Lofdal Volunteer Projects Cape Town

Overview

About

Since 1994 we have seen this community expand, from a mere 85.000 people to more than 200.000 people, most of them relocated from provinces and foreign countries in search of a better future.

Many of them were not successful in this quest and had to settle for a minimum wage, day to day employment and low cost housing. Due to insufficient income, because of an unemployment rate of 45% in South Africa, issues like poverty, child neglect and alcohol abuse are the order of the day. Great numbers of people staying in vicinity of Lofdal are treated for TB and HIV/Aids related illnesses. The successes of these treatments are often delayed due to malnutrition or the lack of food.

Lofdal community project is also reaching out to other communities in need of support, development and upliftment. Many of the communities are facing great challenges because of the abuse of narcotics. Therefore there are several substance abuse support groups to assist those affected by the abuse of narcotics. Working very closely with local social service and welfare departments as well as with the local police force, dr. Du Toit ( founder of Lofdal Community project) pioneered great initiatives and programs in attempt to bring aid to the needs of these impoverished communities since 1994 although the NPO was only registered in 2000.

Services are aimed specifically at the poor, those infected with HIV/aids, those with terminal conditions, abusers of narcotics, in particular the children of various areas, who are in need of aid and support.

Which Programs Do We Offer?

The project consists of several programs, suitable to be combined or to be adapted in order to fit your specific needs and to offer you a challenging and diverse experience.

• Helping with Food: Helping with the preparation and cooking of meals that get transported to be handed out to the different communities in need.
• Safehouse (not orphanage): Helping with the daily running of a safehouse with 2-6 toddlers abandoned by their parents at given times.
• Primary schools: Helping out at our Grade 1 class with 40 learners with the day-to-day tasks/admin and organizing sport and/or game activities. Age group: 6 and 7 yrs
• Grade R learning Centre: Helping out at our preschool caring for 110 children (three classes), giving individual care and assistance to children, organizing and playing games, exercise, singing and dancing. Age group: 5-6 yrs.
• Care center: Presenting life skills to recovering substance abusers aged 18 and up.
• Gardening: Agricultural work in the community gardens to supplement the soup kitchen and families needs.

Target Group

The children in the area are of main concern. They are members of the Xhosa (indigenous tribe and language).  Communication can therefore be a challenge, especially with the very young kids, but fortunately English is also a commonly used language.

Many of the children have to deal directly or indirectly with HIV/AIDS. They are for example orphans living with family members (e.g. grandparents) because their parents have died of AIDS related diseases. The number of absentees at school is high due to a lack of guidance, family support and financial means. Volunteers are expected to guide and support these children through mentorship and social support.

Needs

There is, besides daily aid and assistance, also a need for financial support. Any possible gifts and donations provided by volunteers and their network of people are extremely appreciated. Instead of collecting goods and materials for donation, it is recommended to purchase and donate these on location.

Guidance and Supervision

The programs of Lofdal have different program directors who are managed by the project manager, who oversees the entire program. At arrival you will be welcomed by the Project manager who will introduce you to the program directors with who you will be volunteering.

Accommodation

We offer dormitory style rooms, with 3 to 4 people sharing if needed, who will have to make use of a communal bathroom with shower facilities and a fully equipped self-catering kitchen.

The hotel is centrally located with shops and restaurants within walking distance and situated in front of the Kraaifontein railway station which can take you to Cape Town directly for weekends and day tours.

Fees and Dates

2 weeks R 5400

3 weeks R 7400

4 weeks R 9400

All extra weeks will be charged R 1800 per week.

An extra booking fee of R500 is required if you need Khaya to arrange transfers, accommodation and bus tickets as well as external travel arrangements. This fee lets Khaya handle your travel arrangements completely.

The fee will be used for the maintenance of buildings in the area, food for children, the organization of activities and of course a part will be donated to the project.

Costs will cover the following:

• Personal collection upon arrival from the airport
• Transport to and from the projects from the accommodation
• Accommodation: Dormitory style room sleeps 4
• Breakfast
• Guidance and supervision during your stay

Costs exclude the following:

• Air tickets
• Insurances
• Dinner and lunch

Voluntary Period

Volunteers can start at any given time.  Keeping in account the South African school holidays where volunteer wants to come and participate in school program it will have to change to holiday clubs which has to be facilitated and co-ordinated well in advanced.

It is important that volunteers of this project understand the importance of the following:

• To be enthusiastic and independent, in order to complete (with guidance) a successful term
• To show respect towards the people and culture of the local community. You might not agree with certain ways of conduct during your term here, but don’t forget you are a guest, and you can’t try to change everything in a period of just a few weeks
• This is a faith based organization and its policies and procedures is Christian founded. Volunteers are not forced to participate but they would be welcom to interact as to experience local social interaction.
• Volunteers would be required to respect the structures that are in place
• Volunteers would be given the freedom to introduce alternative ideas in assisting the different programs and its participants with the consent of the program directors.
• To be a Go-Getter!
  
  

Gallery

Testimonials