Our Philosophy and history
Island Vibe has been operating as a backpackers hostel and an International travellers Lodge for the past 15 years. Before this it was our family home being built around 1970 – we have therefore been resident in this community for the past 40 years. We are located in the Jeffreys Bay township of Pellsrus.
Our location and roots in the township means that we have been involved with our community long before the concept of volunteering existed or became a popular travel idea. We don’t just support projects in the township – we are resident in the community, have friends in the community. In essence these are our neighbours.
We have never gone out looking for projects. Due to our local involvement and reputation we are well known to all the community structures and as such we are constantly approached with short term emergencies and long term needs. Often its just advice or getting involved in fund raising, sometimes a donation is needed towards a special event or project, and sometimes its merely a matter of connecting people that puts the wheels in motion.
Sometimes the synergies between the travelling community and the local community mean that we can establish long term projects which are mutually beneficial. These are listed below as our Volunteer Projects.
As a volunteer you are coming into an area or situation because there are needs. Things are not always perfect especially by first world standards, and it is our belief that while we strive to improve things we do so within the existing structures and practises. Our focus is therefore on long term improvement and sustainability. Sometimes the projects needs and the volunteers needs differ – it is our belief that the project always takes precedence.
Volunteering J-Bay
Although Jbay may conjure up the epitome of lazy days and idyllic lifestyles, it also holds true to a typical South African town of historical strife and separated living between black and white. With this come the obvious layers of social inequalities and the need for community awareness and development.
Although a small township in respect to others one may have seen on TV or heard of in the news, Tokyo Sexwale has as many needs and is the home to as many wants as other townships.
Volunteering in Jeffrey’s Bay has been a slow yet steady growth and has born fruit to a diversity of projects run by different companies, individuals, churches and agencies. All such projects benefit the community at large and have the same common goal – to see to the improvement of living conditions for Jeffreys Bay locals.