – particularly surrounding HIV prevention and positive living.

An important part of raising awareness in a province whose HIV infection rate is approximately 39% is getting tested, knowing your status and living positively. Living in an area where life-saving antiretroviral treatment is available means individuals can still live long, healthy lives with HIV, and prevent transmission to their partners and children.

Volunteers operate a condom demonstration
booth at the local clinic on World AIDS Day.

After a very successful World AIDS Day campaign in 2011, we decided to join forces and hold an event in partnership with the Sipho Zungu Clinic in Khula Village and Peace Corps volunteer Danielle Piccinini. The end result was a day filled with local talent, speakers and activities for kids and adults. Alongside the main event, the clinic and local NGO the Africa Centre held testing and counseling for HIV/AIDS and promoted sexual health check-ups for women and men.

Volunteers and staff spent the morning preparing food and setting up the event, which lasted the majority of the day and hosted over 400 people. With healthy living parcels to give out (which included toothbrushes, toothpaste and condoms), the volunteers also tested the crowd on their knowledge of HIV and gave out prizes for those who could correctly put a condom on a wooden penis. 

This year’s UNAIDS Global Report detailed an epidemic that is on the decline, but there is plenty more to be done in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Travel restrictions on the HIV positive, human rights abuses in a number of nations and the ongoing battle to educate individuals on prevention and treatment remains paramount if next year’s figures are to show a continued decrease in the epidemic’s power.

We were proud to do our part this year in an area of the world where education is so needed, and although we work towards the goals of World AIDS Day every day of the year, to be able to celebrate with the rest of the world gives us a real high.

World AIDS Day is not only important for those 33 million HIV positive individuals living on all corners of the globe – it is an important day to remember those who perished first without the worldwide support of a day to encourage acceptance and spread knowledge. 

We were Live Tweeting from our World AIDS Day event!

Check out the full album of photographs from the day here. 

World AIDS Day begins

Volunteers, staff and the communities took a vow today that "AIDS is going to lose" to kick off our World AIDS Day celebrations tomorrow. Over the next few days check back on our page and follow us on Twitter at @AI_StLucia for updates.

Callout for submissions: Twitter profile

Attention all past, present and future volunteers!

Last week, our current volunteers spent an evening creating African Impact logos out of whatever they could find - cups, condoms, even one of our boxes we take to crèche.

Now it's your turn - SO GET CREATIVE!

Create an African Impact Logo (check out our Christmas logo or the example picture for some inspiration) and send your creation in a photo to alanna@africanimpact.com.

At the end of the month we will close submissions and put up a Facebook album where you will be able to vote for your favourite, newly-designed logo!

The idea is that through a competition on our Facebook page, we will use the winning image for our Twitter avatar (the picture in the top left corner).

Looking forward to seeing your submissions!!

Monthly Update: October II

Read the first installment of our October update here. 

Support Group

Sadly this month saw the passing of Khula Support Group member Dolly's son. Her fellow members, including African Impact Staff and volunteers, have been supporting her through this difficult time.

On a happier note, the ladies from Khula Support Group were brought to yoga instructer David's house where they discussed the effect of other drugs on antiretroviral medications before enjoying a dip in his pool and a swimming lesson instructed by David himself!

An applicable topic discussed at both support groups this month was 'stress'. An interesting topic because stress can affect people in many different ways and people have their own was of coping with stress. Members shared their own ways of reducing stress and discussed what they found to be most affective. Volunteers also made stress balls using balloons and sand for the members to squeeze during the duration of the morning and to keep for future situations as a method to help them relieve stress.

Furthermore, this month at Ezwenelisha Support Group the members received new banana plants which they planted with the help of the volunteers in their garden. As bananas are a difficult crop to grow successfully, volunteers prepared information about how to take care for there plants both in  English and in Zulu. We’re confident the Gogos know how to grow the banana plants, and at the end of the month they were looking healthy. The end of the winter months also means our garden needed new crops, which were planted this month after the last of the onions, beetroot and spinnach were handed out between the members by Gogo Joyce herself.

Reading Club has flourished even more this month!

Other

It may have rained for well over half of October (the estuary and park are looking beautiful and green!) but that did not stop us from handing out over 20 Garbage Pick-Up certificates this month. Even through thunder and lightning meant the afternoon activity had to be sidelined, the volunteers managed to deliver their Khula Environmental Initiative speech underneath the cover of Jimbo’s Car Wash! 

Volunteer Gabby and Volunteer Coordinator Carla painted the ABC's on the classroom wall in Simuyne Creche. The teachers were so delighted that when they finished they came into the classroom and started to sing 'A is for apple, B is for Banana, C is for Cat...etc'.

Finally an update on our Reading Club, and there is not much more to say than it is continuing to grow each and every week. The number of children and their enjoyment of reading continues to increase along with the volunteer’s ideas to improve the Friday afternoon activity. Volunteer Ulla has suggested making library cards to issue to all the children that come and read at the library to give them a sense of belonging to a club and being part of a team – this will happen at the beginning of November.

Volunteers and staff with their delicious braai on the beach.

Weekends and special events

With few volunteers at the beginning of the month Volunteer Coordinator Carla took the volunteers through iSimangaliso Wetland Park on game drive where they saw impala, buffalo, warthog, water buck and rhino. After an eventful braai where they had to constantly chase away the monkeys they went for a walk on the beach and a dip in the sea and finally stopped at beautiful mission rocks on their way out of the park.

Volunteers have also had fabulous weekends away at Bayete Zulu Game Reserve where they got very close to the elephants and despite the weather had a wonderful time, self-guided tours of Swaziland and a long weekend at Kosi Bay on a turtle tour. One particular group’s game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi park produced the Big 5 (leopard, lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo) before 9 am!

To hear all about our special events with The Happy Africa Foundation, check out THAF Intern Miriam Willmott's blog. 

Monthly Update: October I

It's been an uncharacteristically rainy October, but that hasn't affected us! We've had some great fundraisers, special events and of course our current projects are going well. Let's see what our 15 volunteers have been up to during the month of October...

Crèche 

Holiday Club at Khula opened the month of October for our community volunteers because children were on school holidays. Volunteers planned and executed a number of activities including flower making, water races, musical statues, football and a talent show.

After the holidays, volunteers taught at Khula Nomathiya and Ndabenhle crèches. As you will know from previous blogs our massive influx of volunteers this year have allowed us to teach at each of our eight crèches for an eight week period and offer each crèche an additional four weeks. This month we completed our additional four weeks at Khula Nomathiya and commenced our additional four weeks at Ndabenhle Crèche.

Volunteers finished at Khula Nomathiya satisfied with the level of knowledge of the children and felt comfortable that they will perform well at their graduation ceremony. Volunteers used new and creative ways to test the children on what they had learned throughout the year such as having them put coloured blocks in the correct colour bucket and playing a game that meant them having to get into groups with a certain number of people to test their understanding of numbers.

At both crèches volunteers taught the fun and exciting topic of 'The 5 Senses'. This allowed volunteers to get creative and the children to have immense fun while learning. Volunteers used blind folds, music, various foods and objects to engage all the children's senses. The laughs and giggles from the children in the class were infectious and definitely a highlight of the month for our community volunteers.

As it is nearing graduation for the older children at crèche it's practice, practice, practice as they will be expected to present what they have learned over the past year before beginning primary school next year. This is allowing the volunteers to pin point the areas that the children are struggling in and spend more time focusing on those particular topics before graduation. Community coordinator Shwele has said that the teachers at Ndabenhle Crèche have continued to teach our lessons and was so surprised and happy that the learners seem to have remembered everything they had been taught from our previous time there.

Let's not forget to update you on Inkanyezi Crèche, which we teach at every Friday. Since the new crèche was been built in July the learners are constantly increasing. However, this has not affected the quality of learning. Community coordinator Shwele and volunteers both agree that the children at this crèche are exceptional and credit should be given to the hard work of Principal Mama Gumede and her teachers.

All dressed up and ready for Halloween!

Afterschool Club

Let the madness begin! As the year draws to a close you would think children would start to tire after a long year in school but not our kids from our Afterschool Clubs. If anything they seem to have more energy, keeping our volunteers busy by wanting to play various ball games, make cards for volunteers and friendship bracelets, among other activities.

Lucky for us Halloween fell on a Wednesday this year so staff and volunteers dressed up as skeletons, lions, zebra and butterflies and gave the children of Khula Afterschool club the treat of an afternoon of facepainting. Let's just say there was a lot of skeletons and South African flags walking through Khula that day!

Not so far away at Ezwenelish Afterschool Club volunteers were busy making flowers using old egg cartons, crepe paper and pipe cleaners and animal masks from paper plates. Also at Ezwenelisha our iPod and speakers may have broken but that did not stop volunteer Karen from teaching them the dance to 'Stop' by the spice girls. The children here in Zululand are so musically gifted that they remembered every move the following week and have continued to perform the dance each week. 

HIV Education 

Community volunteer Elsbeth practicing the weekly
condom demonstration for our adult learners.

With the help of Inkanyezi Creche's Principal Mama Gumede, we have had an absolutely amazing turnout for Adult HIV education this month in Dukuduku. We have had an incredible 45 students complete and pass our HIV Education course. At the beginning of October volunteer Keith and Gabby had a class of 13 students, and later in the month community volunteer Elsbeth taught a large class of 17.

Community coordinator Shwele has been very impressed with the variety of teaching techniques and new ideas that volunteers have come up with. Volunteer Elsbeth even put in extra efforts, by practising her condom demonstration over lunch. 

Volunteers Sarah and Karen were were excited to report that 12 out of 14 learners who took the first  Primary HIV Education course in October passed the test with flying colours! And 10 out of 13 learners passed our second Primary HIV Education course in October.

Furthermore we had a student at our Adult HIV Education course who had also taken our Primary School class. She happily reported to Shwele that she now has certificates from both of our courses – a great accomplishment!

Adult Literacy Club

Adult Literacy Club commenced again this month in Ezwenelisha. In addition after the teachers from Khula Nomathiya Creche expressed interest in advancing their English skills we have also began teaching ALC in Khula. The learners are very keen and dedicated to improving their English skills. The volunteers have also reviewed the way in which they teach the students by trying to build their confidence when speaking English in front of others. 

Monthly update from THAF

Read the following update from Happy Africa Foundation Intern Miriam, who details the last month of her work for our charity. You can also follow Miriam on Twitter. 

The past month for THAF has been a busy one here in St. Lucia! Since you last heard from me we have had two very successful fundraising events, the first being a quiz night held at local restaurant Reef & Dune. This was a brilliant evening which had six teams attend from St. Lucia and nearby Mtubatuba. 

With a combination of funds collected from a team fee at the quiz in combination with a raffle, the night raised R1460 for the Medical Project. 

A Quiz Night will happen monthly, each time raising money for a different focal project and we can see if team ‘Quiz In My Pants’ can hold onto their winning title. 

We also had a Yoga Morning instructed by a very generous local from St Lucia who wanted no fee for teaching. Held at the Bowling Club in St. Lucia, the morning was a perfect way to start off the weekend and many of the volunteers plus some locals turned out to participate. The morning raised R280 which will go towards Christmas parcels for our 10 Families. 

This month has also seen a lot of generous donations come from outside donors, all for the Medical Project so a huge thank you to all those who have donated. Also, thanks to a past volunteer's kind donation we have been able to buy new blood pressure monitors for the Home Based Care box.

THAF has also been supporting African Impact's new Mother's Support Group at Malibongwe Creche by supplying them with useful equipment to help look after their babies. So far, mothers and babies have each received a toothbrush, tooth paste and either baby soap, baby cream or baby oil. This is an exciting new project that we are looking forward to carrying on working with the members in the future.

Volunteers at the African Impact house have enjoyed a few different "THAF Nights" over the last month, which are meant to be evenings where volunteers can brainstorm about our charity and learn about what THAF does hand-in-hand with African Impact. 

The first THAF Night was a fundraising talk accompanied by an interactive game about culture which made the volunteers examine just how different cultures can be even within the volunteer house. Another evening was spent toasting marshmallows in the garden and discussing what new items would be a good idea to add to the wishlist. Everyone had an enjoyable evening and some great suggestions came from it that we will now be seeing on the new wishlist.

In the next few weeks THAF will continue to build up to Christmas and fundraising for Inkanyezi Crèche. If you would like to donate to any of our projects please visit the Happy Africa website and follow the steps there. Please just remember to state what focal project you would like your money to go towards. Again, thank you to all those who have helped in the last month it is very much appreciated by everyone here in St. Lucia. 

Volunteer case study: Medical

Sarah on home-based care.

Sarah Marchand originally planned on volunteering for one month on the African Impact, St Lucia Medical Project. She instantly fell in love with the projects and the people and expressed her interest in extending her stay for an additional month. 

This is what Sarah has to say about her time in St Lucia as a medical volunteer.

Volunteer Profile
Name: Sarah Marchand

Age: 21

From: Connecticut, USA

Dates in St. Lucia: 20/08/12 - 26/10/12

Why did you choose the SLM project?

I was originally interested in the medical project because it seemed as if we got to visit patients in their homes and really get an insider view of their community. I was curious to see how their ways of life were different from my own. I was also very interested in being in Africa. For me it was between the Zambia program and the St. Lucia program and in the end I booked with SLM.

Why choose Africa? South Africa? St. Lucia?

Growing up I lived next door to a woman from Botswana. I would always go sit in her kitchen or on her porch and listen to stories of her childhood for hours. Ever since a young age I wanted to come to Africa because of her. I read every classic book about Africa and was just fascinated by what I learned. I’m with the project for two months as part of an internship through my university. When I was searching for a program to work with I knew that it was finally my chance to come to Africa. The St Lucia medical program just happened to be one I was particularly interested in.

Are you studying for medical related studies or have experience in the medical field?

In school I am studying Neuroscience but I am interested in becoming a Nurse Practitioner, hopefully with pediatrics. However, I also love working with the elderly population, which worked out well since we visit a lot of Gogos (grandmothers) on the home based care program. Also this summer I got certified as a Nurses Assistant back home in the US.

What is it like to be a medical volunteer?

Some days are incredible and inspiring and other days can be a little sad, but that is all part of the experience. On a daily basis we come into contact with people of various ages in intimate settings. Many times we get to sit in people’s homes and hear about the ups and downs of their lives. Sometimes we witness their hardships and try to help in any way possible, even if that is just providing them with a little bit of comfort and support. Other days we are invited inside for birthday cake or to share a good laugh and story with them. Every day is structured somewhat the same but at the same time every day as a medical volunteer holds something so new and exciting.

Medical volunteer Sarah with home-based care patient / Ezwenelisha Support Group member Bheki.

What were your highlights?

It’s hard to pick one project I’ve enjoyed the most or one day that has been the best. I have loved support group and getting to know the different members. I’ve also loved teaching HIV education at the primary school. It always feels good when a child in the community sees you outside of school and remembers your name or when someone from another project shows appreciation toward you. I remember at one support group when the members sang thanks to each person in the group and when they say thanks to their “Sisi’s” all of the volunteers got to dance in the middle of the circle. I was so moved. I felt incredibly loved and accepted by these women of the community. I don’t think I will ever forget that.

You can also read Sarah's personal blog to hear all about her experience as a medical volunteer.

Volunteer blogger: Elsbeth

Another one of our current volunteers is keeping a blog! Visit community volunteer 

Elsbeth's site to read all the latest updates from a volunteer on the ground. One of

our many Dutch volunteers, Elsbeth's blog is in her native tongue, but those who

don't speak Dutch can still view her beautiful photographs from her blog. 

Dinnertime with African Impact

Many who come to volunteer on our projects spend their last few hours writing down our cook Nonhlanhla's best recipes. Most are surprised at how Nonhlanhla is able to create dish after dish of mouth-watering food each day and want to take a little bit of her wholesome cooking home with them.

Many of our cook's recipes are derived from well-known African dishes, with some wholesome South African meals thrown into the mix along with the occasional cottage pie, pasta dish or lasagna.

Because these meals are so popular, we've decided to give you the recipe for one in particular - Chakalaka!

Chakalaka is a spicy South African vegetable relish traditionally served with bread, pap, stews or curries. At our dinners, we eat Chakalaka typically over pap or rice, and sometimes even on a baked potato if there are leftovers the next day.

Thought to have originated from the townships of Johannesburg, there are many variations on how to make Chakalaka, normally depending on region and family tradition, as well as the palate of the diners. Many versions include beans, tomatoes, onion, garlic and curry paste. 

Chakalaka is a quick and easy meal to make - not to mention delicious! 

Here is a recipe for basic Chakalaka: 

Ingredients:

3 medium onions, diced

3 medium carrots, diced

2 medium green bell peppers, diced

3 medium tomatoes, diced

curry powder, to your taste

salt, to taste

1 vegetable bouillon cube

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 - 2 tablespoons of oil for frying

1/4 cup of water

Directions:

1. Fry the onion and pepper together with oil in a large skillet until the onions are clear.

2. Add the grated carrots tomatoes, water and all the seasonings to your liking and cook for about 15-20 minutes. 

You can find more recipes for Chakalaka here, here or here. 

Guestbook update: Starfish

A man walked on a beach where hundreds of thousands of starfish lay stranded, and there was a boy throwing them back into the sea. The man said: "There is too many to make a difference." The boy threw another starfish into the water and said "I made a difference for that-one!" - I hope I made a difference to one or two starfish in my two weeks here. 

-Keith Porter, UK, October 2012

Staff Profile: Miriam

After volunteering for the St Lucia medical project for two months in May of 2012, Miriam Willmott decided to return to the projects as the intern representative for the Happy Africa Foundation (THAF).

A Cambridge native and drama enthusiast, 19-year-old Miriam enjoyed her first volunteer experience, saying she “enjoyed meeting all the people and getting to do all different types of projects.” Hungry to experience more, Miriam applied and was granted a position in St Lucia as the THAF intern. The position includes duties such as raising funds for the programme’s focal projects, increasing the charity’s visibility in the area and overseeing THAF projects.

“I thought it would be good to get experience in this kind of field,” says Miriam. “To be honest I was a bit lost and I had no idea what I wanted to do and it turned up at the right moment.”

Although interning for a charity is not something Miriam ever pictured for herself, she does find it a great experience in contrast to her friends, who are mostly attending university back home in the UK.

“I am learning more life skills that you wouldn’t if you were just in university,” claims Miriam, who feels volunteering and interning is a great alternative to work in the classroom, and is an education in and of itself.

Eager to make a difference and leave her mark, Miriam’s experience as both a volunteer and an intern make her a great mentor for current and future volunteers. To them, she says:

“You’ve got to be very open to new experiences and you’ve got to try everything.”

If you're interested in learning more about the African Impact internship programme, visit our official website. 

Monthly Update: September II

Volunteer Amanda using a balloon with the learners to
demonstrate the destruction of the immune system by HIV.

Continued from Monthly Update: September I...

HIV Education

A total of 19 members from both the Khula and Ezwenelisha community have passed our HIV Education course during the month of September, with much credit being owed to Mama Gumede for finding us two large groups.

Community coordinator Shwele has reported that volunteers have used a variety of ideas and techniques in order to help the students learn more. She says the volunteers improvise and put so much enthusiasm into what they are teaching instead of reading from the booklet and translating she follows the lead of the volunteers.

We also had some very innovative lessons being taught at HIV Education in the primary school, thanks to some very enthusiastic volunteers who have made the lessons easier by adding props and interactive activities for the kids. With our newly revamped "You Me and HIV" workbook, the volunteers are already seeing an improvement in the performance by the learners - 11 out of 13 of our one September group passed the test. 

The blackboard on the container has also come in handy!

Reading Club

Even a holiday weekend can't stop the Khula kids from joining volunteers at our library by the Induna's office to read and engage in learning games. 

A clear favourite among volunteers, on Friday afternoons volunteers have spent their time reading with children of all ages. Some of the younger children prefer to have the volunteers read to them and repeat back certain words, however the majority like having an English speaking person to read to. Volunteers help out the kids by correcting their mistakes, answering their questions enabling them to improve - helping with our goal of making learning fun! 

Adult Literacy

September saw the completion of our first Adult Literacy Course in Ezwenelisha. We had two ladies successfully complete the course. Both ladies had a good grasp of the English language, and informed volunteers that they had come to the course to improve their English levels to help when applying for jobs. This lead to the volunteers tailoring the course to the need of their students by teaching them how to write and present a CV, to write a letter of application and take part in a mock interview. 

The ladies were delighted with how much their English had improved over this seven week course. 'I want to thank African Impact for teaching me English' says one of the students (also an Ezwenelisha Support Group member). Nokwethemba told volunteers the students now have much more confidence and enjoy speaking English during the weekly support group meetings.

Afterschool Club

What have our volunteers not done at Afterschool Club this month?! Along with taking the Ezwenelisha Afterschool Club to the beach for an afternoon in the surf, the following activities were all ideas from our volunteers that they planned and executed themselves: a talent show, 'mini' Olympics, soccer baseball, and a fun day involving water races and obstacle courses. 

This month, the groups also did loads of crafts including paper flowers made using empty egg cartons, coloured paper and pipe cleaners as well as mask making using cups, paper plates, pipe cleaners and lots of various arts and crafts resources. Both afterschool clubs also had great fun designing and creating music makers made by making holes in bottle tops, threading string through them and tying them around the children's wrists/ankles resulting in afternoon of Zulu dancing! 

Volunteers and staff attending a traditional Zulu wedding.

Extras

September was a month filled with small projects, and entertaining weekends. Firstly, the volunteers were able to attend a Zulu wedding near the end of the month, which was surely a highlight for many. Although a long day for most, the wedding provided great insight into Zulu culture, and we were awed by the dancing and singing of the families and the traditions throughout. 

Small projects like the painting of one of the local churches was started and nearly finished in September, and a much-needed cleaning of the container was done one week before Reading Club. We are proud to say all of our gardens are doing wonderfully, and with the end of winter we are preparing for the changing of the seasons, and with it the planting of our summer crops like beans and potatoes. 

Over the coming months, we'll continue to update you on the progress of these small projects (like the brick building we are continuing to do for our extension to Inkanyezi Creche), and many more, so stay tuned!