Cassandra Brooks

Company Overview: SARDA is an equine therapy organisation that provides therapy to children with various disabilities. The role of the volunteer is to assist each child during their therapy session in a multitude of ways (verbal and physical cues, physical support, relaying instructions etc) and log the progress of each child after therapy in a report to be reviewed by their teachers, therapists and parents. In addition, we as volunteers would provide care to the horses, and oversee the correct use and storage of equipment and training aids. Volunteers would also help plan and be involved in various fundraising opportunities as well as volunteer recruitment.

• Assisted children with various disabilities in an equine therapy setting
• Ensured the confidentiality of children's identity and accuracy records
• Observed rules and safety regulations of the organization while carrying out assigned tasks
• Developed strong communication skills while providing aid and education to all interested parties, spreading awareness of our cause to the general public.
• Organized and assisted with events, activities and programs to drive outreach initiatives
• Demonstrated interpersonal abilities by working collaboratively with other volunteers on various projects (fundraising, facility care, inventory etc)
• Assisted in the maintenance and care of the horses used for therapy, following strict guidelines for the health and safety of both human and animal

Curious Minds Academy allows children to work through the American homeschooling curriculum, Abeka, in a small school setting where each class/grade averaged 7 students. This allows children the freedom of homeschooling while providing the structure and social benefits of a conventional school system.

I was tasked to provide structured lessons on the current subject material to ensure the children made steady progress throughout the year. My duties also included testing, grading of classwork and communicating the children's progress to their parents via reports, meetings and other forms of communication. Maintaining an accurate understanding of a child's progress was vitally important, keeping accurate records of grades was pivotal to this goal.

During the Covid lockdown - all classwork was moved to online schooling over WhatsApp. This provided unique challenges to both students and tutors to maintain standards of education while simultaneously minimising the stress that the students felt during this difficult time.

Classes and subjects under my care were as follows:

Remedial class subjects: English, Math, Biology, Science, History, Geography

Grade 4: English, Biology, Math, History

Grade 5: English, Biology, Science

Grade 6: Biology, Science

Grade 7: Biology, Science, Geography

• Engaged actively with students to build confidence in the subject matter and help improve study methods
• Tutored students in math, reading and writing to help them improve their grades and confidence
• Created a positive learning environment that was conducive to student success
• Developed lesson plans, tests, study materials and projects based on the curriculum
• Evaluated student performance through quizzes, exams, and projects
• Communicated regularly with parents and guardians regarding student progress via meetings, phone calls and report cards
• Provided one-on-one tutoring sessions, tailoring instruction to meet the specific needs of each student while promoting independent learning skills.

iThemba Lethu is a home for vulnerable children ranging from newborn to 8 years. The name iThemba Lethu translates to "I have a destiny", a core belief of this incredible organisation. It is an home that serves as a Place of Safety for children who's cases (abuse, neglect, abandonment etc) are still in progress, as well as a foster home and adoption agency.

Roles of volunteers would shift according to daily need: Varying from bathing, feeding and playing with the children, to helping with household tasks such as cooking, cleaning and laundry. It was important to give these children as "normal" of an environment was possible. Keeping accurate records of feeds, naps and medication is vitally important to the health and wellbeing of the children in their care

The protection of their privacy cannot be understated. In many cases the children were in the care of the State and all information pertaining to them, their whereabouts and the progress of their case are to be kept strictly confidential. Utmost care and discretion had to be observed at all times to ensure their safety.

Company Overview: Alphabugs (formerly Jitterbugs Labels) was a small printing and design company.

The primary target audience being schools and individual parents. We also provided branding solutions for businesses of various sizes as well as printing and design solutions for individuals (weddings, baby showers, home decor etc.).

• Maintained files and filing, keeping sensitive information confidential
• Answered phone calls, directed inquiries to appropriate personnel, and responded to customer requests promptly
• Provided administrative support to management staff, including scheduling meetings and appointments, preparing agendas, taking minutes, and maintaining records
• Managed office supplies inventory and placed orders when necessary
• Compiled and entered data into various databases to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Monitored daily operations to ensure efficient workflow processes
• Maintained office inventory by assisting with supply orders
• Established professional and collaborative working relationships with company associates and external parties
• Built and maintained relationships with vendors and other external contacts
• Searched for information in company databases or online to answer questions or resolve problems
• Answered telephones to give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls
• Operated office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, and phone systems and arranged for repairs when equipment malfunctions
• Design and print orders for clients both commercial and individual