Why Volunteer Abroad?
by CJ ROPER - DIRECTOR AFRICAN SUNRISE VOLUNTEERING
In creating our company, we did a lot of research. There are so many negative articles out there, about volunteering abroad, about leaving your country and coming to Africa, to volunteer. So we looked at all these negative comments, and opinions, and focused on the true purpose of volunteering – helping, and not harming.
Our projects are chosen well, they have established staff and social workers, and work on specific things that are needed in their particular community. Sensitive issues such as abuse and neglect, are all handled with care and love. When a volunteer joins a project, they bring with them a whole new culture for the children to learn about. They also get to really take part in positive programmes that assist in building self-esteem, a sense of security and trust. The majority of our volunteers and interns are busy with social work studies, and we’ve have some remarkable experiences between them and the people they come to help.
As a team of women, we believe in empowering each other, and those we help. We get involved in the projects, we assist in the Soup Sessions every Friday, which bridges the gap between the homeless and those in the community. We learn the issues that plague the homeless, so that we know how to help them. Our volunteers form bonds with the children and adults here in South Africa, but they also teach them the value of friendship and attachments.
Volunteering abroad can be seen as negative by the media in many respects, but our values and principles as a small company, make us different – we all have a passion for helping people in a way that improves their lives and is in line with community upliftment. Our volunteers still have a great time – they do go on weekend trips to places around Cape Town, and have nights out. This is an experience that they make their own. We are always around to assist them, and our whole team are involved in all of our projects.
Volunteering abroad is a unique experience, it changes the lives of the volunteers, and it often changes so many lives her in Cape Town for the better, leaving long-lasting positive changes.
In creating our company, we did a lot of research. There are so many negative articles out there, about volunteering abroad, about leaving your country and coming to Africa, to volunteer. So we looked at all these negative comments, and opinions, and focused on the true purpose of volunteering – helping, and not harming.
Our projects are chosen well, they have established staff and social workers, and work on specific things that are needed in their particular community. Sensitive issues such as abuse and neglect, are all handled with care and love. When a volunteer joins a project, they bring with them a whole new culture for the children to learn about. They also get to really take part in positive programmes that assist in building self-esteem, a sense of security and trust. The majority of our volunteers and interns are busy with social work studies, and we’ve have some remarkable experiences between them and the people they come to help.
As a team of women, we believe in empowering each other, and those we help. We get involved in the projects, we assist in the Soup Sessions every Friday, which bridges the gap between the homeless and those in the community. We learn the issues that plague the homeless, so that we know how to help them. Our volunteers form bonds with the children and adults here in South Africa, but they also teach them the value of friendship and attachments.
Volunteering abroad can be seen as negative by the media in many respects, but our values and principles as a small company, make us different – we all have a passion for helping people in a way that improves their lives and is in line with community upliftment. Our volunteers still have a great time – they do go on weekend trips to places around Cape Town, and have nights out. This is an experience that they make their own. We are always around to assist them, and our whole team are involved in all of our projects.
Volunteering abroad is a unique experience, it changes the lives of the volunteers, and it often changes so many lives her in Cape Town for the better, leaving long-lasting positive changes.
