As a non-profit organization, the Amy Biehl Foundation recognizes and appreciates the contributions made by local and foreign volunteers and interns. Like ABF employees, the intern and volunteer force consists of people of all ages, backgrounds, races and experiences. People from all over the world (mainly United States, The Netherlands and Germany) join us in the programs each year. This creates a unique and diverse atmosphere, both in the office and in the schools.

Amy Biehl Foundation seeks to utilize the many skills and talents of interns from both South Africa and abroad, in an effort to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization. Volunteers and interns are given a large amount of freedom in terms of tasks and responsibilities.

The only difference between volunteers and interns is that interns usually require full-time work with us (due to school assignments). Most of our volunteers work on a part-time basis as a school facilitator in the afternoons (although they can also choose to do additional work in the office during the morning hours).

Below are the various tasks we have that you may get involved in.  During the course of your stay, you can also change and perform other duties if you so wish.

Schools

All our interns and volunteers are involved with the After School programs (take a look at the website for a full overview of these programs). They run Monday to Thursday from 15.00 until 17.00. Classes include:

• Music: Violin, Guitar, Marimba, Choral Singing, Recorder and Brass
• HIV/AIDS Peer Education & Prevention
• Sport: Cricket, Soccer, Netball and Hockey
• Computer Literacy
• Filming
• Greening and Environment
• Youth Reading Role Model Literacy
• Creative Arts: Painting, Beading, Drama, Dance (Kwaito, Modern, Traditional, Ballet and Hip Hop)

During school holidays, the foundation runs camps and holiday programs. Additionally, there are also regular weekend trips you may want to get involved with (ie hiking with the children).

During the morning hours (9.00 until 13.00) you can choose to do additional work in the office, or you can get involved with daytime projects (ie reading). Again, flexibility is a must. You are being given the space to make your own choices in terms of content.

The following is a list of office duties that certain volunteers and interns may be interested in...

IT assistant/Design

Preferred study background: IT or Design related

Tasks: Website development, social media (using tools such as Facebook and Twitter), newsletter and brochure design.

Media, Marketing, PR and fundraising

Preferred study background: Media, Communications or Marketing.

Tasks: Use writing skills for newsletter, website updates, event planning, press releases, sponsor, fun run.

Coordinator Assistant

Preferred study background: Communications, Human Resource Management

Tasks: Research on staff communication issues and efficiency, guide and assist program coordinators (basic administration including report writing).

If you are interested in joining the foundation, please send an email to joanna@amybiehl.co.za stating your name, your contact details, the dates which you wish to work with the foundation and the tasks you want to get involved with. We will then send you an email with a registration form.

The Amy Biehl Foundation accepts volunteers year-round for stays of a minimum of three weeks.  Volunteers are responsible for their own room and board.