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

EviwebEvi 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!

webInteLimkeLimke 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.

webMiaMia 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.

webchiaraChiara 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.

liselotwebLiselot 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:

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;

webpaulinePauline 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:

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:

 

DieteDiete 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!

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)

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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