Live in the coastal of Durban and volunteer in the district of Inanda on the outskirts of the country. Gain an understanding of the financial and social disparities within South Africa and actively collaborate with the Jewish community of Durban to contribute to narrowing these gaps.
TEN’s center in South Africa welcomes volunteers from diverse backgrounds, including Israelis and Diaspora Jews who are passionate about volunteering. Our dedicated volunteers actively participate in daily informal education activities in order to enrich the local children’s learning experience to enable personal growth and development.
Established in 2016, TEN’s activity is focused in the Inanda District, a mountainous region situated approximately 25 km from the city, inhabited by the Zulu tribe. This area presents a striking contrast to the bustling cityscape of Durban.
In South Africa, we collaborate with the local Green Corridor organization to operate an educational center that focuses on education through sports. TEN works in partnership with the organization, functioning as an educational center where children from the neighborhood can engage in informal education activities and participate in leadership development programs with the local youth.
Furthermore, we proudly collaborate with the Jewish community in Durban!
In South Africa, TEN organizes enrichment activities in elementary and middle schools. Volunteers lead these classes during school hours, working closely with local teachers to provide students with knowledge and tools from the realm of informal education and complement students' formal studies. These activities comprise art, board games, story time, thinking games, and a leadership program. Moreover, within the past year, we've introduced three educational agricultural farms in the schools we collaborate with. As part of these educational farms, our volunteers collaborate with local staff to provide agriculture lessons, educating them about agriculture and sustainable development while guiding them through the entire crop cultivation process, from planting to harvesting.
During school hours, our volunteers operate from designated enrichment rooms within the school premises, or they utilize the schoolyard, incorporating the school's educational garden plot. These sessions typically span an hour and cater to various age groups. During these lessons, students engage in hands-on activities within small groups, fostering a unique and captivating learning environment.
After school hours, our volunteers manage an inclusive space for all children in the community at the Green Corridor sports park. During these afternoon sessions, in collaboration with the park's local staff, we deliver a diverse range of educational experiences tailored to the different abilities of the children and youth. These activities encompass art, board games, cognitive games, storytelling, and sports, all designed to enhance personal skills and capabilities that will support the students as they transition into adulthood.
Volunteers also actively engage in a range of activities tied to local initiatives in the city of Durban. Throughout the entire program cycle, our volunteers and the center's staff organize educational workshops for school teacher teams. These workshops are designed to familiarize local educators with the principles of our educational model, with the ultimate goal of making a positive and lasting impact on the local community. Furthermore, several times a year, we collaborate on activities with the Jewish community in Durban within the community's schools.
TEN volunteers undergo pre-arrival and post-arrival training to prepare them for group living and volunteering. The orientation week introduces them to the center, local staff, work, volunteering sites, and local culture. Throughout the three-month program, regular meetings cover topics like international development, education, community, language, and group dynamics. These meetings process volunteer experiences, provide tools for TEN’s educational model, and foster cultural understanding and identity as Jews, Israelis, and global citizens.
Residence: Volunteers reside in a communal house located in the city of Durban, situated in a safe and desirable neighborhood. The accommodation provides shared rooms (4-6 volunteers per room) and includes amenities such as clean water, a vegetarian kitchen, a fully-equipped dining room, toilets, showers, a washing machine, and a comfortable living room.
Saturdays and Holidays: Every second weekend, participants have the freedom to explore and travel throughout the country. The program welcomes individuals from various religious and secular backgrounds. All activities scheduled on Saturdays and Jewish holidays are designed to be inclusive for traditional observers. However, every participant has the freedom to observe the Sabbath according to their own preferences.
Hiking and Travel Recommendations: Within a two-hour distance from the center, you can discover the stunning beauty of Hluhluwe and Phezulu safaris in South Africa, Little Lesotho, Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, the Drakensberg Mountains, and more. These destinations offer exceptional opportunities for hiking and exploring the natural wonders of the region.
...and clear your schedule!
The 3-month cohorts cost $3000.
This includes:
Secure accommodation, vegetarian meals, clean water, basic internet, transportation during program activities, professional staff, and participation in an ethical, high-quality, volunteer program.
Does not include:
Flights, vaccines, health insurance, visas, and free weekends.
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