“Empowering people through education”
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Pretom
My two months here were nothing short of incredible...
Debby and Theo are excellent hosts that make you feel at home while teaching you a lot about the Transkei and it’s people. Everyone says Theo’s food is great but spending time with them is even better!
I taught at both the elementary school and the high school. The students are eager to learn and developing relationships with these students and seeing their improvement is very rewarding. You can teach additional classes at the Centre based on your interest; classes ranged from sewing to computers to math to dance.
Outside of school, we spent several weekends going to the beach, hiking to the river for an exciting jump, going abseiling in Morgan Bay, going to town by bus, etc. there is plenty of free time to read, relax, go for a jog, play guitar, learn Xhosa, and take in the beautiful sunsets. I highly recommend this workaway and please reach out to me on Facebook if you have any specific questions. Thanks Theo and Debby!
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Anja
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I spent six weeks with Debby and Theo and I had a great time!
In the mornings you usually either help at Manyano or Soga Junior School to teach reading and writing in English to the children. There is a special programme you follow for this which starts at phonics level and becomes more complex with time. Especially in the beginning the programme really helps you to find your way of teaching and it is easy to follow. The work with the kids is fun and so rewarding!
In the afternoons (after a nice and relaxing lunch break), additional help at the Education Centre for older students is always appreciated. You can really follow your own ideas here, we did English classes, dancing, debate, sowing, Maths and English tutoring….it was fun!
Living in a small Xhosa village and experiencing the people’s culture was something very different from what I’ve experienced so far. It was a great time which taught me a lot about life and myself. Spending time with Theo, Debby and the other volunteers was great and a lot of fun. In our free time we explored the area together, played games or just had a nice and relaxing time.
Thank you, Debby and Theo, for making me feel so welcome and at home right from the beginning!
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Angel
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Debby & Theo are gracious hosts, – approachable, caring & knowledgeable. They've been running this programme for quite a while so everything is well thought out & regularly reviewed with feedback from volunteers. Pick up some Xhosa phrases before landing if possible. Bring a sturdy coat or windbreaker for the W-I-N-D. Buy a south african sim card & data for it if you'll be needing internet access. & cost of meals is 100 rand per day not five euros, & covers three delicious meals by Theo himself (!). Bring along movies if possible & be sure to play Rummikub with Debby
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The experience in Ngcizela touched our hearts. At first we planned to stay only two weeks, but ended staying 30 days. It was our best decision. During this time we had a chance to live and work closely with the Xhosa people. The children, especially, are very affective and smart; you really can see how the project impacts positively in their learning path and in their lives. We also had a unique chance to know some of the high school students, much thanks to the encouragement of the project. This is an unique opportunity to impact and be impacted by the African people.
Debby and Theo were also amazing hosts. Their former experiences and present work inspired us. We shared ideas, discussions and great meals (thanks, Theo). We will be always grateful for their work ahead the Education Centre.
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Thank you Debbie and Theo for an amazing experience.I went not knowing what to expect and had great experience. The area it self is remote and wonderful you feel like you are in real Africa. Sadly I only stayed for two weeks but enjoyed every minute. The school kids were such good fun and you could tell that they really enjoyed the interaction with the volunteers. If your put off by the small fee you have to pay (i was at first) dont be as really does just covers the cost of the awesome food that it served by Thoe aka the materchef....seriously there two weeks and not the same meal twice..yummy.. Debbie is a fun vibrant host and both will make you feel very welcome
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Wouter and Malou
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We stayed with Theo and Debby for one term (six weeks). It was our first workaway experience and by far the best ;)
Wouter helped Theo building the house and the future volunteer-rondavels. He enjoyed working outdoors (digging, chopping wood, gardening etc.) in the beautiful Transkei surrounding and seeing the place slowly turning into a truly unique home. He was especially excited that he got the chance to paint the new rondavels with a custom made 'African' design! Apart from building he also enjoyed his first experience teaching kids PE and arts during a visit to a local school.
I, (Malou) taught English and mathematics to Grade 7 in the junior school, and English to Grade 9 and 10 in the secondary school. In the afternoons I assisted small groups of students with reading and language games at the education centre. I am a qualified primary school teacher and the similarities as well as differences I experienced in this rural area of South Africa made it such a valuable and unforgettable experience to take home. The education system is all about discipline and focuses on 'the average level' student. In both the junior and secondary school are many students with low literacy skills, who lost motivation for school. It was so great to assist them on their own level and see them getting more and more confident. On the other side, there were a lot of kids who could use some extra challenge and got so motivated when they saw their work being rewarded. It is so important to keep assisting these students and the presence of Debby and Theo in this area is of high value!
Apart from these great work experiences, our stay with Debby and Theo was so much more! They are great company (especially on Tuesdays) and have a great sense of humour. We learned a lot about South Africa, got to see many hidden pieces of paradise in the neighbourhood, enjoyed the delicious meals (needless to say we agree with the previous volunteers that Theo is an excellent chef!) and even discovered a new hobby in playing POI;) Thank you Theo and Debby for a wonderful stay with you!!
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Claire
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I've had the most wonderful time here at this school. Theo and Debby are wonderful hosts and make you feel like part of a family (and Theo is quite the chef!).
Teaching at the school is really fun and valuable, but of course can be hectic. I would absolutely recommend coming to stay here for a long term commitment.
My biggest regret is that I had only three weeks at the school...I think three months would be way better. It would benefit the students and yourself (by the time I'm getting everything figured out, I'm leaving!). This is place is definitely amazing - friendly people, gorgeous scenery, good work, and many laughs.
Thank you Debby, Theo, and Ncizela!
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Joe
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What an experience! This was my 3rd trip to South Africa, but my first to the Transkei. Debby and Theo treated me like family, and it was great getting to know them and their vision for the projects at their centre and the local schools.
I was teaching music at the high school, a short walk from where i was staying. I received an incredibly warm welcome from both students and teachers and really enjoyed teaching music and computer skills to the grade 8 and 9s. The head teacher, Mr Butshingi is a dynamic and inspirational man.
Outside of school hours had the opportunity to do some audio and video recording with a group of rappers from the Ngcizela area. They were hard working and great fun to hang around with.
The area itself is beautiful and not far to a fantastic sandy beach (which is within running distance if you're feeling fit!). Theo is a great cook and some of the highlights of my stay were the meals.
Both Debby and Theo are very passionate and enthusiastic about education and in particular the teaching of English and the opportunities it opens up for the students around the area. I would recommend spending at least a month here to fully appreciate the area and make friendships with the local students and people.
As a musician, I have always enjoyed South African music and this was an amazing place to come and experience some. Thankyou to Debby and Theo for having me, I'm just working out when I can come back and spend more time with you! ( And I will bring some friends too!)
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Ueli (Ueli has been back 3 time asa volunteer)
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This was my first workaway experience and it exceeded all of my expectations.
Theo and Debby are great hosts and I felt very welcome right from the beginning. They are very dedicated to their projects and make a huge impact on the local students with the good work they do. In addition Theo is a great chef and prepares awesome meals.
I stayed there for 5 weeks, what proved to be way too short. I was teaching Math at the local High School, two lessons in the morning to grades 8 and 9 and one lesson in the afternoon to grade 11. In the evenings I helped students with their homework in Math and Physics.
The students are hard-working and very eager to learn new things which made it really enjoyable and rewarding teaching them. Also at the school I was greeted very warm-heartedly and the teachers as well as the students made me feel very welcome from day one.
After five weeks of teaching it was very hard for me to leave after the students had organised a marvelous farewell function for me.
I can recommend this stay to everybody who wants to have a great experience and is willing to share his skills.
I definitely want to go back and stay for a longer period of time
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Sarah:
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I had a wonderful and eye opening fortnight with Debby and Theo at the centre. They are a kind and generous couple who are doing a fantastic job helping local students who are being desperately short changed by the South African education system.
I taught English in a local junior school where I witnessed a high proportion of students struggling with basic literacy skills despite them "studying" complex concepts in other subjects such as science for example.
The needs of the weaker children in the classroom appear to be ignored on a consistent basis and they can spend days in class having no idea what is going on and if they are not falling asleep they pretend they are doing okay. When I gave opportunities for these children to succeed they were so eager to get it right and to do well, it was heartbreaking!
In the afternoons I played language games and did some reading with small groups of children who attend the centre itself. This was lovely as I could get to know the children reasonably well despite my short stay.
Debby and Theo made me feel welcome from the moment I arrived on their doorstep. At the weekend they showed me around the breathtaking coastline where you can see whales blowing out air in the distance and Theo is very skilled at lighting up a brai on the beach, collecting fresh oysters and keeping beers chilled.
The living facilities at the centre are basic and rural but I was perfectly comfortable and looked forward to dinner every single night as Theo is an awesome cook.
I spent only a fraction of my African travels this summer at the centre but my stay and work here was the highlight for me in every way.
Thank you Debby and Theo for a wonderful few weeks and I wish you all the best for the future of the centre.
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Diane:
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Theo and Debby are wonderful hosts and this was an incredible workaway experience, I loved
it.T heo is a fabulous chef and he dealt with my veggie requests with style sometimes in the face of limited fresh vegetable availability. This is a beautiful and remote part of South Africa where you will get a true African experience. The night sky, the beaches, the landscape allow your soul to breathe. I taught two English lessons in the morning at the primary school, one at the high school and a small academy class at the education centre in the afternoon. The students or learners as they call them in South Africa were a delight to teach. They are enthusiastic learners who love to be entertained and engaged.I could not have asked for a warmer welcome from the community, the teachers and the headmasters who were all, along with Theo and Debby, very supportive and appreciative of the work that I did while I was there. I am grateful for all that I learnt. Before I left I was moved to tears by the generosity of their farewell and the singing, dancing and drama were a hoot
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