We found out about WWISA on the internet and decided to incorporate some voluntary work into a round-the-world trip. Rocky was very helpful in organising an appropriate placement for us.

We are both 25, and are fully-qualified primary school teachers from Northern Ireland. We were teaching in The Crags Primary School in the Kurland township, near Plettenburg Bay. This involved assisting with the teaching of English to Grades 4 - 9 (aged 8-16 years). During this time we lived with other international volunteers at WWISA headquarters at Rocky Road. We really enjoyed the whole WWISA experience. It was the most challenging and rewarding experience of our teaching careers, so far.

Fiona Lynas and Lorraine Strong

Northern Ireland

The following is an account of our 6-week period with WWISA. To be appreciated fully, it has to be sung to the tune of Gloria Gaynor's "I will survive!" (our signature song!!!)

At first we were afraid, we were petrified
Kept thinking Rocky Road was not a place we could survive
All our international house-mates formed a weird, eccentric throng
But we grew strong, and we all really got along.

We spent 5 weeks
In Crags School
In the local Kurland township, working there was really cool
Although the work was sometimes tough
And the children could be rough
We loved every single second and we couldn't get enough.

And now we've gone
Walked out the door
We've turned around now
We won't live here anymore
Weren't we the ones who were so anxious at the start
But we've enjoyed ourselves so much
That now we're really sad to part.

We're still alive, we have survived Yes as long as we could discipline the kids, we'd stay alive They have all their lives to live, and they had all their love to give And we survived, Yes we survived.
HEY HEY
(instrumental)

It took all the strength we had not to fall apart
But the spirit of the school really touched our hearts
We loved working with the kids
And they came to love us too
And as we taught them English
A bond between us really grew

The staff were kind, and welcomed us
They helped us to fit into school with very little fuss
They really gave us great support and they cracked a lot of jokes
And now that we have gone away, we'll miss those lovely folks.

And now we've gone
Walked out the door
We've turned around now
We won't live here anymore
Weren't we the ones who were so anxious at the start
But we've enjoyed ourselves so much
That now we're really sad to part.

We're still alive, we have survived
Yes as long as we could discipline the kids, we'd stay alive
They have all their lives to live, and they had all their love to give
And we survived, Yes we survived.

HEY HEY HEY!!!

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