International Volunteers Program

YDC home	Living @ the YDC	Working @ the YDC
Stories	Photos	Application Form

The Youth Development Centre (YDC) is a project designed to give international volunteers the opportunity to come to South Africa and serve in local projects, working with at-risk and disadvantaged youth.
Interacting with South Africa’s wide variety of people, culture and natural beauty enables volunteers to learn an incredible amount in a short space of time that touches them forever.

Volunteers stay in 2 locations (Pietermaritzburg and Durban), and the YDC is able to accommodate up to 19 volunteers between the 2 centres. Great friendships are often built between the 2 centres, despite the long standing debate about whether it is better to be a Durban or Pietermaritzburg volunteer (as a Pietermaritzburg volunteer I have to tell you Pietermaritzburg is by far better). A part-time coordinator manages the volunteer program, and is a great mentor for volunteers while they adjust to their new lifestyle here in South Africa.

Shortly after arrival, volunteers are met by the volunteer coordinator who gives them a general overview of South Africa, the YDC, Youth for Christ and the project they will be working with. Books on South Africa and a video are also available if volunteers would like more information, however the best way to find out about South Africa is to get into your projects and find out by yourself. Two weeks after arrival, volunteers have an interview with the volunteer coordinator to assess how they are settling in. The volunteer coordinator also makes regular social visits to the YDC and is available to meet volunteers at other times if they are having any troubles.

A copy of the YDC manual, containing lots of information, is given to all volunteers. However the more useful information (how to use the washing machine, where to get the best pizza, how to avoid marriage proposals,) can be gained from the other volunteers you will be living with.

Weekend excursions are planned each year, usually three per year, as well as one-day get together events. These include trips to the beach, the mountains, picnics, hikes, cultural getaways, game reserves, barbeques etc. These events are planned to help volunteers see a bit of South Africa while they are here, but also to facilitate the volunteers from the 2 locations getting to know each other. These times are a great way for volunteers to find out about the other volunteers, projects, and living conditions and also a great way to build the rivalry between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.

As well as these activities, three or four weekend work camps per year take place at L’Abri, our wilderness training site. This is a great opportunity for YFC/KZN to get some free labour out of its volunteers, and is also a great way for the volunteers to show their superiority over the volunteers from the other centre by clearing more bush, cutting cleaner trails and working harder at the general maintenance. Once pecking order is established volunteers also get the opportunity to relax, wind down and enjoy the beautiful scenery and tranquillity of L’Abri.