IZIZWE Projects is a registered non-profit organization which aims to uplift the community of Walmer Township in Gqeberha, by establishing partnerships with community groups, including Walmer High School, Walmer Primary School, and local creches. To assist with the work they do Izizwe relies on volunteers, many of whom come from abroad.
The mission of Izizwe Projects is to revitalize community-centred organizations in the township, while also providing opportunities for international volunteers to learn about Xhosa and township culture, and to teach people about their own native cultures.
Since 2008, Izizwe has strengthened these community groups by providing financial assistance and recruiting volunteers from countries such as Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. Formally registered as a South African NPC in January 2012, Izizwe Projects is looking to expand its impact on the township by developing more projects and more local involvement.
Volunteers, both local and international, can make a huge impact by assisting our programs such as the holiday program, sports program, dancing projects, and support to the school and creches.
Reasons to volunteer if you’re not from SA:
Schedule and Responsibilities
If you are part of a volunteering program you will have some kind of schedule of where and when you need to be at your chosen project. There there will be certain responsibilities placed on you as well.
As a tourist, you won’t be stuck to a set schedule unless you are travelling in an organized group. You can go as you please and spend your days visiting tourist attractions.
As a volunteer generally, you will have more time in the country of your choice so you don’t need to rush to do activities and see all the sights you want. You can choose to take a weekend off and explore the surroundings with other volunteers without planning everything as you would as a tourist.
Your living situation
As a tourist, you will most likely stay in a backpacker, guesthouse or hotel. The place you will stay in is well organized and most likely full of other travellers who are there for a short period of time.
As a volunteer you will live in a volunteer house with other volunteers; you will actually experience living somewhere instead of just passing through.
Time spent in one place
There is a big contrast between tourists and volunteers when it comes to time spent in one place. As a volunteer, you are most likely to bind yourself to a place for a longer period of time.
As a tourist, you move on after you’ve seen enough of the place you stay in. You are not bound to responsibilities so you are free to pack your things up and leave.
When you stay longer in one place you will get to know the city better and develop a bond with certain people you meet.
Making local friends
When you are traveling you are most likely to do this with your friends or family so you already have a set group of people around you. Even if you are travelling alone the fact that you are only staying in the same place for a few days will make it difficult to develop friendships with locals. When you are staying in the same city for a long while, naturally this will be easier.
Importance of language skills
As a tourist, you will do fine with the basics of another language. As long as you can ask for directions to the nearest bathroom you will do just fine.
As a volunteer, it might come in handy to actually learn to speak the local language as it will help you achieve more with the local folks. We see that most of our non-native-speaking volunteers make huge progress with their language skills and improve their English on a daily basis.
Types of expectations
It’s important to think about what you want to get out of your experience abroad. If you want to develop yourself and others around you while absorbing the local culture and taking your time to see the main attractions, join us as a volunteer! You will not regret it and look back on this life experience as a time when you learned a lot and developed lasting relationships.
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