Transforming Lives in Rural South Africa

It is in villages, nestled in the mountains of Bolubedu South, Limpopo Province, South Africa, where you as a volunteer will make a difference.

Your role involves assisting in different levels, and programs, that are part of TCM. Bringing hope, sharing a hug, sharing your knowledge as well as spending your time in various ways to uplift vulnerable women and their children. You will also provide support at our feeding scheme and homework club in the village. You will run shopping errands and make quarterly drop-offs at the orphaned and vulnerable children`s caregivers.

We run several programs, so any skill and knowledge you bring will be highly useful.  

@ The Lighthouse Academy & Lambs Haven Kindergarten you can assist educators with the following:

• Teaching and assisting in Classes (Teaching options only if a volunteer is comfortable and with a qualified teacher present.)
• Assist Art Projects (Assisting in the preparation of art lessons)
• Assist in Sports Programs (Athletics, soccer, netball, cross country, physical education)
• Assist in Social Programs (Fun days and events for children)
• Covering books, marking, researching information for teachers, preparing resources for class activities, reading stories, singing songs, rhymes, etc.
• Assist with Admin Work (Typing of tests, information gathering, printing, laminating, general work)
• Assist with Cultural days (Concerts) and Outreach Volunteer Options in the rural Village.

@ Basadi - Our skills development program for vulnerable women. (Sewing, applique, patchwork) You can help the ladies by teaching them English, to write properly, to use a computer, to plan their time, ext. You can help with cutwork, and they always welcome someone who can offer their expertise in applique and patternmaking ext.  

@ OVC (orphaned and vulnerable children sponsorship program) that runs in the village, you will assist by going on shopping excursions, by giving your support to the program leader, and as stated above, doing deliveries at the caregiver houses.

@ Building and maintaining equipment and grounds. Guys- you are always welcome. We are in the process of building a community hall but with a lack of funding, this is a bit on hold. There is always maintenance work to be done in some sectors of TCM.

@ Chess - We only started with chess last year and the children love it. You can spend your time in a match or two.

@ Missions work - We are a mission base and we do outreaches to the village where we just spend time with families, giving them love. Listening to their stories. We share the Gospel, and we pray for them. You can do puppet shows or skids with the children and they get super excited.  The floor is open for volunteers to do any of these activities. 

@ Sports ( athletics, cross-country running, netball, soccer). The children of The Lighthouse Academy love sports.

@ Weekends - Weekends are just awesome, relax around the pool at the citrus farm where you will be accommodated or you can choose from many excursion options that are offered such as visiting the Kruger National Park, doing the Panorama route, visiting Hoedspruit and all its endangered species centres and conservation efforts. There are the canopy tours in Magoebaskloof, horseback riding, and Eco-park, the list is endless. These services are provided to you by people who do the excursions outside of TCM. You may also rent a vehicle from Avis in town if you want to do your own program

Excursions and your transportation to, on, and from excursions are at your own cost. You can budget up to R7000 for a one-night sleepover Kruger excursion depending on the package and what is being offered. Other excursions may vary from R3000 upwards depending on what the packages offer. The option pamphlets will be available at the volunteer house for your choice.

As you can see the possibilities as endless, and I for one can't wait to meet you!

A typical day:

Wake up to the sounds of farm birdlife early morning as the day awakes.  Getting coffee, breakfast, and packing lunch for the day is about to start… Leaving 6h25 for the TCM base, a 30-minute drive… Quick naptime if you still need that little bit of a power nap to start the day.  The early mornings bring to Tshega base vibrant voices - dust dances around the people`s feet, disembarking from their taxis. As the painted sky allows the sun`s rays to tickle my shoulders, I hear the uncontained laughter of a child. Today the TCM family, consisting of Staff, volunteers, missionaries, children, parents, and villagers, have an opportunity to share His love and bring hope and I know this is going to be another fabulous day! 

7H15 Morning Devotion – The beautiful singing of the TCM team as they fall away with a Sepedi song makes you realize you are in Africa. a short message is delivered and special notifications for the day are shared.

7h30 – 14h00.  Your day is preplanned on a roster that you have helped developed with the volunteer manager in a meeting.  You will have a tea break and lunch at this time.

·       Assisting a teacher in a grade of your choice. Lesson planning/assistant teaching/ assisting weaker learners.

·       Playing at preschool with the little ones.

·       Helping the Basadi`s in research, teaching English, helping with cutting, you are welcome to teach them a skill that you might have.

·       Assisting to pack the OVC storeroom where the clothes donations are deposited. 

·       Assisting with food donations.

·       Assisting the office with admin

·       Assisting with sports training

·       Assisting the choir if you have a musical contribution

·       Assisting in the missions program (doing village/ hospital/ old age home visitations   once a week)

14h00. 

·       Visiting the Feeding Scheme to assist children with homework and play.

·       Once a month a visit to a local restaurant next to the river where if you are lucky you can spot a Hippo or a crocodile.

·       Distributing care packages to sponsored orphaned children`s houses.

15h30 - Leaving for the farm where the swimming pool awaits.

18h00 – Sitting down to a delicious home-cooked meal prepared for you by Mudja or Rosie.

Free time & weekends:

After school volunteers can relax around the swimming pool, watch a movie, or just relax on a blanket on the lawn, reading a book or listening to music. They can go jogging or go for a walk... We have boma where we make fire and just relax under the African skies. There are table tennis and a variety of board games.

A visit to two top South African destinations:

1.     Kruger National Park and the Scenic Panorama route.                               

2.     Hoedspruit adventures: Wildlife conservation experiences like visiting Jessica the Hippo for a kiss, Walk with the Cheetahs of Tzukudu, Moholoholo a rehab for animals, Hesc Endangered Species Centre, a visit to the Reptile Park, and horseback riding. Nyani Cultural Village: The cultural journey starts in a village where you experience “Limpopo Pathways” a dance group featuring the costumes, songs, and dances of the San (Bushmen), the Shona & Venda, the Tsonga, the Balobedu (Modjadji the Rain Queen), the Pedi and the BaHananawa (Tswana). They also include the Swati and Zulu dances as these tribes played an influential part in the history of the Limpopo. Established as entertainment and an educational tool telling the story of the origins, journeys, and lifestyles of the tribes that settled in Limpopo. Following the show, you are introduced to all aspects of a Shangaan Village. Interaction and hands-on participation are encouraged as guests discover how the huts are built, the maize is ground, the boys pass initiation, the girls learn to bead, and more. Here the performers take you on a journey through the stages of life in a Shangaan homestead. We learn about traditional practices from birth, through childhood up to marriage, after which a delicious lunch is served in the typical African style. After this, you get to enjoy a traditional meal.

3.     Haenertsburg & Magoebaskloof: Ziplining in over waterfalls, hikes, Cheerio springtime gardens, Birdwatching ext.                                                                  

4.     Phalaborwa: A boat trip along the Olifants River while you are having a BBQ with African wildlife along the river as you progress. An Appreciation trip takes place regularly to show our gratitude towards our volunteers.

Accommodation:

30 minutes away from the base, on a citrus farm where the early morning fish eagle calls and the far-off chatter of monkeys at dawn keeps you company.  It is tranquil and peaceful. In a home away from home ambiance, you will be sharing a dormitory-style house with other people including volunteers, missionaries, and base visitors.

There are 4 park home rooms outside, each fitted with their own bathroom

What is included in the tariff: Accommodation. Transport from volunteer house to TCM base. Wi-fi. Hot water & Purified drinking water. Housekeeping staff will regularly clean rooms and living areas. Swimming pool. A Braai area, and a lovely garden where you can through down a blanket and read a book or two. We will make regular stops after work at a Take-away / mini-market where you can buy food items or ready-cooked meals.

Not included: Flights. Transport cost from and to the airport in Hoedspruit. Insurance, tourist visa, and needed vaccinations. Personal expenses (e.g. medical). Linen - bring a sleeping bag. We will provide you with a clean bedsheet, pillow & pillowcase.

Meals:

The evening meal is provided and cooked for you from Mondays to Fridays.

For morning meals and midday meals, you have to buy food(products/ingredients) and prepare it for yourself. Bring lunch-tin or Ziplock bags to pack your lunch in to take to the base. Bring a water bottle.

Over weekends, Saturdays, and Sundays you have to buy food(products/ingredients) for the morning meals, lunch, and evening meals. You also have to cook it for yourself.

•       Drinks: Basic coffee and tea are freely available

•       If you want to drink milk, and eat cereal you must provide it on your own coast.