YWAM Base Info
The YWAM Durban base is located outside of Durban, in the suburb of Malvern. We are within walking distance (20-30 minutes) from the grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, post office and email cafes in Malvern. There is a corner shop at the end of the road where you can purchase some basic toiletries, snacks and cool drinks. The Pavilion shopping mall is also not far from the base, if you are driving.
Accommodation
For many of you this may be the first time that you will live in a community. We do our best to preserve a family atmosphere. Our lifestyle is simple. Students share rooms in a dormitory-type set up. Married couples or families with more than one child will rent houses around the neighborhood. We will try to provide as much comfort and privacy as possible.
Student dorms consist of bunk beds and small closets with a communal shower in the girls and boys dorms. Shelf space is non-existent, so please be aware when packing. Space is also extremely limited, so it’s advisable to pack your belongings in soft luggage that can be stored easily under the beds or in a closet.
Electricity
SA has a 220V with a 3-pronged round-pin wall plug. Please note that some foreign electrical appliances will not work on our voltage without a converter. Hairdryers have actually been known to melt. If you have a laptop, please ensure that you have access to a converter for your computer and printer. Most gadgets should have the voltage listed on the power pack. Radios, CD players, MP3s and Cell Phones can be used but YWAM cannot take financial responsibility for these and you need to ensure they are put away for safety (Please see ‘security’ section below for more info.)
The base also has limited sockets for plugging in electrical items. Please switch off appliances when not in use. The power frequently goes off here – please be sure to bring a flashlight with you.
Telephone
Our base uses pre-paid cards for our telephone. World Call Cards are widely available at local grocery shops, the post office and other shops, for foreign-made phone calls. Friends and relatives can reach you by telephone, fax or email. Phone messages will be taken during lectures unless it is an emergency.
Cell Phones
If you have a foreign phone, you may or may not be able to use it depending on your contract. Most tri-band phones can be used with South African SIM cards (easily purchased at Pick-n-Pay for a few Rand – mobile phone top ups are widely available.) If you have a security code on your phone, you will need to unlock it when you insert a new SIM card, so be sure you know the code before arriving in South Africa.
Mail
Mail can be sent to this address:
(student's name)
YWAM Durban
PO Box 15157
Bellair
Durban 4006
South Africa
Email
There is a monthly fee for email usage. Local internet cafes in Malvern are also available to assist you.
Security
Living in community always has a certain amount of risk involved. We encourage you to be very careful with your personal goods and jewelry. Every person is personally responsible for his or her own goods. While YWAM Durban makes every effort to protect your valuables, we cannot personally be held accountable if anything goes missing. We encourage visitors to take some form of personal insurance when purchasing their ticket to South Africa.
The gates close at the base at 22:00 (10pm). Please do not walk alone after dark – even if you go with a group, please tell someone at the base where you are going.
Banking
There are several banks located in Malvern. There are also ATM's (Automatic Teller Machines) that accept ATM-cards. Credit cards, especially Visa and MasterCard, are widely accepted, as well as traveller’s cheques in major currencies. There are foreign exchange bureaus at the malls.
There are many Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) which can take Visa, Maestro, Plus or Cirrus in South Africa. (The nearest ATMs to us are in Malvern.) Please note if you’re withdrawing money from a foreign account, most ATM/Banks are unable to give you a balance on your account.
The bank will not cash personal cheques unless you have a bank account.
What to Bring
Nearly everything on this list can be purchased here in South Africa, but it may be a while after arrival until you can do some shopping. As well, pease note that prices could be more or less expensive in South Africa, depending on your home country. Feel free to inquire about specifics. Please also bear in mind that you will be living in community and storage space is extremely limited. Laundry facilities are available for washing. Clothes are hung to dry.
Suggested Packing List
Address book/stationary/pictures from home
Sheets, pillowcase, blanket or sleeping bag
Bible, pen & notebook
Laundry bag
Laundry line and clothes pegs
Towel
Medication/First Aid
Flashlight (torch)
Sewing kit
Portable Audio Device, such as ipod, mp3 player (please note YWAM Durban takes no responsibility for these items.)
Vitamins
Umbrella or rain jacket
Hat
Travel size alarm clock
Musical instrument/chord sheets
Water bottle
Mosquito repellent
Sunblock/sunscreen
Camera
Hairdryer (if you use one! Note: South Africa is on a 240 volt system. Please bring a converter – hair dryers have been known to actually melt without one)
Windbreaker or warm jacket, cardigan, sweater or jumpers (Especially April-October!)
Walking shoes, sandals, sneakers, thongs, and dress shoes
Work clothes (one change)
Casual wear - modest shorts, T-shirts, trousers, dresses, etc.
Pajamas and robe or something modest to wear between the shower and your room.
Modest bathing suits (Men - no speedos please; Women - we prefer one piece, but if it's a two piece please see that it has a full sport top and a modest bottom.)
General Expectations
We all come from different cultures. What you are used to in your home will be different from the person you will share a room with. Please be sensitive to this and remember that you are in a different country. Part of the DTS experience is getting to know and appreciate new cultures. Lovingly appreciate others and their differences.
Lights Out
Lights out is 10pm in the student rooms during the week and 11pm on the weekends. The student house echoes quite a bit and voices carry. Use a flashlight or a bedside lamp if you are reading, and your roomates are already trying to sleep. Sleep is an essential part of the training process. You will need an adequate amount to keep up with the lectures and outreach schedule.
Meetings/Lectures
You are expected to attend all meetings and to be on time. If you are not well, please see one of the school staff so we can be kept informed. If you are not well enough to get a staff member yourself, please ask another student to get one for you. Please don’t just send a message by another student. We want to touch base with you and see what we can do to help you get back into action. If you need to miss a scheduled event, please do not wait to the last minute to inform us. Please inform us in advance.
Music
We realize that individual music tastes vary greatly. Knowing this, we would ask you to use discretion and wisdom in your choice of music being played around others. It is best that all personal music be listened to using headphones on personal portable audio devices.
Mentorship
We are here for you. Please feel free to come up to any one of the staff if you need prayer or just someone to talk to. There will also be regular one-on-one talks with your small group leader.
Dress Guidelines
Modesty and discretion in dress need to be exercised during your stay with YWAM Durban. Please note that what is acceptable in one culture may not be acceptable in a certain South African culture, or even amongst fellow students. Be mindful of the message you may be sending.
Miscelleneous
No smoking on YWAM Property or with another person.
No illegal drug use
No guys in girls rooms and no girls in guys rooms
