Where was your first travel experience and how has it left a lasting impact on you?
My first travel experience was to Johannesburg. It made me realize that the social needs in Africa are tremendous and that everyone, local and international, should become involved in however way possible. I was given the opportunity to experience the dire needs of children. Places of Safety offering safe care to up to 40 abandoned babies at a time. Many parents will never make contact with their children again and children beyond the age of 5 have an increasingly lower risk of being fostered or adopted. Interviewing the managers at these projects and realising these issues are shared across the country and across the African continent. It broke my heart, but convinced me even more that my career choice was never in vain.
Enjoying some family vacation time at Betty's Bay Penguin colony.
What inspired you to get involved in the volunteer abroad industry?
My belief and experience that volunteers truly offer a remarkable contribution to the survival and work that nonprofit organisations do in South Africa and Namibia. For me volunteers form part of the backbone of all organisations. They offer relief, to the often, overworked permanent staff. Hearing the excitement in an organisation’s voice when you send through the profile of a possible volunteer is what inspires me to to the best I can!
How did you end up working for Claim Victory?
I’ve been familiar with Claim Victory since 1999. I’ve been involved in the operations of the company since school going age, but after finishing school I decided to study social work. As for many who decide to take this career path in South Africa - it is truly a calling and not for the money to be made. Finishing my career I went on to work in various impoverished areas in Cape Town, The Winelands Region and the Overberg. My areas of speciality was child protection and victim empowerment. Claim Victory offered me a chance to become their volunteer support liaison officer and manage the screening of volunteers and linking them to appropriate projects in South Africa and Namibia.
It is has been a tremendous wonderful journey to meet so many lovely people from across the world and at the same time being able to live my passion as a social worker by being a change agent for so many projects that rely on the assistance of volunteers for day to day operations.
What is your favorite part of your job? Do you live in South Africa? If yes, what is your favorite part about living there?
My favourite part of the job is linking a volunteer with a suitable project… Being a change agent in this regard. I have lived in South Africa for all my life. I am a true local for that matter. Living in South Africa has taught me perseverance and tolerance. I love being able to walk into a shop and have total strangers smiling and greeting you or making small talk with the cleaner, baker or person assisting you behind the counter. I am extremely proud of my country even though we suffer daily challenges and negative exposure - we always get up and make the best of a situation.
Myself with students.
What is your best piece of advice for a prospective volunteer?
Be honest with yourself when applying for a volunteer position. Ask many questions and be sure you join a credible project whether in wildlife conservation or in social welfare. Take travel advice to heart and enjoy every moment - it goes by so quickly!
Tell us about the accommodation for volunteers.
We attempt to integrate the volunteers we place with their projects as far as possible. If projects are not able to offer accommodation on site, we ensure that our volunteers get the best deals in terms of hostel- host family -or apartment living near the project they are placed.
If you could participate in one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
Difficult question, but I would volunteer at the community upliftment project in the Boland near Cape Town. The project offers volunteers the chance to get hands-on experience in the community by assisting the children with homework, teaching them dance and drama and coaching sports. It takes the children off the street and lowers the chance of them becoming involved in gangsterism activities.
Myself on-site at one of our projects running a program.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
Take into consideration your personality and needs when you start your research. Are you someone that will be able to work in a big group or do you feel more secure in a smaller group? Consider what you wish to obtain from your experience and communicate this to the agency that you apply with. If you are unsure, ask for assistance to narrow your options down.
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
Orphanages in South Africa and Namibia… Is this real? Both South Africa and Namibia have very good social welfare systems and laws in place. In many African countries a big concern is illegal orphanages. In South Africa and Namibia all social projects have to undergo rigorous processes to be registered and monitored and as a placement agency we always request all legal documents before enlisting a project with us. Projects need to be accountable to the general public and always act in the best interest of the people they serve. We believe in building good relationships with our projects and placing the needs of the vulnerable groups they serve as a top priority.
