Augustinian Exchange Program
The South Africa site was the third international site for the Augustinian Exchange Program. The program has had Volunteers serving here since the fall of 2005. The Augustinian Friars own a piece of property that houses the friary, where the Augustinian priests live, as well as the smaller house (referred to as a cottage) where the Volunteers live. Since the Volunteers first arrived in 2005, they have worked in a variety of placements. The most consistent placement has been at St. Leo School in Molweni. Additionally, the Volunteers have maintained a pretty steady presence at St. Theresa's Home for Boys as well as the Respite Unit at Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust.
Below is a brief profile of the current volunteers:
Kevin Abdo
Community: South Africa 2011 - 2012
Age 22 / Mount Saint Mary's University
St. Leo's Primary School, Respite Unit, and St. Theresa's
Kevin Abdo is a 22 year old from Laurel, Maryland. He attended Mount Saint Mary’s University where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in history. Kevin will be going to Durban, South Africa where he will have three part time jobs working at the Hillcrest AIDS Respite Centre, teaching oral English at St. Leo’s Primary School, as well as mentoring young boys at St. Theresa’s Home. He is the oldest of four and an avid Red Sox fan.
Kellie Kozel
Community: South Africa 2011 - 2012
Age 22 / Villanova University
Respite Unit and St. Theresa's
Kellie Kozel is a 21-year-old Bay Area native who recently graduated from Villanova University with a B.A. in psychology and an Italian minor. She has 2 brothers and in her free time she enjoys snowboarding, wakeboarding and swimming. Kellie is very excited to join the AVs after previously serving in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Belize during her time at Villanova. She will be serving in Durban, South Africa and working full time at the Hillcrest AIDS Respite Centre. She is looking forward to immersing herself in the local community and living in community with her fellow volunteers
Matthew Rigsby
Community: South Africa 2011 - 2012
Age 23 / Villanova University
St. Leo's Primary School and St. Theresa's
Matthew Horstmann Rigsby was born in Malvern, Pennsylvania to the most devoted and loving parents in the world. Through their sacrifice, he was able to graduate from Villanova University with a degree in international business and management. Headed to Durban, South Africa, Matt will be teaching English full-time at St. Leo’s Primary School. His celebrity look-alike is Brigitte Nielsen, co-star of Rocky IV and former girlfriend of Flava-Flav.
Janine Moretti
Community: South Africa 2011 - 2012
Age 24
Janine Moretti is a 24 year old from Lebanon, NH who graduated from Merrimack College in May 2010 with a degree in Psychology and Sociology. After graduation, she did a year of service in Chicago with the Augustinian Volunteers where she worked with unwed pregnant mothers at Catholic Charities. Janine will be serving as an Augustinian Volunteer for another year in Durban, South Africa where she will be working in a community centre, an after school program, and in a primary school teaching oral English.