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projects
Workcamps —
Martin Struthmann
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activities
South African volunteers took part in both
the workcamps held in conjunction with the Cape Peninsula National Park and the
Uniting Reformed Church in Carnarvon.
International volunteers were sent to our workcamps
by Volunteers for Peace (USA), Quaker Inter-national Social Projects (UK),
Internationale Jugendgemeinschaftsdienste e.V.
(Germany), Solidarités Jeunesses (France), Service
Civil International Switzerland, Never-ending International Workcamps Exchange
(Japan), and United Nations Association
International Youth Service (Wales), and local
volunteers by the Quaker Peace Centre. In the
National Park, the volunteers worked together with
the Friends of Silvermine Nature Area, members of the Red Hill Fynbos Restoration Team,
and students of Ukhanyo Primary School in Masiphumelele, an informal settlement
near the National Park. A 5-day workcamp leadership training seminar was held with
an international trainer. The Cape Peninsula National Park committed itself to host
another workcamp in October 2000.
Various articles in the local press,
publishing our own article and a newsletter
publicised our activities.
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aims
We are working towards creating a
workcamp movement in South Africa by promoting the spirit of volunteerism. In this way we can
help provide community services such as building and renovating of community
facilities, conserving the natural environment and cultural heritage, and organising
holiday activities for disadvantaged groups. Young adults get an opportunity to
experience community service as a meaningful and fulfilling activity. Further, we help build
other workcamp organisations, and contribute to international peace and understanding
by international volunteer exchange and intercultural learning.
context
Even though apartheid has been
abolished, South African society is still characterised
by strong divisions in terms of income, wealth, and educational, vocational and
social opportunities. Many citizens are denied the opportunity of intercultural exchange
with fellow South Africans. The spatial
organisation of South African society is still marked by
the segregation of ethnic groups which inhibits contact between people. |
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