Description:
Partner up with GVN and head to Rwanda for this life-changing volunteer opportunity. Volunteers will assist our partner organization's mission to facilitate processes to help eradicate poverty, reduce HIV infections, and help communities in capacity building programs.
Since the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has been working to climb out of the shadow of the past. Rwanda has mostly passed the point of needing emergency aid, but the genocide will have long lasting consequences, such as poverty and HIV/AIDS, for years to come and there is much work still to be done.
This is a Christian-based organisation, however, volunteers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
There are volunteer opportunities in the following areas:
Children's Program
The after effects of genocide lead to thousands upon thousands of children homeless and forced to live in orphanages. A high percentage of these children have also lost their parents to HIV/Aids. As a volunteer you will take on the role of an older sibling and be involved in daily care activities this includes feeding, teaching life skills and playing with the children. You will work along side the house mothers to assist with teaching, homework help, childcare and daily operational running of the Home. Volunteers are also encouraged to initiate their own work by organizing art and crafts, music, dance, games, sports activities for the children. This role is suitable for a caring, motivated and self-directed person who has a love for children and has childcare experience.
Literacy Program
The situation of schools in Rwanda is still unsatisfactory. Many of them lack books, scholastic and teaching materials and school equipment. In fact, war and genocide caused heavy losses at the level of human and material resources as well as the decrease of the social capital. Estimates show that about 600 schools (almost a third of Rwanda's schools) were destroyed and 3000 teachers killed. What is more worrying is the fact that an important number of children do not attend school due to certain family chores and responsibility. Volunteers will work alongside local primary teachers to improve the level of English, Math, Health, Hygiene and Science skills amongst students. Volunteers will also be involved in an after school literacy program by tutoring teenagers that do not attend school. Volunteers are not required to have a teaching qualification but experience in subject areas like English, Math, Health, Hygiene and Science and French would be advantageous
Medical Program
For volunteers with experience, or studying towards a medical career we have opportunities based in local clinics in Rwanda. Activities vary and will be dependent on your skills. Some activities you may be involved with are patient consultation, general nursing, family planning, antenatal and postnatal care, nutrition, dispensing medication and keeping patient records up to date.
There may be opportunities to assist within the HIV/AIDS department testing blood, providing ARV distribution, counselling, and education. There may also be the option to assist with home based care.
Community Outreach Program
* Income Generating Activities
Volunteers will have the opportunity to work with local women's associations in developing sustainable business activities such as soap making, basket weaving, bead making, and subsistence farming. Volunteers will work closely with these associations to bring in new business ideas, providing training on small scale business practices and assistance on getting products to market. This project will be volunteer initiated; volunteers are required to have knowledge or skills in the management of small scale business.
* Education
Volunteers will work with the community to provide informal education workshops. The workshops are run for children, teenagers no longer in the position to attend school, and different womens groups. The focus will be on teaching English but there may be an opportunity to introduce a wider range of topics and assist with classes that address issues affecting those in the community.
Highlights:
* Make friends with the affectionate and kind hearted Rwandan people.
* Be amazed by the impressive volcanoes, dense tropical forests, the largest number anywhere of endangered mountain gorillas, not to mention Rwanda's rich cultural heritage.
* Work within needy communities to help them achieve a brighter future.
To apply for this volunteer program, please visit our website.
If you have any questions please feel to email us. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Qualifications / Skills Needed:
As a volunteer in Rwanda you must:
- Be between 18 and 65 years of age
- Have no major health problems
- Have some skills in at least one of the following areas:
- Childcare
- Teaching
- HIV/Aids education
- Gender-based violence
- Business skills
- Basic French is required for the Teaching program
- Be eligible for a tourist visa to Rwanda
Languages:
English
and French
Cost in US$: Please visit our website for details
Experience Required: yes
A university degree is required to teach classes independently however, volunteers with high school qualifications may help as teaching assistants. A basic knowledge of French is also required for the Teaching project.
Typical Volunteer Projects:
AIDS,
childcare/children,
consciousness-raising,
gender issues,
income-generation,
literacy,
orphans,
primary education,
teaching
and women
Age Range: 18+
This Program is open to
American,
Australian,
Canadian,
European,
Kiwi
and South African
Participants.
This Program is also open to
Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements:
Group living
and Other
Participants Travel to Rwanda
Independently
Typically Participants Work
Independently
Or
in Groups of varies
Application Process Involves:
- Online Application plus Application Assessment
Typically The Application Process Time Is 2-3 days
Post Services Include:
- Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
Global Volunteer Network's Mission Statement: The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) is a New Zealand Charitable Trust (non-profit NGO) based in Wellington, New Zealand. Our Charitable incorporation number is: CC46460.
Our vision is to support the work of local community organizations in developing countries through the placement of international volunteers. We believe that local communities are in the best position to determine their needs, and we provide volunteers to help them achieve their goals.
Year Founded: 2000