Welcome
Beyond borders: The impact of Weltwärts volunteers in South Africa
To kick off our #VolunteerVoices series, we visited two Weltwärts volunteers, Lea Franzky and Julie Dolge, at the Baphumelele Children’s Home in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
About the Weltwärts programme
The Weltwärts programme, launched in 2008 by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), empowers young people to engage in global development through volunteer service.
Weltwärts, which translates as ‘worldwards’, supports young people looking to make an impact for the good of our world and going ‘worldwards’ has been possible through the programme’s development volunteer service.
The programme operates as a joint initiative between the BMZ, civil-society organisations, and past volunteers and receives 75% of funding from the BMZ, while the remaining share comes from participating civil-society organisations.
The programme offers young people aged 18 to 28 from Germany the opportunity to volunteer for up to a year in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Oceania, or Eastern Europe (North-South component). It also welcomes the same age group from these regions to volunteer in Germany (South-North component).
In South Africa, there are around 150 Weltwärts volunteers. We will be meeting up with some of them and will featuring them and their projects in our #VolunteerVoices series.
Volunteering at Baphumelele: Lea and Julie’s Journey with Weltwärts
To kick off our #VolunteerVoices series, we visited two Weltwärts volunteers, Lea Franzky and Julie Dolge, at the Baphumelele Children’s Home in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
We were inspired by their stories which reflect the impact of international volunteer work and the deep connections they have built with the children and the community.
The children’s home, founded during apartheid, has long relied on volunteers. The founder, - Rosalia Mashale or Mama Rosie, as she’s affectionally known, a primary school teacher, moved to Khayelitsha and was heartbroken to see young children going through the rubbish dump searching for food while their parents were away during the day. She took them into her home, and with the help of women from the community, began caring for them. Within a week, 36 children had joined. The project was named Baphumelele, a Xhosa word meaning “you have progressed”. Since then, the home has relied on volunteers to support its mission.
Baphumelele aims to provide shelter for vulnerable children and young adults with chronic diseases and HIV/AIDS, while promoting skills development, early childhood care, poverty alleviation, and healthcare education in Khayelitsha. The volunteers’ contributions are invaluable, and their presence helps sustain the home’s mission.
Why volunteer? Lea and Julie’s motivation
Lea (26) always had the desire to volunteer but decided to complete her studies first. The idea never left her, and after finishing her degree, she pursued her dream. Choosing South Africa was an intuitive decision, and she took the opportunity when a position became available.
Julie (18) wanted to do something meaningful after school before heading to university. She had always dreamed of working with children in Africa, experiencing a different culture, and gaining a new perspective on life.
Making an impact: What they do
Lea primarily assists the manager and is involved in developing a tech hub for the children. “I appreciate the variety of tasks and the unique personal growth opportunities that volunteering offers — something which I believe is rare in my home country [Germany],” she said.
Julie works in the Baby House, caring for infants by feeding, dressing, and playing with them. She finds joy in bringing comfort to the children, especially in the absence of their mothers. “My time at the home has deepened my appreciation for everyday conveniences, such as consistent access to water, which is not always guaranteed in Khayelitsha,” she said.
Typically, Weltwärts volunteers commit to a year of service. Lea arrived in August and is considering extending her stay by another six months, while Julie joined in September. While safety concerns prevent them from exploring Khayelitsha freely, they feel secure and welcome at Baphumelele. They appreciate the support system and security briefings they received on their arrival.
The lasting impact
Lea and Julie’s dedication at Baphumelele exemplifies the program’s mission — fostering solidarity, knowledge sharing, and making a tangible difference in communities worldwide.
Read more on the Weltwärts programme and how to become a volunteer here.
Learn more about Baphumelele Children’s Home here.