Khayelitsha Newsletter October - November 2008

Our mission:To motivate and develop effective volunteering through consultation,

training, information and placement services for the benefit of all.

Volunteer Centre – Khayelitsha OfficeAddress: Shawco Building, Room No. 9, 323 Mongezi Road, Section H, Khayeltisha Tel/Fax: (021) 364 5326cent.co.za Email: khayalitsha@volcent.co.za

EDITORIALThe Volunteer Centre established 30 years ago is seen as a beacon of hope and support in communities who rely on volunteers.

- For the Volunteer: We provide monthly Volunteer Information Sessions to the public on basic concepts of volunteering.We recruit and refer volunteers to organisations on short –to long term basis.We offer a variety of van volunteering opportunities in the following areas: health, education, child care, senior care, women empowerment, home-based care, rehabilitation, administration tasks etc.

- For the Organisation: Consultations: We provide support and information to new organisation to implement their volunteer programmes. Placement Services: We match volunteers with tasks provided by organisations.Training courses offered: We offer Effective Volunteer Management training – an interactive workshop for Volunteer Supervisors to manage their volunteer projects or departments. The course includes recruiting and selecting volunteers, implementing a volunteer programme etc

A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR

Volunteerism is a powerful contributor to development on the ground. It builds social capital by

strengthening community networks and building values of caring and serving. Motivations for volunteering may include career development, skills acquisition and self esteem enhancement. We are proud to affirm our support to the growth of volunteerism in Khayeltisha by establishing a satellite office within the community and look forward to your support!

Four years ago, I was unemployed. I was painfully shy and lacked confidence. Then I heard about the Volunteer Centre, an organisation in Cape Town that coordinates volunteers and the NGOs

that need them. At the time, I battled with self-confidence. I was too timid to talk to strangers, so was surprised and delighted when my application to work at the centre was

accepted. Before joining the Volunteer Centre, I was fearful and unsure about what life had to offer. But the more involved I became in my work, the more my self-esteem grew and a self-assured me started to emerge. I love people, talking and being sociable. Being appreciated and seeing

how my work has had a positive impact on people’s lives has given me a sense of place in this world, and that has allowed me to be who I really am. I am now fully employed as the Volunteer Co-ordinator of the Khayelitsha Satellite Office. I gladly, tell people my story: about how being a volunteer gave me the confidence to look life in the eye. I am prouder today than I have ever been and it is that one moment – walking into the Centre – that helped me reach my potential. Extract from Psychologies Magazine

Khayelitsha Satellite office launchVolunteer Centre proudly launched the opening of the Khayelitsha office in September 2007. It operates from Room no. 9, Shawco Building, 323 Mongezi Road, Khayelitsha. Since its launch, we’ve mobilized 401 local volunteers being involved in the following organisations:

Abigail Women’s Movement; CAB; St. Luke’s Community Hospice; Hope World Wide; Laphumilanga; St. Michaels; Zakhele Clinic; PPSA; Khumbulan, Umthawelanga; EmpilweniPrior to the launch, the centre recruited 63 volunteers that were mobilized for ‘Golden Games’ - sporting event for the elderly. The Volunteer Centre in partnership with

Age in Action and Social Development provided volunteer support and logistics. This event brought local organisations together. The Volunteer Centre takes this opportunity to thank the following persons their sterling support of the centre:Community Consultative Committee: Prince Mdazuka; Thembela Mgedezi; Nozuko Conjwa ; Ntsiki Dwangu ; Mhlangabezi Masizana; Witness Matshobongwana

Nombini Stemele

Nombini Stemele with guest speaker Melanie

Stark of Community Chest at the office launch

KHAYELITSHA HOSTS INTERCULTURAL YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Khayelitsha was selected to host Volunteer Centre’s fifth consecutive year Canada/ Kenya /South Africa Intercultural Youth Exchange Program. 2008-09 will host the second program in Khayelitsha. Last year, 20 youth from SA and Canada were warmly welcomed by the local host families and volunteer opportunities. This year, Volunteer Centre’s six participants are led by Sibongile Mkontshwana from Khayelitsha. We are pleased that three Kenyan women will also participating on the program. On 1st September the complete African team left to meet their nine Canadian counterparts in Alberta, Canada including Liz Walker, the Canadian Project Supervisor.The team arrives in Khayelitsha on 2 December 2009. They will be living and volunteering in Khayelitsha from 2 December 2008 to 28 February 2009.

(Read more below)

Calling all families interested in hosting 2 youth from South Africa/ Kenya and Canada from December 2008 –

February 2009!

Canada/Kenya & South Africa Youth Exchange Program

“Women in Development”Since 2004, the Volunteer Centre has been in partnership with Canada World Youth, an NGO who focuses on international youth exchange programs between Africa and Canada. The team for 2008-09 consist, of 18 women and 2 Project Supervisors who will live in Khayelitsha from 2 December 2008 – 28 February 2009.

Volunteer Placements:While the team will be living in Khayelitsha, they will be volunteering at NGO’s , community projects etc for 3 days per week. The theme for this year will be “Women in Development”. www.volcent.co.za

We therefore call on all NGO’s, Community projects etc who require extra hands to come forward.

Host Families:We require host families within Khayelitsha in F & G Section to host the volunteers who will be divided in pairs of 2 females. There will be six pairs consisting of 1 South African and 1 Canadian and three pairs consisting of 1 Kenyan and 1 Canadian. We look forward to the support of the community of Khayelitsha. We take the opportunity to thank the community of Khayelitsha for hosting the Intercultural Youth Exchange program last year 2007-08.Please contact Natasha/Marion for more info at (021) 674 5338

Office Volunteer Corner Nomathamsanqa – A real Blessing to Volunteer Centre, Khayelitsha Office

Nomathamsanqa Brenda Skei has been volunteering at the Khayelitsha office for just more than a month. Nomathamsanqa means ‘Blessing’ and she certainly has been since starting her volunteering journey with us. 28 year old Brenda started volunteering at the office on 2 August. A friend told her about the Volunteer Centre and that people could volunteer in their spare time in the community at NGO’s and CBO’s etc “I completed my studies at UWC. After I achieved my BA in Human Ecology majoring in Community Development and Nutrition, I realized that volunteering my

extra time at the Volunteer Centre would afford me experience in the field of community development.” Nomathamsanqa has a genuine desire to make a difference in people’s lives and that’s the reason for her choice in community work. She encourages those who’ve finished studies to volunteer spare time while they are job hunting. “You just never know what opportunities are out there for you in the community.”

South African and Canadian youth on Intercultural Youth Exchange Program 2007-08

UPCOMING EVENTS

25 September– Volunteer Orientation 14 – 17 October – Office Volunteer Training course

23 October – Volunteer Orientation 12 November – Volunteer Centre AGM (Claremont)

Call: Nombini @ (021) 364 5326

PSST!! Do you have any interesting volunteer related stories you’d like to see in

our next edition? Then email them to marion@volcent.co.za or fax to(021) 674 5367 and we’ll select

appropriate stories for ourDecember Edition