Today we visited and heard from several different non-profits, and I need input on which organization to volunteer with. One non-profit, called CHOSA is an organizations started by a GW student after she studied abroad with this program. It is an after school tutoring program that meets 2 times a week that serves children living in orphanages. You can make your own lesson plan/curriculum and choose the ages that you want to work with. The organization also coordinates funding for the orphanages, applies for grants on their behalf, and ‘networks’ by connecting community organizations and non-profits to one anther. This seems to be an interesting program because I would be able to work with kids, but I could also have the opportunity to learn more about starting my own non-profit.
Another interesting program was the LEAP school which is a private high school that is located right outside of a township and focuses on science and math. The philosophy is based around teaching the students social responsibility by volunteerism in their neighborhood. I found it very interesting that the man who spoke about the program talked about the achievement gap, the missing black male phenomenon, charter schools, etc in such a way that he could have been speaking about DC. Since the schools are very successful I would be interested in learning how the organization tackles these problems, but the volunteering seemed very open-ended and without much direction so I’m not sure how I would fit into the organization.
The last program that I was interested in is called People Against Suffering, Oppression, and Poverty. Its an organization that works with African refugees to make sure that they are aware of their rights in South Africa and to combat xenophobia in South Africa and abroad. For example, the presenter mentioned that they organized a protest against the Arizona immigration law in front of the United States embassy. Most of the refugees are from Zimbabwe or Congo and live in refugee camps around the country. As a volunteer, my time would be split between interning in the office doing things like writing news letters, research, and attending meetings and doing things in the field like going to refugee camps, organizing events and protests, and offering advice to refugees. This might be a neat experience because it would give me an opportunity to learn more about the politics of Africa and issues that face refugees since I know virtually nothing about these issues, but at the same time I would really miss working with kids.
Any input into where I should volunteer?
Another interesting program was the LEAP school which is a private high school that is located right outside of a township and focuses on science and math. The philosophy is based around teaching the students social responsibility by volunteerism in their neighborhood. I found it very interesting that the man who spoke about the program talked about the achievement gap, the missing black male phenomenon, charter schools, etc in such a way that he could have been speaking about DC. Since the schools are very successful I would be interested in learning how the organization tackles these problems, but the volunteering seemed very open-ended and without much direction so I’m not sure how I would fit into the organization.
The last program that I was interested in is called People Against Suffering, Oppression, and Poverty. Its an organization that works with African refugees to make sure that they are aware of their rights in South Africa and to combat xenophobia in South Africa and abroad. For example, the presenter mentioned that they organized a protest against the Arizona immigration law in front of the United States embassy. Most of the refugees are from Zimbabwe or Congo and live in refugee camps around the country. As a volunteer, my time would be split between interning in the office doing things like writing news letters, research, and attending meetings and doing things in the field like going to refugee camps, organizing events and protests, and offering advice to refugees. This might be a neat experience because it would give me an opportunity to learn more about the politics of Africa and issues that face refugees since I know virtually nothing about these issues, but at the same time I would really miss working with kids.
Any input into where I should volunteer?
This is a picture of a shanty town that we passed.
Kids who live and go to school at a Christian ministry. Some of them are homeless or abandoned and some live here with their parents. This was one possible volunteer site.
All three places sound interesting. Since you have experience teaching you would be good at the 1st two programs listed. I think the 3rd program would be a great learning experience as well. Something you could only learn about while in S. Africa. In the end, I think the best program to work for would be the one that has the most support for its volunteers and is well=organized. Could you talk to volunteers from each group to get a sense of how well organized, etc it is?
ReplyDeleteAll three programs look good, but I would be wary of places where volunteers don't have specific roles or a structured schedule. Did you see any current volunteers in action in any of the sites? Did they seem happy, engaged, like they were doing relevant service?
ReplyDeleteWork with kids if you really think that's what you want to do, but don't close yourself off to working in different environments! It can be just as fun/eye-opening/rewarding working with adults, and working with kids might end up turning into HeadsUp: South Africa. You'll probably end up with the same frustrations and old headaches on your study abroad, when the entire experience should be about opening yourself up to new opportunities and ways of life.
Just my two cents .;)
Love,
Amrita