Good Hope Volunteers

I participated in two programs including the Horse Trails Project as well as the Wildlife Research Project. Gaining a wide range of experience relevant to numerous species including horses, farm animals, and wildlife was fantastic! Also, the hands-on opportunities allowed me to effectively acquire knowledge while contributing to animal health and conservation which was extremely rewarding. Furthermore, the accommodation and food arrangements were excellent as well even though I volunteered during the pandemic. I would definitely recommend Good Hope Volunteers to anyone who would like to make an impact pertaining to animal welfare or conservation.

The volunteer project that I chose was Caring For Elderly. I am a nurse here in Brazil and I specialize in adult and elderly health. My intention was to gain experience in the area, learn about a new culture, improve my English and live new experiences. I chose Good Hope because it is an internationally renowned school. The reality of elderly in Africa is quite different from what I knew in Brazil. My experience was incredible, I learned a lot, I lived the love of neighbor, brought new knowledge and it was an exchange of experiences among nursing African professionals. It was sad to have to leave Africa due to the corona virus crisis, but it was a rewarding experience. I hope to came back to Cape Town in next few months to conclude my mission! Thank you Good Hope for the opportunity. It was a great adventure!

I was allowed to work for two months in the volunteer project Safe Haven- Out of Africa, Children Fondation. This project includes five inspiring places where children live in South Africa. I was allowed to visit the fascinating school for the deaf several times and tried my skills more and more in sign language. I visited the school for the blind and gave my attention to the children who are excluded or even killed outside this school. I also went to the City of Refuge and met many people of different ages and saw how they are striving for a better and new life. I visited two different day care centers in the townships of Langa. I admired the way the teacher with very little resources. I became aware of how different the available resources are, or the norms and customs of my culture and this one in South Africa. But what struck me, what always remains the same, are the children. The children have welcomed me lovingly in all projects. They were patient with me even though communication was not always easy. They were grateful and appreciated that I was interested in them. And I am sure that I made an impression. Even if it was only my appearance that remains in their memory. I didn't always feel insanely needed by the teachers but I knew every day that I was doing this for the children. The children who have to grow up without parents, who have to live with fear day after day, the children who don't get a hug from an adult every day, who tell them how proud they are of their child. I have seen that most of the time the capacity was not there to give the children the attention they deserve as any child. I am therefore happy to have been able to give these children a smile, affection and loving attention during these two months. It was the right decision to organize my stay with Good Hope Volunteers. I always knew that Good Hopes was behind me and that I could approach them at any time. I am satisfied with my entire stay and will return after this "world crisis" and finish what I started. Thank you very much for the exciting impressions, the unforgettable moments and the touching stories that will shape my life forever. See you!