Youth Development/EDU-South Africa

Hello everyone! I am totally thrilled to be working with Global Nomadic (www.globalnomadic.com/about-us) on a five-week teaching assistance project in South Africa. I'll be flying to Cape Town, South Africa on May 5th and staying through June 8th to aid in the Teaching and Youth Development volunteer program. I will be working alongside teachers in primary schools supporting students in all areas of study. The project aims to help children in various ways including encouraging them to read and offering one-on-one support to those who are performing below the pass rate. I will act as a youth advocate and continue assisting students after school at the local youth center.   The youth center supports educational activities including but not limited to reading and homework, and teaching life skills and activities that improve self-confidence. I'll be working with qualified teachers and youth development staff in assisting students who struggle academically and experience challenges, many of whom are falling behind and will benefit from one-on-one sessions.  The after school program will allow me to utilize my passion for the arts and teach through extracurricular activities such as drama, music (and dance of course), art and sports classes.  The after school programs are geared to build self-confidence and also resistance to peer pressure and gang related activity, which sadly, is rampant throughout the communities.   Even though much progress has been made to move forward, South Africa still struggles with the highest economic inequality in the world, high unemployment, poverty, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and TB infection rates. Access to basic amenities such as water, electricity and toilets is a daily struggle for a large number of people. This complex socio-economic situation reflects heavily on the lives of vulnerable children and women and much is needed to make a significant change. In South Africa, all children have to go to school, however, a large percentage struggle to go or to do well due to the effects of unemployment, disease, poverty and substance abuse.  Education is an acute need for children; one that will lead them to a brighter future. I've made a $1000 contribution towards the project.  Any additional funds gathered through this will go directly towards additional project costs such as; vaccinations, visa, travel insurance, and most importantly any supplies I can ship to the students and community to enhance their experience.     It means so much to me that you have read this far, but your help and support will mean the world to me, and those little ones in Cape Town; as we will all be extraordinarily grateful.   Happy times, and I hope you all are well! Sincere Thanks, Jacob