With the school closure, children have been left with no choice but to stay home and only visit the NCPS daily to get meals not only for themselves but also for other family members. Without a word being said, their eyes speak nothing but appreciation for the meal, despite that the menu hardly changes as this is the only meal received per day for most of them.

Our NCP children receiving a well-balanced meal.

The organization has also not been spared from the effects of COVID-19, as more than 50% of the staff members had to be laid off due to lack of funding to sustain their employment. At least the much- needed hunger relief project has grown dramatically and is getting food to those who need it most. Although the sports program continues, with the tragic loss of Menzi Masina it has been a challenge to pick up where he left off.

The late sports development coordinator Menzi with NCP children

Activities have also been adjusted to meet the covid-19 requirements. While doing ad-hoc visits in the various communities, one cannot help but realize how hard these vulnerable communities have been hit.

All Out Africa staff making food deliveries to the affected families

Women are seen selling wares with no one to buy since most people lost jobs and that no tourists are visiting the country. This activity also puts these women at risk of contracting Coronavirus and as such, the NCP is informed daily by a community member that has unfortunately been lost to COVID-19 and All Out Africa is constantly engaged on how the children who are left with no parents can be assisted. The media has been left with nothing much to report on except for the increased cases of gender-based violence, child labour, teenage pregnancy, and malnutrition. This has come to expose the role played by schools and teachers in society, it helps society make informed decisions.

NCP Teacher handing over pencils.

Investing in education is the best response to the uncertainty that will grip our world for many months or perhaps years to come. We are hopeful of schools opening up again soon and our NCPs becoming fully operational again. We greatly look forward to when volunteers can once again travel to assist in these projects.

To apply for this project, or talk about how you can get involved, please email bookings@alloutafrica.com

We have received a gratitude letter from Bongekile Matisa, a former NCP graduate, homework club member and this year she started her High school.

My name is Bongekile Matisa. I started homework club in 2016, by then I was doing my 4th grade and I have been producing outstanding results. Homework Club has helped me a lot with my studies, I am now doing my first year in high school and all thanks to homework club.

I want to thank All Out Africa for starting this afternoon activity (Homework Club) and it has been so helpful to me. I know that some of the homework club members will agree with me. Lastly I want to thank the volunteers who have been helping us with our studies and not forgetting Uncle Tjengisa. I will miss Homework Club. Thank you so much All Out Africa, love you so much and I wish you all the best.  

Written by Bongekile Matisa

If you would like to be an All Out Africa volunteer, email bookings@alloutafrica.com

-Tristan Diedrich, Cape Town Volunteer Coordinator

“I would definitely sign up with Hout Bay APD (people with disabilities). Cape Town has everything…..from tourist destinations such as Table Mountain and Robben Island to safaris. I’ve been working with Hout Bay APD for 2 years now and the clients that go there are such loving, warm-hearted, positive people despite their disabilities. You can learn so much from them by just talking to and interacting with them.”

-Adriaan Begemann, Kruger Operational Manager

“Kruger overnight safaris. Because it is simply the best place in the world, with the best guides from All Out Africa (Adriaan & Ruben). I love the Kruger National Park as I used to go to the Kruger with my grandparents and parents since I was a small kid. Reminds me of some great holidays”

-Menzi Masina, Sports Coordinator

“I would sign up for the Sports Development project, because I love what I do!”

– Michael Mkhonta, Building Project Coordinator

“Building of course! You can actually see how you are contributing to the communities for years to come!”

-Tiphiwe Vilakati, Bookings & Finance Manager

“I would sign up for Kruger to Coast! I would choose this one because it’s a combination of volunteering and tours. It’s my biggest dream to go to Kruger to see the Big 5 live!”

-Eunice Nkambule, NCP coordinator

“If I were a volunteer I would do the Marine Research & Whale Shark Conservation project. I grew up swimming and I would love to go scuba diving! It would be so cool to see the depth of the ocean”

-Ginger Green, Marketing coordinator

“I would sign up for the Kruger to Cape project. I have travelled several places in my lifetime, but if I had known there was an all-inclusive trip that would take me to 3 countries in 8 weeks and included awesome excursions throughout the trip, I would’ve leapt at the opportunity! Even now, and even though I have been to all of the places Kruger to Cape take you; I would be excited to join the tour. Bungee jumping, quad biking, ocean safaris, the garden route, a camping safari and volunteer (among other perks!)… It’s the perfect vacation for anyone who doesn’t like to sit still when they travel!”

-Simise Masilela, Marketing Assistant and Team Leader.

“I would definitely sign up for Kruger to Coast, if anything is on your bucket list, it should be a trip to the Kruger National park, the park has the largest variety of wildlife compared to any other park in Africa. What I also love about this program is that you get to do voluntary work in the beautiful country Kingdom of Eswatini and wrap it off with a trip to the coast in Mozambique Tofo.”

-Tjengisa Dlamini, Social Project Manager

Since joining All Out Africa over 4 years ago, I would honestly say that with proper funding I would join the Build A Future program because I have seen two NCPs’ being built and this contributes to the fundamental of early childhood education. It would also compliment All Out Africa’s childcare program and reach the less privilege children. Our main scope as All Out Africa, is to see our community outreach programs extending to other communities and obviously this kind of growth needs facilities to be built, so “Build A Future” program would be ideal to meet this goal.

-Mduduzi Ngwenya, Assistant Savannah Conservation Coordinator

As someone who has worked for All Out Africa since 2004, I would sign up for Savannah Conservation Research because the program gives you plenty of opportunities to work with wild animals and explore the bush at your own pace without a guard. You also have a better understanding how the ecosystem works.

Written by The All Out Africa Team

When I started hearing or learning about the effects of pollution and climate change back in my days in high school. I honestly didn’t understand why leaders from various countries, can actually have a conference or summit on the environment. I only realized years later when I was in varsity that those submissions, suggestions and recommendations made by those great leaders were actually true, but needed to be implemented by the human population.

Almost three decades later our very own Prime Minister of Eswatini declared that Cabinet Ministers, together with community members of the Eswatini society have a monthly “Clean Eswatini” campaign.  This declaration was made in June of this year. So the idea or mandate was that “Clean Eswatini” should happen every last Saturday of each month. This past weekend, All Out Africa volunteers and staff members joined the community of eBuka under the Lobamba Constituency in cleaning the streets.

When we arrived just after 8 am, it seemed like the community members started early, judging on the amount refuse bags filled with waste plastic and paper. What made it more mind blowing was that all refuse bags where neatly placed on top of each other? Most of the collected waste had a central drop off point/facility that we call in Eswatini a “Gogo Centre”. Gogo Centers are where most community meetings are held and are always located at the central part of a particular community. So refuse bags where place just outside this facility’s gate. After the waste collection, community leaders and members gathered and community leaders thanked all participants involved. One of our volunteers spoke about “how she enjoyed this morning’s clean-up campaign, and how community was welcoming throughout the morning”

Our next “Clean Eswatini” campaign will be on the 30^th November 2019 and we are hoping for another successful one.  If you would like to join us in the next clean up, please contact info@alloutafrica.com

Written by Tjengisa Dlamini, All Out Africa Social Project Coordinator