Page 40 - Thola Issue 17

38 Education Department
– rather like connecting the dots.
So, for instance, participants passed around an apartheid era photograph. Participants (mostly the older generation) were able to give their comments and in this way, the young learnt from the old and vice versa. The event proved to be
a great success and the performance by Burundi Drummers was electric.
OUR INVALUABLE VOLUNTEERS
The Museum believes that in order to achieve its goals, the active participation of citizens in the community is essential. The Museum therefore encourages the involvement of volunteers at all levels within the organisation and within
all appropriate projects and activities. The Museum takes on an average of
30 volunteers every year to assist in different areas. About 95% of these are involved in programmes of the Education Department.
Volunteers are trained at the beginning of the year in a two-week course formulated and presented by
the education officers. Although the volunteers work in all spheres of the Museum, their activities are coordinated by the education officers. Our volunteers are a major resource and make a vital contribution to our vision. They bring new skills and perspectives to the
Volunteers serve as hosts to provide a welcoming atmosphere. In many cases, they are the Museum’s ‘front line’.
Museum and can undertake activities that would not otherwise be carried out.
There are several volunteer task categories within the volunteer programme. One of these task categories includes being stationed
in the Museum galleries to engage
with visitors to the Museum, answer questions, monitor visitor behaviour, promote museums and other Durban attractions and when required,
provide guided tours of the Museum. Volunteers serve as hosts to provide a welcoming atmosphere. In many cases, they are the Museum’s ‘front line’. They serve as interpreters for the Museum’s exhibitions, helping to provide the visitor with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the exhibits.
As we bid farewell to our 2014
volunteers, we welcome our volunteers for 2015.
KEEPING KIDS ENGAGED DURING HOLIDAYS
The Museum has a number of fun activities for children who visit the City Hall galleries and the KwaZuzulwazi (KZ) Discovery Centre (based at KwaMashu Library, ‘E Section’) during the school holidays. The programme is designed for children living in the areas close to these two sites so that they realise that the Museum spaces are available for them to use – not just for school-based activities but also for fun, exciting activities.
The programme implements various educational and fun activities in order
to keep children and youth positively engaged, entertained and safeguarded during their school holidays. The programme is targeted at children aged between seven and 14 years of age. Our exciting activities include Night at the Museum, Museum Chef classes, Magic Show, Christmas Factory, art classes and educational movies. So parents, you now know where to send your little ones during the school holidays.
BELOW: Deron Dlamini conducting Go-Wild activities at Luthuli Museum.
BELOW RIGHT: Museum staff and volunteers couldn’t hide their excitement after team building activities at Shongweni.
RIGHT: Busi Gumede conducting Holiday Programme activities.
FAR RIGHT: Deron Dlamini showcasing specimens during IMD 2014.
thola: VOLUME 17. 2014/15