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 2022
2022: Amber Wittouck, Diete Lezy, Simon Krause, Mathisse Noelmans, Liselot Van Nieuwenhuyze, Pauline Maelfait
Liselot Van Nieuwenhuyze
Belgian intern, February 2022 till June 2022
Hi, I’m Liselot Van Nieuwenhuyze, 21 years young and currently studying ‘Applied Psychology’. I’m completing my final practical with BIA as well as my bachelor’s thesis about ‘nonviolent communication and emotion regulation’. I hope to teach the kids a thing or two about these subjects during my time in South Africa. Basketball has been my passion since I was 6 years old, so I also strive to motivate the children on the sports field and encourage the team spirit. I am motivated to learn a lot on this practical with Born in Africa and look forward to what’s still to come!
After 4 months at Born in Africa, this is how Liselot looks back on her internship:
Mathisse Noelmans
Belgian intern, February 2022 till June 2022
Hey everybody, I’m Mathisse Noelmans, a 22 year-old student in Social Work at PXL in Hasselt, Belgium. I hail from Tongeren and chose to do my internship abroad, because it drew my attention ever since the first year of my studies. I will do my practical for 4 months with Born in Africa and work at the school of Kranshoek and Born in Africa’s educational centre in the community. In the mornings, I offer support to the youngest learners at school and in the afternoons, I work with the children of Born in Africa at the Educational Centre. So far, I love everything about working with Born in Africa and I’m looking forward to learn from the team and kids here!
At the end of my internship, this is how I looked back on my time at Born in Africa;
Pauline Maelfait
Belgian intern, February 2022 till June 2022
Hello, my name is Pauline Maelfait and I’m 21 years old. I’m in my 3rd and final year of the Bachelor Applied Psychology, currently doing my practical at Born in Africa. I chose for this organization, because of my love for passion and different cultures, so this is perfect combination! I am active at the primary school of Kranshoek in the mornings and in the afternoon I work with the BIA kids at the educational centre of BIA, where I support the computer classes and teach the kids about positive psychology. It feels great being here and I learn something new every day!
Pauline had a very diverse program during her practical at Born in Africa. Have a look and listen:
Simon Krause
German volunteer, January till June 2022
Guten Tag, I am Simon Krause, 18 years old from Stuttgart, Germany. I am currently in a gap year between my high school graduation last summer and the start of my studies, presumably in computer science or mechanical engineering, this September. I’ve joined BIA this February and after a month in Kranshoek, I am now helping in the Wittedrift Primary School. In the afternoon I help at the centers in Wittedrift and Kranshoek, go surfing with the kids and try to introduce them to my passion of computer science by teaching them programming. Travelling to a different continent all alone has definitely come with a few challenges; however, the time here has been tremendously valuable and eye-opening. I am very excited for what the next months have in store!
Have a look at how Simon looks back after volunteering for nearly 5 months at Born in Africa:
Diete Lezy
Belgian volunteer, October 2021 until March 2022
Hello, I’m Diete Lezy, 21. It’s the second time I’m at Born in Africa. At the beginning of 2020, I came for the final practical of my Bachelor diploma in Psychology, but had to return early and without saying goodbye properly because of Covid- 19. Now I’m back and hope to stay work for this amazing project for 6 months! My current study, Family Sciences, I put on hold while I’m here. I’m back at Kranshoek and mainly help kids from grade 1, 2 and 3 with their maths and languages. After school, I assist kids from all grades in the computer class of BIA, do arts and crafts or sports with them. It’s so good to be back and to be able to do something for the kids and the organization, an unforgettable experience!
Amber Wittouck
Belgian volunteer, October 2021 until March 2022
Hello! My name is Amber Wittouck. I’m 23 years old and I’m a qualified occupational therapist, specialised in the care of children. In 2019 I already volunteered with Born in Africa, but had to return home early due to COVID. As soon as I got the opportunity to come to South Africa, I grabbed it with both hands, and it feels so good to be back! Back at the schools, with the kids and mentors and to be a part of the Born in Africa team again. This adventure enables me to evolve further, both on a personal and a professional level. A lot has changed since COVID, but we continue to work hard to guarantee the wellbeing of the kids and give them a good time at school. Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces makes everything worth while!
