The Ripple Effect of Giving Back: Youth Volunteering in South African Homeschooling

Volunteering is more than just an activity to fill free time; it’s a powerful avenue for personal growth and community impact. While estimates suggest that only a small percentage of people volunteer regularly, the act of giving time freely to support groups, clubs, and charities is invaluable. For young people, including those in South African homeschooling families, the benefits are particularly significant, shaping them into compassionate, engaged, and skilled individuals.

The landscape of youth volunteering in South Africa is growing. Research published in the African Sociological Review highlighted that “the youth volunteer rate has increased over the past decade,” noting its role in empowerment and even as a pathway to employment (Youth Volunteering for Development in South Africa – AJOL). This trend underscores the value placed on giving back.

This article draws inspiration from 14-year-old homeschooler Summer Müller Thomson, who turned her creative hobby into a force for good, reminding us that even small actions can create big waves.

An Inspiring Spark: Summer’s Story

Summer, an avid reader who also enjoys ballet, netball, and spending time with her pets, including four cats and her Pomeranian Molly, embarked on a journey of giving that started with a simple craft. “A few years ago, my cousins and I began making jewellery together, and I started selling it to friends and family,” Summer shared. This soon blossomed into a small business at local markets.

The turning point came when Summer decided her earnings could serve a greater purpose. “After selling a number of bracelets, I decided not to keep all the money for myself, but to donate it to a good cause.” Her first choice was the Animal Welfare Society SA (AWS), particularly when they needed supplies for animals affected by a Simonstown fire. This act of kindness “made me feel really happy and has inspired me to keep donating,” she said.

Summer’s initiative taught her valuable lessons: “I learnt that doing something really small can have a big impact, no matter what it is. I also learnt not to give up, because if you keep going, you can do amazing things.”

Why Community Engagement Matters for Homeschooled Youth

Summer’s experience highlights key benefits of volunteering for teens and younger children. These include:

• Developing Compassion and Empathy: Engaging in service helps young people understand the needs of others and develop a genuine desire to help. They learn generosity and gratitude for what they have.
• Building New Skills: Volunteering can be a practical way to learn new skills, from communication and teamwork to project management and specific vocational abilities. For Summer, it involved creativity, entrepreneurship, and financial decision-making.
• Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem: Successfully contributing to a cause or helping others can significantly improve a young person’s sense of self-worth and capability.
• Expanding Social Circles: It provides opportunities to connect with new people from diverse backgrounds, fostering friendships and a broader understanding of their community. Summer noted, “It also allows you to connect with new people and make friends.”
• Fostering a Sense of Purpose: Engaging in meaningful community engagement for kids can give them a sense of purpose beyond their academic studies, helping them see themselves as active contributors to society.
• Enhancing Well-being: Studies generally show that volunteering is linked to improved mental and physical health. The University of Nevada, Reno Extension highlights that youth who volunteer are less likely to engage in destructive behaviours and report benefits like learning respect, kindness, and leadership skills (Young Volunteers: The Benefits of Community Service – University of Nevada, Reno Extension).

For homeschooling families, incorporating homeschooling community projects SA into the educational journey can provide rich, real-world learning experiences that complement academic work.

Finding Volunteer Opportunities in South Africa

So, how can young people in South Africa get involved? The original article suggested asking at local shelters, churches, schools, and food banks. These remain excellent starting points. Here are more avenues:

• Online Platforms: Websites like forgood.co.za list numerous student volunteer opportunities across various sectors in South Africa, allowing searches by interest and location. Many organisations welcome younger volunteers with appropriate supervision.
• National Organisations: Reputable NGOs often have volunteer programmes. For instance, Save the Children South Africa (savethechildren.org.za) accepts volunteer applications and provides a way to contribute to child welfare.
• Animal Welfare: Organisations like the Animal Welfare Society SA (awscape.org.za – Note: confirm the official AWS SA general website) and local SPCAs often need help with animal care, fundraising, or awareness campaigns. Summer’s choice to support AWS during the Simonstown fire shows how specific needs can inspire action.
• Environmental Groups: Many community-based environmental organisations focus on clean-ups, recycling initiatives, or conservation projects suitable for various ages.
• Community Centres and Libraries: These local hubs often run programmes that require volunteer assistance, from helping with children’s activities to supporting events.
• Start Your Own Initiative: Like Summer, young people can identify a need and create their own project, whether it’s fundraising, awareness campaigns, or direct service. This is a fantastic way to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills.

When looking for youth volunteering in South Africa for opportunities, especially for younger children, it is important for parents to research organisations, ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place, and consider what aligns with their child’s interests and skills.

Summer’s Advice for Aspiring Young Volunteers

When asked if she would recommend volunteering to other young people, Summer’s response was an enthusiastic “Absolutely!” She emphasized, “It gives you something that keeps you busy and teaches you to be really grateful for everything you have.”

Her advice to those considering getting involved is simple but profound: “I’d tell them to keep going. Whether it’s big or small, it makes a real difference. Enjoy it and don’t be shy to start, because it can lead you on a fun and joyful journey as you meet new people while doing something to help others.”

Integrating Volunteering into Your Homeschooling Approach

For homeschooling families, community engagement can be seamlessly woven into the curriculum:

1. Identify Passions: What causes or activities is your child passionate about? Aligning volunteering with their interests increases engagement and enjoyment.
2. Research Together: Involve your child in researching local organisations and needs. This can be a learning exercise in itself.
3. Start Small: Even a few hours a month can make a difference. The commitment should be manageable and sustainable.
4. Reflect on Experiences: Encourage your child to talk or write about their volunteer experiences – what they learned, how it made them feel, and the impact they observed. This deepens the learning.
5. Connect to Curriculum: Link volunteering activities to subjects like Life Orientation, Social Sciences, Economics (for fundraising), or even Arts and Crafts, as Summer demonstrated.

Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Giving

The journey of youth volunteering in South Africa offers more than just help to a cause; it builds character, fosters community spirit, and equips young people with invaluable life lessons. Summer Müller Thomson’s initiative is a wonderful example of how creativity and compassion can combine to make a tangible difference.

By encouraging and facilitating community engagement for kids, South African homeschooling parents can provide an enriching dimension to their children’s education, helping them grow into well-rounded, empathetic, and active citizens.

What volunteer activities have your children enjoyed? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below! Please share this article with other homeschooling families and subscribe to our newsletter for more inspiring stories and educational resource