Frequently Asked Questions (for volunteers):

What is the IkamvaYouth school project?
What qualifications/experience do I need to be a volunteer?
What would I have to do in the lessons?
How many people will I be tutoring?
What is the standard of the students like?
Where are the lessons held and at what time?
What should I bring?
How do I get there?
If I volunteer to drive, will I have to pay for my petrol?
How much of a commitment is it?
What will I get out of it?
How do I let you know whether or not I'm coming each Saturday?

What is the IkamvaYouth school project?

IkamvaYouth is a by-youth, for-youth NGO based in Khayelitsha, South Africa. Our mission is to broaden the post-school opportunities for previously disadvantaged youth, which we achieve through three core programmes:
(i) supplementary tutoring
(ii) career guidance and life skills training
(iii) e-literacy development

What qualifications/experience do I need to be a volunteer?

Most of our volunteers are graduates or students from UWC, UCT, Pentech and Cape Tech. We also have volunteers who are professionals in their fields. However you do not need to be qualified to teach - Very few of our volunteers have teaching degrees/diplomas. Basically if you think that you could help, then you're probably qualified. We are looking for people who are studying/have studied/are working in a field which ties in with any of our school subjects. (We offer accounting, english, maths, history, geography, biology, physics, chemistry, economics)
We are also seeking volunteers who can offer career guidance or counselling, a crucial component of our organisation. Furthermore, we need volunteers to assist with the management of the organisation.

What would I have to do in the lessons?

You do not need to prepare for the lessons or mark anything. The learners bring questions/problems to the lessons, and the tutors facilitate small groups, working together on these problems or going through past exam papers. We have plenty of "Answer series" books available that have proved useful. As a volunteer you set homework for the students. This homework can be taken straight out of the "Answer series" books.

How many people will I be tutoring?

We are trying to offer as much individual attention for learners as possible, and try not to have more than 10 learners per tutor. We aim to have 5 students per tutor.

What is the standard of the students like?

The students are extremely keen and enthusiastic but many lack basics of the subjects. They have had huge "gaps" in their education and sometimes one needs to explain concepts right from the beginning.

Where are the lessons held, and what times?

We hold classes at the Nazeema Isaacs Library in Macassar, Khayelitsha from 9.30 - 12.00 on a Saturday. Learners will arrive at 9.00 to set up, so you can literally walk in to the library at 9.30 and expect the students to be ready. The classes are broken up into two sessions, so as to give students the opportunity do more than 1 subject. We also offer homework sessions on Tuesday and Thursday at 3.30 - 5.30. Essentially this is a time for students to work on the homework set on the weekend. We need at least two or three volunteers who are willing to attend these.

What should I bring?

Just some paper and a pen/pencil. (and some energy!)

How do I get there?

You meet with other volunteers at St. Peter's Square in Observatory and share transport from there. Please be at the Kramer Law building, UCT middle campus by 8h45. Once you know how to get to the Nazeemna Isaacs Library and if you have transport and are willing to drive, it would be great if you would be willing to provide transport for other volunteers.

If I volunteer to drive, will I have to pay for my petrol?

At this stage, volunteers share the cost of petrol. In the future we hope that petrol will be paid for by the IkamvaYouth project. You will be reimbursed retroactively for your petrol expenses. This means that you should keep all petrol slips and an independent record of the days that you attended.

How much of a commitment is it?

There are various levels of commitment that you can make. You can be a casual volunteer who volunteers at least once a month, or a regular volunteer who volunteers at least 3 times per month. You can become a mentor for five students (to assist them with career guidance), but then you must be a regular volunteer. When you join the project you will be given a chance in the first few weeks to assess what level of responsibility and commitment you would like to take.

What will I get out of it?

It's very rewarding to work with these learners, who come from various schools around Khayelitsha and voluntarily travel, sometimes quite large distances, to come for lessons each Saturday. Inequality of education remains to be a huge problem in our country and this is a great opportunity for you to make a REAL difference. You will probably also gain a better understanding and appreciation of skills that you have and probably have taken for granted. Going to the townships is also something you might have wondered about but never actually done. Plus you get to meet and work with the other fantastic people who volunteer on this project !

How do I let you know whether or not I'm coming each Saturday?

Please let Dan(bbrdan002@mail.uct.ac.za 0827393181) know if you're coming by Thursday each week, so he has time to plan and organise logistics. We ask volunteers to please remember to do this, as the success of the project relies on it.