Showing posts with label testimonial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label testimonial. Show all posts

Monday, 17 September 2012

Volunteer Testimonial from Tania Reza, California

Tania Reza and two of her learning partners

One of our overseas volunteers from California sent us a lovely testimonial the other day, that I wanted to share. We are so honoured to be able to work with such special people. 
'Working at the Shine Centre branch at Prestwich Primary School was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The children were such a pleasure to work with—they are so happy when they are at school, always smiling and laughing, and very enthusiastic about learning. I especially remember working with a child who was struggling with the letters of the alphabet. After only a few sessions, he was able to spell basic three-letter words. The expression on his face after he realized that he could identify and write letters, and even sound out and spell basic words, was priceless. My experiences with these children reinforced to me the importance of the work the Shine Centre does on a daily basis. My only regret was that I wasn’t able to spend a longer period of time in Cape Town, but I know I’ll be back soon.'
We look forward to welcoming you back, Tania! 

Friday, 4 May 2012

A testimonial from Jenny at Zonnebloem


Sometimes, a testimonial from a volunteer gives us an insight into the value of volunteering in a way we cannot really begin to imagine: 

'At the end of last year, after teaching in the UK for four years, I decided that it was time to bite the bullet and do what I had thought about doing since I left university 4 years ago...move abroad for a couple of months to volunteer with children in an environment where I hoped to meet new people, have new experiences and be able to make a positive difference to others.
It wasn't an easy decision to make, leaving a job I was happy in and moving away from close family and friends...but I can honestly say, over half way through my experience here, that it is the best decision I have ever made!

I have spent my time working at Shine, in Zonnebloem in the mornings and then with a foster family close by in the afternoons. Both of these experiences have been truly amazing and I am so lucky to have had these opportunities and to have met the people I have met during my time here.
From the day I started work at Shine, I was made to feel so welcome and felt at home there very quickly. 

Karen and all of the other wonderful volunteers at Zonnebloem have been amazing to work with. The Shine centre offers a real sense of community and is a place where everyone, including the children, are genuinely interested in each other and keen to help and learn from one another. The focus here is not on time and how quickly things must be done, which can often be the case in many places, but on the individual child and making sure that each session a child has at Shine is one in which they feel calm and relaxed and are able to Shine as an individual, gaining confidence in their own abilities.

One of my aims during my time in Cape Town, was to make a positive difference to the children I work with and to be able to teach them something new. Whilst I hope I have done this, I am sure the people here have taught me far more than I have taught them and so much I will be able to take back with me and hopefully share with others at home.

My time spent working with Bridget and her foster family in the afternoons has been one truly amazing experience, one which I am finding incredibly difficult to put into words! The six children living in the home, all coming from different backgrounds, with dfferent personalities and needs, have been put into the Home to live together as a family, with Brigitte and Gavin, two loving and dedicated foster parents. Being part of this family for two months, where all the children are given the best they can be given, made to feel valued and special for who they are and taught family values, has been utterly amazing and I feel very privilidged to have been part of their family life for this time. 

From the day I arrived here, I was made to feel so at home and a couple of weeks into my stay, I spent the day with Brigitte's large extended family, sharing amazing food, great company and interesting conversation. The only problem with feeling so at home here is that I fear I will find it just as hard to leave here as I did to leave home to come!

My time spent in Cape Town has been an incredible experience, which I can share with others, describe and reflect upon, however, one thing I will say is that if you ever have the chance to do a similar experiene to this, please do; as hard as I try, there is only so much that words can describe! I count myself extremely lucky to have had such a wonderful life experience, which will be part of me forever and would like to say a huge thank you to Karen at the Shine Centre and Brigitte and Gavin, as well as all the wonderful children I have worked with and everyone I have met, for making my time here so enjoyable. I look forward very much to my next visit!
 
Lots of love, Jenny'

Thursday, 8 December 2011

A heartwarming message from one of our volunteers

Dear Carrie,
Soon I’ll be leaving South Africa for good and, before I go, I would like to leave a few lines about my experience at Shine (and also share some pictures I have, as Bea recently urged us to do).
When I first came to Shine, I was desperately looking for an activity that could keep me busy as much as possible. My anxious mind was pushing me to be highly efficient, to achieve great results in a short time, to be ideally perfect (coming from a business background, it is too easy to fall into those fallacies).
     

I’ve been so lucky to meet Diane on my way. She has made me feel comfortable from the very first day. She knew how to calm me down and she told me all I needed to figure out: there can be no mistake if you sit down with a child with an open heart. So, I’ve gone for it, trying to set me free from my own judgmental character.
     

When I saw myself in the position of a learning partner at Shine, I had to exercise much more than teaching skills. The world was no longer running according to my clock. At Shine, it’s no use to get things done. It is not the destination what matters the most, it is the path we track together with each and every child.
      

At Shine I’ve definitely improved great virtues like patience, mindfulness, humility, empathy toward my learning-fellows (aren’t we always learning in this life?) and cooperative spirit. I’ve had good laughs too, of course. This experience has deeply changed my perspectives about life, future and motherhood.
       

I’d like to thank wholeheartedly to all Shine staff, specially Diane, my lovely colleagues at Claremont Primary School and my little fellows, from whom I’ve learnt more than I’ve taught. I hope you all have a shining 2012!

Sincerely yours,
Charlene, November 2011.'

A testimonial from one of our French overseas interns, Guillaume.

We are so lucky to have incredible young people who come to South Africa to  help us in the centres. We recently received this lovely letter from Guillaume.

 'I really enjoyed the (Shine) experience. I learned a lot during the (last) month and half. I  learned about myself, human relationships, the English language...... education, the South African culture...... so for me it was an amazing experience! All the people I met were very friendly and gave me a lot. 
 
I remember my first day in the Shine Centre when a little girl wrote on her drawing book that she loved me; it was very cute! I remember too when one of my children spoke to me about the problems in his family....... I was very moved to hear his confessions, and happy to give him my help. 

(Shine) is a very good project for overseas volunteers, and for me it was a pleasure to give my time. Thanks a lot, 
Best regards,
Guillaume Loiseau.'