Meet Our Volunteers
The success Born In Africa has enjoyed so far is only possible thanks to our wonderful volunteers and the work that they are doing. As a volunteer in South Africa, you will be given the opportunity to help our children in the schools and offer administrative assistance in our office. Thanks to you, the BIA children will be given a better education, which will lead to better future opportunities.
I give permission to Born in Africa to use my personal details within the guidelines of the BIA Privacy Policy.
If you’re interested in contributing to our organisation or would like more information, please fill in the application form and we will contact you as soon as possible.
Born in Africa would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers for their commitment (and time) in aiding the BIA team in South-Africa. Their support is an integral component of our organization!
Our volunteers of 2025
2025: Mano Smets, Marie- Eugénie Vion, Rachal Simpson, Alysée Vanvelthoven, Manon Pinet, Evelien Arens, Emily Coessens, Silvia Van der Horst- Vos
Mano Smets
Belgian intern January- April 2025
First to arrive in January was Mano Smets, all the way from Antwerp to do her internship in applied psychology for three months! Mano put a project together for the kids in The Crags about countries, food, customs and skills all around the world. She put all her passion, knowledge and love into this, which made it into a great
success. We will miss you, but are also sure you will visit again someday, Mano! All the best and thank you!
Marie- Eugénie Vion
French volunteer January- April 2025
Our only lady from France, la belle Marie Eugenie Vion! She arrived in January and immediately helped a lot with our uniform drive. She went along to all the different communities before starting her project in Formosa Primary School. During her three months with us, she also assisted at the camps for learners from grade 2 up till grade 5, joined us on the educational holiday outings to Nature’s Valley and helped during the Easter holiday activities. Bien merci, Marie! We hope you will visit again soon!
Alysée Vanvelthoven
Belgian volunteer, February until May 2025
Alysée Vanvelthoven fell in love with South Africa when she did volunteer work elsewhere and this year she came back for Born in Africa! Together with Manon, she supported the teachers at Kranshoek Primary and organized fun activities for the Born in Africa children. Alysée is from Belgium and spent 4 months with us during her gap year after her high school . We wish her all the best for her studies which she is commencing later this year!
Emily Coessens
Belgian intern, February 2025 till June 2025
At the beginning of the year, we welcomed 3 Belgian interns from HoWest, studying Applied Psychology. Emily Coessens is one of them and chose to work alongside Mano in The Crags. After Mano left, Emily started her own project where kids learned all about space! It was amazing to go on this journey to the different planets with her. Thank you for everything!
Evelien Arens
Belgian intern, February 2025 till June 2025
Evelien Arens is another student from HoWest and immediately fell in love with Formosa Primary School. She worked together with Marie and also offered life skills classes to the children of Born in Africa in New Horizons. She taught them more about resilience, first aid and some cooking skills all through the theme of “Movies and series” which is so interesting for the kids of all ages! You’ll be missed, Evelien!
Manon Pinet
Belgian intern, February till June 2025
Last of the three musketeers from HoWest, is Manon Pinet. She made up team Kranshoek with Alysée and took the children of BIA on a trip through time. Manon learned them all about Roman customs and numerals, skills that were important in the Middle Ages and their own talents. At Kranshoek Primary, Manon took time to empower children who struggle socially, emotionally or academically. So important in these communities where children and families go through a lot of hardship. Thank you, Manon!
Day in the life of a volunteer at Born in Africa
Have a listen to a podcast by Amber and Adelheid (volunteer in 2021) about their experience as a volunteer at Born in Africa. (In Dutch only)
