Meet Our Volunteers

Evi Van Poucke
Dutch volunteer, September until December 2022

Hi, I’m Evi van Poucke, 18 years old and I’m from the Netherlands. I am currently having a gap year. During the week I’m working with the kids at Formosa Primary. Every Tuesday I’m doing a teambuilding project with them! I’m combining sport activities with teambuilding exercises; this is the perfect opportunity to share my passion of sport with the kids. The kids always get super excited on Tuesdays, so do I. I’m thankful that Born in Africa is giving me and these kids this opportunity!

Limke Hendrickx and Inte Christiaensen
Belgian interns, August- December 2022 and October 2022- January 2023

Hi, we are Inte and Limke, the new volunteers at Kranshoek.
We study social (care) work and are doing our internship at Born in Africa.
Everyday we do a lot of fun activities with the kids
We maintain the library, computer class and a project to discover their own talents
We help them chase their dreams by learning new life skills.
Working with the children is the best, Thank you Born in Africa, We are so blessed.

Mia Wiesmann
German volunteer, September until December 2022

Hey, I’m Mia, I’m 21 years old and I’m from Germany. I studied psychology in the Netherlands and graduated with my Bachelor in July. Currently, I am working as a volunteer for BIA before I will start my masters in February. I am active at the primary school in Wittedrift where I assist in teaching the children Maths and English and at the high school in Wittedrift where I assist with art classes. In the afternoons, I help at the BIA centres in Wittedrift and Kranshoek where we sing, dance, and have lots of fun with the children.

Chiara Furfari
Belgian intern, August until December 2022

Hello everyone, Chiara here! I’m 24 years old and studying Socio- Educational Care work at AP College in Antwerp. I’m doing my internship at Born in Africa and having the best time! My afterschool project is all about being creative, because I think every child should be able to express themselves to discover new talents. Since I studied Visual Arts myself, the kids also learn about different artists, painting styles and color theory. I love being here and enjoy every moment with these amazing children and I hope to learn lots more at Born in Africa.

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!

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)