Meet Our Volunteers

Nina Van Acoleyen
Belgian intern, January until April 2023

Hello! I'm Nina Van Acoleyen, I'm a social work student at Erasmus High School Brussels. I am doing my internship here for three months. As part of my internship, I am working on a project related to self-image. I always work in a creative and artistic way. Fun afternoons guaranteed for the children of The Crags!

Marie Dufour
Belgian intern, January- April 2023

Hi, I'm Marie Dufour and work at Kranshoek. I'm doing my internship within the studies of Pedagogical Sciences. I am staying at the BIA house for three months. In the morning, I work playfully with the children in grades 1, 2 and 3 on their maths, English, reading and writing. In addition, in the afternoons I take care of a project for the BIA children. This project revolves around communication and learning to set boundaries.

Jara Vercauteren
Belgian intern, February until June 2023

Hoi, my name is Jara Vercauteren and I am staying with Born in Africa for three and a half months. I am currently taking care of the computer classes at the BIA centre in Kranshoek. I am doing an internship as an applied psychologist at Thomas More Hogeschool Antwerp. In the morning, I support the children academically but I also try to focus more on emotional support for the children. When Marie leaves, I will also start working on my project in the afternoon.

Yenthé Beel
Belgian intern, January until May 2023

Hello, I am Yenthé Beel and I am the volunteer working at Formosa primary school. My internship with BIA is for applied psychology at HoWest. In the morning, like the others, I take some children out of class to work on their academic skills. I support them in maths, English, reading and writing. In the afternoon, I work on a project related to self-love and being allowed to be yourself. I work with children from Formosa and Harkerville.

Liselot Van Nieuwenhuyze
Belgian volunteer, January 2023 till June 2023

Hey, I'm Liselot Van Nieuwehuyze I made a comeback this year. I did my internship here in 2022 and decided to return without all the school work. I'm staying in Plettenberg for six months this time. Like last year, I' m at The Crags. There I give the best of myself every day, together with Nina. Together we get to work with the children of Grade 1, 2 and 3 to support them with subjects like English and Maths. Reading and writing are also definitely practised. After her first 4 months at Born in Africa, this is how Liselot looked back on her internship:

Hannah Tiedemann
German volunteer, March till May 2023

Guten Tag! My name is Hanna Tiedemann. I am from Germany and due to problems with my visa, my period as a volunteer will be limited to three months. I currently do not have a permanent workplace yet but am happy to jump in wherever I am needed. In the morning, I help work with the children in the schools. In the afternoons, I support the projects already underway. Soon I will also start my own project and take up a permanent workplace. Pauline had a very diverse program during her practical at Born in Africa. Have a look and listen:

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;

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:

Pauline Maelfait
Belgian intern, 2022

Pauline had a very diverse program during her internship at BIA, have a look;

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)