Elaine`s experience

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 09:41:00 +0000

Volunteering at SASA
A experience for a lifetime

My first day at SASA was a cold and rainy day in September 2018. I just came to Cape Town the day before and everything was still new to me. When I stepped into the office, it was busy and lively as usual.

Right away, I met all the staff members but obviously, I couldn’t remember all their names. Sadaam sat down with me in the office and talked with me about my CV and a few minutes later, I found myself preparing a workshop for the next day that I was supposed to facilitate on my own. On that day, everybody was a stranger to me and I wasn’t quite sure if I could ever feel comfortable around the office and the staff members. But I was so wrong.

On my second day, I already found a few things I really enjoyed doing and when I couldn’t go to work because of protest that were happening on the street, I was so sad and devastated. In that moment, I knew I just the right project and it showed how much I loved my workplace.

My day usually started with coming to Bellville at 8:30 am and teaching an adult class or assisting the teacher with the class. My students weren’t total beginners, so it was relatively easy to teach them. First, I was worried that the adults wouldn’t take me serious because I was so much younger than them. But my worries were unreasonable. I came along with them perfectly and I built up great relationships with them. After a few days, we did not only talk about the content of the lesson, but we also shared stories about our life with each other. Although my students were older than me and had experience way more in life than I did, we became friends and they were on of the many reasons I enjoyed my time at SASA so much.

After teaching/assisting the adult class, I got to my desk in the back of the classroom and started teaching my children’s class by myself. This was by far my favorite activity in the whole day. My students were between the 5 and 9 years old and usually, I had around 4 to 6 students sitting around my desk. I had the opportunity to do the lessons the way I wanted them to be and I enjoyed it a lot. Mr. Gibson supervised me and gave me support if I had questions concerning the content of the lessons. The first half of the lesson, I did English with my students. We usually started with spelling, and then went over to practice phonic sound or read something together. After a short break, we did math together.
Very quickly, I built up a very good relationship to my students and they accepted me as their teacher. They came to me if they needed support, they trusted me and we had an amazing time together. For me, it was especially great to see how they progressed in the months I was their teacher. I could see how they improved and it made me so happy to see how good they got along. One of my favorite moments was when one of my students started to read after I practiced it with him for a long time. Saying goodbye to my students is probably one of the hardest things because they definitely have a place in my heart.

When I was done with the children’s class, I tutored some after school classes. Students could come to me and I would support them with their homework and answer all their questions about previous lessons. If there was an exam scheduled for the next day, I also helped them to prepare themselves for them exam.

At 2 pm, I usually assisted with the second adult class that was happening and took over the stronger/weaker students and gave them the extra attention they needed. Like with my students from the morning classes, I also had a very good relationship with them and I enjoyed being around them. The days were especially funny for me when some of the students brought their children with and the whole classroom was one busy, chaotic place.

Before I went home, I prepared the lessons for the next day or did some administrative stuff when my help was needed. My day was over at 3:30 pm.

Not only the work I did made my time at SASA unforgettable, but also the people I met here. The SASA staff welcomed me at the office with open arms and made me feel comfortable. I could talk to every one of them and I enjoyed it so much to be around them. I share lovely memories with all of them and I’m looking forward to see them again as soon as possible.

I want to say thank you to everybody at SASA for making my time an experience for a lifetime and I will miss each and every one at the office.

I especially want to say thank you to Abdikadir for being a great supervisor and a person I could also come to if I needed help or had questions.

Public Holidays in SA!

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 12:43:00 +0000

The SASA office wants to remind its clients and partners that the office will be closed on all the public holidays in 2019.
The first one coming up will be the Human Rights Day on the 21st March.

Office is open again!

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 12:19:00 +0000

The SASA office opened again on the 7th of January after the holidays.
The SASA team used their free time to get some rest and spend some quality time with their families.
We're happy to tell you that we're now back and happy to welcome you in our office!

The office is open from Monday to Friday from 08:30 am to 04:30 pm.

New gallery!

Wed, 25 Apr 2018 08:54:00 +0000

We have recently created a gallery on our website. Have a look on the different groups of pictures and you will learn more about the colorful work of SASA.

Interview with Abdikadir

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 08:27:00 +0000

We have a new website!

Wed, 25 Oct 2017 07:31:00 +0000

We are very happy to introduce you to our new website!

Here you will find all information about our courses, workshops and our team. We will regularly update you with our latest activities and give you the opportunity to contact us.