Background
Emmanuel Children's Home resides in the town of Middelburg, halfway between Johannesburg and Cape Town in the province of Eastern Cape. Currently we have 18 children who are fostered with us due to no other suitable home being found for them. These children have been neglected, abused or orphaned and the house has been the only real home some of them have known for the last 5 years. You'll be coming to us in a critical period since the home has been re-registered with the Department of Social Development (DOSD) and aiming to care for up to 25 children (at any one time) who have been abused, abandoned or orphaned. There is a lot of community support to keep the children's home in Middelberg given the important service it provides for vulnerable children in this region.
Volunteer's RoleThe children's home is currently operating under uncertain circumstances - great strides are being made to ensure it's bright future, but given that the home currently gets no government funding, in this interim period there will be a desperate need for private donations to keep it running from day-to-day. On top of the most important task: caring for the children on a day-to-day basis, there is also a lot of work to improve the home's facilities and environment. As a volunteer you should be prepared to pitch in with whatever tasks and activities are asked of you - this will likely include opportunities to work on the care, supervision and stimulation of the children, but also mean helping with practical tasks such as maintenance and renovation of the home, helping with cooking, cleaning and laundry, and office administration and general errands where needed. The bottom line is that we're looking for volunteers who are flexible, hard-working, positive and very friendly!
You will receive a briefing on arrival and an orientation from the Children's Home Manager who will explain what your volunteer role will entail. We can also discuss before your arrival what particular skills and interests you have (e.g. study help, social work, sports, arts etc.).
You will be working in a challenging environment, but the work is rewarding and your efforts will be contributing to a brighter future for this children's home and the vulnerable children of Middelburg.
Facilities
We have volunteer room that currently holds two volunteers at one time, with access to a bathroom with hot water showers. It is not big or great by western standards, but it is clean and neat. It is located in main building of the children's home.
You can eat the same meals that are given to the children, which are wholesome and nutritious. This is not a vegetarian diet so if you are vegetarian you have to buy and prepare you own meals. Volunteers can buy food from the local supermarkets and cook this in the kitchen outside of normal meal preparation times if they prefer.
Laundry can be done for free in our laundry room where we have a washing machine.
Please be aware that Middelberg is a small town, quite far from any major city. It has well stocked supermarkets and shops and there is basic access to internet. In your free time you should be prepared for a 'quiet life', although there things to enjoy if you like exploring the natural surrounding or getting involved in the local community life and cultures.
Requirements
To apply to volunteer with Emmanuel Children's Home we require you to fill out a volunteer application form, as well as forward on a police clearance certificate from your country of residence (to show no criminal convictions) and two letters of recommendation - we require this for every volunteer.
The application form can be viewed and copied by clicking here.
In your application form you should start what dates you would prefer to stay and work at the home. We normally ask that volunteers stay for a minimum of 3 weeks as this gives you time to bond with the children. There is no maximum length of stay within reason.
The reference letters should be a brief recommendation of your character from someone in a professional position if possible (e.g teacher, principal, manager).
Your transport to and from Middelberg is at your own expense.
Fees
Volunteers are asked to pay a fee of 300 euros (or its currency equivalent: UK£250, US$390) prior to arrival or on it. This can be a donation or something you fundraise. The fee is the same no matter how long you intend to stay - any length of time between 3 weeks and 3 month. We are extremely grateful for the time and effort volunteers give to the home and the children, but we also need financial assistance and volunteers to demonstrate a tangible commitment to helping the organisation. By paying this fee you are helping to secure the home's continuing existence and help cover the essentials of caring for the children. If you are very eager to volunteer but can afford these fees will review applications on a case-by-case basis to give you every opportunity to assist us.
Travel
It is best to fly either to Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein or Johannesburg and get the Translux, SA Roadlink, or Intercape bus (reliable daily coach services) from there to Middelburg (Eastern Cape, not to be confused with the Middelberg in Mpumalanga). The easiest way to check bus times and book tickets is on the Computicket website, link here.We will collect you in Middelburg from the bus drop-off point. Buses coming from Port Elizabeth normally arrive at 11pm and buses coming from Johannesberg (the opposite direction) normally arrive at 1:30am.
Should you require any other information, please do not hesitate to contact us at emm.volunteer@gmail.com with your questions.
