We are hiring

Opportunity closing date:

Friday, 26 November, 2021

Opportunity type:

Employment

We are a small NPO and wish to employ a qualified English as a second language (ESL) teacher to provide English language lessons to Grade 4 Students in the Langa community. The ESL teacher will be responsible for planning lessons and activities, adopting a creative approach, and encouraging and motivating students to transition from mother tongue learning to English.
This project will support 5 schools in Langa and lessons will take place on a mobile classroom (a bus which has been converted into an IT classroom fitted with 40 laptops and 2 teaching stations) and will run from Monday – Friday (1 day at each school) from 8-2.30.

ESL Teacher Job Description
We are a small NPO and wish to employ a qualified ESL teacher to provide English language lessons to Grade 4 Students in the Langa community. The ESL teacher will be responsible for planning lessons and activities, adopting a creative approach, and encouraging and motivating students to transition from mother tongue learning to English.
This project will support 5 schools in Langa and lessons will take place on a mobile classroom (a bus which has been converted into an IT classroom fitted with 40 laptops and 2 teaching stations) and will run from Monday – Friday (1 day at each school) from 8-2.30.
 
ESL Teacher Responsibilities:

• Conducting activities and lessons based on ESL teaching methodologies.

• Encouraging and engaging students to speak in English.

• Motivating students and creating a pleasant learning environment.

• Displaying excellent classroom management.

• Keeping accurate records of student performance.

• Communicating with the heads and staff at the schools you will be supporting as well as VUSA Management.

 
ESL Teacher Requirements:

• A Bachelor's Teaching degree / relevant TEFL Certification.

• Excellent command of the English language and Maths concepts

• Speaking Xhosa an advantage

• A good understanding of technology

• Police Clearance certificate will be required along with contactable references

 
Please forward your CV to nmatthews@vusarugbyacademy.com

Location:

Cape Town

Another chapter

What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.

Nelson Mandela

It is the little things we see each day that truly demonstrate the impact our programmes have on our VUSA children. It is witnessing a child's sense of accomplishment when they work through a challenging Maths sum, or seeing a child walk a little more confidently after scoring his first try.

And We're off

"OUT OF ADVERSITY, COMES OPPORTUNITY" BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

The day has finally arrived - the launch of the VUSA Mobile Library. A pipe dream that has finally become a reality.

Our little tuk-tuk library will visit 3 registered ECD centres each day filled with books and puzzles. The programme is driven by Lungile Moferi, the most wonderful man, and as a father himself, he has brought a special element to our reading programme. His interaction with the children is gentle and warm and his engagement with the children is a massive part of what this programme is all about - so much of doing this work is the ability to connect with the children.

Onwards and Upwards

Whilst we were pleased to put 2020 behind us, it was a year where we learnt a lot about our programme, our children, and coaches. Valuable operational structures were put in place to deal with COVID regulations. Our children love the safe space that VUSA creates, the daily meal and interaction with their coaches. Our coaches have been outstanding in their roles as mentors, coaches, role models and implementers of COVID protocols.

What was missed was rugby, the physical activity, the excitement of matches and the camaraderie. Ball skills and touch rugby, whilst better than nothing are just not the same as a bus trip to an away game. We are hoping that regulations will allow rugby matches later in the year!

Whilst our coaches are dedicated, motivated and inspiring, they are not always equipped to manage the difficult circumstances their children are faced with. The Bishops Support Unit (BSU) has thus offered VUSA support of one of its intern students in 2021.

The Edunova academic programme offering Maths and English support, is also once again up and running with additional spaces to provide homework support for learners who are only attending school on alternate days, has been incorporated.

Awaken Opportunities

A year that began with so much promise quickly collapsed as the world came to grips with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the disparity and loss that has been felt the world over, we are pleased to report that we have taken one resounding positive from this year and that is RELATIONSHIPS. When we reflect on 2020, what stands out the most are the incredible people we have met and worked with. There are extraordinary NGO's and business's out there and phenomenal individuals who make this world a better place.

COVID left many of our children demotivated, anxious and depressed, and it was only in Level 1, when activities slowly began to resume that we saw spirits begin to lift. The VUSA sport and recreational programmes undoubtedly impact the emotional and mental wellbeing of our beneficiaries. Participation in group recreation provides a sense of value, belonging and attachment. An anxious, depressed child cannot function optimally in the classroom, on the sports field or in society at large.

Annual Status Report

Lockdown in Langa

We have learned a lot over the past few months of COVID.  Every action has an impact and it is now clear that every inaction too has an impact.

After lockdown started on the 24th March, it was abundantly clear that the immediate need in the Langa community was food. With unbelievable help from our Corporate and individual donors, it wasn’t long before VUSA was safely able to feed 500 children per day.

Women's Day Motivator - Zizo Makwezela

Women's rugby is one of the world's fastest growing sports. It is a sport that depends on discipline, team work, support and strength. We caught up with one of our great role models, Benele 'Zizo' Makwezela who spoke about her rugby journey, playing for South Africa and why what she learned on the field is also a strength in her daily life.

May 2020 Newsletter

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has ”   Margaret Mead

When President Cyril Ramaphosa  heeded a call  for all South African's to batten the hatches in order to flatten the curve five weeks ago, our immediate concern was for the welfare of our VUSA children.  Devastating scenes from around the world,  meant we had to protect our hospital workers but with many of the VUSA families already living below the breadline, we also knew we could not close our doors.  

Many of South Africa's children previously received meals in daily school feeding schemes and these were reduced to two days a week.  With many families on a 'no work, no pay' situation, having to feed an an additional mouth five days a week added to the strain.   VUSA coaches supported one of the primary schools with in distribution twice a week, and as residents of Langa, highlighted a major concern - some children had to walk long distances to receive a meal thus compromising their safety. We  thus were able to secure additional venues at two of our partner ECD centres for food distribution but the need was greater than we could supply and we then  appealed to our communities.

MARCH 2020 NEWSLETTER

 “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, …” Charles Dickens 

At times like these, when the world is in crisis, we will see the best and the worst of people.  In this time of panic, people will hoard toilet paper and hand sanitiser but watch this space... the majority of people will also come together and rally around community and that is the beauty of the human race.

With the worldwide shut down due to the Covid-19 virus we have postponed all events for the foreseeable future.

We have suspended our sport and academic activities in line with the shut-down of schools, however, we feel we cannot shut down the feeding programme when the community is at its most vulnerable and will continue to provide food as long as it is safe to do so.  We could not go on without mentioning our partners who have jumped into action to ensure our children get fed.  First and foremost, the Shoprite group have offered access to their Soup Truck as part of their #ActForChange initiative  and this will ensure that each child receives soup and bread each day - they have gone over and above and assisted with additional unforeseen expenses. Thank you Shoprite Holdings - you certainly do ACT FOR CHANGE.   Leon Glanvill, Housemaster of School House at Bishops Diocesan College has opened their kitchen so that we can safely store the food.  The City of Cape Town will be working with our staff to ensure that  this is rolled out  responsibly with social distancing enforced -  the health and safety of our children and staff is our priority.