Computer Literacy, considered in today's developed societies as a basic human right, is only in its infancy in the Wild Coast region. In the few schools that have electricity, very few have computers, and those that have computers have been left to develop in a vacuum with inappropriate and non-existent support structures. This project puts into place the necessary teacher training and continued support for these schools to allow them to produce competitive learners for the demanding technological world of adulthood.
The project currently works with six rural schools: managing four permanent labs, a mobile computer lab, 150 computers and teaching over 1000 learners from pre-school to high school. Computer literacy is closely linked to Environmental Education through our innovative & structured teaching modules.
» Volunteer team teaching as well as lesson planning and preparation. Our project co-ordinators will assist
» volunteers with lesson planning according to our Scheme of Work.
» Volunteers run and provide teaching in the Big Green e-Machine which currently reaches two rural schools.
» Volunteers drive the Sports Development Initiative two afternoons a week with assistance from Tobz & Milton -
» our local support staff.
» Volunteers Provide support to a local orphanage where their enthusiasm and time is vital for the young children in
» this under-staffed children's home.
This amazing mobile computer lab is a highlight for our volunteer teachers. Converted from an old land-rover, the lab has its own personality as it cruises around our rural Wild Coast Schools to teach the fun-loving children of several remote schools who do not have either the space or infrastructure for a permanent lab. Watch the video "A Day in the Life of the Big Green e-Machine" to see how this initiative works.
Volunteers take part in Community Development Initiatives in the afternoon. These initiatives change over time according to what issues are being addressed in Chintsa at any one time. Current initiatives include a Sports Development Initiative with local Chintsa children on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Volunteers drive this initiative forward with the help of Tobz & Milton - our local Chintsa staff, who use the Dragon Sports Development Program to plan drills and activities for each sports session. The program strives towards creating a formal sporting framework where new sport's disciplines, teamwork and the understanding of sport etiquette are developed. Sport is able to teach not only a healthy lifestyle but also develop necessary social skills and peer understanding that is essential to the stability and well being of society, in a country such as South Africa.
Volunteers also support a local orphanage to help children with their homework and spend some valuable one-on-one time with the children. Our volunteers recently started teaching computer skills at the orphanage as these young children have no access to computer literacy in school.
A minimum age of 18 and a basic level of spoken English is required. Volunteer teachers require a basic level of computer skill. lt would be of benefit to have a background in education or teaching although more importantly, they must have a lot of energy and enthusiasm to put into volunteer teaching. Our strong and professional team of facilitators ensure that you are well supported, guided and mentored to be of optimal value to the learners.
All Volunteers receive a general orientation upon arrival to familiarize themselves with Chintsa, South Africa, their accommodation, as well as to familiarize themselves with project tasks and the day-to-day runnings. All volunteers of 4 weeks or more receive a free day tour and overnight stay with the famous Mama Tofu in her traditional Xhosa village, where you can learn about South African history and the Xhosa people.
