Infographic and Explainer: UIF TERS Scheme

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This short article and infographic aims to make information available regarding the COVID-19 Temporary Employee / Employer Scheme (C19 TERS Scheme), with a focus on non-citizens in South Africa. The C19 TERS Scheme is ultimately for employees who were employed, but not working, during the national lockdown.

If you have any questions related to C19 TERS, you should contact the UIF CALL CENTRE : 0800 030 007. The UIF regularly posts updates on the UIF Twitter and Facebook.

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Important update!

The C19 TERS scheme has been extended to 15 March 2021. The extended period is broken up into two claim & payment periods: 16 October to 31 December 2020, and 1 January to 15 March 2021.

The new extension only applies to employees within those sectors whose employers have not been able to operate fully due to restrictions, and will only apply to employees who are contributors to the UIF

This means an employee who has not been able to work normally only qualifies to receive C19 TERS benefits if they are registered as a UIF contributor and work within a sector or business identified by the Department of Labour.

Other eligible persons may include those in isolation and quarantine (due to Covid-19), persons aged or older who cannot be safely accommodated at work, and persons with comorbidities (or persons at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and those who live with them) who could not be safely accommodated at work).

See the UIF’s FAQ on the C19 TERS Extension here.

Persons whose employment continue to be impacted by the national state of disaster (eg. working short time, shift rotations, temporary layoffs) but who do not work in the sectors specified for coverage under the new extension period may wish to pursue normal UIF benefit option, such as Reduced Work Time, by reaching out to the UIF CALL CENTRE (0800 030 007), or applying at the nearest Labour Centre or online here.

(1) What is C19 TERS?

The State of National Disaster declared by the South African government, and the National Lockdown that was enforced, meant that many people were not able to go to work. It also meant that many businesses stopped operating, which impacted people’s income. In response the National Lockdown, the SA government, through the Department of Labour, set up the COVID-19 Temporary Employee / Employer Scheme (C19 TERS) for the period of March 2020 to 15 March 2021 to assist employers. The C19 TERS benefit pays a limited portion of the salaries of employees where the employer had to close operations (completely or partially) due to the lockdown.

There are specific criteria that apply. Also, C19 TERS is separate from normal UIF benefits, and normal rules around a contributor’s credits do not apply under this scheme (under normal benefits, the total amount benefits received is subject to how long a employee has been contributing to UIF, or how many credits they have accrued).

C19 TERS benefits only pays a portion of the employee’s salary. An employer may contribute to the benefits for an employee, however the employee cannot receive more than 100% of their ordinary salary (including taking into account any payments received from the UIF in terms of the scheme). You cannot receive normal UIF Benefits and C19 TERS for the same time period. If you are recently unemployed (you been recently dismissed or retrenched). See Question 15, below.

(2) Who applies, and how do they apply?

Employers should make applications on behalf of their employees. Benefits will either be paid first to the employer, who then pays the employee, or directly to the employee (depending on the option selected when the application is made). Following the Amended Directive of 26 May 2020, persons eligible to benefit from C19 TERS include employees contributing to UIF AND employees (as defined by the UI Act) who should have received benefits under the directive but for circumstances beyond their control the employer failed to: register as an employer; register the employee with UIF as a contributor; or, make contributions in respect of the employee. However, this may only apply to the 27 March to 15 September 2020 time period.

During the new extension period (16 September 2020 to 15 March 2021), a person has to registered as a UIF contributor and meet other relevant criteria in order to be eligible.

Employers intending to apply can send an e-mail to Covid19ters@labour.gov.za for information and can apply online. Additional information for employers is available online here, via a guide here, and on the Dept of Labour site here. Employers can also contact the UIF Call Centre for assistance (0800 030 007). The Department also releases information on its social media pages – Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. If an employer has failed to initiate this process, the employee should contact the UIF Call Centre for assistance (0800 030 007), and they may need to lodge an individual application (see question 4).

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(3) How can I check up on the status of the application for C19 TERS benefits that was made on my behalf?

If your employer applied on your behalf, confirm which identity number they used in the application, and which months they applied for – it could be one, two or all three of the months mentioned above. It is useful for them to write out exactly which identity number they used so there are no errors when you check the status of the application using that number. You can check the status of the application for benefits (month by month) by using the Payment Status tool on the UIF-Covid-19 TERS National Disaster Application System, available here. When you check your Payment Status, you may encounter one of these messages:

“No employee found”

This could mean you entered the wrong identity number, there was an error when the application was made or the receipt of the relevant documents has not been processed yet, or your employer did not apply on your behalf. Confirm with your employer that you entered the correct number. If your employer confirms you entered the correct number, and they are sure they applied on your behalf, they should follow-up with the Department by contacting the UIF Call Centre (0800 030 007) (they should also confirm that you are registered on the uFiling online system). If you believe your employer did not apply on your behalf, contact the UIF Call Centre (0800 030 007) or go to the nearest Labour Centre for assistance.

“Application not processed yet”

This means that the application made on your behalf has been received, however the Department is still processing it. If the status of the application says it is not processed and this does not change, it may mean that your identity number still needs to be verified, there are supporting documents which are missing, or there are other issues which need to be rectified. You should ask your employer to follow-up with the Department by contacting the UIF Call Centre (0800 030 007)

“Payment Processed”

This means the payment of benefits has been made. In most cases, the payment is made into your employer’s bank account – this would usually be the business bank account or the bank

account that your employer uses to pay salaries. After the Department pays the benefits to the employer, it may take 7 to 10 days to be reflected in their account. Once payment has been received by the employer, the employer is obliged to pay the benefits to the employee within 48 hours.

If you have not received the benefits within a reasonable time, you should follow up with your employer. If you have any concerns, you can follow-up with the Department of Employment and Labour by contacting the UIF Call Centre (0800 030 007). If you encounter a message different from one of the above, contact the UIF Call Centre (0800 030 007) for information or assistance.

(4) What if my employer did not apply on my behalf?

If you believe your employer did not apply on your behalf, you should confirm with them, in writing, whether they have made the application. An employee should not make an application on their own behalf when an employer has already applied on their behalf as this could be considered fraud. If you are confused about this, always try to check with your employer and the UIF call centre.

If your employer did not apply on your behalf, you should contact the contact UIF Call Centre for assistance (0800 030 007), and you may need to lodge an individual application for C19 TERS benefits here by selecting “Employee Applications”. The Unemployment Insurance Fund COVID-19 TERS – Employee Application User Guide is available online here. If your employer falsely led you to believe that they applied on your behalf but in fact did not, you can contact the UIF Call Centre (0800 030 007) for information or assistance or approach the nearest Labour Centre. You may also consider approaching the CCMA.

(5)What if my employer is not following-up on my application?

An application may be delayed for various reasons, including errors made during the application. If your employer applied on your behalf, it is their responsibility to follow-up on the application. If your employer fails to follow-up on the application, you should contact the UIF Call Centre (0800 030 007) for information or assistance or approach the nearest Labour Centre. You may also consider approaching the CCMA.

(6) Can I benefit from C19 TERS if I am not a South African citizen (an asylum seeker, refugee, or migrant employee)?

Yes, as long as you have the appropriate documentation allowing you to legally work in South Africa. Your employer should apply on your behalf using the identity document that allows you to legally work in South Africa.

As a migrant employee, this may be your Passport and Work Permit, including a Zimbabwean Special dispensation Permit (ZSP), Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP); or Angolan Special Permit (ASP). This could also be a person in possession of an asylum seeker or refugee document.

If you are a Permanent Resident, this might be non-citizen’s ID (green ID book). They may also need to submit additional documents on your behalf (see question 6).

(7) Applications made on behalf of non-South African Employees (information for employers)

The below information should be read with the information on how to apply for C19 TERS benefits can be found by referring to question 2.

Applications for C19 TERS benefits made on behalf of non-South African citizen employees may encounter delays, either because of “verif[ication] through interaction with the Department of Home Affairs and at time[s] the South African Revenue Service”, or other issues that impact South African and non-South African employees alike.

Employers should consult with the UIF Call Centre (0800 030 007) regarding applications made on behalf of non-South African employees.

When applying for non-South African citizen employees, employers may need to provide additional details for such employees to ease the verification and payment of benefits:

1. Name and Surname

2. ID or Passport or Work Permit number or identification or such method

3. Proof of how the employee was declared or registered with UIF or SARS

4. Attach proof of such declaration and a three months bank statement showing payment of salary to that staff member

Employers should also confirm that the employee is registered on the uFiling online system.

When applying on behalf on an employee, the employer should use the identity number associated with the relevant document that was used: when UIF contributions were made, when they were registered on the uFiling online system, and/or when they were registered with SARS. Normally, this will be the document that provides for the right to work, and it may be a passport number (with the relevant visa or permit therein), an 11 or 15-digit number associated with an asylum seeker permit or visa or formal recognition of refugee status, or a 13-digit refugee ID.

Some non-South Africans may have an asylum seeker permit or visa, refugee status, or refugee ID (click to see examples). In these cases, the employer should use these documents, and should not request a passport from their country of origin. If you are unsure of which document to use, you can contact the UIF Call Centre (0800 030 007), or reach out to the Advocacy Programme of the Scalabrini Centre for advice (info@scalabrini.org.za; 021 465 6433; 078 260 3536 (during the lockdown).

(8) What if I am a non-South Africa citizen employee, and my South African colleagues have been paid but I have not been paid yet?

Applications for C19 TERS benefits made on behalf of non-South African employees may encounter delays, either because of “verif[ication] through interaction with the Department of Home Affairs and at time[s] the South African Revenue Service”, or other issues that impact South African and non-South African employees alike, including errors during the application processed. The most important thing is that you confirm with your employer that they have applied on your behalf.

You should ask your employer to confirm, in writing, that they made an application for C19 TERS benefits. This written confirmation should specify exactly which identity number they used in the application, and specify which months they applied for. Your employer should continue to follow-up on the application by contacting the UIF Call Centre (0800 030 007).

(9) What if I did not pay UIF, can I still benefit from C19 TERS?

Following the Amended Directive of 26 May 2020, persons eligible to benefit from C19 TERS include employees contributing to UIF AND employees (as defined by the UI Act) who should have received benefits under the directive but for circumstances beyond their control the employer failed to: register as an employer; register the employee as a contributor; or, make contributions in respect of the employee. If your employer won’t help you, contact the UIF Call Centre (0800 030 007) or go to the nearest Labour Centre for assistance. However, this may only apply to the 27 March to 15 September 2020 time period.

During the new extension period (16 September 2020 to 15 March 2021), a person has to registered as a UIF contributor and meet other relevant criteria in order to be eligible.

(10) What if I believe my employer has engaged in fraudulent activity?

There may be many valid reasons why you have not received your C19 TERS benefits yet. However, if you believe your employer has engaged in fraudulent activity, or if they refuse to

pay your C19 TERS benefits, you should report the employer to the nearest Labour Centre or contact the Fraud Hotline (0800 212 799).

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(11) I am recently unemployed or retrenched. Am I eligible for C19 TERS benefits? How do I apply for normal UIF benefits?

C19 TERS benefits are intended to assist employers to pay employees who are currently employed but not working because of the lockdown. This is not the same thing as being unemployed.

If you are a UIF contributor and are unemployed because of termination, dismissal, or insolvency, or if you have reduced income owing to reduced working hours, you may be eligible to apply for normal UIF Benefits – apply online with the UIF Online Filing System. For more info, follow this UIF’s Easy Guide for Electronic Claims, call UIF for assistance (0800 030 007), or read our Explainer on UIF (updated link coming shortly).

If you were employed but not working because of the lockdown, and later you became unemployed (through dismissal, retrenchment, insolvency, etc.), your employer should have applied for C19 TERS benefits on your behalf for the eligible months that you weren’t working during the lockdown (March 2020 to 15 March 2021), and you should apply for normal UIF benefits to cover the period from when you were unemployed.

(12) What if I believe I have been unfairly dismissed or retrenched?

If you believe you have may have been unfairly dismissed or retrenched, you should approach the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). Visit the CCMA’s website for more information. Please note that normally disputes must be raised with the CCMA within 30 days of the date of the dismissal.

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Scalabrini Centre releases the 2019 – 2020 Annual Report

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Anya Sass: Advocacy Programme Volunteer

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Anya volunteers in the Scalabrini Advocacy Programme. This placement serves as a bridge between her experiences, which were rooted in a very real experience of conflict, and her dreams to become a refugee attorney. Anya reflects on past, present and future, and the threads that link them together.

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 A (long) road to Damascus

As a twelve-year-old, having read her father’s books on conflict and human rights, Anya announced her intention to be a war correspondent. Ten years later, having worked and travelled after high school, Anya planned a week-long trip to Syria. Once she arrived, Anya found a ‘hospitable, magical country rich in history’ – and ended up living there for four years.

Anya lived in Syria from 2011 to 2015 – during the height of the conflict. She was based in one of the oldest city cities in the world, Damascus. Here, she taught English to adult students. ‘There was a market for teaching English because many people were trying to learn the language before fleeing to another country,’ Anya explains.

Living in a warzone, one realizes that conflicts are ‘significantly more nuanced’ than their depiction in media. Although there was not any ‘active fighting’ in her neighborhood, Anya recalls that there was ‘regular shelling coming in from neighbouring areas – including the block next to us – routine car bombs and ambushes in our street’.

Conflict filters deeply into the way you lead your life, Anya explains. ‘You start to create a flawed logic to maintain your sanity. Like choosing to walk on the other side of the street because the bombing is coming from the other direction’.

‘No one makes the choice to be a refugee lightly.’

‘I watched many of my friends (in Syria) make a difficult decision to leave. It makes me angry when people try to categorize refugees as ‘economic migrants’. They just have no idea how difficult it is to make the decision to flee. There is a deep emotional trauma just making that decision, let alone acting on it.’

In 2015, Anya and her Syrian husband made that difficult choice themselves, and decided to go to Canada, Anya’s country of origin. Once there, Anya became increasingly vocal and dedicated to the rights of refugees.

With a plan of pursuing a career in the refugee sector, Anya enrolled herself at university. She is currently completing a joint major in Political Science and Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at the Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.

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“If this volunteer placement were a job, this would be my dream job.”

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The South African context

The volunteer placement in Scalabrini dovetailed neatly with Anya’s career plans. ‘If this volunteer placement were a job, this would be my dream job,’ Anya reflects. Her role at Scalabrini is to provide advocacy advice to clients and conduct research projects. However, the advice desk had to close when the National Lockdown was announced in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Volunteering during the Covid-19 pandemic

The pandemic resulted in fundamental changes to Anya’s volunteering placement. All services shifted online, and everyone had to work from home. ‘My placement at Scalabrini suddenly became remote’, she explains (on a Zoom call). ‘I miss dealing with clients – but it has been nice to have time to delve more deeply into research projects.’ She is currently working on research around a specific clause of the South African Immigration Act, which has allowed her the opportunity to interact with several lawyers in South Africa’s migration and refugee sector.

Common threads of migration

Having had such personal experiences of conflict and migration, one wonders if Anya sees any commons thread when working with people who are refugees in South Africa. Despite the very different context, says Anya, ‘I do think that people, wherever they are in the world, just want to have a basic level of comfort and safety.’

In Syria, Anya saw a conflict rooted in deeper histories and anxieties. These anxieties are exploited by bigger powers, which use propaganda to ‘play on people being angry. I don’t think people are inherently bad. Bad things happen to them, and they get manipulated into reacting in a bad way.’

The future

Where will Anya’s life take her next? After the completion of her degree, Anya plans to undertake a postgraduate course in forced migration. The ultimate goal, however is to be a refugee attorney. ‘I want to be a refugee lawyer fighting unfair border regimes … and doing the work I do now, in advocacy and refugee law’.

The volunteer placement at Scalabrini, it seems, has assisted with this goal. 'I’ve always received a lot of really valuable feedback from my work and I feel like I’ve learned a lot in my short time at Scalabrini, as well as come away with some extremely valuable experiences. This placement has been such a great learning opportunity and has only solidified that this is the field I want to stay in.'

With such rich life experiences and such powerful determination, we are sure she will successfully reach her goals. Good luck, Anya!

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Infographic: Overstaying your visa

Our infographic explains the consequences overstaying your visa issued in terms of South Africa’s Immigration Act, and what you can do about it. We also look at the impact of the Covid-19 National Lockdown on this.

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Victory in Covid-19 Social Relief Grant Court Case

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Press Release: Celebrating a court victory – some of South Africa’s asylum seekers and special permit holders will be able to apply to the Social Relief of Distress Grant

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Today – the day before World Refugee Day – the Scalabrini Centre, represented by Norton Rose Fulbright, has won a Court Order that may ensure some of South Africa’s asylum-seekers and special-permit holders will be able to apply for the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant (‘SRD grant’).

This Court Order signals the finalisation of the urgent litigation launched last month.

What is the impact of this Court Order?

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The Court Order indicates the Minister must publish these changes within ten working days.

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About Scalabrini
The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town is an NGO based in Cape Town that provides specialised services for refugee, migrant and South African communities.

Press enquiries

Sally Gandar: Head of Advocacy & Legal Advisor, Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town
sally@scalabrini.org.za

Laura Macfarlane: Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc
Laura.Macfarlane@nortonrosefulbright.com

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Three insights on migration in a Covid-19 world : Bongani

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The Scalabrini team works with migrants and refugees every day. With such deep expertise at hand, we take the opportunity to reflect on migration with them. This month we speak to Bongani, the Operations Co-ordinator at Scalabrini. He believes that the solidarity seen in Covid-19 lockdown should be taken forward to better South Africa.  

Doors cannot be shut on non-South Africans 

“Covid-19 is a dreadful virus that knows no boundaries and has shown that anyone can be affected.” Bongani acknowledges that the South African government has struggled to provide relief for its people – but that now is not the time to exclude anyone. “We are in direct contact with our brothers and sisters – regardless of colour or creed – who have had to leave home as a way of finding something better for themselves and their loved ones.” 

At work, before lockdown, Bongani noticed how difficult it was for refugees and migrants to integrate “within a society that is still trying to break the boundaries of prejudice.” The added challenge now is access to aid. “The doors cannot be shut on non-South Africans.” While seeing first-hand the conditions that people are living through to survive the Covid-19 lockdown, Bongani has also seen unity and people in communities working together to help each other.  

A common effort is needed by all 

There are lessons to be learnt during this time that could be beneficial to South Africa moving forward, a big lesson being that unity and solidarity always win. “Everyone is fighting a different battle. We should learn to be kind, supportive and caring. Be genuine in your approach to helping people…seeing the individual better is enough of a reward…We are all affected, and a common effort is needed by all.” Bongani asks for us all to find our compassion for one another, with open and honest conversations in order to move forward.  

Solidarity always, not only in the face of a crisis 

Across the world, people are experiencing changes and difficult times. We are living by a specific set of rules in order to help stop the spread and to protect one another.  “In the same way that we are all responsible for adhering to rules and regulations to curb the spread together, we must adhere to and be genuinely responsible for the plight of refugees and non-South African citizens.” 

Across social media we see people coming together and helping one another, which should not trickle away once lockdown and life eases. Bongani’s ideal vision of post Covid-19 South Africa, is a country where compassion and understanding comes as second nature, and caring for the less fortunate is a top priority.  

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Guide to Protecting Vulnerable Children in South Africa

Lawyers for Human Rights, CoRMSA and the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town have created a guide to working with vulnerable children in South Africa – including refugee, asylum-seeking, unaccompanied, separated, stateless and undocumented children.

Read more

Supporting Migrants and Refugees through the Covid-19 crisis

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In response to the growing need, the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town set up a fundraising drive to support those asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants specifically in need during the nationwide lock-down due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Whilst provisions have been put in place by the South African government for some of the most vulnerable members of society, much of the Covid-19 relief is not available to the refugees, asylum-seeker and migrant community.

Money raised will go directly to our Welfare Programme who will assist those migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees who are in most desperate need at this time. All donations will receive an A18 certificate on request which makes the donations tax deductible.

If you would like to make other donations such as food and clothes please contact info@scalabrini.org.za.

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We have reached our target, thank you for everyone's support. As we continue to navigate lockdown and what this means for migrants and refugees the more we raise the more families we can assist during this unprecedented time.

Following the #BlackLivesMatter protest movements in early June 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, our Backabuddy campaign received a spike in donations. Thank you to all those who donated, to support refugees and migrants in South Africa whose lives have become increasingly vulnerable following the pandemic. 

We stand in solidarity with movements calling for justice, reformation and an end to systematic police brutality and racism. Last week, the world witnessed the murder of George Floyd by a police officer in the USA. Meanwhile, in South Africa, the number of deaths in SANDF and SAPS custody under lock-down emerged (which is at least 11, and included two members of South Africa’s migrant/refugee community). Both of these acts of police brutality are the latest in an ugly history of brutality and racist oppression.

We stand in solidarity with #Black_Lives_Matter, in a call for justice and for reformation. We support organisations doing important work in trying to achieve reform in the criminal justice and prisons sector. We support the important work of Lawyers For Human Rights, the Detention Justice Forum, and others, in this regard. We also support and acknowledge the grassroots and community organisations doing this work

Here is a summary of our impact so far with the funds raised.

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Press Release: Scalabrini launches urgent litigation on Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant

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Press Release: Scalabrini launches urgent litigation seeking that the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant is open to asylum seekers and special dispensation permit holders.

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On 22nd May 2020, the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town, represented by Norton Rose Fulbright South  Africa Inc, launched urgent litigation in the Pretoria High Court regarding the exclusion of people on asylum-seeker or special-permit status from the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant, which is  only available for a 6 month period from May 2020.

The coronavirus knows no borders, and does not stop to ask for one’s nationality status. Citizens, and foreign nationals in South Africa have been seriously impacted by the National State of Disaster and lockdown. The Covid-19 SRD grant was announced as an emergency measure to try and provide relief for persons not receiving any other form of assistance or income. We are demanding that the SRD Grant be opened to asylum-seekers and special-permit holders, as it is irrational and unreasonable to exclude such persons from being able to apply for the grant solely on the bases of their nationality or immigration status.

The SRD grant

The special Covid-19 SRD grant aims to relieve the distress of those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is open to South African citizens, refugee status holders, and permanent residents only. The SRD grant will be R350 per month, and will be provided from May to October 2020. Under the current Regulations, persons on asylum-seeking status or special-permits cannot apply for the Covid-19 SRD grant.

The court case

The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town has expressed, in various joint letters and comments, that an effective approach to combatting Covid-19 must be inclusive. Covid-19 affects people regardless of their nationality: South Africa’s response to it should be the same.

In our papers, we argue that the suffering experienced by asylum-seekers and special-permit holders is particularly severe because:

  • People on asylum-seeker visas that have expired under lockdown often face dismissal from work, no income, and frozen bank accounts;
  • Asylum-seekers and special-permit holders are excluded from the majority of governmental financial relief packages;
  • Many asylum-seekers and special-permit holders are excluded from governmental food parcels as a 13-digit ID number is required to register; and
  • UIF applications for non-South Africans are subject to specific delays, as confirmed by the Department of Labour.

At Scalabrini, we have seen a large surge in requests for help; 1,400 people called in the first eight weeks of lock-down requesting assistance with food, rental or electricity. Many of these are families with children who would usually have benefitted from school feeding programmes. We are asking the Court to confirm that persons with asylum seeker documentation, or special permits, whose documentation was valid at the time the National State of Disaster was declared, be eligible to apply for the Covid-19 SRD grant.

About Scalabrini

The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town is an NGO based in Cape Town that provides specialised services for refugee, migrant and South African communities.

Press enquiries

Sally Gandar: Head of Advocacy & Legal Advisor, Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town

sally@scalabrini.org.za

Laura Macfarlane: Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc

Laura.Macfarlane@nortonrosefulbright.com

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Jonny Zients : All Rounder

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Being an All Rounder, Jonny has walked away with a variety of improved skills and a much deeper understanding of migration in the context of the African continent. Read more about his experience below.

“This is not my first time in South Africa. My mom is from Joburg, and lots of my extended family lives in Cape Town. I have been lucky to come here pretty routinely since I was young, so I have some familiarity with Cape Town. Six weeks in, I definitely feel like I want to live here more permanently at some point in my life. In Cape Town, I feel that I interact with people I don’t know much more frequently. There is a humor and friendliness that I much prefer to the kind of cold, stick-to-oneself attitude that I have gotten used to in DC.

My brother was an all rounder volunteer earlier this year and spoke so highly about his time at Scalabrini. I actually visited him while he was working and was immediately struck by Scalabrini’s breadth of services.  I also was intrigued by the unique opportunity to work with clients in a variety of settings. My previous non-profit volunteer/internship experiences have either been office settings that feel very removed from the beneficiaries of the organization or solely direct service like cooking meals in a food kitchen. Scalabrini feels so tuned into the day-to-day challenges and realities of the individuals and communities that they serve, while providing a sophisticated range of services. I initially noticed, and continue to appreciate, how Scalabrini never turns people away. There is always another service to refer people to, which I think speaks to Scalabrini’s holistic approach.

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“I was then able to craft my own experience by seeing what projects made sense to support.”

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The first ten days or so, it was a bit challenging to find my niche as an all-arounder, but I really appreciated that experience. Ultimately, I think it stretched me and allowed me to get to know each team more organically and what they are doing. I was then able to craft my own experience by seeing what projects made sense to support. Coming in each day and not knowing exactly what I am doing has kept me engaged and required a sense of initiative that I think constantly reminds me why I am here and what I feel passionate about. Being an all-arounder has been really cool: covering reception and moving from program to program has sharpened a variety of skills and given me a nuanced understanding of the full scope of Scalabrini’s mission.

Since joining the Scalabrini Centre, I have sharpened my administrative abilities, practicing making phone calls and entering data as well as learning how to use tools like Salesforce. I have also improved my researching techniques as I got more comfortable with navigating academic papers and UN databases when compiling my country report for SIHMA. Through digital literacy, I learned how to teach. Lastly, I have learned so much about migration — through research, interacting with clients, and speaking with Scalabrini team members, I have deepened my knowledge of the cultural context around inter-African migration and the barriers that asylum seekers and refugees face upon arrival in South Africa.

I start university in September, but have lots of things I want to do before then! I think my experience at Scalabrini has definitely given me a clearer idea of the work environments I will seek out and what I want to do for the rest of my gap year and life. “

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