Sports Development Project

Overview

About

Our approach is to encourage sustainable change by motivating the participants to become opinion leaders in their social network of peers and siblings. Research supports the strong influence of positive peer relations, with peer-led groups resulting in significant improvement in knowledge compared to teacher-led groups. The impact of our projects hence goes beyond its immediate beneficiaries and positively influences peers and siblings not directly involved. Our activities are aligned with government and corporate interest in strengthening leadership capacities and in strengthening the capacity of communities through sustainable social change. They are equally in line with the efforts aimed at attaining the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Location

The project takes place at different schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay area (Eastern Cape)

Needs

The project is run by a non-profit organization and is therefore very dependent on volunteers. If you are experienced in giving sports training, your studies are sport related and/or you love children, this project is ideal for you!

Guidance and Supervision

Once the project knows where they can use your specific skills you will be introduced to the people who will offer guidance during your period of volunteer work. The project’s director will always be there as a support point during your stay.

Tasks

Placements primarily include providing education and development through sports projects, coaching and / or promoting social and health awareness. Alternative non-sports placements include teaching, arts and crafts or working with disabled or HIV/AIDS affected children.

Join one of our volunteer coaching placements in South Africa during your gap year, career break or activity holiday and play and coach sports to keen young players who are passionate about football/soccer, cricket, rugby, hockey, netball, tennis, basketball, swimming and more. As part of the life-skills curriculum, promote good citizenship and impart social / health awareness and knowledge. You will work 5 days a week as part of a team and go out into the community to teach sports and games to underprivileged children.

Prerequisites

It’s important that the volunteer considers the following points:

• Respect the mission and vision of the project
• Be flexible with your tasks and activities
• Be a go getter!
• Love working with children

Why?

A Personal Organisation

Because we are a medium-sized organisation with a history and track record of success and because we enjoy a strong base in South Africa, you will quickly see how much we care about our travellers. We will get to know you as an individual and you will immediately feel part of our team. This personal support is continued until the moment you return home.

In-Country Support

Unlike many other organisations, we make sure you are properly looked after during your time away. Our expatriate in-country staff and local staff live with or near you and are on call 24/7 to make sure you are safe, secure, informed and really enjoying your experience abroad.

Value for Money

Although you do have to fork out some cash to come away with us, you will soon see that we offer great value with no hidden costs. Quality pre-departure advice, excellent in-country support and professionally run activities are just some of the benefits you will receive.

Tailor Made Trips

We will try to give you the flexibility in dates, durations and activities to tailor make the experience you desire. How about combining a sports and non-sports volunteer project? Or what about extending your trip once you’re in-country? These options are all available, as are many more.

Knowledgeable Staff

All our staff are keen sports persons and have been involved in community and youth development for many years. So engage them as they will be more than happy to answer all your questions about activities and the complexities of developing countries and the South African context at large.

The Best Qualifications

If you choose to participate in extra programmes and activities which include qualifications, you can be confident in the quality of these certifications because we only work with the top governing bodies and training centres in the industry. This ensures your achievements are internationally recognised and, if you are a newly qualified instructor, you will be able to seek employment all over the world.

Financially Sound and Secure

You need to know that your money is safe when you book your trip, especially as you pay the full amount a few weeks before you leave. This is why we have a professional and transparent accounting system, monitored by our internal and external auditing systems and structures, strictly follow South African legislation and have never failed any of our budgets or financial years since our inception in 2005. We have a separate client account which ensures that you will be paid back in the unlikely event of our financial failure.

Accommodation

The accommodation has a very sociable atmosphere and you will find it a great place to relax and unwind in the evenings, with a swimming pool and lots of activities such as ping pong, TV/DVD room, pool table, braai area, etc….

The accommodation is centrally located to the placements (5 minutes' drive from the nearest townships) and not far away from the city centre (8 minutes' drive), shopping centres (within walking distance), the beach (10 minutes' drive) and the night life. Where walking is too far, it is advised to use taxis or minibus taxis.

You and your fellow volunteers will be comfortable here for your stay and have all that is needed.

Internet is available, a landline phone, laundry facilities and most important it is safe as we offer 24 hour security on the premises.

Fees And Dates

For every additional week you will be charged R 2000 with a maximum of 12 weeks.

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.

Included in fee:

• Transfer to and from the Port Elizabeth airport
• Full orientation and induction to your project and the general local context upon arrival
• Accommodation in a communal house with swimming pool and all amenities
• Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Your volunteer placement or training course
• All work-related local transport
• Necessary equipment and briefings
• 24/7 in-country attention and support
• Numerous free weekends and social evenings, adventurous and cultural activities
• Work experience and reference letters on request
• Lots of advice on what to do and where to go in your free time and further travels

Excluded from free (but we are happy to help with):

• All flights
• Visas (when applicable)
• Vaccinations and medications
• Local transport which is not work-related (we encourage volunteers to use local taxis or public transport)
• Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
• Laundry service
• In-country travel and personal spending money, i.e. all costs related to personal, social, tourist and cultural activities – we can assist with bookings and useful advice
• All travel and personal insurances: loss of personal property, illness, accident (whether during an activity linked to us or not), repatriation, personal liability, etc…

Dates

3 Months stay (2012):

• 14^th January – 5^th April (note this session ends on a Thursday)
• 9^th April - 30^th June (Note this session starts on a Monday)
• 25^th August  - 17^th November

5 Weeks stay (2012):

• 14^th January - 18^thFebruary
• 18^th February - 24^th March
• 9^th April - 12^th May
• 12^th May - 16^th June
• 14^th July - 18^thAugust
• 25^th August – 29^th September
• 29^th September - 3^rd November

3 Months stay (2013):

• 5^th January - 30^th March
  
• 6^th April - 29^th June
• 24^th August  - 16^th November

5 Weeks stay (2013):

• 5^th January - 9^thFebruary
• 9^th February - 16^th March
• 6^th April - 11^th May
• 11^th May - 15^th June
• 13^th July - 17^thAugust
• 24^th August – 28^th September
• 28^th September - 2^nd November

Gallery

Testimonials

Annelinde - The Netherlands
"My time in Port Elizabeth volunteering at the sports programme was intensive and reinventing in many ways. This is the perfect place to go if you feel involved with the education of youngsters! I’m looking forward returning to the project as soon as possible!"

Ben – Scotland>
"I had a great time, the staff was really friendly and I had no problems adapting at all! Besides the chance to support the local kids, I utterly enjoyed the wonderful time with my new friends and being busy in a sportive way!"

Jaques - France
"Never in my life I felt so useful, this was my first volunteering experience but it surely won’t be the last! I had a great time with the kids and my coworkers. I was accepted right away and felt a part of the professional team from the minute I started volunteering! My thanks to my colleagues for the great time, and also to Khaya for giving me the opportunity."

Dana and Scott – U.S.A.
"The Sports Programme is a place you must have been if you’ve got volunteering and sportmanship in your blood. The people are all very nice and the supervision is great!  We found it difficult to leave here!  We will be back & look forward to a long mutually beneficial relationship to the community."