My time volunteering with the MITS Program ( Making An Impact through Sport ) in Mitchell’s Plain South Africa June - August 2011by Darren Wiltshire,

I came to South Africa to volunteer with an organisation called Coaching For Hope, who placed 10 volunteers across Cape Town, Ben, Nathaniel and I were placed with Making an Impact Through Sport (MITS) in Mitchell’s Plain for three months.

It was an amazing summer, and 5 feel privileged to have had the opportunity to spend time volunteering for MITS. Along with Ben Davenport and Nathaniel Gabriel Ellis, we worked in Hazeldene Primary School as Physical Training teachers.

MITS organized for us to stay with a home-stay in Mitchell’s Plain, and it really allowed us to get a feel for the area, and its people. The Steyn family treated us fantastically from the moment we arrived, and we could not have asked for more from Mr. and Mrs. Steyn. The area in which we stayed in was Lentegeur, and having read up online, I was a little anxious about safety, but thankfully we had no problems during our stay. Mrs. Steyn took great care of us, and always provided us with amazing food at the end of each days work.

Although there were various parts to our placement, the main part was working in Hazeldene Primary School. Each day we would be dropped off at the school by Mrs Steyn for 7.30. Mr Blaauw the Principal, would address the staff as a group just before 8am, and the rest of our school day would be filled by taking children out onto the school field for some exercise and games.

Each class could have as many as 40 children, and their passion and enthusiasm for the sessions was fantastic. In general, the discipline of the children was good. We managed to introduce some life orientation sessions for the older children in the school, paying particular attention to substance abuse, which is known to be a major problem in this area of Mitchell’s Plain.

Teaching some skills at the schools holiday program

Ben and Nathaniel also managed to help facilitate a girls football program after school at the local football centre. This saw 5 primary schools sending a girls football team for daily practice. Due to the huge interest a league was started for the schools which had 9 teams competing every Thursday afternoon. The girls were all keen to learn and take part in the training and games, and participation, discipline and teamwork increased throughout the three months. During our stay, we also helped to with various special events to celebrate Women’s Day and a football festival for 16 teams of 5-6 year olds as part of the FIFA ladies world cup.

For part of our stay we were joined by 10 volunteers from Spain, who worked in some other primary schools in the area. This allowed MITS to increase its impact in the community. In the long term though, I know MITS aim to train up local coaches, and it seems this is best way to make the project sustainable.

The founder of MITS Keith Meyer is working really hard to give sporting opportunities to children in and around Mitchell’s Plain and I feel proud to have even played a small part in the development of MITS. I will certainly never forget my time in Mitchell’s Plain.

Thanks MITS Darren Wiltshire

Playing with some of the under 12 girls

For more information about the MITS Programwww.mitsprogram.webs.comwww.facebook.com/pages/Making-an-Impact-Through-Sport-MITS-Programe-mail: kpmeyer@absamail.co.za