Experience report from kindergarten in South Africa

After graduation up and away!

After graduating from high school, the time had finally come - my dream of South Africa came true! After all the errands and organizational matters were taken care of, I went to Cape Town in mid-September to volunteer there for 3 months.

Worried about how things would be in my host family (because the student house was already full), I got on the plane and flew towards the uncertain next quarter. In Istanbul, I met another volunteer with whom I had been in contact beforehand, because we happened to have booked the same flight - I was happy to meet you, because somehow you feel better together!

My first day in Cape Town

Arriving in Cape Town, I couldn't even realize that I had finally landed in South Africa. Chad, Jemaine's brother, met us and took us to the student house. After just a few minutes I was driving past townships and shacks made of corrugated iron. That was a bit unexpected for me on the first day.

After the sightseeing bus tour, where we explored Cape Town, it was clear: Cape Town is an incredibly beautiful city! "Hi, we don't even know each other, do we?!" or "How long are you staying?" are probably the sentences that you hear most often at first. After I received my RGV mobile phone with a South African SIM card, I was driven to my host family's house, which would be my home for the next 3 months.

Arrival at my host parents

The front door of my host family opened and my future host mother beamed at me. direct hit! The worries about my host family were, as it turned out pretty quickly, completely unfounded. My mother was incredibly warm and open. My host father didn't talk much, but he was totally funny and sweet in his way. The two of them had no children.

But another volunteer lived with the host family. In the course of time two more volunteers were added so that in the end there were six of us. But the house was more than full. The location of our house was great! We lived in a very safe area and within 1 minute walk we had a supermarket which of course came in very handy.

Impressions and work in the Children's Center

My host mother was the manager of the Children's Center and so we could all drive safely with her to the project and back with her for a little fuel (The Children's Center was about 25 minutes away from us). Every morning you are greeted by the happy kids: lots of children (regardless of whether you are in their class or not) come running towards you, hug you and shout loudly and with joy "Mami! Mami! Teacher!"

Supplementary teacher in different grades

The CC has 6 classes: A Nursery class (3 months – 2 years), a class for 2-3 year olds, two classes for 3-5 year olds and 2 pre-school classes (5-6 years). In the 3 months that I spent almost continuously in the 2-3 year old class, I grew so fond of my children that I missed them even when I helped out in another class for a week.

Team work with other volunteers

Although you go to class every day from Monday to Friday, the children's joy does not diminish when you come in the morning. Every morning bright eyes greeted me and accompanied me to my class. In each class in the CC there were usually 2 volunteers - in the very active classes (baby class and 2-3 year olds) there were up to 4.

Daily routine in the children's center

My daily routine was as follows: I was at the school mostly from 7:30 am to 17:8 pm (since my host mother, as leader, was the first to come and the last to leave). In the morning at about XNUMX o'clock, after most of the children had been taken by school bus, there was a porridge for everyone.

Then we played and learned. Afterwards the children were allowed to play outside for about 2 hours and let their energy run free. At about 11:30 a.m. we had lunch and at 12 p.m. my children went to sleep.

We volunteers usually had a 2-hour lunch break. In the afternoon the children were allowed to play freely. It is definitely worth taking a ride on the school bus (if your project has one) to see where and how your children live.
Experiences in Cape Town and the surrounding area

Cape Town is versatile!

The whole landscape around Cape Town is just incredibly beautiful. Whether big city, mountains or sea - there is something for everyone! There are so many places to explore and visit that it's hard to know how to plan it all. There are great white beaches, nice downtown and suburban markets and many other attractions. You should definitely take part in the Garden Route.

The open-minded mentality

The people there are incredibly open and you actually feel welcome everywhere. I was able to have some very interesting conversations with township residents because my host father had friends there and we visited them. In general, during my time in Cape Town, I got to know an incredible number of nice people and also made some friendships that will definitely last longer.

Conclusion of my time in South Africa

All in all my 3 months in Cape Town was a time I will never regret! I was able to learn and see so much and am really grateful for all the experiences I was able to have. The children, host parents, teachers and all other people you meet during your stay grow so fond of you that you need time at home to get used to the "old" life and the comparatively cold and rather closed German mentality to accustom.

Commitment after my return

In order to maintain a lasting connection to the Children's Center, I now pay the school fees for 2 of my children, as these are sometimes difficult for the local people to pay. Whether vacation, semester abroad or internship - I will definitely come back! Africa stays in the heart!

Report from kindergarten in South Africa by Lena B., 03.02.2015