Welcome - to volunteer is a gift to yourself, to others, to the world.
Our Foundation / Your Foundation
Established for the purpose of raising the quality of life for materially disadvantaged people living in rural villages in South Africa. the Barefoot University Foundation implements practical projects to engage the local people in a process of social empowerment. Through a dynamic interaction between volunteers and villagers, the principles of self-sufficiency and sustainability are promoted. Planning for the future forms part of the process.
To activate this vision, the Barefoot University Foundation is establishing small informal campuses within these rural villages. Local community centres are utilised for social gatherings, motivational workshops, community celebrations and festivals. Open spaces around the villages are developed as recreational areas through the planting of indigenous trees, establishing lawns, building benches, tables and play ground equipment for children.
Volunteers from around the world are invited to participate in this innovative project. No matter what your age, gender or life experience, there is a place for you! We see this as a opportunity for a dynamic energy exchange between North and South, one that will be rewarding beyond our expectations as volunteers and villagers learn from one another through working and playing together.
We begin by selecting the village and identifiying the type of project to be implemented. An overview of the real needs of each village is provided by the community leadership structure, on the basis of which various practical projects are designed. Through a dynamic interactive process amongst project leaders, volunteers and the local villagers, every participant will be encouraged to understand their roles and responsibilities within the context of their families and their community, and then to identify their personal course of action.
Getting down to it ..... Greening Kurland Village
The selected pilot project is to take place in Kurland Village at The Crags. This choice was made after assessing the social, economic and environmental issues of nine local rural villages within the Bitou Municipality. Kurland Village is situated 25 kilometres from the nearest town, Plettenberg Bay, and has been repeatedly identified as the most needy of the villages in the area. The village has a long history of marginalisation, with its attendant social problems of alcoholism and social instability. It is inhabited by two distinct cultural groupings with different values and world views. This leads to frequent conflict over territorial and other matters. It is our view that by engaging in a greening project which will enhance the general environment of both groupings and provide engaging activiities for all, there is the potential for this social conflict to be significantly ameliorated.
Villagers and volunteers will meet each day for a gathering in the community hall. A lively session of music, movement and drama will be followed by a work schedule developed around various identified projects.
At every intake of volunteers, a one-day orientation programme will be run to acquaint new volunteers with the broad issues of the area. Volunteers will visit the Kurland Village to meet community leaders in order to assess and match their various talents and skills with the community needs. Decisions will be made in consultation with the programme coordinator with ample opportunity given for discussion and evaluation of the work in progress on a regular basis.
Now that you have the gist of it, here are the options we offer you:
- To do volunteer work in a traditional South African community
- To garden within the landscape of a local rural village
- To teach or assist in local creches and schools (Extra costs may apply)
- To practise medical work at local clinics (Extra costs via WWISA)
- To offer counselling or care giving (Extra costs may apply)
- To cook and bake as part of a catering team
- To assist in setting up small businesses related to a recycling system
- To participate in local environmental or wildlife projects
All the projects listed are linked with other local organisations such as WWISA and Born in Africa. The extra cost may apply depending on the project for which sign up and the organisation involved in running the project.
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Contact Barefoot University
Tell: (+27) 044 534 8751 -:- info@barefoot-university.org.za
Cell: (+27) 082 878 4762 -:- Fax: (+27) 044 534 8888
Skype Name: Barefoot University Foundation -:- Download
