Durban, South Africa

Accommodation

The center is located outside of the CBD in the suburb on Durban North. Participants live in shared dormitories with 2-6 people per room. The facility contains bathrooms, communal kitchen and dining room, and a shared common living room. Men and women have separate rooms.

Food

The food supplied by the center is strictly vegetarian, locally purchased to ensure freshness. We maintain a kosher-style kitchen, and supervised food products may be easily purchased in local supermarkets.

All meals are prepared by the center volunteers.

Shabbat and Holidays

The program welcomes religious and non-religious participants. All of the activities organized on Shabbat or Jewish festivals are suitable for those who observe religious practices, however each participant is free to observe Shabbat in their own way.

Each week we arrange kabbalat Shabbat activities and share a festive meal.

Explore South Africa

Participants of the TEN Center in South Africa will have a unique opportunity to explore the local areas and attractions, including the majestic Drakensburg Mountains, the magical Valley of a Thousand Hills, North & South coasts, Elephant coast and the Midlands. Outside of KwaZulu Natal one can go see a safari at Kruger National Park, visit the breathtaking Table Mountain in Cape Town, the striking Wild Coast and the fabulous Garden Route. In addition to the daily volunteer projects and learning components, volunteers will get a chance to explore the flavours, music and unique local culture. During their free weekends, they can tour the province while experiencing sites of historical and cultural significance, hiking the beautiful landscapes and experiencing the local sports.

Safety and Security

The safety and security of our participants is always our number one priority.  Our centers are approved by the Jewish Agency’s Security Department. In addition, we ensure that all of our directors are first aid trained, with immediate access to a full first aid kit. Hospitals and medical centers are located in close proximity, and a car is always available for transportation. Project TEN is committed to continually reviewing and updating our safety procedures in order to protect volunteers and staff from harm.

Volunteer Projects

The TEN Center in Durban, South Africa operates projects in three main areas: informal education, sustainable agriculture and public health.

HEALTH

• Coming Soon...

EDUCATION

• We have established youth movements in schools in Amaoti - a township in Durban - and in Tumaini - a newly established facility for refugees. We run our activities once a week, every day with a different group and on different subjects. Our Youth movements will follow a syllabus – teaching about community, responsibility, local heroes and personal strengths, amongst other things. Eventually, we aim for these youth to run the movements themselves.
• Operating Holiday Camps during school holidays. During holidays children have nowhere to go, and are more susceptible to risky behavior. We will provide a safe, educational and fun environment for them to be during their vacations.
• Adult computer literacy program - we will show adults what is a computer and what are its functions. For the first time in their lives they will learn how to use a computer, what the World Wide Web is and so much more.
• Academic support programs – we provide academic students from both the Amaoti Township and the local refugee community. We make learning fun and try to introduce creative learning techniques.

AGRICULTURE

• We are partnering with local schools and organizations to work on urban agricultural projects – aiming to get youth and adults alike to learn how to grow their own food.

Join us - apply now!

Local Need

KwaZulu-Natal province is a subtropical region, roughly the size of Portugal. It has a multi-racial population of about 10.5 million people, which comprises of about twenty percent of the country's total population.

While the vast majority of the people in the province are Zulu, there is a large Indian population and a significant Caucasian population. While the largest religion is Christianity, Durban has the largest Indian population outside the Indian sub-continent, therefore integrating a considerable amount of Hindu and Muslim faiths too. There is also a long established, but small Jewish community.

The province is at the epicentre of the world's AIDS epidemic. Widespread poverty, with an unemployment rate of 40%, has required innovative programs in health care, education and agricultural, in all of which Project Ten excels.

Local Partners

• The South African Zionist Federation (SAZF)

The South African Zionist Federation is the umbrella organisation responsible for all aspects of Zionist activity inthe Jewish community of South Africa. The KwaZulu-Natal Zionist Council (KNZC) is affiliated to the SAZF promoting love of Israel amongst the Durban Jewish community. For more information see: www.sazionfed.co.za 

• Domino Foundation

The Domino foundation seeks to assist and empower the most needy and vulnerable people in various communities. Their programmes aim to equip individuals physically, emotionally, socially, cognitively and spiritually to enable just, dignified and purpose filled lives. The Domino Foundation has a wide scope of projects from Feeding Programmes, Early Childhood Development, Babies' Homes, Life Skills, Literacy Programmes, Red light programme and recycling.

• Denis Hurley Centre

Named after Denis Hurley who was Durban's archbishop for 45 years who was known throughout South Africa and abroad as a ambassador for justice and peace. He was a dedicated opponent of apartheid and forward thinking churchman.

The Denis Hurley Centre aims to serve the poorest people in Durban of all faiths, skin color and ethnic or cultural background. Working with South Africans, as well as refugees the Denis Hurley Centre offer services through their clinic, feeding scheme, language teaching, vocational training, educational and community support and pastoral outreach.

• PROTEC

PROTEC is a leading South African non-profit organization, operating nationally in the field of STEM education since 1982. They run an excellence programme for disadvantaged learners that have the potential and the right attitude to change the course of their lives. Project TEN has partered with PROTEC to start their very first adult computer literacy course.

• The Victor Daitz Foundation

The Victor Daitz Foundation was bequeathed by the late Victor Daitz stating preference to be given to a wide range of beneficiaries in KwaZulu-Natal. While the foundation makes major contribution towards the needs of all community groups in South Africa, a significant portion of its funds are directed towards the Aids pandemic and the needs of the historically deprived, disadvantaged groups in South African society. Thus, the Foundations contributes to a myriad of projects such as hospices, research, education, organizations supporting disabled, skills training programs, bursaries for secondary and tertiary levels, Jewish charities and much more.

Join us - apply now!