Volunteer Outreach Programs
Our Volunteer Outreach Programs are designed to connect volunteers
with various organizations that appeal to their areas of interest and skills.
If you would like to become a volunteer please fill in and return the Volunteer Application Form.
Healing with the Healers Volunteer Outreach Program
Volunteers in the the holistic therapy sector are connected with various organizations that provide upliftment to the community such as hospitals, foster homes, frail care facilities and animal rescue organizations, to share their services with the staff.
Heart to Heart Volunteer Outreach Program
Volunteers are connected with organizations in their field of interest to provide assistance to the organizations specific needs, such as spending time with children, helping out at soup kitchens, painting a wall/planting a garden/fixing a tap/feeding and playing with animals etc
If you know of an organization that would benefit from having volunteered assistance,
please provide us with their contact details and some info about what they do.
ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR DATABASE
Soil for Life is a Cape Town-based NGO which teaches people to grow their own food
We work with the premise -healthy soil, healthy plants, and healthy people.
“We can always do with extra hands, either at projects or at our training and resource centre.”
Safer Together is a volunteer organisation that works in support of community safety initiatives in the Greater Muizenberg area.
The Homestead opened Huis Hoop Drop In Centre opened in Muizenberg to assist children living on the streets of Muizenberg.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER AT THE HOMESTEAD?
The Homestead needs volunteers in many areas, for both short and long-term projects.
Local Volunteers
We only have a small staff, and local volunteers are valued especially evenings and weekends, but any time outside of school hours. Engaging the children in activities is welcomed – reading to the boys, soccer coaching and practice, sports coaching of any kind, dance, drama, music, computers – any of the things that stimulate a child and help to develop self-esteem and confidence.
Regular volunteers are needed to just be with the boys, especially those with skills in counselling, youth work, child care and relationship-building. However, these are not essential skills. More important is a commitment to remain with the process for a longish time so that the children do not experience constant loss. They are in need of lasting relationships with adults they can learn to trust, and who will give them special time. The more contact that they have with caring people, the more they learn to value themselves and to find a sense of belonging.
Before beginning a voluntary job it is important to think about the length of regular service you will be able to give. Continuity of service is important in building up relationships with the boys.
The work can be very challenging. Volunteers who are emotionally balanced, sensible, able to maintain strong adult boundaries, and have a sense of humour tend to cope best with the work circumstances we offer.
Once Off Projects
Not all volunteering requires such a commitment. We also need help with special once-off projects, such as a group of friends getting together to paint a room, put up gutters, fix cupboards, arrange a special outing once a year or plant the garden in Khayelitsha with shrubs, flowers and vegetables. The group could go on to help with maintaining the garden on a regular basis, and involve the boys in learning about gardening, or just do the once-off task.
All of these suggestions will impact positively on the children – either on the environment in which they live, or their ability to form relationships, or enabling them to develop skills in various areas.
Foreign Volunteers
The Homestead welcomes foreign volunteers. Generally a minimum commitment of six months is required (for the reasons outlined above). Only in special circumstances will we consider a shorter placement. We are not able to provide airfares, accommodation, transport or any form of payment for foreign volunteers. What we can provide is a chance to learn about another country and its diverse cultures, and an opportunity to help disadvantaged children to rebuild their lives.
