Volunteer Case Study: Community

Volunteer Kiera Brown at Mailibongwe Creche

Want to know what it is like to be a community volunteer? Due to unforeseen circumstances Kiera, a community volunteer, had to switch from our project in Mozambique to St Lucia. Take a look at what this 3-month volunteer had to say.

Volunteer Profile

Name: Kiera Brown

Age: 22

From: Newcastle, England

Dates in St Lucia: 02/07/12 – 24/09/12

I have not been on the Mozambique project so I can't compare them but I can say that I don't believe the change in location was at all detrimental to my volunteer experience and given how much I have enjoyed my time here if I was offered the opportunity to go back and change to Mozambique I wouldn't. 

Are you studying for teacher-related studies or have experience in the teaching field?

I am not a teacher nor have I studied any aspect of the teaching field. This did make me feel somewhat apprehensive before I arrived and going on crèche was a daunting experience but these fears were without foundation. The teachers at the crèche are very welcoming and it brings such joy every time we pull up at crèche to be met by such happy faces. Teaching the children is not as hard as I first thought, it is easy to keep their attention if you just use a little bit of imagination to give the lessons an element of fun.

What was your motivation for booking your volunteer trip?

When I booked I was due to finish university and wanted to see a bit of the world before growing up and getting a real job. I wanted to travel but I also wanted to do something worthwhile. I decided I wanted to volunteer and after some research chose African Impact.

Why choose Africa? South Africa? St Lucia?

I chose Africa because it was a developing country and everything I read before I came said that the local people were friendly and inviting. However, it was also for selfish reasons because I wanted to see the wildlife in Africa and I wanted to travel to a new place different from my own country.

What is it like to be a community volunteer?

As a community volunteer I spent most of my mornings at crèche. There are eight crèches which we visit on a rotation system. Each crèche is wonderful in it's own way. Usually crèche begins with a few songs to warm the kids up. After this we normally go through the alphabet, numbers, colours and shapes. These four subjects are repeated on a daily basis because they are included in the test the children have to pass to start primary school. At some point during the morning there is a break time when I get to let out my inner child out and play with the kids. After the break we teach a lesson based on the theme of the week which is decided on and prepared for during each week's planning session. If there is time we sing some songs or play a game before heading back to the volunteer house for a delicious (believe me it is) lunch. After lunch, we prepare anything we need for the afternoon projects. Afternoon projects provide more variety from building projects, to afterschool club, each day will provide its own challenges and reward. After projects you can relax at the house or go out you are free to choose.

Kiera and fellow volunteers Erin, Monique and Gabi teaching songs at Inkanyezi Creche.

Highlights?

One of the stand out moments of my time here was the opening of Inkanyezi Crèche. It was a wonderful way to experience Zulu culture. It also made me feel as though we had made something that would last, something tangible. The kids are also one of my highlights because they are so happy to see you every time you drive by or go to the crèche.

What are you getting from it?

Volunteering for me was by no means a selfless task. I have gotten so much out of these projects. One of the things that made me volunteer with African Impact was having the opportunity to travel, this I was able to do, I got to see a different country and witness the cultural differences between Africa and England. I would have to say though that the best thing that has come form this experience has been the number of new people that I have met from all over the world.

  

'I enjoyed every minute of my time spent with African Impact, I loved teaching at the creches and spending time with the kids but I also enjoyed the projects which help the wider community such as building Inkanyezi and garbage pick up. Inkanyezi opening was amazing because it felt like we had done something that would  last and we got to be a part of the community through the celebration.' - Kiera Brown, 2012.