Eswatini Teaching Volunteer Project

As a volunteer on the Teaching Project you will be working with children from the surrounding Ezulwini communities. The total number of the children at the school varies from 700 to 800 pupils and each classroom has a maximum of 40 pupils.

You will be expected to work as a teaching assistant, helping the teacher where ever possible especially with maths, English and science subjects. You can bring your own ideas, such as crafts, if you are working with the lower grades and drama for the upper grades.

Some of the activities you will get involved in may include:
- Assisting a teacher in class
- Leading small groups in classroom based activities
- Preparing and marking tests and homework
- Introducing/developing sports and drama activities
- Introduce new sports/develop existing sports (e.g. football, netball).
- Assisting at the library through cataloguing books, literacy lessons, and one-on-one tutoring

Generally getting involved with the staff at the school, know what’s happening at the school and get involved where ever possible. The more effort and energy you put into your placement the more you are likely to get the most out of it.

07:00: Wake up to see the sunshine, jump in a hot shower, and get yourself started for the day with breakfast!
07:30: Travel to your placement and get ready to begin your day.
08:00: Participate in your chosen project.
12:00: Lunch hour! Time to eat the packed lunch you made that morning!
12:30: Begin your afternoon’s work with a full stomach and enthusiasm!
15:00: Return back to your accommodation and share your day’s adventures with other volunteers - maybe even a quick swim in the pool!
18:30: Enjoy a delicious evening meal and relax!

IMPORTANT NOTE: When you work with children, you will be in the rural areas where modesty will be an important factor. Please make sure you dress appropriately - failure to do so may result in you missing a day of volunteering. More information about the dress code will be provided in the pre-flight guide.

Day 1: Fly into OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg (more details in “Arrivals” section in the Swaziland Destination Brief) where you will be met by All Out Africa staff members who will transfer you by road from Johannesburg to the Kingdom of Swaziland. It is approximately a five hour journey from the airport to you to your accommodation in the Ezulwini Valley (Valley of Heaven).

Day 2: The second day begins with an informative presentation that will brief you on all you need to know about the culture and country, how to effectively contribute during your volunteer experience, and what to expect on the tours. In the afternoon you will embark on a Cultural Tour where you will visit the museum to learn about Swazi history and culture, and then will walk around a real Swazi village to experience day-to-day life in Swaziland. The tour finishes with a local culinary delight - a traditional Swazi braai!.

Day 3-5 and other weekdays for the duration of your stay: You will spend these days volunteering on your project.

Day 6-7 and other weekends for the duration of your stay: These two days are a free weekend, a great time to explore the magic of Swaziland! You have the opportunity to join any of a number of fantastic excursions including zip lining across the stunning mountains and gorges of Malolotja National Park, white water rafting on the Great Usutu River, a quad bike tour or a rural home stay at a living Swazi village to mention just a few of the incredible activities that Swaziland has to offer.

For 4-Week Option
Day 29: Return home. Sadly all great adventures must come to an end and on your final day you will leave the backpacker lodge in Eswatini and transfer by road to Johannesburg to catch your flight*.

*Airport transfer is included and facilitated by All Out Africa if on the designated departure day.

For 4-Week+ Option
Day 29 Onwards: Continue with your volunteer project as described on days 3-5, giving you more time to contribute to your project and experience beautiful Eswatini. Sadly all great adventures must come to an end and on your final day you will leave the backpacker lodge in Eswatini and transfer by road to Johannesburg to catch your flight.

Airport transfer is included and facilitated by All Out Africa if on the designated departure day.

Weekends are free for you to relax or to see more of the scenery and activities!

Many of our projects work with school-aged children. Because of this, our projects may vary from the project brief descriptions during public holidays and/or school breaks. Our project coordinators will arrange additional activities for vounteers to work on during this time, or you may assist on another project druing these times until work returns t the daily norm.

Arrival transfer
Accommodation
Three meals a day
24/7 support from All Out Africa staff
Projects specifically designed to enable you to make an active contribution during your stay.
In-field supervision by the All Out Africa staff
Comprehensive orientation to country, culture, and your role upon arrival.

- Minimum age of 18
- Police Clearance Form

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.