Tube ‘n Axe has been involved in the local community in many ways and is always keen to get involved in projects that involve community upliftment.
We have various options available to anyone interested in helping out in Storms River.
Hostel Guests Karen & Amanda - Overlanders do thier bit - Nomad Tours get involved
help with handouts for Storms River
Project Management
The main industry in the Tsitsikamma is forestry and employs the majority of our population. Local saw mills and timber supply companies are the main employers but there are a number of subsidiary ventures that employ people to maintain and keep the plantations in shape.
These companies have an obligation to ensure that their labour force’s basic needs are being attended to.
In the Storms River area Municipal input is slow, but local companies are willing to sponsor projects with money and materials if structures are put in place and projects managed properly.
We will gladly advertise sponsorship companies by way of links and blogs on our websites and billboards at the actual site of interest.
Post regarding project management would require long term volunteering to ensure that applications are seen through and that the implementation processes are carried out or handed over correctly.
Bethesda Rehabilitation Centre
Bethesda Rehabilitation centre has set up a trust and is in the process of raising funds to buy premises adjacent to the school to be set up as a playground. If you’re interested in this process and would like to get involved please contact Colin on +27 (0) 42 281 1430.
Storms River Project
The Storms River Project is a not for profit community development project based in Storms River Village, South Africa. The project is run from Tube 'n Axe backpackers.
The backpackers is a base from which volunteers can participate in various community initiatives. It offers the opportunity to contribute constructively to a developing community without paying the costly administration fees of other volunteer projects.
There are various community initiatives which have already been put in place by the project such as teaching, providing a playground for the 'township' and improvement of the security of Storms River Primer school.
The volunteers that come along will experience flexibility since an individual programme will be planned. We aim to use each individual's personal skills and interest to further develop the community.
Our vision is to help community to rise from a poverty stricken rural township to a place where education and skills empower the local community to improve their own situation. in a country where until recently the apartheid regime made the oppression of these communities a fact of life it is time to give them the tools to help themselves. Our initiatives all involve the cooperation of locals and volunteers working together to create a sustainable change in the community.
Teaching
Grade 4 await instruction Volunteer teacher Neasa gets out her red pen Helping out
Storms River Primary School.
Schools in Tsitsikamma are all first language Afrikaans and most of the teachers are by no means fluent in English.
Storms River Primary School has a desperate need for voluntary teacher help for children aged between 6 and 13 years.
The main need here is Teaching English, sports and computer skills.
Volunteer teaching posts are suitable to short and long term stays.
ECO Schools
SANParks Tsitsikamma already has an ECO Schools program running which can facilitate volunteers in the Tsitsikamma area. Eco schools focuses on educating children with regard to environmental issues such as preservation and conservation of our environment, by building awareness, recycling, gardening etc.
SANParks programs require long-term volunteers, as training is essential.
Day Care
Gloria has a started home crèche in Storms River and takes care of the little ones while parents are at work. She has applied for land on which to operate and sponsorship but municipal processes in Tsitsikamma are slow and the demand is ever increasing for her services. She desperately needs help speeding up the process as well as creative input and hands on help with the kids and her current infrastructure. Day care posts are suitable for short and long-term stays but infrastructure development projects, depending on their size, might be more suitable to long term stays.
Mission of the Storms River Project
At the moment the mission of the project is to supply computer lessons to the community of Storms River Village. Before any classes can start a space is needed to store the computers and laptops. As soon as a building is available, the computers will be installed and the lessons can start.
An initiative of the community is to start a library and a resource centre. It would be ideal to combine the computerroom, the library and the resource centre in one building. Though, this is a long term plan.
Manual Labour
There’s plenty hands-on work available.
Our schools infrastructure needs attention and SANParks have various hands on environmental posts that can accommodate long-term volunteers.
Posts
@ Stormsriver Backpacker for short-term stays: 2 weeks to two months, 840 / week
Includes:
- Accommodation: twin room including shared kitchenette, shared washrooms and toilets Post
8:00am - 2:00pm community volunteering
@ Stormsriver Backpacker for medium- or long-term stays: 3-6 months
Includes:
- Accommodation: Twin room including shared kitchenette, shared washrooms and toilets
Post
8:00am - 2:00pm community volunteering
5:00pm - 9:00pm project admin and/or hospitality.
We cannot provide reception or bar jobs for short-term volunteers, as training is costly and time consuming.
Our nearest town (65km from Storms River Village) is Plettenberg Bay and we run trips to town every week.
Volunteers will be welcome to come along at their convenience.
Program Rules:
All volunteers shall sign the Tube 'n Axe/Storms River Project public awareness document on arrival and before commencement of any community work in Storms River under the guidance of Tube 'n Axe Backpackers Lodge staff, current volunteers, and or associates. This document explicitly indemnifies Tube 'n Axe Backpackers Lodge staff, current volunteers, and or associates against any activity outside of the program times and jurisdiction that may lead to incident accident injury or death.
Our volunteering programs are run strictly during work hours and any extra mural activity or programs taken on by volunteers shall not be the responsibility of Tube ‘n Axe Backpackers Lodge its staff or associates.
Volunteers are hereby explicitly advised that we do not recommend visitations to the RDP housing development out of office hours due to the high crime rate in Storms River West.
We recommend that all volunteers arrange an escort should they wish to visit in the RDP housing development in Storms River West outside of office hours
Should volunteers choose to do so, Tube ‘n Axe, its staff and associates do not accept any responsibility of any activity outside of the program times and jurisdiction that may lead to incident accident injury or death.
Tube ‘n Axe Backpackers Lodge staff reserved the right of admission to our premises and is under strict instruction from management to turn down local trade.
Volunteers shall therefore not arrange visitations from any Storms River local person to the premises without the prior consent of management.
Volunteers are herby advised of the Tube 'n Axe company policies file that is kept and made readily available to staff and long term volunteers in the Tube 'n Axe reception area.
We strongly recommend steering clear of sexual relations with any residents from the Storms River and Tsitsikamma area as HIV and AIDS statistics are extremely high in these areas.
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