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Volunteer Programs
Participants with GIVE INTERNATIONAL are interested in 'learning through experience' and come from a variety of backgrounds. Individual volunteer placements last between 4-12 weeks, and participants are expected to be involved in fundraising for Give International in order to enable the organization to cover the costs associated with their placement. (Note: Unless GIVE INTERNATIONAL has the necessary funds by a certain date prior to a given assignment, GIVE INTERNATIONAL reserves the right to cancel or postpone the placement).
Why volunteer with GIVE INTERNATIONAL?
Although East Africa is one of the poorest regions in the world, it is also a region blessed with incredible potential and human resources. Unfortunately, inadequate infrastructure and limited educational services, especially in rural areas, have led to a chronic under-development and wide-spread poverty. Due to our respected position, individuals who apply and are accepted for a volunteer assignment with Give International do so for the following reasons:
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Organization: |
GIVE INTERNATIONAL is committed to providing well-organized and well- researched volunteer opportunities that are mutually beneficial to both the volunteer and the project. Everything from airport transfers, to appropriate accommodations, to in-country supervision is carefully thought out and organized for the benefit of all involved. |
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Safety: |
The health and safety of GIVE volunteers is always a first and foremost priority. For this reason all precautions have been taken. For further information and details, please view the Volunteer Health and Safety section. |
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In-Country Expertise: |
GIVE volunteers are privileged to have a full-time Country Representative who not only assists with the management of GIVE's international projects, but is also available for in-country orientation, advice, encouragement, emergency assistance, and mentorship as needed. |
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Cross-cultural Sensitivity: |
Our international and local staff members firmly believe that when people of different cultures have an opportunity to connect and interact with one another, it leads to a mutual understanding of our shared humanity and how similar we all are. Thus, we accept, appreciate and respect that people know and understand what is appropriate for their own communities. |
Volunteer Programs - Education
Teaching in an international context is an excellent way of gaining valuable experience in a cross-cultural setting. Whether you've been overseas before or not, it will allow you to gain a new perspective, change your worldview, and allow you to do something important and purposeful in the process.
Teaching is perfect for the outgoing individual who wants an outlet for their energy and creativity. If you have an open mind, are willing to serve as part of a team, and able to take direction from local leaders, you will make an excellent cross-cultural teacher.
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GIVE INTERNATIONAL provides trained volunteers to run our education and training programs in order to enhance the skills and abilities of elementary and secondary school teachers in East Africa. These programs target the identified needs of local teachers, and are staffed by GIVE INTERNATIONAL with trained volunteers, and operate in existing school facilities.
Motivated individuals are able to volunteer on GIVE projects for 4-12 week placements as teachers of English, math, science, geography, or social sciences to high school students. As the majority of East Africans use English as their primary language, and all school classes are taught in English, you will be able to make a tangible difference right from the very beginning. Rural schools often lack cement floors, windows, and doors, but the students are extremely eager to learn, and their energy and optimism will make this a truly remarkable teaching experience that you will never forget.
Volunteer Programs - Health Care
GIVE INTERNATIONAL provides trained health professionals (MD, RN, RPN) to volunteer from 4-12 weeks in existing health clinics, hospitals, and maternity wards. Through these placements, volunteers are able to provide training and mentorship to East African health personnel, such that they are able to take over and sustain the services themselves.
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If you are a nurse, family physician, internist, medical student, dentist, optometrist, mid-wife, gynecologist or other specialist, GIVE INTERNATIONAL needs you to assist our programs through performing numerous tasks such as patient examinations, providing pre-natal care, vaccinating children, assisting at the children's clinic, dispensing pharmaceuticals, counselling patients, helping administrate, and/or making referrals to the regional hospital.
Although the working conditions in rural health clinics and hospitals may not be what you are currently used to (the equipment is quite basic and the amount and variety of medicines are really quite limited), volunteering your time to assist your colleagues in East Africa is always cited as an incredibly meaningful and rewarding experience that the volunteer never forgets.
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Volunteer Programs - Child Development
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Volunteering with children in an international context is an excellent way of gaining valuable experience in a cross-cultural setting. Whether you've been overseas before or not, it will allow you to gain a new perspective, change your worldview, and allow you to do something important and purposeful in the process. Since HIV/AIDS has resulted in so many orphans throughout East Africa, there is a real need for volunteers in GIVE INTERNATIONAL's Child Care and Development programs in order to assist in their development, and encourage the staff that work with them.
GIVE INTERNATIONAL provides trained volunteers to run programs in orphanages and children's homes for a pre-defined term ranging from 4-12 weeks. In these programs, GIVE volunteers focus on providing basic care such as helping feed the children, mentoring them, overseeing their medicines, playing with them, helping them with their home-work, counselling them, teaching them, organizing sports days for them, etc, etc, etc!
If you are outgoing, energetic, creative, compassionate, and patient, volunteering with bright and optimistic children will be a remarkable experience that you will never forget!
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