BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Meet our volunteers
Volunteers perform a vital role in getting the YfC Knysna message out to the community. They are actively involved in the day-to-day activities offered to the youth & community of Knysna and bring a wealth of skills to the running of our programs.
ALINA OEDER
Hello, my name is Alina Oeder, but you’re also welcome to either call me Lini or Ali as the other volunteers or my host parents do. I decided to move from Nurnberg (Bavaria) in Germany to Knysna for 7 months because I love to explore different places of the world. Not just for two or three weeks but for a period of time which is long enough to build up relationships with people who are living there.
Apart from that, I want to be a friend and supporter for the kids in the townships and have fun with them, show them how to live a self-satisfied life and just influence them in a good way which includes telling them how much God loves them. I believe that sharing Bible-stories as well as living out a daily Christian life and caring about the people around you can change not just the kid’s life but also mine.
JANOUK ELZINGA
I’m Janouk Elzinga. I am originally from the northern part of Holland, a little town called Ryptsjerk. I have lived in South Africa for the past 7 years together with my parents and brothers. After I finished school I wasn’t sure about what I wanted to do next. I prayed and God showed me YFC Knysna. I have been learning a lot here and am growing a little more every day.
JOEL HECKE
Hello, my name is Joel Hecke and I come from Stuttgart in Germany. I am proud to call myself a volunteer at Youth for Christ Knysna.
I am 19 years old and I will be staying in Knysna until May 2017. The decision for me to choose Knysna was really easy. On the one hand I like playing with children and helping them with their education and the projects at YFC Knysna are very helpful as a big focus is on the younger generation – Our and South Africa’s future. I wanted to see how children in another country behaved, how they connected with Jesus and what their values were.
KATHARINA AMENDT
Hey there, my name is Katharina Amendt but actually nobody here is calling me like that. I’m known here as either Katha, Kat, Bloometjie or Bloomie. I’m 20 years old and I‘m from Eisenberg, a town which is near Mainz in the southwestern part of Germany. My intention for coming here to Knysna was to come out of my comfort zone and to serve God in another country.
LAURA RUHLE
Hello. I’m Laura Rühle and 18 years old. I come from Unteröwisheim, near Karlsruhe, in Germany. My intention for coming here to Knysna was to show others and especially the children a piece of heaven and of God’s unconditional love. Besides I want to get to know the South African culture and all the lovely people but also me and my gifts better and to become more independent.
RAHEL HILLMAN
A short intro about myself
As long as I can remember, a big dream of mine was going to an African country and doing ministry there. So after I finished school, I decided to go abroad and let my dream come true.
Why I chose YfC Knysna?
At my Interview at YFC Germany, I was introduced to all the different YFC places in South Africa. And if I’m being honest, I chose YFC Knysna just because I felt like I should go there
REBEKKA KUNZ
Hello,my name is Rebekka Kunz, I’m 19 years old. I come from Altdorf, it’s near Stuttgart, in Germany. During my time in Knysna I want to give God’s love to the kids and tell them the good news.
But I also want to use these months to grow in my faith and strengthen my relationship with God.I know God has great plans for me for my time here and I’m looking forward to discover it! So far I really enjoy the projects with the kids!
And I’m convinced that my time here is going to be amazing.
WHY VOLUNTEER
Numerous studies and articles highlight the benefits of volunteering but in essence, the most important reason to volunteer is Love. The love of sharing knowledge, the love of meeting new people, the love of exploring new places, the love of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and, of course, the love you feel when you have a positive impact on someone’s life. Becoming a volunteer at Youth for Christ Knysna will give you the opportunity to Love.
“Sometimes we want to save the world, make a difference and change lives forever. But often times all we ought to do is love. Love speaks very loud and clear. Louder than many words.”
~ Doralisa Heil (Alumni Volunteer)
Other benefits of volunteering
