Swaziland teaching and sports volunteering

The Kingdom of Swaziland is the second smallest country in Africa with a diverse landscape, from mountains and rivers gorges in the west to the plains near the border with Mozambique.Swazis are a proud and peaceful nation who have carefully guarded their traditional tribal values and customs. English and siSwati are the official languages. Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries and it's low crime rate and natural beauty, wildlife and culture mean it is fast becoming a place to visit. You can help young Swazis by taking part in either teaching or sports development volunteering projects. Education is one of the key needs of children and is their doorway to a bright future. A large proportion of children in Swaziland cannot afford to go to school due to the effects of unemployment (at 50%), HIV AIDS and the repercussions of severe drought. Swaziland suffers one of the highest rates of unemployment, HIV infection and by 2010 there will be close to 200,000 orphaned children in the Kingdom. This project involves working with schools in Swaziland which offer education and the hope of a future to many young Swazis. The national curriculum is based on the English schooling system. The schools we work with are generally in central Swaziland in the Ezulwini-Lobamba semi-rural area. In these communities there are a number of schools many of which are overcrowded and under-resourced and are in need of support.

The teaching project aims to assist these schools through support in different ways. Helping to teach children English and other subjects that will improve their future prospects for employment, at the same time transferring skills and sharing cultural perspectives. You don't have to be a teacher to take part in and enjoy our teaching project. All you need is to be motivated and sensitive and we will help you settle in to a role that will be beneficial to the children you work with, while gaining valuable skills yourself. Placements are usually in primary schools as this is where we believe there is greatest need for our support. As a volunteer you will usually work in timetabled conversational English lessons. Depending on your experience and interests as well as the needs of the school you may shadow a local teacher educating young children or take responsibility for teaching a class of young adults and anything in between.

Many of the schools have gardens where the children learn practical agricultural skills and grow food for eating. There are a variety of other extra-mural activities including sports, helping to construct basic shelters, gardens, water systems and other physical structures needed at the schools. The focus of the Sports Development Project in Swaziland is to improve the wellbeing of disadvantaged children and young adults within rural Swazi communities, through sport. This new and exciting project focuses on 3 main sports - football, volleyball and netball and incorporates both genders between the ages of 7 and 25. It also includes the possibility of getting involved in additional sports such as tennis, golf, swimming, squash, mountain biking and rugby, depending on your skills and the needs at the time.

The project is borne out of a need in this tiny but beautiful Kingdom: Approximately 30% of children in Swaziland cannot afford to go to school. Without the structure of an educational institution children are denied the stimulation they need to keep them busy and developing in their formative years. In some cases this lack of structure and boredom can lead children into petty criminal activity at an early age. Unemployment is also very high: 40 - 50% of Swazis cannot find work - this situation can also lead young adults into boredom, lack of stimulation and criminal activities. Sport can be used as a method of improving and uplifting the lives of disadvantaged people keeping them stimulated, focused, fit and healthy.

The sport project is based in the heart of the traditional capital of Swaziland, Lobamba and operates from here through to Manzini, which is Swaziland 's biggest town. Lobamba is surrounded by symbolic national monuments such as the Houses of Parliament, eLudzidzini Royal Residence, the National Church, the National Museum, the late King Sobhuza ll memorial and the national stadium, Somhlolo. The Lobamba National Primary School's sports field is the base for the project here.

As a volunteer you will be involved in the day to day co-ordination of this project. It focuses on 3 sports - football, netball and volleyball. There are sports practice sessions each week day which you would help co-ordinate. The aim is encourage youths to participate, arrange training and sports activities, to develop sports teams, organise mini competitions and once at the right level, facilitate them to compete in local sports leagues. You will also be involved in the organising of matches between other teams in the area and fund raising for the development of the sports facilities. There are a few primary schools and day care centres in the area and the volunteers are encouraged to get them involved in sports development. Sports days are very popular events for the children at the schools and day care centres - volunteers are encouraged to organise these fun filled events that bring much joy to the children.