Cape Town Youth for Christ runs an international volunteer team and it is possible to join them from the UK for options of 3, 6 or 12 months. The recommended time is at least 6 months, as it takes time to adjust to the programme and also to get to know the young people in schools and children’s homes. However, it is possible to go for a shorter time and there is always the option of a 3-week summer team to give you a taster of the ministry and the amazing country of South Africa.

 

Here is some information about the longer-term programme.

 

SOS Children’s Village - Twice per week the team engage in volunteer work at Cape Town’s SOS Children’s Village. This is a local branch of an international organization which has “children’s villages” set up for orphans all over the world. (You can find out more about the international organization at their website—www.sosvillages.org.za) In these villages the children live in houses with their “family,” which normally consists of one house mother and about 8 children. The children attend local schools in the surrounding community, and are allowed to live in the village until they reach the age of 18 (or longer, if they need more time to adjust to life outside the village). YFC’s goals within the village, at the moment, are to build relationships with the young people, which they do by visiting on Mondays and Wednesdays, and to help the children develop skills and abilities that they can use when they leave the village. To facilitate this they run a Life Skills programme and Bible studies for children aged 13 years and upwards. In Life Skills they work on core concepts like self-identity and basic values, and they also discuss topics like drug and alcohol abuse and HIV/AIDS.

Vissershok Primary School - This is a rural school, approximately 12 km from the YFC office. The children who attend this school historically would be from farming communities, but a neighbouring township is now also transporting young people to this school. Most township schools in South Africa are overcrowded and it is fairly common for students to travel or walk long distances if they can find placements in other schools. The students at this school range from the age of 4 to 14 yrs old. The Headmaster of the school is very welcoming to YFC and at this point would like to see them involved in the following areas:

 

 

The team particularly excited about the potential of this school project as there is so much opportunity to be creative and innovative in writing, planning and implementing new programmes.

Adventure Outreach and Camping (AOC) - This is a proven method of enabling young people to reach their full potential - being away from their daily routine and placed far outside their comfort zone. With a focus on ‘Experiential Learning’ it is an opportunity for team building, demonstrating the importance of interdependence. Camp is also a time for young people to take a breather from their studies and have the time of their lives! It is a time to expand horizons and make memories that will last a lifetime. We therefore run these camps to impact the young people’s lives in a memorable way…. camps/hikes form part of the programme and normally happen from a Friday to a Sunday.

Karl Bremer Hospital – The hospital is located in the suburb of Belleville, approximately 12 km from the office. There are three projects in this area of work:  Kangaroo Mums, the Paediatric Ward and Labour Care. Kangaroo Mums are those who stay with their babies in the hospital for anywhere from a few weeks to several months. By planning and facilitating great programmes, YFC can provide entertainment, growth, fellowship, and joy. Their approach is holistic, considering the women physically, mentally, socially, spiritually, emotionally and intellectually. Programmes such as hair-dressing and make-up, walks in the halls or gardens, teaching the women practical skills such as beading, card-making, reading aloud, group discussions, and one-to-one conversations help accomplish this goal. In the Paediatric ward, they provide a variety of activities e.g. games, activities, puppet shows, stories, and songs, specially tailored for any child, whether they are able-bodied or extremely disabled. For the Labour Care programme, there will be specific training, enabling volunteers to support young women who come to the hospital alone to have their babies.  By staying with the mothers during initial labour, YFC staff and volunteers provide essential emotional and spiritual support. Currently, they visit the hospital two full days a week.

 

If you are up for a challenge and need more information or an application form, please contact Judy on: judy.lloyd@yfc.co.uk