African Impact

When I arrived at the volunteer house we had an induction which outlined the goals for each project and the goal for the Sports Development project was to introduce a good to high standard of Physical Education (PE) while supporting the local head coach from a company called "Sports Choice". This company works with local schools with in townships with backing from some charities to improve the quality of coaching and the amount of time children take part in organised PE sessions. Sustainability is really important to African Impact and that is very clear in each project in which I was involved in. The schools were how I pictured a township school and not like the photo on the website of the volunteer provider. The photo was of a school African Impact used to work at a couple of months before and the school did not require more volunteer help as they progressed to a high level that they can sustain for many years to come. The areas that the children do PE were old netball courts with grass in patches on an asphalt surface on which all the children take their shoes off and have bare feet. I was surprised at first but I think back to the days I was at primary school in New Zealand and I just to go bare footed for everything. I overheard the coach saying that the school don't let the children wear shoes due to it marks and wreaks the courts, which I think is a shame when the court is in quiet a poor state. The first couple of sessions the head coach was in charge and it felt more like pre-season training rather than a PE lesion as all we did for 45 minutes were shuttles with the class split in to four groups which at least nine in each line. I thought this was crazy as I have learnt though practice and study that children should not be put in big group qued activities, one good thing was that the coach always got the children chanting as each group had a name and gained points for supporting pairs and teammates. After the first day I started to take more control of sessions from just a warm up to taking the whole session in which the children played more skill based games that include all the children most of the time, which I feel they would benefit from having fun and learning new skills as well. Depending on the age of the children and the level of English would depend on the complexity of each game. I would explain to the rules and goals of the games to the children then speak to the coach so he knew why I am doing this particular active and what skills I am looking for from the children. If it doesn't go quite right, just adapting the rules slightly makes the children more responsive. I gave the head coach a list of session plans that have key points for the session and a lot of different games based for different age groups instead of have just one set game for the children. On Fridays as a team we plan sessions for the next week and brainstorm new games we could try as well making them age relevant games, we would also set a theme every two weeks as the head coach only sees each class once a fortnight. Also being based in two schools in the township of Langa only two days a week allows a very limited time with each class, but the goal is to provide PE and show how important PE is in the development of a child mentally as well as physically. After two weeks on the volunteer project I felt time went really quickly and I just wanted to stay and continue the project as I really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed my time with the staff and the children as well as I felt I have grown in terms of taking a more leading role without stepping on the head coaches toes while putting my ideas out there and having the confidence in explaining and justifying the reason for this idea. When I was younger I feel I would have taken a back seat role and just let things play out as an observer. This experience has shown me a different style and culture of coaching children and has opened my eyes to the fact that children have a massive respect for adults in this culture and been constantly hearing a collective "yes coach" and if you say something they do it, whereas some English children don't have that level of respect of even close. The more you put in to project the more you get out, it was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had.

Hello, I spent 5 weeks with African Impact in St. Lucia in July/August 2013 and I can truly say it was one of the most impactful experiences of my life.... and being 56, that is a lot of life! The work was amazing, we did and do make a difference, the staff was incredible and the other volunteers could not have been more engaging and invested. But most of all, the people of the two villages I worked in are what has impacted me the most... they are gracious, loving, thoughtful people, from the small children to the elderly. I was on the medical project but every day was different from working in the clinic, going into people's homes to help them, to recording weights and stats on children, to working in a community garden, teaching HIV awareness to children and adults, walking the streets of the villages with children holding your hands, seeing monkeys all around, going on a safari to singing songs with the staff and volunteers, it was ALL amazing. Everyday, we worked hard but it felt so good doing something I know makes a difference. These people live in very tough circumstances and still maintain positive outlooks and a sense of hope is something we can all learn from... I know I have. My heart swells when I think of my time in South Africa and I would go back and work with African Impact in a heartbeat. I learned so much while there, it is hard to describe. I will always be grateful to the people of St. Lucia and to my friends!! Thank you Sonja, thank you Alanna, thank you Monique, thank you Miriam, Nekwetamba, Schwele, Mumsi, Sedeki and Mumsi! You are the best! Malinda Z.

This internship is one of the best things I've ever done. After my degree I couldn't decide whether to start looking for work or to take a gap year and travel, so this was the best of both worlds. Cape Town is amazing - my new favourite city! When I first arrived everyone told me that I wouldn't want to leave and they were so right. There's so much to see and do. Beaches, mountains, shopping, bars, museums, sports, vineyards... The list goes on. Shark-cage diving was a particular highlight. Working in the African Impact office was great. The Marketing and Social Media Managers are both lovely and I learnt a lot from them. You get to take on a fair amount of responsibility in this role as well so it was a great opportunity to develop practical knowledge/skills. When I eventually came home and started applying for jobs every interviewer just wanted to ask about the internship! It really stands out on a CV. I'd recommend an internship with African Impact in a heartbeat. A return visit to Cape Town has also been added to my bucket list.