Voluntary Project Overview

The support group runs as a daily drop-in centre for members. It organizes fund raising events, health-related and other training for members and has various income-generating activities/micro-enterprises, including a farm. It is closely linked to the local AIDS/HIV clinic, and is currently funded by UNAIDS. The organisation is quite small and is expanding in terms of members welcomed and projects undertaken. They therefore need help in various areas in order successfully to meet their goals.

The Volunteer Abroad Role

Volunteers abroad are working alongside the staff to help in many aspects of the organisation. This includes administration systems, project management, accounting, training of staff and proposals and reports writing to international institutions such as UNAIDS and Global Funds. This project is especially interesting for people wishing to gain experience in the development sector. Volunteers with a healthcare background can also assist in areas such as nutrition, health education, and counseling.

Other Volunteer Abroad opportunities

There is an opportunity to get involved in Adult literacy Classes, as well as IT training for the staff and members. Volunteers with agricultural skills can get involved directly with the farm project.

Voluntary Programme Requirements/Eligibility Criteria

We require 4 years of working experience for our business placements. Skills needed are in office management, basic accounting and/or IT. Experience of organizing fund raising events or running a small business would be very useful, as would experience of or an interest in farming. Volunteers need good communication skills, an open mind, lots of enthusiasm and a good sense of humour!

Volunteer Accommodation and Living arrangements

Brikama is quite a large town, only 30 minutes away from the coastal resorts. It is well known for its craft market which produces and sells hundreds of wood carvings, batiks, drums and other souvenirs. Music is also a central part of the life in Brikama and you will be able to either take classes locally or listen to the performances of musical talents sometimes internationally renowned. Accommodation is available either in a well selected host family, a self-catering apartment or in local guest houses.

What’s included in your Programme Fee?

• Project selection and placement - Our in-country teams work constantly to identify and select projects that are doing exemplary work in developing countries but need your skills and effort. Our staff are in dialogue with you to ensure that we choose a project that really needs you, where you will use your skills and contribute, because at MondoChallenge, we believe that a great volunteering experience is largely dependant on matching you with the right project
• Pre Departure Briefing - Before you leave, we will arrange for a pre departure briefing where we help you with small but extremely helpful details on your chosen destination. Things like: what to pack, local culture and customs, food, safety and precautions if any - simple things to make your life easier!
• Guidance for processing visa - MondoChallenge will arrange for any relevant documents and guide you through the visa process.
• Airport Pick Up - Arriving in a new city and not knowing where to go and how to go can be quite unnerving. A MondoChallenge representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your place of stay where you can put your feet up after a long flight.
• In country Orientation and Welcome Pack - When you arrive in the city, you will be given an orientation where you could meet other volunteers from MondoChallenge, know all about the city, how to find your way around, where to get SIM cards for the phone, small bits that you will need help sorting out in the first few days.
• In Country Support - Our local co-ordinators are there to guide you through out your stay. They will make sure that you are settled at your project, are comfortable with your accommodation and provide guidance on local culture and customs to ensure that you have a memorable and rewarding experience.
• Accommodation - In most cases you stay with a local host family. It gives you a taste of the daily life of a local. You will be sharing a room with another volunteer, however if you prefer to have a single room to yourself, this can be arranged but a cost supplement may apply. If you prefer totally independent accommodation, this may also be possible in certain areas at an additional cost and our Programme Managers will be able to assist you with this.
• Breakfast and Dinner - Local home cooked food, will be provided at the home stays. This gives you a chance to experience local dishes.

Not Included:

• International Flights
• Visa and Travel insurance Costs
• Vaccination
• Local Transport and Travel
• Personal Expenses

Project photos

Testimonials