JEFFREYS BAY – The JBay Recycling Project in the Eastern Cape is calling for community volunteers to step forward and support a vital weekly programme that serves around 200 children every Monday.
This call comes as their current team of dedicated volunteers prepares to complete their gap year journey.
As previously reported, the JBay Recycling Project was initially established in 2011 to alleviate poverty and pollution by providing access to basic essentials for children, while simultaneously cleaning up the environment and educating the youth about the importance of a healthy environment.
Since January, the students from the Victory Gap Year (VGY) programme have been the backbone of the project’s Monday operations, but their time at the JBay Recycling Project has come to an end, leaving a significant gap in volunteer support through to 8 December.
Tanja Lategan, the JBay Recycling Project coordinator, said that they have been extremely fortunate to have the VGY students as volunteers at JBay Recycling Project.
“Since January, they have assisted the children who visit the project every Monday. They have really been such a joy, but their programme is coming to an end and they are not available for most of the remainder of 2025,” said Lategan.
The VGY students, aged between 19 and 25 and based at Victory Church in Jeffreys Bay, initially volunteered from 14:00 to 16:00 on Mondays. Lategan said that while the students were slightly unsure at first about what was expected, they soon gained confidence and became invaluable team members.
“They soon felt confident enough to slot in anywhere from assisting the children to carry their bags, getting registration cards, checking, sorting and weighing each contribution, washing hands, assisting with shopping, dishing up meals, washing up and lots and lots of playing, drawing, colouring, joking, praise and heartfelt connections,” said Lategan.
She said that the teen girls who deliver recyclable material on Mondays feel very special when they receive recognition from the young women from VGY, while the little kids love playing with the young male students and using them as “jungle gyms”.
“It’s wonderful to see the joy the children find in the students’ company,” said Lategan.
“The children are often shy when they first meet the students, but they are treated with such kindness that on their next visit they run straight up to their preferred volunteer whom they have identified as their friend.”
Lategan said that these volunteers have removed a huge amount of stress from the JBay Recycling Project’s coordination.
She said that knowing they have sufficient manpower to cater for every child who wants to participate allows them the freedom to move around and iron out any challenges immediately.
Since the students will be completing their programme at the JBay Recycling Project soon, Lategan said that they need people who can volunteer between 11:30 and 17:00 every Monday to help children exchange their recycling for essential items in their swop shop. With around 200 children visiting weekly, she said that they require a minimum of 15 volunteers on site, though 25 is preferred to avoid rushing the children and allow time for play.
“Even if you are available for an hour or two, that can make a difference. You just need to show up with willing hands, a kind heart and love for our community,” said Lategan.
She added that prospective volunteers don’t need special training, though nurses, teachers, and artists are always welcome.
Lategan said that all activities take place in group settings, and uncertain volunteers can check with regular team members for guidance. As a volunteer-run non-profit organisation, she said that the JBay Recycling Project relies entirely on community support, and they therefore cannot afford to pay volunteers.
“Even though we are not able to pay, it is such a privilege to be a volunteer. It really is the most remarkable therapy and inspiration,” said Lategan. She said that they also welcome donations of stock, financial contributions, children’s toys and sports equipment, and support for their partner Xtreme Enviro Recycling.
Community members interested in volunteering can contact Tanja Lategan at 084 684 6771 or email jbayrecyclingproject@gmail.com.
