I cleanned, fed, taught and played with the kids of Caasah. Established circle line, educatinal activities and resources. The kids at Caasah are special. My experience at Caasah had a positive impact in my life. I introduced in the children's routine methods to help them break some habbits and developed educational activities.

Hazel Jooste
Feb - March, 2007

I relized that just being there and playing with the kids was appreciated. I played with the kids, holded the babies, changed diapers. We liked to draw, play with chalk, watch tv and do puzzles. We went on field trips on fridays which were a lot of fun and know the kids loved them. The zoo was the best. This experience at Caasah was a positive impact in my life and I suggest future volunteers to be educated about HIV/AIDS, be creative. Caasah is work. Be prepared with the most energy.

Norah Thompson
Jan - Feb, 2007

The patients at Caasah are in need of a lot of love and affection. The most rewarding part of my work was seeing growth and positive changes in the patients, knowing that I helped bringing a little sunshine to their difficult lives. This placement requires a lot of initiative on the volunteers part - don't be afraid to take initiative in bringing your own skills and talent to Caasah.

I developed with the kids activities of arts & crafts, painting, puzzles, etc. I played with toddlers and babies and I made shoulder/ hand/ foot massage and yoga with the adults. working with the adults was especially meaningful cause they loved doing yoga and painting and they enjoyed hand/ shoulder massage as well.

My experience at Caasah placement had a positive impact in my life. I suggest future volunteers to try to engage the adults as well as the children -they need just as much attention and affection as the children even though it takes little longer for them to warm up to you.

Most of all, both the children and the adults need to be loved - come with an open heart and show them - children and adults - that you really care about them. That is the greatest gift you can give them.

Erin Wilson

January, 2007

we showed the staff and patients that we weren't just there to take care of them. we were interested and enthysiastic about learning the patients back grounds by asking questions and speaking to onsite staff and doctors to get a clearer understanding of who we were working with and where they were coming from.

We played games with the children, helped them with their homework, taught English and Math, Arts&Crafts, supervised on the field trips, changed diapers, got toddlers ready for the day. We played games with the adults, supervised on field trips. the most important activities (projects) I developed at Caasah were: collages and paiting.


It is a challenging placement. Go with the flow and try to relax.


Gabriela Olivares
Feb. - April, 2007

I talked with the adults, went to the field trips with the children, played with the kids. Try to gain the trust of the children and be patient. Talk to the Caasah staff and the adults.

Emily Kuhl
March, 2007

"The kids need love and affection so much, and it is so easy for us to help them and give to them. My experience at Caasah had a highly positive impact. I played, walked, read, changed diapers, fed babies and disciplined the kids. The most important project that i developed was the book and the schedule and the posters of the kids. I suggest future volunteers don't take the kids too seriously, they don't have families and it takes them a long time to trust. Keep trying."

Eliza Harris
CCS Volunteer
Jan - March 2007