Project Houtbay High School

For the children originated from the Imizamo Yethu Township the local population have started a developing program where, in addition to the activities for the two local public schools, extracurricular activities are offered. Most of these activities take place around the new youth club for the children in the township. The youth club has recently opened its doors and the children find refuge to set out on the organized activities.

School and scenery

Approximately 14.000 people live in in the Imizamo Yethu Township in Houtbay in provisional built shacks, without running water and with illegally tapped electricity. Every week new arrivals seek their fortune because of this the safety of the inhabitants is at risk. The past year due to two fires the houses of over 1.000 people were destroyed as well as their few belongings.

Most of the township children attend a public schools (free education) nearby and classes are packed, there are few facilities and dropping out is no exception. The township children are in need of help for a better start in everyday life.

Project information

  • Location Houtbaai High school, Marine Crescent, Hangberg, Houtbay;
  • This school demands a 450 Rand per year contribution (approximately 40 euro);
  • Approximately 700 students aged 14 to 18 years;
  • Besides mainly Xhosa students originated from the ImizamoYethu Township, also students of the coloured district where the school is situated attend this school;
  • Experience in teaching is required;
  • The volunteer will give intensive assistance to the learners in different in a range of subjects. (please note that the experience of the volunteer determines the subject);
  • Teaching pupils in a range of subjects is a possibility depending upon the experience of the volunteer;
  • By the personal attention and assistance at this school we hope the volunteers in this project can impart to and extend the knowledge of it’s learners;
  • At this moment physical education is not a part of the educational program at the school. Improvised sports lessons are given by the volunteers;
  • Small-scale project, with opportunities to give a more personal interpretation;
  • Volunteers have also just started an intensive English reading program for the learners who are still poor in their English;
  • Volunteer work is a possibility as from 4 weeks.

Timetable (Monday to Friday) for a volunteer at Houtbay Secondary School:

  • 09.30-14.00 hours: teaching- intensive assistance in any subject such as mathematics, English, gymnastics and so on.
  • 14.00-17.00 homework supervision, coaching or assistance to after-school activities in the youth club in Imizamo Yethu Township.

To allow the voluntary work to continue more structured, the volunteer is asked to write a report to be able to inform his or her successor.

Please note that a combination with the Oranjekloof Project is possible.