MANZINI YOUTH CARE

Volunteer Info
VOLUNTEERING | pRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION

There is a diverse range of volunteering opportunities available for either long or short-term placements within Manzini Youth Care.

Volunteers bring energy, new ideas, opportunities for cultural exchange and new perspectives into our projects and into the lives of the young people with whom we work. Over the years we have hosted many volunteers from countries as diverse as Finland , Japan , Russia , Bermuda , England and Ireland and each person has contributed towards improving the quality of Manzini Youth Care projects.

There are many different roles that a volunteer may take up whilst with Manzini Youth Care. Besides working on our many different structured projects that you can read about on this website, there is also a place for simply playing cards or a game of football with some of the 130 boys in our care. Previous volunteers have done such things as teaching tai quando and origami whilst others have spent time with our boys awaiting treatment at hospitals, taking them swimming or collecting and delivering bread on our weekly bread runs. It is really up to each volunteer to find their niche and do their best to enhance to lives of the boys or the quality of the projects.

There are some more structured type volunteer activities also, listed below. Generally these sorts of placements require at least a 4-6 month commitment, although we are always flexible.

EXAMPLES OF VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Name of Project	Enjabulweni Bridging School
Brief Description	Free primary school bridging classes for children that have not ever attended school or have had to drop out generally due to poverty. Up to the age of around 16 years, children that have never attended school or attended some time ago may begin at a low grade and be fast tracked through the school system depending on their ability to learn. This school is a government-recognised school and students in the final class sit the Swaziland Government Primary School exams.
Key Objectives	• Give these disadvantaged out of school children a chance to receive primary school education • For those who complete primary school, give them the skills and certificate to then re-enter the mainstream secondary school streams
Estimated number of beneficiaries 2005	235 children taught daily
Jobs for volunteers	Depending on experience/training of volunteer and length of placement, they may either teach particular subjects in all the grades, or they may take out small groups of students to allow for individual attention and tutoring.
Preferred skills	• Good teaching/communication skills • Ability to exert discipline if needed • Patience and tolerance • Sense of humour and fun • Good planning skills Independence • Independence

Name of Project	MYC Little School
Brief Description	Informal schooling for young boys that are undergoing transition from street life to a more stable, disciplined living environment. Monday to Thursday the boys spend 3-4 hours in a structured yet flexible learning environment. They are taught maths, English, Siswati and Social Science as well as having class discussions on topics such as conflict resolution, respect, HIV/Aids etc. Activities also include team building exercises, soccer, card/poster making and other such creative activities.
Key Objectives	• Give some structure and boundaries to these still unsettled boys • Deliver classes in key subjects, enabling them to enter the bridging school with the necessary skills • Keep the boys occupied during the morning part of the day • Establish a forum for delivering important messages about survival, life skills, interpersonal skills, HIV/Aids etc
Estimated number of beneficiaries 2005	20-35 children taught daily
Jobs for volunteers	• Assist with running of classes • Work one-on-one with select boys • Run afternoon activity programs • Set up lesson plans • Interact with boys
Preferred skills	• Good teaching/communication skills • Ability to exert discipline if needed • Patience and tolerance • Sense of humour and fun • Good planning skills • Independance

Name of Project	Likusasa Lifeskills Centre
Brief Description	To eliminate dependency amongst the youth through skills training. Most students are young adults that have not gone past primary school education. Here they pay a nominal fee to undertake a one or two year course in subjects such as electrics, technical drawing, woodwork, metalwork, catering, tourism, computers, accounting, sewing and primary school teaching. Life skills classes are also compulsory amongst all students
Key Objectives	• To give young adults the appropriate skills to obtain employment or self employment and earn income to provide for themselves and families • Build self esteem through discussing relevant issues of the time
Estimated number of beneficiaries 2005	100 students in 2005
Jobs for Volunteers	• Teaching parts of any of the above-listed courses
Preferred Skills	• Good teaching skills • Creativity • Ability to problem solve • Ability to assist students through life issues

Likusasa Lifeskills Centre