Meet Our Volunteers

The success Born In Africa has enjoyed so far is only possible thanks to our wonderful volunteers and the work that they are doing. As a volunteer in South Africa, you will be given the opportunity to help our children in the schools and offer administrative assistance in our office. Thanks to you, the BIA children will be given a better education, which will lead to better future opportunities.

I give permission to Born in Africa to use my personal details within the guidelines of the BIA Privacy Policy.

If you’re interested in contributing to our organisation or would like more information, please fill in the application form and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Born in Africa would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers for their commitment (and time) in aiding the BIA team in South-Africa. Their support is an integral component of our organization!

Our Volunteers of 2026

Cato Huys

Belgian intern February- May 2026

Cato was one of the three HoWest ‘musketeers’ who undertook their work placement at Born in Africa at the start of the year. Cato, a Social Work student, is passionate about inclusive and empowering practices, and incorporated this into her project focusing on the Space in Kranshoek. Thank you for inspiring our future space explorers and for all your help!

Dieter Van Eeckaute

Belgian intern February- June 2026

HoWest’s second musketeer is Dieter, a student of Applied Psychology. He helped the children at Formosa Primary School in the mornings and based his project on ‘Cultures in After-School Clubs’ there.

WhatsApp Image 2026-04-28 at 09.43.30 (1)

Lennert Dermul

Belgian intern, February - May 2026

Last but not least is our third musketeer from HoWest, Lennert Dermul. A keen kickboxer himself, he brought the idea to South Africa to work on values and standards across various sports. The children at The Crags thoroughly enjoyed all the disciplines! Lennert also took part in four camps during his placement and thought the talent show and the walk were brilliant. Thank you for all your help and enthusiasm!

Hanna Van der Aa

Dutch volunteer, February- May 2026

Hanna heard about Born in Africa through an acquaintance in the Netherlands and was immediately convinced that this was the project she wanted to spend a few months with during her gap year. She made the most of her three months and did so many fun activities with the children at Formosa Primary School and in Kwanokuthula!

Heidi & Erwin

Dutch volunteers, February- March 2026

Erwin is always up for a project and helps us with odd jobs and painting! Heidi, on the other hand, loves spending as much time as possible with the children. She helped out at Wittedrift Primary and assisted with our swimming lessons! Thanks to them, all the BIA children were able to enjoy Valentine’s Day activities and biscuits. Children from The Crags were allowed to spend the day at Peppermill, where they baked their own pizzas! As if that weren’t enough, they also organised cooking classes for a group of girls at The Crags! There, they learnt valuable skills and showcased their talents during a farewell braai. Brilliant!

Juliette Dusseljee

Dutch volunteer, January- February 2026

Juliette was happy to give of her time whilst she was staying in Plettenberg Bay for a month. A few days a week, she helped the teachers in the special needs class at Formosa Primary School. Her many years of experience working with this group in the Netherlands proved to be a huge asset. Thank you!

Bart Verbruggen

Belgian volunteer, February- June 2026

Bart accompanied his wife to South Africa whilst she was doing an internship at a local nursery. He wanted to put his time to good use and found exactly what he was looking for at Born in Africa! Thanks to his hands-on approach, a whole host of projects have finally been completed!

Ronny & Guido

Belgian volunteers, January- May 2026

Ronny and Guido make up our dynamic duo: they spend six months of the year in South Africa and are always there for us. In January, they helped hand out the uniforms, and over the past few months they have also taken pupils to the dentist or optician.
They are always ready to help wherever needed; at swimming lessons, in the soup kitchen with Catherine on Saturdays, and they also joined us on our recent outings! We count ourselves lucky to have them in our team for half the year and will miss them when they’re gone!

Day in the life of a volunteer at Born in Africa

Have a listen to a podcast by Amber and Adelheid (volunteer in 2021) about their experience as a volunteer at Born in Africa. (In Dutch only)

Lisa De Vos

Hello, I am Lisa De Vos and I’m 24 years old. I am proud to say that for three months I am part of the Born in Africa family! In Belgium, I am doing my senior master year in Educational Sciences. This internship abroad is an opportunity to broaden my horizons as a student and as a professional. I am honoured to be here and I must say it is an amazing experience!

Pia Gackstatter

I’m Pia Gackstatter, 19 years old from Germany. After my A-levels I decided to take a gap year to gain diverse experiences; one of them includes being a volunteer at Born in Africa. Not only does Born in Africa give the children great opportunities and perspectives, but it provides a chance for us volunteers as well: experiencing new cultures, understanding different backgrounds and appreciating the joy of the children. I’m looking forward to upcoming experiences and I am happy to be part of such a valuable project.

Michèle Kouws

Hi, I am Michèle Kouws and am 20 years old. I am in my final year of a Bachelor’s in Social Educational work. My dream was to do an internship abroad, so I am very happy this is coming true. Our project is about themes such as team building, trust, self-defence and responsibility. We want to make the children aware of these important issues in life. I think this internship is a unique experience, which I will never forget

Roxanne Caumette

Hello, I am Roxanne Caumette and I am 22 years old. I am studying to become a Social Educational Worker at the AP Hogeschool in Antwerp. I have chosen to do a four- month internship at Born in Africa as part of my studies. I want to broaden my horizons, be more independent and get to know myself. In the mornings I work together with Lisa at the Kranshoek Primary School where we give extra support in Maths to the children in grades 1,2 and 3. In the afternoons we go to the Born in Africa Education Centre in Kranshoek where we teach children from grades 1 – 9 health and movement.

Our volunteers over the past years

2025: Mano Smets, Marie- Eugénie Vion, Alysée Vanvelthoven, Emily Coessens, Evelien Arens, Manon Pinet, Kato Lauryssen, Marie Van Lysebetten, Emma Coenen, Roos Piscaer, Janne De Schepper, Joris Pacquot, Andrea Barlow

2024: Yenthé Beel, Sandy Frisch, Vincent Goupille, Rebecca Blanco, Justine Freu, Charlotte Thomas, Yente Van Der Borght, Kato Pourbaix, Lina Van Waeyenberg, Remko Roobaert, Deniz Hazar

2023: Berenice Chabanel, Marie Dufour, Yenthe Beel, Nina Van Acoleyen, Liselot Van Nieuwenhuyze, Jara Vercauteren, Jits Van Damme, Hanna Tiedemann, Aniek Cirkel, Faustine Debus, Lumir De la Ville de Beaugé, Lien Van Ham, Cate Dodkin, Paola Von Wachter, Konstantin Kutzner, Jens Cobussen, Alcide Paget

2022: Amber Wittouck, Diete Lezy, Simon Krause, Mathisse Noelmans, Liselot Van Nieuwenhuyze, Pauline Maelfait, Logan Jooste, Marshalle Jonkerman, Limke Hendrickx, Chiara Furfari, Mia Wiesmann, Evi Van Poucke and Inte Christiaensen

2021: Amber Wittouck, Adelheid Logghe, Beatrice Verga, Diete Lezy

2020: Amber Wittouck, Franziska Karrenbrock, Selina Billet, Julie Vandeput, Diete Lezy, Shauni Dekeyzer, Steffie Van Cauwenberghe

2019: Olivia Martin, Dominik Geissler, Amelie Gensel, Sofie Segers, Hannah Van Caneghem, Femke Gerlo, Ulrike Vlemincx, Sina Rilling, Karen Poelman, Bodi Janssen, Nicole Catteeuw, Olivier Dhoore, Kristel Vandenschrieck, Robbin Huijers, Amber De Voecht, Hanne Valcke, Lara Van Parijs, Lisa Heubach, Ulrike Verhulst and Jonas De Nyn

2018: Demi Mullie, Laurien Namotte, Justine Peten, Melissa Hauser, Pia Gackstatter, Lilianne Van Acker, Wouter Quintens, Julie Stroobants, Anna Vollmer, Janne Gebruers, Raïssa Van Peer, Freya Weverbergh, Robbin Huijers and Marie König

2017: Sepke Stellamans, Julia Benner, Britt Goris, Lindsey Brans, Veronique Claes, Sofie Synnesael, Michele Kouws, Roxanne Caumette, Hilke Declercq, Lisa De Vos

2016: Sophie Albrecht, Jan Lorent, Marlies Augustijns, Jolien Meyssen, Jill Vanhamel, Nele Leen, Sofie Vanden Broeck, Eline Raedschelders, Job Heijnen, Taoufik Grich, Emma Reynaert, Emma Irvine

2015: Juliet Desmet, Wiebke Dorfs, Rien Claes, Frania Czekaj, Sander van den Broeck, Kilian Peire, Babette Lievens, Emeline Halleux, Laura van Ingelgom, Emma Ervine.

2014: Lore Kriekemans, Loesje Dhelft, Jolien Nijs, Virginie Boucquey, Tine Claes, Kim Carnoy, Sarah Rogiers, Veronique Claes.

2013: Rob Frans, Veronique Claes, Bart Timmermans, Karen Schaefer, Tessy Willems, Dorien van den Broeck, Dirk Verlinden, Joenah Malot, Talitha Delaere, Sara de Vleeschouwer, Lorri Sanfilippo, Charlene van Loock, Alexandra Rondas, Caroline van Mello.

2012: Caro Van der Schueren, Jasper Lauwyck, Rob Johnston, Els Casteleyn, Lotte Van Buyten, Ann Gruwier, Miet Verstraete, Gilles De Baere, Elke De Hertogh, Siyasanga Tenge, Rob Frans, Véronique Claes, Sandy Graiy, Bart Timmermans, Karen Schaefer

2011: Nele Schroyen, Sarah De Keukeleere, Anne Mertens, Katrien Vandamme, Lotte Van Buyten, Lena Schuler, Marianne Dhyon, Anne Cobussen

2010: Charlotte Houthoofd, Jozefien Heyte, Wendy Neyrinck, Lot Fonteyne, Griet Jans, Fien De Greef, Kathleen Buffels, Karl Leenknegt, Christina Jaschinski, Hayley Bicknell, Anne Overlaet, Valerie Vancoppenolle, Charlotte Van Hoorebeke, Ben Daems, Sharon Willems

2009: Serena Tufo, Hannah Baets, Anneleen De Smet, Dietlinde Oppalfens, Eric Reyntjens, Sarah Biesemans, Hanne Bossuyt, Tamara Goethals, Julia Michel, Saskia Kuliga, Anika Kirchner, Kristien Seghers, Lotte Van Buyten, Charlotte Mbuyi, Jo Schellen, Leentje Eeckhout, Jorgi van Hoof, Elke De Hertogh, Gerlinde De Boodt, Joke Gils, Lieve Poppe

2008: Krista Vleeschouwers, Mireille Vanhoutryve, Elena Hage, Inge Mommaerts, Kathleen Hufkens, Patrick van Herp, Veerle De Roeck, Fiona Klomp, Katrien Verhoogen, Laura Vereecken, Dianne Dijkstra, Iris Vande Velde

2007: Pieter-Alexander Van Aken, Jan Boone, Joke Goedweeck, Sarah Vleugels, Liesbeth Van de Velde, Evi Uylenbroeck, Els Van der Haegen, Pieter Thys, Marc Schooneman, Nienke Van Geesbergen, Erik Elderman, Jana Govaerts

2006: Anke Decabooter, Elke IJzerman, Greet Van Dooren, Marjan Klingels, Seppe Declerq, Sylvie Morel, Yo Breynaert, Lut Vergauwen, Irène Franck, Sahin Toch, Céline Van de Weghe, Jeroen Vercruysse, Katleen Noels, Sascha Reunes, Bianca Hagen, Katrien Mostmans, Nathalie Jochems

2005: Hans Antonise, Inge Van Ammel, Pieter Story, Joke Smissaert, Pauline Nsanze, Elke IJzerman, Katrien Keppens, Katrien Piesens, Nina Hollanders, Doenja Goudsmedt, Inez de gryze, Joke Donderwolcke, Leen Boeykens

2004: Anneke Gerbrands, Karin Haeverans, Trientsje Van de Meer, Willemien Hoogerwaard, Yvette Westhoff, Barbara Vandenbroucke, Bart Van cauwenbergh, Dagmar Zwebe, Marije van den Hove

2003: Tiene Moenaert, Stijn Ingelaere, Sofie Wieërs, Lieve Platteau, Peter Peusens, Guy Capals, Joke Sweygers, Tim Steenwegen, Catherine Antoine, Patricia van der Beek, Steven Sergeant