Training was fairly full on with lessons being straight after each other and a feeling of constant activity. In the evening we had about 1 hour of time to ourselves and the rest of that time was for paper work (Well, it was supposed to be). The South Africa group is one of the biggest groups in the history of groups at Project Trust, so there was about 63 of us altogether including the Malaysian and Hong Kong volunteers. Now, imagine only 6 showers.. The first night the water ran out due to the amount of people showering etc. Plus, when there was water, the showers were cold. This is probably sounding a bit negative, but I have come to the conclusion that this was, in fact, a good thing. We will be fully prepared for cold showers in Africa! Add the fact that there was no mobile phone signal, set meals, set itinerary, travel (getting too and from Coll, getting back home was a bit of a keffafle) and small cramped rooms! All positive experiences for our preparation.
2013 is a good year, as all volunteers going away this year have the chance to gain a qualification. It's called the Global Citizenship award. It's basically a qualification saying that you have finished your year in a foreign country and have worked hard volunteering. As well as some paperwork. There's always some paperwork.
During the teacher training, I was in the primary teaching lessons. There were also Social Care lessons, TESOL and Outward Bound. I had to prepare and teach a 10 and 20 minute lesson. It was actually very, very enjoyable! I have really realised now that I love teaching. I didn't prepare particularly thoroughly but I still managed to do really well.. and it was SO fun! I was pleasantly surprised at my new found confidence and "calm and authoritative" presence.
As well as doing teacher training, we also had talks on: insurance, health and safety, media, homesickness, culture shock, classroom management, sex drugs and alcohol, OCN qualification (essentially the same as the Global Citizenship qualification), and much more.
Some of the talks were pretty eye opening, scary and blunt. I now feel a lot less apprehensive about going than I did before because I now have all the information. I had a little cry one evening and shared with a fellow volunteer how scared I was. Just a hug and talking about things made me feel better immediately. That's all you need to do, let it out, talk about it.
South Africa group
I have hit the target of £5,400..!!! A massive thank you to granny, mum and Luisa for donating the last amount of cash. I couldn't have reached it without you.
Money donated at my leaving party (17th August) will go towards my medical care in South Africa (if needed) as the insurance excess is £250 (might be going up to £500).
A few pics of training
Hooded hooligans
Waiting for the ferry
Underberg Primary School Post Report from current volunteer
Main type of work: Assistance in learning programs for pupils who are struggling academically both at school and in the hostel. I have started up a reading program in the school and as far as I am aware your main role in the school day will be to carry on with this. It involves listening to children read and helping to improve those who are struggling the most; especially those who cannot read to their parents aloud at home as English is their second language. I have also been involved in covering teachers' classes, helping in the mastery unit for children who need extra help with Maths and English as they have learning difficulties, as well as helping with sport.
Other work undertaken: Outside of school I help the grade 1 and 2's with their homework in the hostel after they finish school. Next I then work one on one with those pupils who are struggling most, helping them to complete their homework. After dinner I then run the evening activity for those pupils who have finished all their homework.
My new postal address:
Underberg School and Hostel
1 Old Main Road
Underberg
Kwa-Zulu Natal 3257
South Africa
The usual length of time for a letter to arrive from the UK: 2 weeks
Until my next post
Totsiens :D
