Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved:

Join our EwB team! Volunteer in Vancouver
EwB is always looking for eager, caring volunteers. We need people available for short term help and for longer-term commitments. Our particular needs now are for: data base management and/or assistance at bi-yearly fund-raisers. For more information of how you can get involved, please contact us at educationwithoutborders@shaw.ca or call 604-224-3077.

Volunteer in South Africa
EwB is seeking volunteers for exciting, fulfilling, and demanding volunteer positions at Fezeka Senior Secondary  and Songeze Middle Schools in Guguletu, Cape Town, South Africa. EwB is looking for volunteers who will serve either as project managers and/or as teaching assistants/tutors. A commitment of one year is desirable.

Positions
The volunteer project manager is responsible for facilitating and managing ongoing and new projects at the schools. These projects could include: an after-school Mathematics/English/Life Skills remediation tutoring program, a food garden project, the organization and ongoing operation of a school library, and other projects as determined with EwB staff and with school teachers and administration. A volunteer teaching assistant/tutor is expected to be involved in the after-school tutoring program where the primary focus is Grade 8-10 Mathematics/English/Life Skills. A volunteer teaching assistant would also collaborate with other teaching staff and work within the schools in various capacities at the discretion of the principal and relevant Heads of Department.

Requirements
Applicants for the project management position should have prior travel,leadership and overseas work experience. Applicants for the assistant teaching/tutoring position need not have a teaching degree but prior teaching experience will be an asset. Applicants for both positions must be mature, open minded and flexible. An ability to be resourceful, take initiative and adapt to new situations is a must. Letters of reference will be required.

Location and School
Fezeka Senior Secondary and Songeze Middle Schools are located in Gugulethu (known colloquially as Gugs), a black township (pop. 350,000 approx.) on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. The school is situated in a poor, overcrowded area.  Not only are black schools like Fezeka and Songeze struggling with inadequate facilities and social problems, but some students are entering an education system that for years has excluded them. The students can range in age from 14 to early to mid-20s, regardless of the grade they may be in. The Fezeka school population is somewhere around 1,000 students, with close to 400 students at its sister Middle school, Songeze, a 5 minute drive from Fezeka. Currently, there are about 40 teachers on the Fezeka teaching staff and class sizes can vary from 38-52 students per class.

Orientation
A detailed orientation will be provided by an EwB representative in Cape Town. The orientation will include assistance in organizing transportation and lodging, as well as guidelines for personal conduct and safety. A local EwB representative will always be available to the volunteer if s/he has any questions or concerns throughout their assignment. Fezeka is easy to get to from the Main Road in Guguletu, which is a short distance from the N2 (one of the major highways in Cape Town), and has constant security on the premises. Entry to the school is through a motorized gate which is locked during school hours.

Financial Information
EwB will make a significant contribution (approximately $10,000 CAD) to help support the volunteer in paying for their roundtrip airfare, lodging, transportation and food. The total necessary for yearly living expenses in Cape Town is approximately $20,000. As such, the candidate will need to match EwB’s contribution. The details of this will be discussed and negotiated with the volunteer. Extra spending money (for travel, personal shopping, etc.) is the responsibility of the volunteer.

How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their resume and completed application form to Education without Borders. The application form can be found in an attachment below. Application packages can be faxed to 604-732-5913 or mailed to:

Cecil Hershler
Education without Borders
104-2786 West 16th Ave.

Vancouver, B.C. V6K 3C4

Questions?
We encourage you to contact EwB with any questions that you may have about this opportunity. Email us at educationwithoutborders@shaw.ca or call 604-224-3077.

Education without Borders, registered charity # 87301 3718 RR0001