Description

During this placement volunteers will be working alongside the woman with leprosy and the silver smith who owns the workshop. Here you may be asked to assist in designing new jewellery pieces and collections, gathering soap nuts from the market and the farm, or collecting other materials for the jewellery.
You may also have the opportunity to learn from the silver smith how to work with the metal to make earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets.

Although these women are very skilled, they are always interested in having people join them in the creation of new pieces. Volunteers can bring new ideas about jewellery design and new methods of using materials that will help generate more income for the women.

Volunteers may also be expected to help around the village with tasks such as house cleaning, gardening, participating in different activities at the community school, and helping leprosy effected people with their daily tasks.

Highlights

Many women who suffer from leprosy are forced out of their jobs and livelihood. At the eco-village, these disenfranchised women collect soapnuts and separate the shell from the seed. The seeds inside the nuts, once separated, are cleaned, dried and then turned into jewelry by staff at the village. The women use precious stone, recycled glass and silver to string necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets and other jewelry.
The jewelery is then sold to visitors of the Kevin Rohan Eco-Village and also in a few European countries. The income generated by the sales of the jewelry goes to supporting the woman who made them.

Qualifications

Volunteers with a background in handicraft or jewelry design would be greatly appreciated.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Art/Fine Arts
• Business Admin, Management
• Education
• Sustainable Development
• Women's Studies

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 2.745 for 8 weeks, USD 205 each additional wk.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.

Experience Required

yes

It is important that volunteers are creative as they will be assisting the women in developing and making new and enticing jewelry to sell.

Volunteer Types

• Arts
• Education
• Health
• Health Care
• Health Education
• Women

Typical Volunteer

We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of Depends on the placement

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

24-48 hrs

Basecamp International Centers's Mission Statement

We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded

1998