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.

Become a volunteer

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 2023

2023: Berenice Chabanel, Marie Dufour, Yenthe Beel, Nina Van Acoleyen, Liselot Van Nieuwenhuyze, Jara Vercauteren, Jits Van Damme, Hanna Tiedemann, Aniek Cirkel, Faustine Debus

webNinaYentheNina 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!

webMarie2Marie 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.

webJaraJara 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.

webYenthe Small2Yenthé 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.

webLiselot SmallLiselot 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:

webHannahHannah 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:

webmathisseMathisse 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;

webSimon 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;

IMG 1209Amber 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)

JTGY9592IMG 3373IMG 2395

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Testimonies volunteers

Have a look at how previous volunteers experienced their stay and work at Born in Africa.

Our volunteers of the past years

2022: Amber Wittouck, Diete Lezy, Simon Krause, Mathisse Noelmans, Liselot Van Nieuwenhuyze, Pauline Maelfait, Logan Jooste, Marshalle Jonkerman, Limke Hendrickx, Chiara Furfari, Mia Wiesmann, Evi Van Poucke and Inte Christiaensen

2021: Amber Wittouck, Adelheid Logghe, Beatrice Verga, Diete Lezy

2020: Amber Wittouck, Franziska Karrenbrock, Selina Billet, Julie Vandeput, Diete Lezy, Shauni Dekeyzer, Steffie Van Cauwenberghe

2019: Olivia Martin, Dominik Geissler, Amelie Gensel, Sofie Segers, Hannah Van Caneghem, Femke Gerlo, Ulrike Vlemincx, Sina Rilling, Karen Poelman, Bodi Janssen, Nicole Catteeuw, Olivier Dhoore, Kristel Vandenschrieck, Robbin Huijers, Amber De Voecht, Hanne Valcke, Lara Van Parijs, Lisa Heubach, Ulrike Verhulst and Jonas De Nyn

2018: Demi Mullie, Laurien Namotte, Justine Peten, Melissa Hauser, Pia Gackstatter, Lilianne Van Acker, Wouter Quintens, Julie Stroobants, Anna Vollmer, Janne Gebruers, Raïssa Van Peer, Freya Weverbergh, Robbin Huijers and Marie König

2017: Sepke Stellamans, Julia Benner, Britt Goris, Lindsey Brans, Veronique Claes, Sofie Synnesael, Michele Kouws, Roxanne Caumette, Hilke Declercq, Lisa De Vos

2016: Sophie Albrecht, Jan Lorent, Marlies Augustijns, Jolien Meyssen, Jill Vanhamel, Nele Leen, Sofie Vanden Broeck, Eline Raedschelders, Job Heijnen, Taoufik Grich, Emma Reynaert, Emma Irvine

2015: Juliet Desmet, Wiebke Dorfs, Rien Claes, Frania Czekaj, Sander van den Broeck, Kilian Peire, Babette Lievens, Emeline Halleux, Laura van Ingelgom, Emma Ervine.

2014: Lore Kriekemans, Loesje Dhelft, Jolien Nijs, Virginie Boucquey, Tine Claes, Kim Carnoy, Sarah Rogiers, Veronique Claes.

2013: Rob Frans, Veronique Claes, Bart Timmermans, Karen Schaefer, Tessy Willems, Dorien van den Broeck, Dirk Verlinden, Joenah Malot, Talitha Delaere, Sara de Vleeschouwer, Lorri Sanfilippo, Charlene van Loock, Alexandra Rondas, Caroline van Mello.

2012: Caro Van der Schueren, Jasper Lauwyck, Rob Johnston, Els Casteleyn, Lotte Van Buyten, Ann Gruwier, Miet Verstraete, Gilles De Baere, Elke De Hertogh, Siyasanga Tenge, Rob Frans, Véronique Claes, Sandy Graiy, Bart Timmermans, Karen Schaefer

2011: Nele Schroyen, Sarah De Keukeleere, Anne Mertens, Katrien Vandamme, Lotte Van Buyten, Lena Schuler, Marianne Dhyon, Anne Cobussen

2010: Charlotte Houthoofd, Jozefien Heyte, Wendy Neyrinck, Lot Fonteyne, Griet Jans, Fien De Greef, Kathleen Buffels, Karl Leenknegt, Christina Jaschinski, Hayley Bicknell, Anne Overlaet, Valerie Vancoppenolle, Charlotte Van Hoorebeke, Ben Daems, Sharon Willems

2009: Serena Tufo, Hannah Baets, Anneleen De Smet, Dietlinde Oppalfens, Eric Reyntjens, Sarah Biesemans, Hanne Bossuyt, Tamara Goethals, Julia Michel, Saskia Kuliga, Anika Kirchner, Kristien Seghers, Lotte Van Buyten, Charlotte Mbuyi, Jo Schellen, Leentje Eeckhout, Jorgi van Hoof, Elke De Hertogh, Gerlinde De Boodt, Joke Gils, Lieve Poppe

2008: Krista Vleeschouwers, Mireille Vanhoutryve, Elena Hage, Inge Mommaerts, Kathleen Hufkens, Patrick van Herp, Veerle De Roeck, Fiona Klomp, Katrien Verhoogen, Laura Vereecken, Dianne Dijkstra, Iris Vande Velde

2007: Pieter-Alexander Van Aken, Jan Boone, Joke Goedweeck, Sarah Vleugels, Liesbeth Van de Velde, Evi Uylenbroeck, Els Van der Haegen, Pieter Thys, Marc Schooneman, Nienke Van Geesbergen, Erik Elderman, Jana Govaerts

2006: Anke Decabooter, Elke IJzerman, Greet Van Dooren, Marjan Klingels, Seppe Declerq, Sylvie Morel, Yo Breynaert, Lut Vergauwen, Irène Franck, Sahin Toch, Céline Van de Weghe, Jeroen Vercruysse, Katleen Noels, Sascha Reunes, Bianca Hagen, Katrien Mostmans, Nathalie Jochems

2005: Hans Antonise, Inge Van Ammel, Pieter Story, Joke Smissaert, Pauline Nsanze, Elke IJzerman, Katrien Keppens, Katrien Piesens, Nina Hollanders, Doenja Goudsmedt, Inez de gryze, Joke Donderwolcke, Leen Boeykens

2004: Anneke Gerbrands, Karin Haeverans, Trientsje Van de Meer, Willemien Hoogerwaard, Yvette Westhoff, Barbara Vandenbroucke, Bart Van cauwenbergh, Dagmar Zwebe, Marije van den Hove

2003: Tiene Moenaert, Stijn Ingelaere, Sofie Wieërs, Lieve Platteau, Peter Peusens, Guy Capals, Joke Sweygers, Tim Steenwegen, Catherine Antoine, Patricia van der Beek, Steven Sergeant