Student Volunteer Propramme

“The influence of a beautiful, helpful character is contagious and may revolutionalize a whole town� Coller Graham

The Student Volunteer Programme (SVP) has run successful for 8 years and provides Rhodes students with a myriad of opportunities to make a difference in the community.

Whether you are interested in tutoring, engaging with energetic preschoolers, assisting with Hiv/AIDS projects or acting as a mentor, the SVP has something for you. Volunteers do not need prior volunteering experience, but rather just the mindset of wanting to give something back to the community and being open-minded to their personal learning and development in the process. Most projects only require an hour or two per week and students can chose slots that fit in with their timetable.

The SVP is run through the Centre for Social Development (CSD) on Prince Alfred Street, and interested students need to complete the necessary application and indemnity forms before signing up for the project of their choice. Sign up for returning volunteers is during the week of 16th February 2009 and new students are then welcomed from the 23rd of February 2009, with actual volunteering starting the week of 2nd of March. The CSD will be running orientation workshops on the 21st and 28th of February – more information is provided once volunteers have completed the signing-up process.

Some would argue that volunteering is not a choice but rather a responsibility – which ever way you view it, the importance of volunteering cannot be denied and it presents a terrific opportunity to learn about your community, gain experience and a make a difference, regardless of how small! In the words of the late Nkosi Johnson, South Africa’s youngest AIDS activist: “Do all you can with what you have, in the time you have, in the place you are�.

For more information contact Carol Johnson at c.johnson@ru.ac.za or visit the SVP at the CSD.