Gap Programme
Mini Gap Programmes Gap Student Programmes
Hiya
I just
wanted to say thank you so much for having me. I had an amazing time and
so did everyone else. I enjoyed working in the school even though it was
weird because it was so different to English schools. I still can't
believe that they hit them with sticks!
It was a
really good experience and staying in the cottage was so much fun. I've
told all my friends about it and hopefully they will want to do it too.
Anna and Flo and I are saving up
to come back next year and have been applying for weekend jobs. My
brother Richard is planning to do his mini gap program as well.
Thank you soooooo much
Lauren
xxxx
Dear Dave and Amanda,
I just wanted to e-mail you both to say thanks a lot for having
me in South Africa, I had a really good time. I wouldn't worry about
finding more people to go on the mini-gap because people I've told think
it sounds great. It was very well thought out and planned. I especially
liked the way we could just drive somewhere spontaneously (Like Montagu).
I am planning on coming back although I'm not sure when. By the way I
hope we didnt cause too much trouble!
kind regards
Josh.L.Czudej
Hello! to everyone!
Just to say am at home now and can
honestly say I just want to be back in Swellendam! and the weather is rubbish here -
I think it really is following us!
Basically just want to say thank you SO much for everything. I
had such an incredible time. I loved every bit of the trip and like to
think I'm a better person for it (although my mother
would disagree.) She wants me to ask what you've sent
back:
"It went timid, shy, self conscious and kind and its come back
aggressive, ebullient, full of itself and porky! what has happened!? If I send you the other one can you do your
best with it?"
Thanks again,
Flo
Hello Amanda
and Dave,
It's Dan here
just telling you that we had a safe trip home with all our luggage
returned with us. Please say hello to all the locals next time they come
round and thank Beauty for everything. Thank you for everything that you
did for us this holiday, it was much appreciated, I had a great time.
Have a great time with the others. Thanks again, I'll never forget the
experience.
Dan.
Mini Gap Programmes
These are designed to act as introductory programmes for students aged between 15 and 18, who work in supervised projects in the local community. For example a project has been set up with the local Primary School (Bontebok School) which takes place in April, July and August, whereby students work with the children to support their English speaking skills. The students stay in the cottage, living independently, but with support and guidance from us, David and Amanda Shackley. Amanda has thirty years of experience as a teacher in the UK and ensures that students are comfortable with their projects and gain valuable experience and insight.
MINI GAP –
aimed at 15 – 18 year olds
Get this on your UCAS form!
How you will live: Students will live in a cottage (in the grounds of our house), which has a kitchen, living room, bathroom and two small double bedrooms. It also has its own braai (South African Barbecue) on the veranda. And you have access to the Internet and a Play-station, should you have the time or the inclination! You would be expected to live independently, cook, shop, manage your own budget, and washing etc. There are bicycles available for your use, and either Dave or Amanda will transport you in the car for any longer distances you may want to travel (for a nominal cost). You will be taken to your work placement by car, unless it is very close. |
What projects you can do: Projects we can arrange for you include
And if there is anything you have a real desire to do, we can do our best to organise something that suits your interests! |
When is the best time to come? The school term over in South Africa starts in mid July so if you are interested in a placement in a school, you could come when you have finished your summer exams. You can take advantage of the fact that you can leave school after GCSE and take a flight before they become more expensive in the school holidays. It is winter here then, and the weather in July and August is similar to an English spring. It is low season, so some of the more touristy placement options will be quite quiet. At other times of the year you will have to consider your exam schedules, but, Amanda, being an ex –teacher, is always on hand to help you organise revision and course-work! |
What you can do in your leisure time: The area is fantastic for activities – the house is situated next to the Marloth Mountain reserve, and you can go for weekend treks. Bontebok Park is another area which is great fun to cycle through, ending up with a swim in the lake. Horse riding is always popular and the local trail guides are among the most professional and experienced that you'll find. Riders are guided through the local forestry roads at the foot of the mountains. Local sports clubs and teams are always happy to welcome new blood, however temporary. Other activities include canoeing down the Breede River, spending the day at De Hoop, which is the most amazing beach you can imagine - spotting whales and dolphins etc, or taking the shuttle bus to Cape Town and going shopping! Swellendam is a small old fashioned farming town – don’t expect any wild parties or visits to the pub! But the young people are very friendly and it will be very easy for you to meet them and develop a good social life. You are welcome to invite your new friends round for a traditional South African braai! |
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For the rental of the cottage we charge a sum per person, to cover the whole of the stay – so, for example if you want to stay for four weeks we would charge 3,200 rands (about £300 per head for the whole session. One week is 800 rands, about £75, depending on the exchange rate. (We can accept payment in sterling.) You will need to budget for food and activities. If you decide to go ahead with the idea, we will send you a list of typical prices for groceries etc (They are very cheap!) There are optional extras – the cottage will be cleaned as part of the deal, by Beauty, our helper, but she is willing to do your laundry for you as well, and will cook special African meals for you in the evening, but you would pay for these and the money will go directly to her and her family. Other extras would include trips which have not been included on your programme (See example) If for example you want to go on safari, we can arrange this for you and your family very cheaply with our contacts. Because we will have two luxury guest bedrooms in the main house, there is the facility for your parents to stay for part of the time and enjoy a fabulous holiday too. |
What do I do now? Speak to your parents, contact us, or ask them to contact us, and start saving! We are booking places very quickly at the moment, as obviously this project is unique and proving to be very popular. As you probably know by now, with competition for University places becoming increasingly competitive, it is always a good idea to have done something a bit special. You won’t get paid money for your hard work, but the rewards you will gain from working with some of the most amazing people in the world will far outstrip the rewards of cash in the hand. |
Example of Project:
Bontebok School is a well-run school in Railton, which is the area where the community of previously disadvantaged people live. The school has 1,170 students, aged between 6 and 13, of whom 983 currently qualify for the government sponsored free meal. A soup kitchen in the school provides this meal between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. every morning.
The headmaster, staff and pupils warmly welcome the visiting students. They feel that young people from the UK coming into the school, helping in the classrooms, taking small groups of older children for English conversation, teaching English songs and stories to the youngest pupils, is of great benefit to the learning process and confidence of the children.
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Students are met at Cape Town airport by the hosts and driven to Swellendam. The house is in walking distance of shopping, restaurants and leisure facilities. The students are provided with bicycles for their own use. They are driven to and collected from Bontebok school each day that they are helping. Twice a week a lift into Swellendam or a neighbouring town is provided for shopping for food.
As part of the learning experience, students are expected to plan their budget for food, transport and leisure. The hosts are prepared to act as budget holders, and parents can lodge an agreed sum of money, which will be given to the students on an agreed day each week.
Prior to the students’ arrival a general breakdown of food prices and the cost of leisure activities etc is sent to the family to assist with financial planning.
Students are provided with a package of useful advice on keeping themselves safe. They are asked to sign an agreement to show that they understand the expected standard of responsibility, and parents are welcome to suggest points for this agreement which they consider relevant concerning issues such as alcohol, nights out, smoking, adventure activities. Parents may discuss with the hosts appropriate sanctions / rewards for breaking / upholding the agreement. Parents are asked to sign a form giving the hosts the power to agree to medical treatment in an emergency.
Example of Mini Gap Programme of Activities at
Impangele
(Is adapted according to individual
student's needs and wishes)
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
| Morning | Visit to supermarket | Preliminary school-visit | Milking at the farm | Day trip to
Buffeljags Dam, to camp and fish |
(Church?) | ||
| Arrival | Tour of Swellendam | Trail building in Marloth Mountains | Help at school | Work at Applebosch farm | 3 hour horse trek in Langeberg Mountains | ||
| Afternoon | Rest | Braai | |||||
| Evening | Meal with hosts | Budget planning Meal in cottage | Planning for school activities, Meal
in cottage |
Meal in cottage | Meal out in restaurant | Overnight camping with Braai | Meal with hosts, review of budget |
| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
| Morning | Soup Kitchen | Conservation work in Bontebok Park | Conservation work in Bontebok Park | Swimming in the Hot springs at Montagfu | Trip to Cape Town (Optional) Robben Island Table Mountain Greenmarket Square Shopping at the Waterfront Cape Point |
(Church?) | |
| Help at school | Mountain Quad Biking | Township tour | |||||
| Afternoon | Shopping for food | Meal in cottage | |||||
| Evening | Cook meal for hosts! | Braai | Meal in cottage | Meal with hosts, plan next week | |||
| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
| Morning | Mountain cycle trek | Soup Kitchen | Golf at Swellendam 9 hole course | Soup Kitchen | Whale
watching at Cape Alguhas Boat trip down the Breede River |
Visit the Faerie sanctuary! | Breakfast with Hosts |
| Help at School | Help in School | Drive
to Cape Town for Plane Or Optional 3 day Safari |
|||||
| Afternoon | Shopping for food | Sports training with local kids | Visit Youngberry Farm | Shopping trip, craft market | |||
| Evening | Meal in Cottage | Braai | Meal in restaurant | Meal in cottage | Pizza at the River Pub | Party for friends | |
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Gap Student Programmes
Our programme is aimed at the independent student (pre or post university) who has a genuine desire to learn and expand his/ her horizons. Our objective is to provide challenging programmes for pre and post University students on a six months placement. These are personally tailored to individual students and incorporate cultural, historical, geographical, social, and environmental aspects as is appropriate. We act as guardians and support for the students as they undertake their programmes. They are given advice on how to conduct and protect themselves, and asked to sign a declaration of responsibility, thus enabling us to build up a good relationship with the providers of the programmes. We interview prospective students in the UK so that they are fully aware of the expectations of the hosts, and so that we can make a judgement as to the character and objectives of the candidates.
Gap programmes are on offer in a variety of projects and businesses. We have established a range of provision around Swellendam including the schools project, trekking, horse riding, agriculture, conservation, health & social care and working on the enablement programme with the previously disadvantaged.
Further afield opportunities include Safari lodges in The Eastern Cape, Drama and theatre in education programmes with Artscape, adventure and activity programmes in Storms River, historical experiences in KwaZulu Natal. We are expanding our contacts into sports & physical education, medical & veterinary projects.