Carly Foster

The schools, suffering from the legacy of apartheid, are under-resourced, under-staffed and over-crowded. Teachers are forced to contend with the relatively new Outcomes Based Education system and curriculum for which they are unprepared, and lack the materials to facilitate effectively.

Conditions do vary from school to school, however most have the basics such as electricity, running water, tables and chairs, and some textbooks. Sanitary conditions are far from desirable and undoubtedly contribute to the poor health of many children. Classrooms can contain between forty and ninety learners, which can often be amalgamated or left unsupervised due to absent teachers.

Volunteers act as teaching assistants within the placement schools. The aim of the volunteers is to inject imagination and enthusiasm into education; provide the basis for cultural exchange; support youth issues including HIV and AIDS awareness (where requested); provide invaluable English language tuition ... more

The schools, suffering from the legacy of apartheid, are under-resourced, under-staffed and over-crowded. Teachers are forced to contend with the relatively new Outcomes Based Education system and curriculum for which they are unprepared, and lack the materials to facilitate effectively.

Conditions do vary from school to school, however most have the basics such as electricity, running water, tables and chairs, and some textbooks. Sanitary conditions are far from desirable and undoubtedly contribute to the poor health of many children. Classrooms can contain between forty and ninety learners, which can often be amalgamated or left unsupervised due to absent teachers.

Volunteers act as teaching assistants within the placement schools. The aim of the volunteers is to inject imagination and enthusiasm into education; provide the basis for cultural exchange; support youth issues including HIV and AIDS awareness (where requested); provide invaluable English language tuition (pupils sit exams in English despite this not being their mother tongue); utilise small group learning techniques to target those children falling behind in class; and share skills, ideas and experiences.