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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.

 

Become A Volunteer

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

Mano Smets

Belgian intern January- April 2025

First to arrive in January was Mano Smets, all the way from Antwerp to do her internship in applied psychology for three months! Mano put a project together for the kids in The Crags about countries, food, customs and skills all around the world. She put all her passion, knowledge and love into this, which made it into a great
success. We will miss you, but are also sure you will visit again someday, Mano! All the best and thank you!

 

Marie- Eugénie Vion

French volunteer January- April 2025

Our only lady from France, la belle Marie Eugenie Vion! She arrived in January and immediately helped a lot with our uniform drive. She went along to all the different communities before starting her project in Formosa Primary School. During her three months with us, she also assisted at the camps for learners from grade 2 up till grade 5, joined us on the educational holiday outings to Nature’s Valley and helped during the Easter holiday activities. Bien merci, Marie! We hope you will visit again soon!

Alysée Vanvelthoven

Belgian volunteer, February until May 2025

Alysée Vanvelthoven fell in love with South Africa when she did volunteer work elsewhere and this year she came back for Born in Africa! Together with Manon, she supported the teachers at Kranshoek Primary and organized fun activities for the Born in Africa children. Alysée is from Belgium and spent 4 months with us during her gap year after her high school . We wish her all the best for her studies which she is commencing later this year!

 

Emily Coessens

Belgian intern, February 2025 till June 2025

At the beginning of the year, we welcomed 3 Belgian interns from HoWest, studying Applied Psychology. Emily Coessens is one of them and chose to work alongside Mano in The Crags. After Mano left, Emily started her own project where kids learned all about space! It was amazing to go on this journey to the different planets with her. Thank you for everything!

Evelien Arens

Belgian intern, February 2025 till June 2025

Evelien Arens is another student from HoWest and immediately fell in love with Formosa Primary School. She worked together with Marie and also offered life skills classes to the children of Born in Africa in New Horizons. She taught them more about resilience, first aid and some cooking skills all through the theme of “Movies and series” which is so interesting for the kids of all ages! You’ll be missed, Evelien!

Manon Pinet

Belgian intern, February till June 2025

Last of the three musketeers from HoWest, is Manon Pinet. She made up team Kranshoek with Alysée and took the children of BIA on a trip through time. Manon learned them all about Roman customs and numerals, skills that were important in the Middle Ages and their own talents. At Kranshoek Primary, Manon took time to empower children who struggle socially, emotionally or academically. So important in these communities where children and families go through a lot of hardship. Thank you, Manon!

Kato Louryssen & Marie Van Lysebetten (volunteer)

Belgian intern, August till December 2025

Kato did a four-month internship at Born in Africa during her final year of her Bachelor’s degree in Socio- Educational Care Work at AP University College. Together with Marie Van Lysebetten, a volunteer for three months, she organised all kinds of fun activities on the theme of “Under the Sea”. Recycling, sea creatures, meditation – it was all covered for the children who attended the sessions after school at the BIA educational centre in Kranshoek. In addition, she also supported primary school pupils in the mornings with their maths, reading and social development. Marie also helped out in the kindergarten class at school. Thank you for everything!

Emma Coenen & Roos Piscaer (volunteer)

Belgian intern, August till December 2025

Emma, also an intern in Socio- Educational Care Work at AP, was a great support to the teachers at The Crags Primary School for four months! At the end of September, she was joined by Roos from the Netherlands, and together they taught children of different ages about holidays in different cultures, effective voice use and self-confidence, all within the framework of their “Culture Club” theme! What a great team!

Janne De Schepper & Joris Pacquot

Belgian interns, August till December 2025

Janne, student in Socio- Educational Care Work, and Joris, a student of Social Work at EHB, formed a great team at the Formosa primary school in New Horizons. Together with their fellow volunteers, they set up a crowdfunding campaign after seeing the need for reusable water bottles. To raise awareness among the children, they regularly organised litter collection campaigns at their school. In their afternoon programme, they taught the children magic tricks, acrobatics and juggling as part of their “Circus” project, culminating in a spectacular show at the end of their time at BIA!

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

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