I'm thrilled that I discovered Edu Fun when I moved to South Africa. A hugely rewarding opportunity, and a chance to give something back. The kids are just amazing, the other volunteers too, many of whom have become great friends. It's also flexible, with an opportunity to be involved in as many areas as you would like, from teaching, to health, to further education to baby club. Everyone has something to offer. In return I learned a lot. After 3 years at Edu Fun I'm back in the UK now, but still involved, particularly with the older kids from the further education group. I love having a chat with them over email when they have access, even if it's to give me a hard time over a football result. I wouldn't have wanted to spend my time in SA any other way.

I started volunteering with Edu-Fun in January 2015. I've always worked within education in different roles in my home country so volunteering in a school environment was perfect. We work each Monday morning with grade 3 children from Diepsloot Combined School teaching English as well as further developing their literacy skills. As English is not their first language, the phonics programme we use has to be easy to follow and implement. The Phono-Graphix approach we use is highly effective in helping the learners develop literacy skills and it provides them with the foundation skills they need to read and further develop their English.

I have made many friendships with other volunteers through Edu-Fun. I'm an ex-pat living in South Africa and it can be hard being so far away from friends in our home country. Volunteering enables you to meet different people and make new friends. I feel that we make a difference and have a positive effect on the children we work with and by doing so we are actively changing lives in the Diepsloot community.

I began volunteering with Edu Fun in July 2012. I was very apprehensive at first, as I don’t have any children of my own and had no previous experience of teaching. Also, I’m based in the UK and only in Joburg for a few weeks at a time. However, I found none of that mattered. After my first visit to the school, I realised that all kinds of skills are needed, which inspired me to help create this website (I’m a freelance copywriter). I’m so glad I plucked up the courage to call Avril. I can honestly say that volunteering with Edu Fun is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done - especially now that I'm involved with the new Further Education Project, helping to support varsity students from Diepsloot. It just goes to show that if you identify a need, with Edu Fun, you can do something about it that really does change lives!

To find out more, call Jenny on 082 322 0608.
Visit Edu Fun's Facebook page.