Description

We have a great volunteer place for you! Provide a genuine service while learning about this captivating South Pacific culture. Our NGO host partner on the main island of Rarotonga directs our work to help bolster literacy, elder care and social services in several settings. Your "helping hands" and financial support through your service program fee provide valuable resources to reach out to the island's youth and adults!

Global Volunteers has over 26 years experience managing volunteers and providing direct community development assistance. Here's where you can help:

* Literacy
Various professionals and generalists are needed to tutor students on phonetics and reading skills. Library projects range from routine cleaning and straightening of shelves to protecting and filing archival documents.

* Environment
Are you a trailblazer? You'll enjoy working part time in the heights and depths of the remote interior helping to preserve the habitat of the rare Kakerori bird. You can also assist at the Whale Center during particular times of year.

* Elder Care
Are you especially good in working with seniors? A senior citizens' center helps with mobility and activities. Volunteers visit with the "mamas" to stimulate and converse with them.

"Whether it was a smile that stopped tears, a game that brought laughter, a list of rare books that brings security or an increased reading ability that brings opportunity, there are many here who are better off because of our visit. For that we can all be sure it was time well spent. "
~ Lisa Dughi, Cook Islands Volunteer

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!

You'll stay in a beautiful, sea-side resort motel and enjoy fresh meals prepared by local cooks and in island restaurants. Fresh fruits, seafoods and exotic vegetables are typical fare.

After the work day and on the weekend, you can engage in all manner of island recreation: snorkeling, kayaking, biking, swimming, shopping and enjoying the small museums and markets. This is an island service paradise!

Qualifications

Join us! Pack your open mind and cultural curiosity and make a positive contribution to this exciting volunteer program!

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 1,995 to USD 2,595

Cost Includes:

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

Program Fees Include:

These costs 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 cost does not cover free-time expenses, or your airfare or other travel to the host community. All costs, including airfare, are tax-deductible for U.S. tax-payers.

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

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

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

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 15

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

12 hours

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Global Volunteers's Mission Statement

"Partners in Development". Founded to help advance peace, rehabilitate improverished communities, and promote mutual international understanding between peoples of diverse cultures through short-term volunteer service on long-term community development programs. We maintain on-going partnerships with local leaders and indigenous host organizations worldwide. Each year, we mobilize up to 300 teams of volunteers 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 and UNICEF.

Year Founded

1984