Heart for Orphans - South Africa

Product Details

The home was originally a Dutch Reformed Church Mission that was caring for un-wed pregnant women who were willing to put their un-born children up for adoption, but has been used as an orphanage since 1975, when a community worker started caring for children who were waiting to be adopted.

The project now cares for approximately 50 children who have been abandoned, abused or neglected, many of which are HIV+. The home is a halfway house between the traumatic situation they have been rescued from and a stable foster home life. It can sometimes take years for children to be adopted and the home is a lifesaver. It is vital for a child’s emotional, physical and mental development that they cared for in a loving and interactive environment.

This project aims to re-unite children with stable members of their own families, where possible, and offers parenting education for parents who are struggling. The project is blessed to have local families who foster the children over the weekend, and take them on outings. This contact with normal family life gives the little ones a sense of belonging.

Location
The orphanage is located on the outskirts of Cape Town in the middle-income suburb of Athlone. The closest shops are approximately 15 minutes walk away.

Project Life
Typically volunteers are required to work a 5 day week, although this may include a weekend, although you should normally have 2 days off per week giving you plenty of opportunity to recharge your batteries and visit places of interest in and around Cape Town.

Your daily duties at the orphanage will cover a wide range of activities, both working directly with the children and general duties around the home. Much of your time will be spent in the beautifully kept crèche where the toddlers and older children engage in creative activities and games. Volunteers can also get involved with making the home more child-friendly, by painting bright murals and helping to maintain the bedrooms and crèche. On hot days, paddling pools are set up on the lawns outside, for the children to splash around in. The children love to sing and dance, so music and drama skills will always come in handy, as will any simple child-friendly games a volunteer may have up his/her sleeve.

Eligibility and Skills Required

• Minimum age 18 yrs
• A love of children is required to join this programme.
• There are no specific skills required to participate on this programme, however, any experience of working with children is beneficial.
• The greatest attribute you can posses is flexibility and a willingness to get involved.
• Knowledge of Afrikaans or Dutch is beneficial but not essential.

Please note that acceptance on this programme is subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check.