Volunteer in Africa!

Edyvean · Post by **Edyvean** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:26 am

Volunteer in Africa!

Looking for volunteers. You can contribute to the fight against poverty or AIDS by joining our Development Instructor programme. It will be a life changing experience both for yourself and the people in Africa that you work with. You can either work with: Child Aid, Pre-school programmes, HIV/AIDS prevention, Environment & tree planting, social work with street children or Education.

Previous qualifications are not needed! But you do need to be 18+, hardworking and committed to making a difference.

What we offer is a 14 month programme with 6 months initial training in either the United Kingdom or Denmark, followed by 6 months development work on a project in Southern Africa of your choosing. After this there is a further 2 months of evaluation and information work.

There are course fees attached to the programme, but also scholarships available for those not in a position to meet these costs.

For further information please contact nicedyvean@yahoo.co.uk

Felinessa · Post by **Felinessa** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 11:39 pm

You know, I've always wondered why there are fees associated with volunteering. Isn't it enough that people offer their time and skills at no cost?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 4:22 am

I agree, Feline. If it costs, it is not legit.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:24 am

I am not sure I like the no previous qualifications required part. Seems, for some of thatv stuff, they would want folks with experience, or education..in teaching, social work or nursing or something!!

If one wants to do good, they should try the Peace Corps or something like that which is more established.

Edyvean · Post by **Edyvean** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:46 am

You know, I've always wondered why there are fees associated with volunteering. Isn't it enough that people offer their time and skills at no cost?

Thats a reasonable position to take and certainly where people have a PHD or extensive development experience. But what we offer is a training programme followed by development work in Africa. Our course is open to everyone irrespective of their previous experience and we offer a scholarship scheme for those unable to meet the costs of their training period. It would be wrong to divert funds away from the African projects to cover the costs of the initial training period we feel. While some people who join our 14 month programme have experience of development work and some have high academic qualifications in fields relevant to working in development, its also true that many do not - what they do have though is a commitment to making a difference in the world, whether that's working with children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and civil war or taking part in environmental projects,etc.

Edyvean · Post by **Edyvean** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:15 am

If one wants to do good, they should try the Peace Corps or something like that which is more established.

I know people who have been in the Peace Corps and its an Organisation I admire a lot - have you been in the Peace Corps?

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:00 am

Edyvean, hi.

Just out of interest, have you joined here to become a friend of FG or are you simply here to recruit people for your organisation?

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:58 am

Edyvean wrote: I know people who have been in the Peace Corps and its an Organisation I admire a lot - have you been in the Peace Corps?

No, but a couple of friends did. They loved it.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:33 am

If I were single and in a position to uproot I would love to go to Africa and donate my efforts.

Felinessa · Post by **Felinessa** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:15 pm

In my mind, and I admit I don't know much about organized volunteering, I think an organization should pair up with universities or education centres to offer training that could be covered by financial aid, for example. That's because the people most likely to be able to uproot are probably young and therefore lack financial resources. I also think organizations should try their best to provide lodging and food for volunteers - it's a small investment because qualified people can provide a wealth of services for free.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:17 pm

I would say, that if I had the money to take a vacation anywhere in the world, I would like to visit Africa and go on a real safari. Would have to take a boat to get there, though.....not flying.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:31 pm

Marie5656 wrote: I would say, that if I had the money to take a vacation anywhere in the world, I would like to visit Africa and go on a real safari. Would have to take a boat to get there, though.....not flying.

No Marie. This isnt about killing Gods creatures. This is about helping Gods children. No soup for you ! :rolleyes:

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:34 pm

Nomad wrote: No Marie. This isnt about killing Gods creatures. This is about helping Gods children. No soup for you ! :rolleyes:

OOPS, Nomie....just want to see the critters..not hunt them. What is the proper word I should have used?????