School Trade is an Adopt a School programme. It provides an effective mechanism for a whole range of organizations and individuals to add value to the lives of school going young people and their teachers in South Africa.

16 years into our new democracy many South Africans are waking up to the reality that our new democracy is more like a seed than an edible fruit. While there exists much potential for change around us, that change will still require hard work, team effort, brave hearts and careful nurture.

Nowhere is this truer than in the field of education. The majority of young people still attend schools that are hopelessly under resourced. In too many cases even the most basic amenities, such as, water, electricity and sanitation are lacking. Very often teachers feel under trained, exhausted, isolated and de motivated.

There is a saying that `it takes a village to raise a child'. School Trade is rooted in this principle. Go into any of the 18 schools on the SchoolTrade network and you will see evidence of generosity. Donated furniture, playing fields, electricity, better trained teachers and best of all, non teachers! These `non teachers' are likely to be ordinary bankers, engineers, retired folk and young people from different cultures who all volunteer their time to enrich the learning and life experience of school goers on the SchoolTrade network. It takes a village and its working...

The SchoolTrade network has been in operation since 2003. Today it touches the lives of 250 teachers and over 10 000 young people in and around Pietermaritzburg. The network is managed by Colin and Vanessa Mckay and they will be your guides and hosts for your 5 day stay in Pietermaritzburg.

Volunteer opportunities:

You will spend your time immersed in a typical African school experience, where you may share your life story, facts about your country, flags, climate, food, industry, land marks & traditions. You may also include your own interests, training and career ambitions as part of the life skills classes in the high school. If you have any special skills such as computers, music, art, photography, craft or sport we will incorporate them into the lessons and after school activities. One afternoon you will each take a child on a group outing (sponsored by yourselves as part of the original costs) where you and the children will visit a place of interest and enjoy a milkshake together.

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