Child care in South Africa Experience report

Arrival in South Africa's metropolis Cape Town

On Thursday, Chad and Essie picked me up at Cape Town Airport and we drove straight to the Student House. There I got my mobile phone with the associated charging cable and a small information booklet with tips about life in Cape Town. Then it was off to my host family. Since it was raining, I didn't do the City Sightseeing bus tour until Saturday. On Monday, Chad gave the newcomers a little introduction to Cape Town at the Student House. Most of it was already in the info booklet, but we were allowed to ask Chad a lot of questions. It was really great and I felt well looked after.

My activities at the Children's Center

My project was the Chidlren's Center in Cape Town, which was easily and inexpensively accessible by minibus. There were 4 groups, each with 33 children and 2 teachers. I opted for the little ones, the "Baby Unit" with the 1-3 year olds. My activities included feeding, handing out food, playing, comforting or just hugging the children. Towards the end, other volunteers (there were six of us in the kindergarten) and I were even allowed to start a small project with the children: We painted the outer wall of the kindergarten together and involved the children.

Daily routine in the project

My day in the project always started at 8.30 a.m. with breakfast being served, after which the children were allowed to play freely with Lego bricks or toys. Around 9.30 the children were drawing and modeling and we were teaching them the days of the week, the weather and the numbers. After a small snack, the children could play by themselves again and when the weather was good, we almost always went outside. At 11.30:12 a.m. we had lunch and at 2 p.m. the children went to bed for a XNUMX-hour nap and, unfortunately, I went home.

Overall, I really enjoyed the work because not only were the teachers very friendly and open, but also the many other volunteers. It is a wonderful feeling to be greeted by the small children with joy and lots of hugs in the morning and to know that you are needed.

My wonderful South African host family

When my host parents picked me up from the Student House on Thursday evening, it was immediately clear to me: I will feel at home here! They were totally warm and open right from the start and I was well accepted into the family. I lived in a room with two other volunteers and we had our own bathroom.

South African food

For breakfast there was mostly cornflakes or toast with peanut butter or jam, which was very plentiful. In the evening our host mother cooked for us, there was usually a meat dish, which allowed me to try a lot of new things, such as an ostrich steak or liver.

Safety in Cape Town

On the subject of safety, I think I was well briefed in advance by RGV! As long as you stick to some safety precautions in Cape Town, you can feel safe in Cape Town. For example, you should always put your bags in the trunk when driving or never take your smartphone out in public places.

Meetings with warm people

I had already heard a lot about the hospitality and open nature of the South Africans at home and I can only confirm this after my stay abroad in Cape Town! Whether in the host family, at the many markets or in my project: you always met friendly people who had an open ear when you had a question. The punctuality of the South Africans took some getting used to at first, as it was virtually non-existent. You had to wait a few hours. But as the saying goes: "Don't worry - that's Africa!"

South Africa is a diverse country

Not only the people - the landscape of Cape Town is also wonderfully diverse! Whether climbing Table Mountain, sunbathing on the beach or sightseeing downtown; There is something for everybody! For Table Mountain you should definitely take a lot of water with you, as it is quite steep and very strenuous. Once at the top you have a wonderful view and it's definitely worth it!

I would also recommend a Garden Route tour, where you can experience a lot: bungee jumping from the highest bungee jump bridge in the world, visiting an ostrich farm and an elephant park, safari, whale watching in Hermanus and much more.

Conclusion on volunteering in Cape Town - the best thing I could have done!

Volunteering in Cape Town was the best thing I could have ever done! Besides working on the project, I had a lot of time to explore Cape Town and I got a lot of impressions! I met so many new nice people and I will never forget the time here!

"You want to leave South Africa, but South Africa will never leave you."

Childcare in South Africa Review by Marieke C., 15.09.2015