Volunteer Testimonials

Hi, my name is Ira. I am 19 years old and I’m from Germany. Before I came to South Africa, I graduated from High School and did not know where my future would lead me. So I decided to go and volunteer at Philisa Abafazi Bethu. Luckily enough, I got the chance to become part of the PAB – Family for two months. Thanks to Lucinda, I stayed with the most caring host family where I felt like at home from the very first day until the end of my stay. I especially liked working with the children in the After School Programme and the whole PAB – Family really touched my heart.

I am a 24-year-old girl from Switzerland who had the pleasure to stay in Cape Town with PAB for five months as part of my studies in social work. When searching for an organization, PAB caught my eye very quickly and I certainly do not regret having decided to get involved in PAB’s projects and learn from the people of the lavender hill community. I gained a lot of experience in the field of social work mostly by working at the safe house. The various activities with the children and seniors were also special for me. Whether it was surfing, spending a week together at camp, learning to play the marimba or talking about our own strengths – I enjoyed every moment and was mesmerized by the energy, faith, and love of the people of the community as well as the whole PAB-family. From day one they made me feel at home and I am happy to say that I found a second home in Cape Town.

Before I came to the project, I had a basic idea about South Africa and the consequences of apartheid. After my time as a volunteer, I know people who are so multi-faceted and diverse personalities. Philisa Abafazi Bethu’s work accepts everyone as they are and encourages individual development. Never before and never since have I come across a project in which concrete projects, day-to-day support and even disaster relief are so closely linked with human warmth and love for the community. I have watched an organisation grow from Lucinda’s garage into a wonderful women and family centre for almost 13 years now. I have learnt a lot in my time there and hopefully given something back. Philisa Abafazi Bethu was not just an internship, it became family.

Little did I know that my decision to work with Philisa Abafazi Bethu would lead me to serve alongside and learn from some of the most considerate and inspirational people that I have ever met. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work in so many different areas of the organisation, from tutoring the children in the after-school programme, to harvesting in the garden, writing marketing materials, painting murals, and much more. It is a remarkable feeling to walk into a new space and instantly feel welcomed and appreciated, and Lucinda and the whole PAB team invited us in with open arms. I had read about the organisation’s extensive programmes and efforts of activism in the community but did not fully understand the lengths to which they are willing to go to make every woman and child in the community feel that they are loved, they are valued, and they are protected. I could not be more thankful to have contributed in even the smallest capacity to PAB’s passion fueled endeavours towards empowerment, education, and equality during my time as a PAB intern in South Africa.

Hi my name is Natalie and I’m from the United States. I came to South Africa to both study at the University of Cape Town and to volunteer my time at Philisa Abafazi Bethu. Shortly after starting, I felt so welcomed. This was my first time out of the country, and Lucinda and the team made me feel so at home. I was able to help with their online platform, designing their pamphlets and flyers, and taking photographs at events. I learned a great deal from PAB and enjoyed every second I spent with them. Seeing how much Philisa Abafazi contributes to their community was an eye-opening experience. Volunteering with PAB gave me a whole new perspective of South Africa. I will carry the experiences I gained into my future career and life choices. I hope to return to South Africa soon and reunite with Philisa Abafazi!

Hello, my name is Thea, and I am 21 years old from South Florida. As a senior Sociology student from the University of Florida, I was able to come to South Africa through my University’s study abroad program. As part of my program focused on power, policy, protest, and NPOs in South Africa I was placed with Philisa Abafazi Bethu and I am so grateful I was. Being able to intern at PAB for a month gave me the chance to look within myself and think about ways that I can best serve others in an impactful + positive way. Being able to utilize my creative side, my logical reasoning side, and my critical thinking side helped immerse me into the everyday work of grassroots organizing and community activism. Lastly, being able to learn from Lucinda has been phenomenal. She reminds me of just how important this work is and the necessity to focus on the community’s needs instead of just my own.

My name is Sarah Louis and I am a Spring 2022 graduate of the University of Florida. Personally, I have always had a passion for empowering young girls of color, and I chose to intern at PAB because their mission aligned with my personal values. Having the privilege to learn about policy, power, and protest through the lens of working from an NPO has been a phenomenal experience. As a PAB intern, I learned a great deal about the Greater Lavender Hill community. Through working on marketing projects, a grant application, tutoring in the after-school program, gardening, etc, PAB, and more importantly Lucinda, has taught me how to heal a community in many different ways. Although my internship experience was short, I truly feel a part of the PAB family forever. I will forever miss walking through the rainbow colored compound, and I will miss hearing the children in the after-school program playing the marimba during their music therapy sessions. I am thankful to Lucinda and the PAB family for helping me to further develop my professional skills through this amazing service-learning opportunity.

When I first came to PAB in 2009, Lucinda was running her programs from the garage of her family home, while working part time on the side. Over the next 3 years I spend more time in Lavender Hill than at my actual home. I helped protect women against domestic abuse, I held the hands of rape victims, I handed out food to people who were victims of fires and I even helped deliver a baby in front of Lucinda’s house. And I loved every second of it. The dedication, empowerment and belief Lucinda shows the community is truly inspirational! Working with PAB is the one decision I’ve ever made, which has singlehandedly impacted my own life profoundly. Ever since I worked with the women and children in that garage, I’ve been back to visit and work for Lucinda at least once a year. Lucinda and her family are my family, and the people of Lavender Hill are my people. I feel at home in Lavender Hill, and I feel at home surrounded by Lucinda, her family and the staff at PAB. I can nothing but recommend and encourage everyone who believes in equal rights, activism and justice to engage with PAB. But be aware – it might profoundly impact your life!