volunteer opportunity

It is impossible to prepare for the enthusiasm, the commitment, the warmth, the surprises that teaching in Sudan will give you

– Angela Bamgbose, a social worker in MentalHealth

Today, Fuzeus will like to introduce a great volunteer opportunity that is actually provided for free.

Sudan Volunteer Programme, a UK based charity, was first launched in 1997 when ten volunteers went to Sudan for a seven week programme to teach in schools and colleges in Khartoum and Omdurman area. After 15 years of working, SVP has established links with universities all around Sudan and has had hundreds of volunteers fly out to Sudan and help thousands of Sudanese improve their understanding of English language.

SVP’s goal is to teach English to Sudanese people at various levels, mostly focusing on conversational practice and discussion groups with university students and other adults and also some secondary school students. According to the SVP website, although most Sudanese people take English classes for about 8 years, they have never had an experience of conversing with native speakers.

This is your chance to help out young people in Sudan get a better and unique education. As a matter of fact, good education is what Sudan needs right now in the time of war, which it has been at with itself for almost its entire post-colonial history. English is the second official language of Sudan and a vital component of the on-going peace process. This is not to say that education will be an immediate solution to all the unresolved problems but it will at least be a long-term remedy. Education has the power to change everything. Now continue reading to find more about this amazing program.

1. What will I be doing?

As I mentioned before, your job will be to help Sudanese develop the skills of speaking or even reading or writing in English. You will be in charge of teaching a class, which will include motivating people to express themselves by overcoming their shyness and reluctance to make mistakes. You will be working at a Sudanese university, which aims to organize two semesters of academic program.

2. Any Requirements?

It would be ideal to have some teaching experience before you join but this cannot be the case for most volunteers. Don’t worry. As long as you are either a naïve whose first language is English and studied at a university or similar institutions or a non-native English speaker who has an established qualifications, SVP will train you before the semester starts.

3. Is it really FREE?

Volunteers must pay the price of their own airfare to and from Sudan. Plus, if you do not have the complete insurance cover for your stay, SVP will provide you the insurance with about $100. However, except for the plane tickets and insurance, everything will be covered by the host institutions. SVP will arrange your accommodation and also pay 500 Sudanese pounds for the basic needs.

4. Will it be safe?

Considering the protests and wars that are going on in between Middle East crisis, violence in Darfar, and Arab spring, you may be concerned about the security this program can guarantee. Fortunately, you will be working in the northern parts where people are the most friendly, most hospitable and the safest. Also, no one in Sudan will judge you by the places that you come from. If you are still concerned, SVP can connect you to one of the current volunteers in Sudan to confirm their point.

If you want to hear what it’s like from a past volunteer, read this review of the NGO, Sudan Volunteer Programme, a great article by a blogger, Petewiggins.

Now I have provided the basic information about this program. But I know this cannot satisfy you. If you would like to find out more this program and apply, please visit http://www.svp-uk.com/

2012 GHANA SUMMER CAMP TEAM

Today, we would like to share a volunteer opportunity launched by The Humanity Exchange. Below is the information that we copied from its website.

Come join The Humanity Exchange 2012 Summer Camp Team this summer for a once in a life time experience volunteering with children in Ghana, Africa!

1. WHY GHANA?

Named ‘Africa for beginners’, Ghana is a beautiful, safe and welcoming country known as the friendliest in West Africa! Home to an array of wildlife, breath taking national parks, lush jungles and historical landmarks, Ghana is a country full of life! Stroll into a lively food market, or dare to try Fu-fu, one of Ghana’s many authentic spicy dishes! The warmth and comraderie amongst the Ghanians is a unique and welcoming one.

Whether it’s a memory of your first time learning a sport, or your favorite sing-along tune, camp memories are unique and something to be cherished for life.You and your fellow volunteers will provide the opportunity for many Ghanian children to experience camp for the first time. Camp will allow them time to spend with friends outside of a classroom setting, and a chance to both explore their artistic & athletic talents, as well as their team building skills! In addition to volunteering with local children, your trip will include exciting weekend excursions such as venturing in a dugout canoe ride to one of the most unique stilt villages in the world, spending a day in the beautiful beach town of Cape Coast, and stepping back in history while visiting a world renowned slave castle! You will also have plenty of time to freely explore the local area, and learn more about the cultures around you. This program is generously sponsored by Endeavour Mining. We’d love to have you join us!

Here’s some more of our program in detail:

2. DATES:
July 21-August 5th 2012 (2 weeks)

3. PRICE:
$890 CAD

*The fee includes:
-Pre-departure support and assistance
-Coordination of your placement
-Airport pick-up & drop-off
-24/7 in-country support for the entire time you are abroad
-All in-country transportation
-Oceanfront hotel accommodations
-Three meals daily
-2 weekend day trip excursions to Nzulezu Village & the Slave Castle in Cape Coast
-When applicable, a reference letter, and/or compliance with your university or college for academic credit

*The fee does NOT include:
-Airfare
-Travel insurance
-Vaccinations
-Pocket Money

4. ITINERARY

You must apply online. You will then be contacted via phone or email within three business days for an interview. Upon acceptance you will be invited to register, and will then be provided with in-depth program information as well as pre-departure guidance on flights, insurance, visas, & vaccinations. Please note, exact itinerary is subject to change based on local needs.

Saturday July 21st

Volunteers are responsible for booking their own flights, and should arrive on July 21st. If you can not arrive exactly on July 21st, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate an earlier arrival.

Upon arrival, we’ll bring you from the airport to the team’s hotel in Accra. After some time spent settling in and meeting others, your Team Leader will provide you & your fellow volunteers with a small group orientation in order to get better acquainted with one another.

Sunday July 22nd

The team will depart Accra for their first excursion on the way to the Western Region. Traveling along Ghana’s beautiful coast, we’ll first visit the lively waterfront town of Cape Coast, a town filled with Victorian-era buildings and small local shops, followed by a tour the historic Cape Coast slave castle and lunch.

Cape Coast is known as the 1^st capital of Britain’s Gold Coast colony and is the capital of Ghana’s Central region. In the late 17^thcentury, Cape Coast became one of the largest and most important trading post in West Africa. It is best known for the Cape Coast Castle, one of the largest slave-holding sites in the world. In the colonial era, thousands of Ghanian slaves were held here before being put onto merchant ships to be traded for alcohol and guns.

Following the tour, the team will have some time to shop and take in the breath taking coastal views, before having lunch and heading to the Western region. There, the team will have free time to rest, and will then meet to work on a schedule for the upcoming exciting week of camp!

Monday July 23rd – Friday July 27th

For the next 5 days the team will be working alongside local staff, running a camp at an elementary school in the Western region.

Saturday July 28th

The team will enjoy a well deserved day off! Volunteers can relax at the beach or visit Axim town. Axim Beach has a picturesque rocky beach and a sandy beach perfect for swimming, relaxing, and sports such as volleyball.

Sunday July 29th

The team will travel to a local village of Beyin, where they will then venture to the village of Nzulezu on a 1 hour dugout canoe ride through the Amansuri swamps, the largest intact swamp forest in all of Ghana. This is an experience you will surely never forget!

The unique Nzulezo stilt village lies on the freshwater Lake Amansuri, 5k from the town of Beyin. With a population of around 500 people, this fascinating village consists solely of wood and raffia walkways, with a few dozen houses alongside of it. The uniqueness of the culture among the communities, families, school children, & church-goers of Nzulezo is so intriguing as well as truly inspiring!On the way home the team can watch the sunset at Monkey Hill, a vibrant beach hangout where you can learn to dance with the best of them.

Monday July 30th – Friday August 3rd

For the next 5 days you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside local staff in our 2^nd site, a local elementary school in the Western region we will be working with.

Saturday August 4th

Sunday August 5th

The team will depart Western Region for Accra. Volunteers depart throughout the evening.

5. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
You are outgoing, positive, and are someone who has a passion for helping others. You are adventurous, interested in taking risks, and are willing to try new experiences. You enjoy learning about new places, cultures, and meeting people from around the world. You are a strong team player, and work well with others in a group. Most importantly, you are non-judgmental, and are open-minded to others different from you. You are someone who acclimates well to new environments and is flexible in adapting to change. You enjoy working with children and have the patience, kindness, and energy it requires!

Though some of our volunteers may have more experience working with children than others, we are looking for applicants who overall have an interest in & are comfortable working with children of all ages. Whether you are an undergrad, or graduate student considering a career in child and family studies, a professional working in fine arts, theater or dance, or are a social worker, school teacher, or counselor working in a school, clinic or other setting, this is a great opportunity to build on your skill sets. It will also provide you with a meaningful, learning experience and an opportunity to further grow as an individual and a team player!

If you think this sounds like you, we’d love for you to join us. Apply now!
http://thehumanityexchange.org/volunteer-abroad/apply/

Here’s our website if you’d like to know more:
http://thehumanityexchange.org/tours/ghana-summer-camp-team/

Or, feel free to email us directly with any questions you may have:
ghanasc@thehumanityexchange.org

Looking forward to seeing you this summer!

Alana,

Team Leader of the 2012 Ghana Summer Camp

FuzeUs