Martin conducting oral hygiene education at Ezulwini NCP.

1. Partnerships and Development: One of my primary responsibilities was to identify and establish partnerships with relevant stakeholders, both local and international, to support the foundation’s mission. I conducted research to identify potential collaborators and communicated with them to explore mutually beneficial opportunities. These partnerships not only provided financial support, but also enabled the organization to expand its reach and impact within the community.
2. Operational Improvement: To help streamline the foundation’s operations, I conducted a thorough assessment of existing processes and identified areas for improvement. After consultation with the team, I proposed a new system for project management, which involved digitalizing certain aspects of data collection and reporting. This helped to enhance efficiency and transparency, facilitating better communication among team members and stakeholders.
3. Community Engagement – Oral Hygiene Education: As part of the foundation’s community outreach efforts, I was involved in an initiative to educate school children about the importance of oral hygiene. Alongside a team of volunteers, I designed interactive and engaging sessions that taught the children proper brushing techniques and oral care habits. Witnessing the children’s enthusiasm and eagerness to adopt healthier habits was incredibly rewarding. This program not only contributed to the children’s well-being but also strengthened the foundation’s ties with the local community.
4. National Kruger Park Visit: During my internship, I had the privilege of visiting the National Kruger Park. This experience was not only a refreshing break, but also an opportunity to witness the significance of wildlife conservation efforts. The park’s vast biodiversity and stunning landscapes left a profound impact on me, highlighting the importance of environmental preservation and sustainable tourism.

The magic of Kruger National Park’s nocturnal wildlife on an adventurous night game drive.

My internship at All Out Africa Foundation was a transformative experience, allowing me to contribute to meaningful projects that positively impacted the community. From fostering partnerships for implementing operational improvements and engaging in educational initiatives, I developed valuable skills and gained insights into the world of nonprofit organizations. Additionally, the visit to the National Kruger Park served as a reminder of the importance of conservation and the need for responsible tourism. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the foundation’s mission and look forward to applying the knowledge and experiences gained from this internship in my future endeavours.

Join the All Out Africa Foundation and make a difference like Martin. Click here to learn more. Together, we can create a brighter future. Special thanks to Martin Le Coulm for sharing his story!

Where are you from?

I am from Belgium.

What All Out Africa project did you sign up for?

The Child Care Project in Eswatini.

What do you do for a living?

I am currently working but I am planning to go to Canada in September to follow 6 months of courses.

What does volunteering mean to you?

I have always wanted to do some volunteering in my life because I think it is important to give our time to the communities and children who really deserve our support. Volunteering is giving time to people and giving a little of something to improve their lives. It is also out of our comfort zone and discovering new populations, countries, a new continent and different cultures.

With the childcare projects, you give your time to children, teach them English and to assist the teacher with her daily tasks. There’s also an afternoon activity called homework club, The homework club is an initiative that All Out Africa set up, to help out the underprivileged primary school learners. In this afternoon session, we assist these students with their homework and improve their Math, English and reading skills.

Reason for choosing All Out Africa?

My friend came last year and she came back really happy with this experience!

I graduated last June and so I decided to go to Eswatini to discover this country but mostly to give my time and my experience too these wonderful children. All Out Africa is a great organisation where the volunteers are fully involved in the projects and give 100% of their time in changing and making an impact toward such communities.

Your experience as a volunteer, did it had any positive impact in your life?

My experience as a volunteer was just amazing! I learned a lot about this country, it ’s culture and also more about myself. It changed my vision of the world and seeing these children with their smiles was the best thing I have never seen. I met incredible people there that I will never forget!! I made friends for life. The people there are so kind. They are just happy, they live and think about the present moment and enjoy their life. This volunteering has changed my life forever and every day I am thinking about the day when I can return.

Many thanks to the All Out Africa team, they really made me feel at home during my 3 months as a volunteer.

Click here if you would like to know more about our Childcare (Eswatini)

Over the past weekend, we were gifted with approximately 1700 kgs of rice from the GoodFellas Bikers Club. The bikers club is a brotherhood of motorcycle riders, who have a mission in helping and organizing charity events which in turn support local communities around the Kingdom. The donation process was a complete and total success. Michael (Building Coordinator), Tjengisa (Social Projects Manager) and I managed to deliver 24 bags of 10 kg rice to each NCP. With the $1093 (USD) worth of food security that we secured through this donation, we are now planning to add other nutritional value in some form of a balanced meal like fruits and vegetables.

This donation, will last for a period of 3 months or more, we will like to formally thank Goodfellas Bikers Club for their generous donation and for making a huge difference in the lives of over 300 children that attend our NCPs. This is a positive stride in alleviating poverty and providing care to those most vulnerable.  

Written by Simise Masilela

If you would like to make a donation to one of our projects, you can email info@alloutafrica.org