On the 3rd of December we hosted our volunteer thank-you breakfast. This event is always a highlight for me, as each year we have the chance to gather all our volunteers under one roof to celebrate the difference they have made in the lives of the learners who pass through our centres. The LifeMatters Foundation’s academic programming (we provide both literacy and numeracy support for foundation phase learners) simply isn’t possible without the help of these wonderful individuals. We had over 180 active volunteers on our books this year – how incredible that so many people would give, at a minimum, one hour of their time each week to help a child who is struggling to keep up with the demands of a fast-paced curriculum.
It would be disingenuous of me not to admit that there have been times this year when I’ve felt overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the challenge we face in our schools (and in public education more broadly in South Africa) when it comes to the levels of illiteracy and innumeracy. More than once the thought has crossed my mind: “Perhaps we should pivot away from this volunteer-based model, which has a fairly high relational transactional cost, and instead roll out scalable device-based programmes using AI and adaptive learning to reach more learners.” But time and time again I see the real and irreplaceable value of personal connection. I see how learners walk into a classroom at the beginning of the year shy and reserved, but within weeks or months emerge chatty and confident. I see their faces light up when they walk in and spot their volunteer waiting for them. I hear the jokes, witness the hugs, and watch the games being played. As impressive as a room full of children on computers or iPads may look (and I do hope we can diversify our programming to some extent), my real desire is that LifeMatters will continue to facilitate spaces for meaningful, life-giving connection.
In the documentary Live to 100: The Secrets of the Blue Zones, Dan Buettner travels to regions with the highest concentration of people who live to be 100, exploring the key elements that enable residents in these communities to live such long and fulfilling lives. He finds that strong social bonds and a sense of purpose are central to longevity, and even specifically mentions volunteering in your community as one way to cultivate both. We see this play out so clearly in our centres – in the emergence of new friendships and in the sense of meaning that comes from being part of “something bigger” than yourself.
As I looked around the room at all our volunteers, I felt immense gratitude for each and every person sitting there. I felt grateful for the retirees who have joined us after long careers (some in teaching, many not). Grateful for the moms who give back in the mornings while their children are at school. Grateful for those who work flexibly and manage their time so they can volunteer. I felt grateful for those who stepped out of their comfort zones – some into a space working with young children for the first time. Grateful for those who have been endlessly patient with learners who have undiagnosed or untreated learning difficulties. And grateful for those who have shown up, week after week, to encourage, motivate, and show love to learners, creating a safe space for learning where they can grow and thrive.
*Our schools are all based in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. If you’d like more information about volunteering please contact [email protected].
