Description:
Volunteers can serve on a wide variety of work projects, depending upon the time of year: $2,295 for adults, $1,995 for students w/ internet discount for two weeks. Three-week options are also available.
Literacy: Various professionals and generalists are needed throughout the islands. One project is literacy training. Volunteers work in a school setting with students from third grade to high-school age on phonetics and reading skills. Teachers, parents, employers and the students themselves have identified tutoring in reading as vital to procuring a job and advancing in the workforce. A structured phonetics program, written especially for Cook Islanders, is in place.
History: Volunteers also are needed in several libraries on Rarotonga, including the National Library, the Cook Islands' Library Museum Society and school libraries. Projects range from routine cleaning and straightening of shelves to protecting and filing archival documents. Click and learn about the Cook Islands Program Library projects.
Environment: Are you a trailblazer' You'll enjoy working part time in the heights and depths of the remote interior Conservation District, blazing trails or assisting with organic gardening in the municipal gardens. You can also assist at the Whale Center during particular times of year.
Elder Care: Are you especially good in working with seniors' Mamas and papas (respectful names for senior citizens) are well cared for, usually by their families, so there is little need for institutionalization. A senior citizens' center helps with mobility and activities. Volunteers visit with the mamas and papas, getting a firsthand glimpse of how they lived and worked and raised their families a generation ago. Please contact our volunteer coordination staff for more details.
Highlights:
Experience this exotic South Pacific culture and locale while working one-on-one with youth, seniors and families striving to improve their futures on education, social service and conservation projects!
Qualifications / Skills Needed:
If you have energy, an open mind and are willing to serve as part of a team and take direction from local leaders, you will make a positive contribution to this exciting volunteer program.
Language:
English
Language Used As A Medium of Teaching:
English
Cost in US$: $1,995 to $2,495
Cost Includes: These fees support the community's on-going development program and also cover your meals, lodging, transportation within the work site, project expenses, administrative costs and the services of a trained team leader. The service program fee does not cover free-time expenses, or your airfare or other travel to the host community. All fees, including airfare, are tax-deductible for U.S. tax-payers.
Credit Available: yes
Experience Required: no
Typical Volunteer Projects:
adult education,
appropriate technology,
childcare/children,
clerical and office work,
community centers,
community development,
community health,
computer training,
culture,
curriculum planning,
digging,
eco-tourism,
economic development,
education,
elderly,
grassroots organization,
health care,
home visit,
indigenous issues,
literacy,
marketing,
natural resources,
office work,
painting,
parks,
peace,
planting,
professional services,
recreation,
renovation,
repairs,
restoration,
secretarial,
self help,
social services, social work,
trail building,
tree planting,
tutor,
women,
youth
and youth development
Typical Volunteer: Our volunteers are culturally curious and open-minded people looking to contribute to a community development project and to improve their understanding of different ways of life and the social struggles in developing communities. They are all ages, from various ethnic backgrounds and of all different professions, such as educators, students, laborers, medical professionals, full-time parents, computer professionals, artists, lawyers and the like.
Age Range: anyone above age 15
This Program is open to
Families, Couples and Individuals.
Participants Travel to Cook Islands
Independently
Typically Participants Work
in Groups of 15
Application Process Involves:
- Letters of Reference
- Phone Interview
- Written Application
Typically The Application Process Time Is 12 hours
Post Services Include:
- Alumni Network
- Exit DebriefingAbroad
- Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
Global Volunteers's Mission Statement: "Adventures in Service". Founded to help advance peace, racial reconciliation, and mutual international understanding between peoples of diverse cultures through short-term volunteer service on long-term community development programs. We maintain partnerships with local leaders and indigenous host organizations worldwide and mobilize up to 300 teams of volunteers annually to work alongside local people on work projects central to their advancement. We also raise funds to support our international and domestic partners and to provide child sponsorships for educational, social and medical assistance. Global Volunteers is in special consultative status with the United Nations.
Year Founded: 1984