Volunteering
Volunteer yourself
Would you like to volunteer? We would be nothing without our fantastic network of volunteers who enable us to achieve the amazing results with the children we help. Our volunteers are our inspiration and have been vital to the growth of our organisation and the increased number of children who benefit from the help2read programme. We are always looking for motivated individuals who are interested in being part of help2read in some way.
Why volunteer?
Volunteering has so many benefits: we understand and encourage you to make the most of those benefits. Volunteering helps you:
- Discover your own strengths and talents
- Gain self confidence
- Develop new skills
- Expand your social circle, and
- Show others you care.
- Feel good!
Who can volunteer?
help2read volunteers are:
- Committed to helping children
- Available for at least an hour a week (usually during school hours)
- Able to speak, write and read English proficiently
- Over 18, and
- Expected to undergo a criminal background check and sign a code of practice to ensure the utmost level of child protection.
Become a volunteer reading helper
“Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mould the present into a future of which we can all be proud.” - Helen Dyer
Make a change! Volunteer today! help2read is looking for committed and enthusiastic people to empower the next generation by sharing their love for books and improving childrens’ lives forever.
Volunteers undergo a free one-day training which equips them with the skills and understanding to assist a struggling learner with their reading. The volunteer is then able to encourage the love of reading, build self-esteem and improve literacy skills.
Volunteers don’t replace good teaching: they add to it by playing the role of a literate adult in the child’s life with individual one-on-one attention.
Once trained, reading helpers are placed in a school conveniently located to them and are provided with exciting resources – boxes filled with beautiful books, stationery and games.
Volunteers are visited regularly by Support Workers who motivate, encourage and provide expert advice for reading sessions.
Click here for a volunteer application pack or contact your local office to enquire more details.
Offer your skills to help2read
Not everyone has the time or the flexibility to be able to help as a regular volunteer reading helper. However, there are other ways you could assist us. If you think you may be able to contribute to our organisation by offering your professional skills, do not hesitate to call. Examples might be photography, event organising, videography, marketing assistance or simply lend a helping hand in one of our offices.
Fundraise for help2read
Would you like to assist help2read to raise funds to help even more learners this year? Every pound, evert penny and every rand counts! Here are some fundraising ideas:
- Organise a book drive for books, games and stationery that will be placed in help2read book boxes
- Run a 50/50 Raffle - sell tickets and the winner receives half the money raised
- Organise a book club fundraiser – ask members to donate books or money for help2read
- Host a bingo evening or a dance at your school
- Host a garage sale and donate the proceeds to help2read
- Join help2read’s fundraising committee at your local office, which organises the annual fundraising dinner (see below)
- Arrange a read-a-thon at your child’s school
- In lieu of gifts for your birthday or wedding, ask guests to make donations to help2read
- Run a marathon or participate in a sporting event in aid of help2read.
Volunteer at a help2read office
Volunteering at a help2read office is a great way to support our mission. Volunteering at the office will not only allow you to significantly contribute to the daily administration tasks of our organisation but will also empower you with valuable skills.
International volunteers
Are you from overseas and keen to experience another country by giving something back to the community? help2read welcomes international volunteers as reading helpers or interns.
This is an exciting cultural exchange for the volunteer, the child and the school. All involved find it extremely rewarding. Teachers report dramatic improvements in learners’ reading ability, attitude to learning and self-confidence – this in the short space of time of just four weeks.
Learners, who were too shy to speak up in class, are now eager to participate in class activities. Because of the positive interaction with volunteers and constant encouragement, children start to love books and the experience of reading.
One teacher reported recently that a learner who at the beginning of the help2read intensive programme did not have any interest in reading is now often found reading in her spare time. Other teachers report improved school attendance and English language skills.
International volunteer criteria
International volunteers must commit to a minimum of four weeks’ intensive volunteering - a minimum of three times a week but ideally every day.
Volunteering is during school hours so you have the afternoons free to explore and tour the city. Please note that help2read does not provide accommodation and that volunteers will need a police clearance certificate from their country of origin. Should volunteers require a letter to state that you are volunteering for visa purposes, we can provide this. However we do not assist with visa applications.
You can arrange your volunteering directly through help2read or use various companies/organisations such as the ones below:
- You2Africa www.you2africa.com
- i-to-I
Traing fee for the one day workshop: R 250 per person.
Become an intern
help2read welcomes student and professional interns who are passionate about improving children’s lives through literacy education. Internship opportunities at our offices provide hands-on experience with a growing international organisation, providing experience in the education and development sector. You will be placed according to the opportunities available in various departments or on your request. During your internship you will receive training, support and guidance.