About
The non-profit organization Izizwe Projects was started in 2008 by local resident Prof Mtyaleka; and founder of Khaya, Martijn van der Put. They started introducing international visitors to the township community by organising township tours and school visits, for those who were interested. The interaction with international tourists presented an opportunity to do more substantial things, and people started volunteering at some of the crèches and schools, for shorter or longer periods of time. In 2012 Izizwe Projects was formally registered as a non-profit organization.
The incredible change these international volunteers have brought to this community shows the need to grow further, and attract more international volunteers, who are willing to make a difference.
Walmer Township is one of the few places in South Africa, where during Apartheid years a community of mostly Xhosa people remained to exist in the middle of the white communities. Even though the ruling party tried to evacuate this community it continued to exist through the support of the surrounding white employers. These employers preferred their domestic workers and gardeners living close by, as opposed to 30 km outside town where most black communities were forcefully relocated to. That is how this township, nowadays, forms the home of approximately 70,000 people.
Walmer is different from other townships because of its location. It is a relatively calm and easily accessible area. Poverty, child neglect, alcohol abuse and a high unemployment rate are some of the many challenges this community faces on a day-to-day basis. The diversity of needs and great lack of services for this community shows in terms of a shortage of educational institutes. There are only 2 primary schools and 1 high school available to the children of Walmer.
The focus of the Sports Development Program by Izizwe Projects are the community and especially the children of the townships of Gqebera, more commonly known as Walmer Township in Port Elizabeth (PE), South Africa. This project strives to provide services to the children of Walmer which we feel they are entitled to; a right to exercise, a right to know how to be healthy, a right to learn how to swim.
Our team of local volunteers, who are otherwise unemployed youth, run the sports program, with or without international volunteers. Your chance to be part of this is an added value where the energy of combining all these individuals and experiences help us to grow this program to new heights.
Programs offered
The sport program currently consists of the following:
Primary School Sports
All schools in South Africa need to provide their learners with Physical Training (PT) as part of the school curriculum. Unfortunately the reality is that few teachers have the skills or the motivation to actually provide meaningful PT lessons, and that is where Izizwe comes in.
Under the guidance of our local coaches volunteers will be involved in coaching both boys as girls in the age groups of 6-18 years old.
From Monday to Thursday we provide PT lessons at 2 primary schools in the area in sessions of 1.5 hours before a new class will come running.
The children love it; they actually learn about the need for a warm up, learn new games and most of all have fun while being active.
Afterschool Sports
On Tuesday and Thursday we offer basketball training to children in the age of 12-18 years at the High School from 14.30hrs. After the school closes at 14.00hrs the children have time to freshen up and change into their basketball outfits kindly donated by one of our previous volunteers.
Basketball is not very well known in South Africa so we start with the basic rules and slowly teach them to be a team and enjoy this fast and fun game.
Swimming Lessons
On Friday we offer a swimming program for children between 6-9 years old and we provide transport to a heated indoor swimming pool in winter or an outdoor swimming pool in summer, where we give basic swimming lessons and hand out diplomas to the children after these lessons.
If you are into sports and exercise and if you´d love to work with children, this project is designed for you! We could really use the help in further growing this project, and to work together with our coach to come up with new ideas and activities for the children to have fun while exercising.
See what other volunteers say about this project
You can read the reviews of this exciting project, posted by other volunteers, here and here.
Accommodation
Your Accommodation
Superbly located in a prime spot in Port Elizabeth, close to beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife, our Lodge accommodation is a comfortable and relaxing space that volunteers can call home. Rated as 3-star backpackers by The South African Grading Council, the lodge is a quiet sanctuary where volunteers can find relax and enjoy this time with others. It is a place where friendships are forged, and memories are made.
The Lodge is made up of various spaces, living areas, bathrooms and 3 bedrooms with other rooms optional for couples and older volunteers. The house has a nice entertainment area with barbecue (braai) facilities, a comfortable lounge with fireplace and a sparkling pool that you can happily dive into on a hot day. A great area to socialize with your fellow volunteers from all over the world. The interior of the Lodge is laid back and cosy with an African feel.
Meals
Three meals per day are included and we work on a set menu per week, lovingly prepared by our cook with your assistance. There is free coffee, tea and drinking water available at any time.
For breakfast you will have continental buffet with a choice of bread, fruit, yoghurt, cereals and/or eggs.
For lunch, you can make your own sandwiches with cheese, marmalade, cold meat or other spreads to take with you to the project.
Dinners are a variety of hearty healthy meals such as soups, stews, pies, oven dishes and other options.
We cater for vegetarians and vegans but please inform us before arriving to prepare accordingly.
Transport
Airport transfers are included in your fee. We also include your daily transport to your project and back to the accommodation.
If you would like to go out after hours and on weekends you can easily book an Uber or Bolt.
Living with other Volunteers
As a volunteer from Khaya Volunteer Projects, you will be staying in a house with many different nationalities - which means you will eat together, work together and so on. We arrange an informal social on a weekly basis where you can relax and have some fun, getting to know other volunteers as well as your coordinators.
Every Friday is "Casual Day" and after your volunteering at your project we have our "Khaya Social Outing" - free of charge of course.
The outing is weather permitting. It can range from a trip to the beach where we can have a picnic and swim; we can go for a walk or a hike; to the city centre or even some retail therapy at the shopping mall. Or a pre-weekend drink at a pub - a good way to start your weekend after a long week of volunteering!
Other Volunteers
We host volunteers from all around the world including the USA, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the UK and many other countries.
Fees & Dates
| DURATION: |
EURO |
USD |
GBP |
| 1 Week |
€ 330,00 |
$370,00 |
£300,00 |
| 2 Weeks |
€ 590,00 |
$655,00 |
£535,00 |
| 3 Weeks |
€ 840,00 |
$935,00 |
£765,00 |
| 4 Weeks |
€ 1 085,00 |
$1 210,00 |
£985,00 |
| Extra Weeks |
€ 230,00 |
$255,00 |
£210,00 |
| Long Term p/week (min 8 weeks) |
€ 210,00 |
$235,00 |
£190,00 |
| Surcharge: Single room p/week |
€ 55,00 |
$60,00 |
£50,00 |
Included in the full Volunteering fee:
- Information and assistance before departure
- Pick up upon airport arrival and airport drop off at the end of your stay
- Welcome pack including an information guide, free SIM card, maps etc. upon arrival
- City Tour and Introduction Program
- Accommodation in volunteer house in close proximity to the beach (7 nights per week of volunteering booked)
- Onsite volunteer coordinator available 24/7
- 3 basic meals a day
- 15% direct donation to the project’s needs
- Daily transfers to-and-from the project
- Package offers on weekend trips and outings (extra costs apply) to enjoy yourself during your down time
Excluded are the following:
- Private luxuries (snacks, cool drinks, alcohol etc.)
- Costs for weekend outings to safari parks etc.
- Air tickets
- Insurance
Starting dates
Starting your volunteer work is on Mondays only. You will either be picked up at the airport or any accommodation in Port Elizabeth on Monday. You will then have time to settle in and explore the area. Tuesday will be your introduction day at the project. If you arrive before Monday, we can assist with accommodation at the backpackers or guesthouse for you.
Participation is for full weeks only and the project will be closed for approximately 3 weeks over Christmas and New Years’ time.
Add Ons To Your Trip
10% OFF on your Nomad Africa tour when booking through Khaya
Nomad Africa Adventure Tours offers organized tours over Africa. Whether you’re young or young at heart, adventurous or more relaxed, it doesn’t matter, you will always find a fitting tour with them.
Their tours ensure you safety and give you the chance to meet new friends along the way. They are an exciting way of travelling that allows you to explore the country and its surroundings at affordable rates and without having to worry about anything yourself!
And we can make it even better. If you book your next Nomad Tour with Khaya, you will get a 10% off the tour price! We have picked a few of our favorites to combine with this project, check them out below!
7 Day Tours:
14 Day Tours:
10% OFF on your BazBus tour when booking through Khaya
Hop-on Hop-off backpacker bus. Door-to-door. Meet interesting people. Safe and fun way to travel around South Africa. Great alternative to car hire.
Check out their travel options on their site, BazBus. By booking your Bazbus travel with Khaya, you will receive a 10% discount. If interested, please contact us and we’ll help you further with great pleasure.
10% or 20% OFF on your CapeXtreme Adventure when booking through Khaya
The best adventure company in Cape Town! They organize action packed activities and overland tours in Cape Town. On top of that they also do trips from Cape Town to Addo and the Port Elizabeth Area.
Surfing, cage diving, sandboarding, skydiving, everything is possible with Cape Xtreme. You can see the Garden Route or enjoy a day visiting the cape peninsula, or what do you think of a daytrip to Stellenbosch and Paarl for the most amazing wine tastings?
As a Khaya Volunteer, you can get an amazing discount of 10 or 20% depending on the adventure you book. After confirming your booking with us, you will get a voucher code that will ensure you your discount. Simply go to their website CapeXtreme , choose your tour and date, insert the voucher code, proceed to check-out, make your payment online, and enjoy the trip!
15% OFF on your Mzansi Travel when booking through Khaya
The most comfortable & affordable way to do Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Travel Tickets in South Africa. Meet fellow travelers. Fun stops along the way! Travelling on a small budget? Then Mzansi is definitely something for you.
Get a 15% discount on direct tickets, hop-on hop-off tickets and Mzansi Passes. After confirming your stay with us, you will get a voucher code sent to you that you can use on all your Mzansi bookings. Just go to their website Mzansi Travel, make your booking online use the voucher code and off you go!
Location
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
