The below list of projects are those that form the core aspects of development that WWISA focuses on; namely youth development; educational programs; environmental programs and housing initiatives.
We believe that these key areas in desperate need of ongoing development, are the basic stepping stones towards creating a lasting and sustainable impact within our local community.

All volunteers will take part in a “grass roots” week that requires you to work “shoulder to shoulder” with individuals from within the most needy part of the community. These individuals are sourced  by WWISA and funded by your involvement.
This ongoing employment creation is shared on a rotation basis within the worst housing area (known as the squatter camp) and amongst the currently unemployed. N.B All these individuals are vetted by WWISA staff to ensure maximum benefit is gained by all.
The grass roots week enables you to learn first hand the issues that are faced on a daily basis.

Example: Grass Roots Week

The following 3 projects are aimed at a 2 week stay and form the high impact aspect of our involvement in the community. Week  1 of the programs consist of the “grass roots” week, and week 2 is “ hands on” on the specified project.

Short term projects

Housing Initiatives

Our most popular project!

There are over 400 families waiting to be allocated government housing within Kurland and this number continues to grow with the growth in population. There are currently plans to provide just 250 houses.

Whilst there is an obvious need to build more houses, there is also the need to renovate existing houses that were some of the first to be built in the village and as such do not qualify the residents for the new larger, better equipped houses, at the same time as not being able to afford to fix their own property.
The only way these projects can work is with more volunteers! You will not be required to carry out any major building works yourself, but by your participation a job is created and the houses built / renovated by local tradesmen to a good standard.
This is a hands on project that gets the community that you are benefiting, to work alongside you to help themselves.

Your participation / Example assignments

• Aiding local tradesmen in the building work and preparation work
• Odd jobs that are required to finish the project.
• Removal of any debris from area of work sometimes with a group of local children or neighbors
• General painting and decorating
• Garden work where appropriate
• Erect a temporary residence for families to move into whilst their houses are worked on.
• Help with moving families into the new / refurbished home

Specific Requirements

• Though there are no skill requirements necessary for this project as tradesmen will be employed to work alongside you, any volunteer with a trade would be utilized fully in the training of a local to make them ultimately more employable.

Kids Camps

Throughout the community there are groups of children that don’t get the opportunity to go on camps due to the financial situation of their family. By participating in this program you will enable these children to go on a day camp, or if numbers allow an overnight camp. These camps focus on teamwork and leadership and involve fun activities like tug of war, role playing different situations, (something the local kids really enjoy) including team work. The climax of these camps is an obstacle course that requires teams to work together and help each other in order to complete it, great fun for everyone!

Your participation / Example assignments

• You will get training for the various activities that you will be supervising
• Aid with as many camps as we can fund across 4 days
• Aid with the supervision of the camp at all times
• Help to prepare meals for the children and yourselves
• Be involved with entertaining the children throughout the day and in case of overnight camps in the evening
• You will stay at the campsite in a cabin for the duration of this project

Specific Requirements

• None

Environmental programs

Centered around creating a better environment both in and around Kurland, this program involves diverse activities that vary dependant on the time of the year and the need at the time you volunteer. At WWISA we are involved with several organizations that tackle this area including SANPARKS (South  African National Parks,) DWAF (Department of Water Affairs and Forestry,) and Nature Valley Trust, as well as several private organizations.

Your participation / Example assignments

• Alien plant and tree removal to aid water supplies
• Planting of indigenous trees and protective reed berms
• General environmental maintenance
• Aiding with any ongoing tasks

Longer term projects

The following projects are for those volunteers who are less time pressured and and would like to volunteer for a period of 3 weeks upwards.

Crags Primary

Housed in a building originally meant for approximately 300 – 400 children, the school currently educates around 650 pupils ranging from age 1 – 17 (South African school system requires pupils to pass end of year to progress).
Class sizes reach up to 50+, is under staffed to the point that it is reliant on several NGO’s to help find funding the payment of several teachers.

Your participation / Example assignments

• English & Math teaching
• Involvement in sports and coaching
• Supporting larger classes
• Class supervision
• Sharing of teaching methods
• Operates from 8am – 2pm, so involvement in another project will also be required, e.g. after school activities – see below

Specific Requirements

• Basic teaching qualifications a must
• Timing dependant due to school holidays – please contact us to confirm
• Ideally, you will see a full term through, but at least half a term, i.e. 6 weeks

Educare Centre – “The Creche”

Being the only daycare centre in Kurland, this facility is grossly understaffed for its capacity of 100 children, usually caring for around 60 children per day, split into 2 classes, speaking 3 languages - Xhosa, Afrikaans and English, which is understood and spoken by most in at least  a basic form.

Your participation / Example assignments

• Class supervision
• Use and further development of WWISA volunteer activity / exercise catalogue
• Assisting with all classes from art to alphabet, to arithmetic
• Operates from 8am – 12pm and so involvement in another project is also required, e.g. after school activities – see below / above

Specific Requirements

• Teaching experience of benefit and can be used in the ongoing training of current staff to further develop their teaching skills and methods

After school activities

Due to the majority of teachers commuting to school on a daily basis, as well as the shortage of staff, there is a real need for regular after school, school holiday activities and educational programs.  By creating social and educational stimulation through any number of activities we hope to generate a strong sense of pride and positive relationship building with Kurland’s youth.

Your participation / Example assignments

• Sports coaching, e.g. Rugby, Netball, Soccer, Cricket, etc
• Fitness training; Circuit training; Aerobics; General workouts
• Homework help / Club
• Extra tuition groups to help with English, Maths, reading, writing, etc
• General games for groups/clubs – from board games to playground games
• Discussion groups

Specific Requirements

Some tools provided by WWISA to aid with activity explanations.  Specific activities you would like to run should be able to be completed during the course of your involvement.

Micro organic farming

• This is an ongoing outdoor program(mainly spring to autumn) covering many aspects including invasive alien vegetation removal, assisting villagers with their home gardening processes, including both lawns and flower gardens plus vegetables for home consumption
• Improving practices at the village allotment centre
• The planting and regeneration of indigenous vegetation in identified areas – almost all based on sustainable organic processes

Your participation / Example assignments

• Maintenance of existing veggie gardens with their owners
• Assist in allotment centre
• Ground and fence maintenance / construction in existing sites with their owners
• Skill share with groups to enable community to further develop their own gardens
• Encourage composting

Specific Requirements

Knowledge of organic farming

TEFL

These programs are by individual arrangement and focus on furthering basic English and literacy amongst the unemployed (and sometimes employed) population within Kurland.  Held in the Community Centre, with limited groups of size that you are comfortable with, mainly adults that will be sourced upon your application.  By helping with their 2nd language, you will improve their employment opportunities as well as aiding with their day to day communication.

Your participation / Example assignments

• Holding the class daily (Mon – Fri)
• Monitoring you success through methods of your choice
• Keeping track of individual’s progress in order to hand over to the next available volunteer
• Operating in either morning or afternoons, involvement in a 2nd project would be required

Specific Requirements

• Any teaching tools required, e.g. a copy of any text books, should be brought along
• TEFL qualified

Other Projects

Due to our community focus we do not currently have any wildlife programs. If you do not find a project on this page that suits you please feel free to contact us as we may well be able to tailor make a program for you.

Healthcare assistance

This program is specifically for those people who have an interest in healthcare-related careers.  Largely observational, you will assist current healthcare workers / doctors in the area on their home-based visits.

Further details can be obtained by request – contact us

Student practical and field assignments / research projects

Over the years, WWISA has hosted numerous groups and individuals at both the under- and post-graduate levels seeking to fulfill elements of their academic requirements with hands-on research and application in the field. 

This has included occupational therapists; learner –educators; physiotherapists; teachers of those with special needs; community development practitioners; social work students; political scientists; social anthropologists and others.  Where required, qualified local mentors have been arranged to supervise the student activities and help facilitate their introduction to diverse members of the community for their input, observations and comment.

Should you fall into this category and are keen on advancing your field of study within unique surroundings, please drop a line to us on info@wwisa.co.za to explore the options and a workable plan.