Projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America
Volunteers and villagers taking a break during a classroom construction project in Zanzibar, Tanzania 2008
The Africa, Asia, Latin America Programme is a Development Education programme set within the Millenium Development Goals. The programme enables people to gain an insight and understanding of development issues facing people and countries of the developing world by participating in short term International Volunteer Projects, of practical benefit to local communities. The Programme is made up of four elements; Preparation, Projects, Evaluation and Using your experience.
We encourage volunteers to join in 2 or 3 short term projects during their 2 month stay in a developing country, as well as visiting other development and community projects. However, it is also possible to join an individual project.
Africa: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Asia: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam.
Latin America: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru.
The Projects are organised by local voluntary work organisations and involve teams of local and international volunteers helping:
- to build extra classrooms onto a local school
- to renovate a rural health centre
- to plant trees and other environmental projects
- to make play facilities at a centre for children with disabilities
Villagers and volunteers work together on an environmental project in Sri Lanka, Summer 2008
Click here to view current projects or contact the VSI office for more details.
Volunteers and villagers who helped to build a classroom on Pemba Island, Tanzania in Summer 08
Who can take part
The programme is open to volunteers over 20 years of age with previous volunteering experience.
Costs
Free food and accommodation is provided while on the individual projects. Projects are mostly held in rural areas and conditions on the projects can be basic e.g. no electricity; no running water etc.
- Volunteers have to cover travel to the country and internal travel to/from the projects.
- Volunteers have to take out a comprehensive insurance policy. Volunteers have to cover visa fees (if any).
- Volunteers must be members of VSI and also have to pay a programme fee of €140 for projects in 1 country to VSI once accepted on the programme.VSI fees for projects in a 2nd country are an extra €40.
In addition volunteers will have to pay the host organisation a Project Fee ranging from €100 - €200 - more details at the Preparation Workshops.
How to apply
Click here to download the application form
Preparation
We organise a comprehensive preparation and orientation programme/briefing for participants. Volunteers intending to take part in the Africa, Asia, Latin America programme must join in our Preparation/Briefing Programme. Our main Preparation Programme takes place from March to May. Volunteers applying outside of this period should contact the office for details of Preparation courses.