How to Become a Sponsor

Cross-Cultural Solutions is an independent, registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All Cross-Cultural Solutions programs are run solely by volunteer contributions, and therefore each program has a fee. The fee for my 3 week program, including all meals, lodging, travel medical insurance, and in-country transportation, totals $3,219 and does not include airfare to South Africa. This is $153 per day.

To be able to go on this program, I need financial assistance, which I hope you can help provide. If you choose to lend your support to this cause, you’ll be pleased to know that all contributions are 100% U.S. tax-deductible. I am contributing my own money to this trip as well, but I still need help. My goal is to raise $1500 by the end of January 09. My entire program fee is due by March 30, 2009.

You can make a credit card contribution online at http://my.crossculturalsolutions.org.My username is dembrey. MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover card are accepted. A tax receipt will be automatically sent to you via email.

All contributions made by check or money order should be made payable to Cross-Cultural Solutions, but mailed to me. Tax receipts will be sent directly to sponsors making contributions in the amount of $200 or more. Sponsors making a contribution of less then $200 may request a tax document by contacting Cross-Cultural Solutions via phone at 1-800-380-4777 or via email at finance@crossculturalsolutions.org

I appreciate any help you can provide in making my trip possible. Please know that as a Sponsor I will keep you up-to-date on all of my trip preparations as well as details about my volunteer placement. I want my Sponsors to know how their contribution allowed me to impact the children and community of Cape Town.

If you know of any group, club, or organization who might be interested in becoming a Sponsor please let me know. Thank You!!!

Home-Base in Cape Town

While I am in Cape Town I will be staying at 'Home Base' This is a house provided and run by Cross-Cultural Solutions. The house is located in a safe area and provides a home like atmosphere for the volunteers to relax in. There will be about 12 volunteers with me during my three week stay. They provide us with three meals a day - all traditional South African cuisine. They also provide us with transportation to and from our volunteer placement and all cultural learning activities.

The staff who run the home are all from the area and are very knowledgeable about the culture. They will be a great resource for us during our stay - not only in learning more about South Africa, but also in staying safe. I feel much more comfortable staying at 'Home Base' than I would staying with a host family.

Volunteer Work & Cultural Learning Activites

As a volunteer in South Africa I could be involved in a number of different areas -- Caring for infants and children, teaching children, teaching English, assisting teachers, working with people affected by HIV/AIDS, working towards women's empowerment. I won't know my exact volunteer placement until a couple of weeks before I leave, but I know I will be working with kids. I found the pictures above online - this will give you an idea of what a "township" looks like. My volunteer placement won't be located in a township, but I will be working with the people who live there.

Cultural and learning activities are another important component of the Cross-Cultural Solutions program. I will have language classes and discussions with guest speakers on topics important to the country (i.e. apartheid, HIV/AIDS). City excursions including guided walks through historical parts of Cape Town, a visit to Township island, a tour of Cape Castle and local museums will also be a part of my trip.

Why Cape Town, South Africa?

Cape Town is one of the world's most beautiful cities with mountains, valleys and sandy beaches. A variety of environments can be found there, where the beauty of its costal landscape meets a bustling city with a lively cultural scene.
From 1948 to 1991 South Africa's political system was dominated by apartheid, a policy of segregation that isolated blacks in so-called homelands and overcrowded townships. Apartheid was a discriminatory policy that maintained white political and economic privilege in South Africa.
Today, the legacy of apartheid is seen in the wide economic divide amongst it's residents - their homes ranging from mansions to townships(shantytowns). South Africa is making up for decades of social disruption and lost education, but high unemployment and the AIDS epidemic threaten economic progress.

Click on this link to see a Map of Cape Town

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=Cape+Town+map&ll=-33.856732,18.422699&spn=0.501787,1.230469&z=10&iwloc=addr

I'm Going to South Africa!!!

For a long time now I have wanted to travel abroad, but I wanted it to be more than just a 'vacation.' I did my research and found Cross Cultural Solutions, a non-profit volunteer organization. They offer volunteer abroad programs in countries across the world. I chose Cape Town, South Africa. It is absolutely beautiful and there is a lot of need in the community. I don't know my exact volunteer placement yet, but I will definetely be working with children. I am perfectly suited for this with my school social work background. I am so excited for my trip and I know I am going to learn so much! My three week volunteer placement begins May 30, 2009.