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![]() Dianne Lang Children's Home
A genuine opportunity to volunteer and help children in need. You don't pay anything except your own costs, there is no placement fee or any other kind of fee to be paid. This is a human rights based organisation and does not receive any government funding. They rely solely on private donations. At the moment they have 46 children but this can go up to 58 depending on circumstances and what children are being abused in the community. But basically there are 41 children who are permanently with them that no one wants and who cannot be placed out because they are orphans. All these children have been abused, abandoned and neglected. They have volunteer accommodation that is shared, with your own bathroom and kitchen and lounge. It is not big or great by western standards, but it is clean and neat. It is located in the same yard as the main children's home which houses the boys and the small children and babies. The other home has all the bigger girls and teenage girls in it. You eat your meals with all the children. (If you are a strict vegetarian you have to buy and prepare your own meals.) The meals are well balanced, tasty, varied, filling, nutritious and good. Laundry can be done in the laundry. For your own safety we advise you not to enter the townships unless you are with one of the staff members. This can be arranged with Archie. Unlike other so-called "volunteer" organisations, they do not charge any money for you to spend time volunteering at our organisation. They are a registered charity and registered children's home. Your transport to and from our foundation is for your own expense. If you would like to donate anything to the foundation, this would be gratefully accepted, but your presence and your help is more than enough. It is best to fly either to Port Elizabeth or Bloemfontein and get the Translux bus from there to Middelburg (Cape). They will collect you from the bus. To ease you into the Children's Home and for understanding the children's backgrounds and how the foundation started we advise all volunteers to purchase and read the book "Saving Mandela's Children" which is available from www.savingmandelaschildren.com before arriving. As they can only accommodate four volunteers at one time, it is important to book your time in advance with dates of arrival and departure. Tasks will be dependent on your skills and will be centred around the children. Playing, dancing, listening, talking, singing and walking with the children are important. Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions) For the best Scuba diving on the South Coast and some of the best scuba in the world. (Umkomaas,South Coast) Go crazy at this new backpackers near Port St johns. (Port St Johns,Wild Coast) Tucked away in the magnificent Baviaanskloof is the blissfully remote Kamerkloof (Addo Elephant Park,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo) A homely backpackers hostel near to the beach and other main attractions (Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast) This backpackers has recently been renovated. It's a snazzy spot with great communal spaces, welcoming surfers and holidaymakers alike. (Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast) Stay in a traditional style Bakalanga village shaded by baobabs and visit the salt pans or watch the incredible zebra migration. (Gweta,Botswana) Jah Drums Backpackers will provide a banging good time in Coffee Bay. (Coffee Bay,Wild Coast) Get in on the surf action. (Muizenberg and Kalk Bay,Cape Town) Here's a bug you'll want to catch. (Windhoek,Namibia) A comfy, fun spot. (Stormsriver,Garden Route) |