Tshega Christian Mission
Volunteering Activities
What We Need
We run several exciting programs, so any skills set and knowledge you bring will be highly appreciated.
@ The Lighthouse Academy & Lambs Haven Kindergarten you can assist educators with the following:
• Teaching and assisting in Classes (Teaching options only if a volunteer is comfortable and with a qualified teacher present.)
• Assist Art Projects (Assisting in preparation of art lessons)
• Assist in Sports Program (hockey, athletics, soccer, netball, cross country, physical education)
• Assist in Social Program (Fun days and events for children)
• Covering books, marking, researching information for teachers, preparing resources for class activities, reading stories, singing songs, rhymes, etc.
• Assist with Admin Work (Typing of tests, information gathering, printing and laminating, general work)
• Assist with Cultural days (Concerts)Outreach Volunteer Options in the rural Village
@ Basadi - Our skills development program for vulnerable women. (sewing, applique, patchwork) You can help the ladies by teaching them English, to write properly, to use a computer, to plan their time, ext. You can help with cutwork and they always welcome someone who can offer their expertise in applique and patternmaking ext.
@ the Feeding Scheme and Homework club, you can assist children from the village schools with their homework after they have been served with a meal. For many of these children, it is the only meal they get a day.
@ OVC (orphaned and vulnerable children sponsorship program)that runs in the village, you will assist by going on shopping excursions, by giving your support to the program leader and as stated above, do deliveries at the caregiver houses.
@ Building and maintaining equipment and grounds. Guys- you are always welcome. We are in the process of building a Community hall but with lack of funding, this is a bit on hold. There is always maintenance work to be done in some sectors of TCM.
@ Chess - We only started with chess in 2018 and the children love it. You can spend your time in a match or two, or teaching them tactical play.
@ Missions work - We are a mission base and we do outreaches to the village where we just spend time with families, giving them love. Listening to their stories. We share the Gospel and we pray for them. We do puppet shows, drama, and skids with the children and they get super excited. The floor is open for volunteers to do any of these activities.
@ Sports (hockey, athletics, cross-country running, netball, soccer). The children of The Lighthouse Academy love sports. They are fast learners and although they just started with hockey this year they managed to do extremely well at competitions, winning most of their games. We have learners that also for the first time this year (2019), represented us at the South African Championships.
@ Other - We have a Junior and Senior choir, we do a bit of drama, skids, puppet shows, you are welcome to join in and share or even launch a new idea.
When & Who
What we Provide
Accommodation included - 30 minutes away from the base, on a citrus farm. It is tranquil and peaceful.
In a home away from home ambiance, you will be sharing a dormitory-style house with other people including volunteers, missionaries and base visitors. There are 4 park home rooms outside, each fitted with their own bathroom.
Upon arrival you will get a orientation of the house and then the next day a proper introduction and orientation about the rest of the program.
Wi-Fi is included
Laundry Machines (you need to supply your own washing soap)
Clean linen once a week.
Swimming pool
A Boma braai area where you can sit beside the campfire at night.
And a lovely garden where you can through down a blanket and read a book or two.
Transport to and from the base.
A town trip once a week.
A appreciation excursion trip once a month to say thank you from our side.
A volunteer meeting takes place once a week to discuss plans and the week ahead.
The volunteer program leader is available to assist you at any time.
Around the dinner table in the evenings you get to share a life lesson that you learned that day or something that had an impact on you (positive or negative).
Regular debriefing sessions with the program leader to make sure you are content.
Food is very basic, and volunteers prepare their own breakfasts, usually toast and cereals, and a packed lunch of sandwiches and fruit to eat at the base.
Excellent dinners are being prepared for you and we cater for lactose-intolerant persons and vegetarians and other special dietary needs.
• No luxuries are provided e.g. butter, rye bread, honey, cheese, etc.
• Drinks: Basic coffee and tea.
• We provide purified water.
• If you want to drink milk, you have to provide it at your own cost.
• Alcohol is not allowed.
• We stop at a shop every other day, should you need something.
Our Fees
Price breakdown:
What’s Included
• Accommodation
• Food
• Transport from volunteer house to base.
• Wi-fi
• Laundry Machine use.
• Appreciation trips twice a month.
What’s NOT included:
• Flights
• Transport cost from and to the airport
• Insurance
• Personal expenses (e.g. medical,
• preferred foods, special dietary
• needs)
• Local transportation on excursions
• Tourist visa and needed vaccinations or insurance.
• Excursions
• Pick up and drop offs at the airport
• Washing powder.
1 Review
More Services we Offer
Pickups and dropoffs at the airports. (Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa).
Weekends: At your own cost we offer excellent excursions.
A visit to two top South African destinations:
Kruger National Park and the scenic Panorama route
Hoedspruit adventures: Wildlife conservation experiences like visiting Jessica the Hippo for a kiss, Walk with the wild and free Cheetahs of Tzukudu, Moholoholo a rehab for animals, Hesc Endangered Species Centre, a visit to the Reptile Park and horseback riding. Nyani Cultural village: The cultural journey starts in a village where you experience “Limpopo Pathways” a dance group featuring the costumes, songs and dances of the San (Bushmen), the Shona & Venda, the Tsonga, the Bolobedu (Modjadji the Rain Queen), the Pedi and the BaHananawa (Tswana). Established as entertainment and an educational tool telling the story of the origins, journeys, and lifestyles of the tribes that settled in Limpopo. Following the show, you are introduced to all aspects of a Shangaan Village. Interaction and hands-on participation are encouraged as guests discover how the huts are built, the maize is ground, the boys pass initiation, the girls learn to do beading and more. Here the performers take you on a journey through the stages of life in a Shangaan homestead. We learn about traditional practices from birth, through childhood up to marriage, after which a delicious lunch is served in the typical African style. After this, you get to enjoy a traditional meal.
Haenertsburg & Magoebaskloof: Ziplining over waterfalls, hikes, a visit to Cheerio springtime gardens, Debegeni waterfalls and picnic spots, birding and more.
Phalaborwa: A boat trip along the Olifantsriver while you are having a BBQ with African wildlife along the riverbank as you progress.
Contact Person
Other Ways to Help
Sponsorship of a child in the Orphaned Vulnerable program. ( Support their basic needs or education of both)
Sponsorship for a vulnerable women's training in the skills development program for a year @ 65 euro / 70 dollars per month.
Stationary. Quality cotton for sewing machines. Buttons. 100% cotton.
Additional Info about Us
We have teachers, administration, finances, outreach managers and all-round employees at the base.
- All volunteers will be orientated upon arrival.
- Each volunteer will have the opportunity to choose their program involvement.
- Normally the volunteer period is from 7:15 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
- Saturdays and Sundays are mostly used for excursions on own costs.
- Tshega staff usually goes into town at least once a week. There are occasionally events during the weekends.
- The volunteers will stay on an orange farm with the Van Rooyen family, Ellanie and their son, LJ. This is about 30 kilometers from the base.
We work around the school terms in South Africa. So during the holidays, we aren't as busy. These times work very well for volunteers to go and travel around South Africa.
Transforming Lives!
The early mornings bring to Tshega vibrant voices - dust dances around people`s feet as they disembark from their taxis. As the painted sky allows the sun`s rays to tickle my shoulders, I hear the uncontained laughter of children… and I know this is going to be another fabulous day!
Tshega (TCM) was established in 2004 to foster lasting, sustainable change in local communities through easy access to quality education amongst other support programs. Your role involves assisting in different levels, and programs, that are part of TCM. Bringing hope, sharing a hug, sharing your knowledge as well as spending your time in various ways to uplift vulnerable women and children. You will also provide support at our feeding scheme and homework club in the village. You will run shopping errands and make quarterly drop-offs at the orphaned and vulnerable children`s caregivers.
We run several exciting programs, so any skills set and knowledge you bring will be highly appreciated.
@ The Lighthouse Academy & Lambs Haven Kindergarten you can assist educators with the following:
• Teaching and assisting in Classes (Teaching options only if volunteer is comfortable and with a qualified teacher present.)
• Assist Art Projects (Assisting in preparation of art lessons)
• Assist in Sports Program (hockey, athletics, soccer, netball, cross country, physical education)
• Assist in Social Program (Fun days and events for children)
• Covering books, marking, researching information for teachers, preparing resources for class activities, reading stories, singing song, rhymes etc.
• Assist with Admin Work (Typing of tests, information gathering, printing and laminating, general work)
• Assist with Cultural days (Concerts)Outreach Volunteer Options in the rural Village
@ Basadi - Our skills development program for vulnerable women. (sewing, applique, patchwork) You can help the ladies by teaching them English, to write properly, to use a computer, to plan their time, ext. You can help with cutwork and they always welcome someone who can offer their expertise in applique and patternmaking ext.
@ the Feeding Scheme and Homework club you can assist children from the village schools with their homework after they have been served with a meal. For many of these children it is the only meal they get a day.
@ OVC (orphaned and vulnerable children sponsorship program)that runs in the village, you will assist by going on shopping excursions, by giving your support to the program leader and as stated above, do deliveries at the caregiver houses.
@ Building and maintaining equipment and grounds. Guys- you are always welcome. We are in the process of building a Community hall but with lack of funding, this is a bit on hold. There is always maintenance work to be done in some sectors of TCM.
@ Chess - We only started with chess in 2018 and the children love it. You can spend your time in a match or two, or teaching them tactical play.
@ Missions work - We are a mission base and we do outreaches to the village where we just spend time with families, giving them love. Listening to their stories. We share the Gospel and we pray for them. We do puppet shows, drama, and skids with the children and they get super excited. The floor is open for volunteers to do any of these activities.
@ Sports (hockey, athletics, cross-country running, netball, soccer).
And so much more! Looking forward to host YOU!
