Well, after my two weeks as a GVI volunteer, I now have an opinion of this organization, and it is far from favorable!
It became clear almost immediately that the bulk of the $1,100 per week cost to participate in their programs was spent on salaries for those in high positions. The organization has a clever set up. Programs in impoverished communities around the world give volunteers the opportunity to interact closely with the locals. A carefully designed routine gives the illusion of doing something useful. In reality, the programs are contrived, and the impact is minimal.
My first week, the first week in January, schools in South Africa were not yet in session, and most people were trickling back to their regular lives after the festive holidays. In the Women's Empowerment program just two to three women showed up at the community center in the nearby township of Nomzamo. So only two of the five GVI workers - 2 volunteers and 3 staff - actually worked that week. Staff members - all aged between 18 and 25 - have committed to a longer term and don't pay to participate. They are given some leadership roles and are provided with free lodging, meals, and transportation.
"Empowering" women in Nomzamo meant teaching basic computer skills. I spent each morning providing one on one tutoring on the fundamentals of Microsoft Office. After maybe 5 sessions, if a woman demonstrated the ability to use Word, Powerpoint, and Excel in a simple test, she received a certificate. And that was it. GVI made no attempt to actually help these women find jobs. There was no follow through. These women, who had been to high school, and spoke reasonable English, received no other preparation for office type jobs. Nor was there any research done to determine employment needs.
GVI volunteers are predominantly between 18 and 25 years old. They don't have the maturity to see the flaws of this organization. These youngsters from North America and Europe are thrilled to be in some exotic locale where they make new friends and have opportunities for a full social life. That they believe they are engaged in humanitarian work too makes the whole experience a fulfilling one for them. And that's why organizations like GVI thrive.
After lunch in my first week, a minibus transported me to a library in the suburb of Strand. All GVI volunteers and staff converged here in the afternoon to participate in a summer program. I quickly realized that this was actually a baby sitting program for about 25 kids ranging in age from 2 to 15. Judging by their shabby clothes, uncombed hair, snotty noses, and rough mannerisms, I could tell these kids lived in squalor. Their racial designation in the days of apartheid used to be "Cape Colored" due to their mixed Dutch and indigenous ancestry. Drugs, alcoholism, unemployment and split families have historically plagued this community.
The ratio of "adult" to kid in the Strand library was 1 to 3. A golden opportunity to run a decent, structured academic program to benefit these unfortunate kids. However, it was utter chaos that I witnessed every afternoon during that first week. There was no adult in charge since apart from 53 year old Caroline and myself, all the other GVI members were under 25 years old. Nineteen year old Lesley Ann, a local of Cape Colored heritage, had been awarded a scholarship by GVI to helm this summer library program. She clearly had no training and no idea of how to execute this task, which even for me, a retired teacher, would have been challenging. The other GVI staff seemed pretty clueless as well. And so the afternoons were spent attempting craft activities in an atmosphere devoid of discipline and structure, interspersed with outdoor games and songs. Glorified babysitting. GVI provided a safe place and lunch for a group of disadvantaged kids and that's all they cared about. The missed opportunity was what bugged me. GVI could have actually made a long term impact on these kids during the 6 summer weeks. What a shame!
In my second week with GVI, schools were in session for the new year, and my routine changed. Now a line of women waited for us at the Nomzamo Community Center for the Women's Empowerment program. Each enthusiastically and patiently waiting to have an individualized computer session. Each carrying the dream of a respectable job. All five of us GVI volunteers and staff worked intensively through the mornings. Yes, we could feel good about providing one on one tutoring to women desperate to escape poverty. But, seriously, how was a week of Microsoft Office exposure going to help them?
I should mention that the residents of Nomzamo are mostly Xhosa. Their family homes are in rural parts of the Eastern Cape, and they have migrated west to urban centers for economic opportunities. Many of the residents live in informal tin shacks. There are also a fair number of decent homes of high standard, pointing to progress. It's a bustling township with numerous vendors and service jobs operating out of make shift sheds. The picture isn't totally dismal though, since signs of development and progress are visible.
At midday we left the community center and went to a preschool (called a crêche) in Nomzamo. Each day we went to a different crêche ostensibly to teach health and hygiene. Amazingly, the crêches, right there in the heart of this shabby township, were bright, spacious, immaculate, with cheerful wall designs and an attractive outdoor spaces. Two to three well dressed, educated women ran each class of about thirty kids ranging in age from three and five. The kids were well groomed and well disciplined. Why were GVI workers here? During our 45 minutes at each crêche we took the kids outside for light exercises and movement, and then back inside we discussed healthy living like how to brush your teeth. This, to me, was an obviously artificially created "job".
After lunch the Women's Empowerment team was transported to ACJ Phakade Primary School in Nomzamo township. When I first saw the beautiful campus I was astonished. A new two story brick building, big, with covered hallways, and immaculately neat. The welcoming carpeted library, called the media center, had large windows, new desks and lots of space. I learned that this school was built in the '90's from donated money when Nelson Mandela was the president. Twenty years later, with a generous donation, a new, modern wing was added and the result is most impressive.
GVI runs several programs at ACJ. The sports and surfing program has had rave reviews over the years. Skilled staff are recruited to run these programs, so I believe they are quite successful. One on one tutoring in maths and English is also offered to needy students. During my week at this school I was involved in the Girls' Empowerment program, which took place after school. Sixth grade girls gathered in the library and we ran workshops on friendships and self esteem. As it was the first week of school, the program was just in first gear so I didn't get to have the full experience. Though this program showed promise, the young, inexperienced staff tasked with planning and executing filled me with pessimism. Can GVI not recruit an adult to take charge?
My two weeks in Gordon's Bay in summary were terribly disappointing. I so badly wanted to love the experience and repeat it in other countries. The biggest disappointment was residing in the company of ill-mannered, disrespectful youngsters, who didn't clean up after themselves. The majority of the staff and volunteers, not yet fully fledged adults, didn't have the required maturity and commitment. They had been sent by their well-meaning parents to make the world a better place, and they believed they were doing exactly that. But, really, they were more interested in going out drinking and having a wild time. That's what they spent all their time talking about. They showed no intellectual curiosity about the local culture and the country's rich, turbulent history.
On the plus side, there were a few committed staff members. Tilda, the project site manager at Gordon's Bay worked from 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. every day. Her responsibilities seemed insurmountable. She designed and ran all the programs, delegated duties to staff members, took care of every issue that arose in the apartments or at the sites, ferried people that had to do essential errands, etc., etc. Tilda was also young, in her late 20's, and seemed too starry eyed and naïve to ensure practical decisions.Another positive thing was the location. The Western Cape of South Africa has stunning mountain ranges hugging the coastline and creating a dramatic landscape. The little harbor was an easy walk and further on there was a lovely beach. Cafes, bars, and shops along the waterfront provided welcome entertainment.
My next post about my GVI experience will focus on the accommodation.
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