Out of Africa!

Yeeow news from the great continent!

Photos from past talented Lattitude volunteers

Don't worry, this is a little more exciting than Meryl Streep and Robert Redford...
In January 2011 Lattitude sent volunteers over to South Africa, from Cape Town to Limpopo. They started with an orientation with Matt the Country Manager in Johannesburg, then some jetted/bussed off to start an African adventure in their new homes for the next 6 months. For some exciting and amusing volunteer news check out NZder Kelle's blog http://kellemaree.wordpress.com/ 

Mark in New Zealand

Hello!

I'm really enjoying it at the moment :) I must say, stepping off that plane/into the hostel, was one of the scariest things ever. Just when I walked in for dinner, and literally 200 heads slowly turned towards me, all thinking, 'Who is that new boy here'! But literally everyone has been so friendly. I've not been to the school yet, although have asked to, as otherwise I find myself with a lot of time in the day, but the people i've met at the hostel are brilliant - the cleaners, the cooks, the laundry lady etc. I always go for 10am tea and biscuits with them, and they're so welcoming.

it was very hard the first week. Being on my own, with no car, so not all that much I could do was difficult. But on Sunday, I went to Marton to look for a car, and met up with the other volunteers. I bought a red Toyota Corolla, called Fred, which has done 300,000km! Although it seems to work very well, and only cost $1100. And I've jazzed it up a bit, by buying (wasting money) on a racing car steering wheel cover, which could not look more out of place!
And the kids are really friendly too, which is nice. Although it is hard to strike the right balance between them liking you, and being a member of staff. I've been warned so many times not to socialise/go to parties with the kids, take them in my car etc
Anyway, just wanted to say thank you very much for the orientation, which was really fun. It was a great introduction, and I've met lots of people I'd travel around with.

To find out more about Lattitude visit our website here and the Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

Connie, Jessica and Alena in New Zealand

We received the following message from the volunteers at Waikato Diocesan Girls’ College.
Hey Sharyn, just wanted to thank you so much for everything you organized for us at the 2 day orientation. We had a ton of fun and got to meet some really great people. We just wanted you to know that we appreciated it. We're having a great time at our school so far and everyone is really welcoming and friendly. Hope all is well. Thanks again!

From Connie, Jessica and Alena

Find out more about volunteering with Lattitude by visiting our website here and our Lattitude New Zealand Blog here

Responsible, Exciting and Different - Hendrik

I had a really good placement: St Patrick's College Silverstream. The school as such is not too big and I had heaps of diffrent tasks during the day. The facility I was staying in was the best possible I think.

1. a) In my freetime: The traveling around New Zealand is just amazing.
b) During work: The McEvedy Shield competetion and the Wellington College Traditional were just amazing!
2)Proabaly the afternoon in the boarding house when I was in charge of the kids and when I coached the a team at the Triathlon Secondary Schools Nationals.
3)The people and their attidute towards other people. The people are very friendly and allways open for small talk.

Responsible, Exciting and Different - Andrew and Ben

Both Ben and Andrew have been volunteering at Palmerston North Boys High School.

1. Responsible— Coaching an unbeaten Rugby team as well as a football and hockey team. This involved training throughout the week and taking them on Saturday morning.

2. Exciting— The 124m bungy in

Queenstown, unbelievable experience.

3. Different- Attitude towards sport from a young age. A lot more serious and

professional.                                           

Andrew

1. Responsible— I run (supper) toasties on Wednesday night, with efficiency, speed and authority.

2. Exciting— Completing the

Tongariro Crossing with the year 13’s was an exciting accomplishment

3. Different—Generally more laid back society.                                  

Ben

Responsible, Exciting and Difference - Laura

I have been working at Nelson College for Girls in the school and in the boarding house (CJ House). I have absolutely loved it and am really going to miss it a lot.
At CJ House it tradition that the gap students put on a gappers quiz just before they leave. Me and Natalie did a WOW (world of wearable arts) recycled themed quiz. We got all the girls to dress up in clothes they had made from recycled things and take part in the quiz. It was a really fun night and everyone got into the spirit of it.
The most exciting thing I did whilst at NCG was probably going on the kayaking trip with the year 13's to Abel Tasman. It was such a fun trip and we got to kayak for 3 days as well camp and tramp.
The most responsible thing that I have done in my placement would probably being on overnight alarms at CJ. 3 times a week me and Natalie would be responsible to turn off any of the burgalar alarms that went off and also respond to texts from girls in the night if there were problems.
I would say that the thing most different between NZ to England is that NZ as a country seems much closer and the people seem to want to help each other more. It just seems a much more laid back place to be.
I have loved my time in NZ and have made some great friends from all over the world. Travelling NZ in the holidays has been the most amazing thing and I will miss it a lot. I want to thank Lattitude and NCG/CJ House for all they have done for me over the last year and for giving me such an amazing opportunity.

Responsible, Exciting and Different - Alexej

We ask our volunteers to tell us some of the most RESPONSIBLE, EXCITING and DIFFERENT things they have done during their placements!

The following information is from Alexej who recently returned home after a year of volunteering at Hato Pāora College in the Manawatū region.

1)The most exciting experience that I recall was getting up early one morning, to put a hangi down for the investiture ceremony of Sir Archie Taiaroa.

2)The most responsible thing I recall doing, was when I worked with a Year 8 student who required learning support.  I had to think of work that was appropriate for his level, but fun for him and I had to keep him focussed on achieving (learning new things). When he worked well we would play some board games.  The longer he remained on task, the longer we got to play the board games (which were also good for building his vocabulary and thinking). We Both learnt "heaps".

3) The most different thing between here and home (Germany) was the cultural aspect of my placement.  Hato Pāora is a Māori school and the school life embraces this. And of course the friendliness of the people of Aotearoa.

If you would like to learn more about Lattitude visit our website here and The Lattitude New Zealand Blog here