Newsletters from South Africa

Our staff in South Africa regularly put together a newsletter which is sent to volunteers working in South Africa at the time, those signed up to join a project in South Africa and to previous volunteers. The newsletters contain information about the country and our projects, stories written by volunteers, advice on what to expect when volunteering abroad in South Africa and much more. If you're considering overseas voluntary work the newsletters are a great way to gain a better idea of what to expect.

  • Newsletter from South Africa - Freedom Day
    South Africa Newsletter - April 2008

    The 27th of April 1994 was a monumental day in South African history. After more than fifty years of a government system based institutionalized racism, apartheid (in Afrikaans meaning "apartness"), South Africans from all over the country, no matter what race came together to vote in the first ever democratic election. That is why the 27th of April is considered "Freedom Day" and celebrated by South Africans as a public holiday.

  • Newsletter from South Africa - International AIDS Day
    South Africa Newsletter - March 2008

    International AIDS Day calls citizens all over the globe to recognize that HIV/AIDS is a worldwide pandemic and move people to take action in order to educate, treat and save people's lives. Volunteer Chantelle Terrio organized an HIV/AIDS march in Lavender Hill, where she lives and works, to hand out red ribbons and pamphlets educating about HIV/AIDS infection. The HIV/AIDS infection rate is unknown in this area, but most likely close to 30%. The march was also to voice outrage at violence against women. Lavender Hill is plagued with unemployment, drug use, domestic violence, lack of education, alcoholism, etc. We marched through the streets of Lavender Hill talking to some of the local residents, we had a lot of receptive people taking interest. Thank you Chantelle for all your hard work!

  • Newsletter from South Africa - Newest projects for Projects Abroad volunteers
    South Africa Newsletter - November 2007

    Gary’s Surf School is one of our newest projects for Projects Abroad volunteers. Gary Kleynhans, a former South African surf champion, owns a surf shop located in Muizenburg, one of the most popular surf spots in the Cape Peninsula. Gary focuses his energy on teaching the surf culture to street and township children from neighboring disadvantaged areas.

  • Newsletter from South Africa - The Blisters for Bread Charity Walk
    South Africa Newsletter - October 2007

    On September 9th, our volunteers, some host family members and staff strapped on our walking shoes and participated in the Blisters for Bread Walk, to raise money for lunch programs for schools in the Western Cape. The Blisters for Bread Charity Walk is orchestrated by the non profit organisation, Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA), who was established in 1958 when the previous apartheid government discontinued school feeding.

  • Newsletter from South Africa - Volunteer with Kids
    South Africa Newsletter - September 2007

    Dana Myers is the new Country Director for South Africa. He started as a Care and Teaching volunteer for Projects Abroad in the northern part of South Africa, and has since taken over the role as Director, creating Cape Town as a new destination point for volunteers and overseeing the conservation project in Botswana on the Legodimo game reserve. He holds an undergraduate degree in History and Education from Washington State University and a Masters in Intercultural Youth and Family Development.