Description

Volunteers are needed to help at a children's home in Belize. You will be working with a small charity called Liberty Foundation which exists to provide care, rehabilitation and education for abused and abandoned children in Belize.

Liberty Children's Home is licensed to house up to 40 children, all of whom have been physically/sexually abused and/or abandoned and placed with them through Belize Human Services. Some of the children also have disabilities, special needs and/or HIV/AIDS. Normally there are 25-40 children at the home at any one time and children can be aged from babies through to late teens.

Liberty strives not only to provide a child with food and shelter but to provide an environment where children are respected, nurtured and treated as individuals. The priority is to ensure the health and happiness of every child in their care.

The home is an English speaking environment providing a unique opportunity for interaction with the children and local staff at the home.

Typical day:

There is always a lot going on to get involved with! Most volunteers work on a number of different activities, wherever help is needed most at the time. Each day will differ but activities could include:

* Caring for and socialising with the children
* Gardening / farming
* Animal care - looking after the chickens, ducks and pigs on site!
* Cooking and cleaning duties
* Assisting with admin
* Assisting with local fundraising events e.g. making posters, helping organise an event
* Accompanying children and staff on trips outside of campus

Activities with the children:

* Reading books
* Art and crafts together
* Playing games outside
* Communicating with the children, listening to them and encouraging them to speak with you

If you have a specific skill or background e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy, please let us know as these skills are much appreciated and needed.

Highlights

* Recognised as a flagship home by the Belizean government for its fantastic work
* Live on site at the home
* English speaking environment
* Explore the rainforest, coral reefs and beaches in free time

The children's home is well established and you will probably find the kids quite independent but at the same time there is a huge need for and benefit from having international volunteers spending time with children, helping to build their confidence and communication skills and supporting the day to day running of the home.

By volunteering at the children's home you will help children who have had an incredibly tough start in life. Your support helps them to be re-integrated into society and gain an education which can mean the difference between a life of poverty and a life of opportunity and freedom. If you are able to volunteer for longer periods this is really beneficial for the children's home and you will also probably find you gain more from the experience.

Qualifications

You do not need any specific qualifications or experience to volunteer on this project, you just need to enjoy working with children.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

GBP 475 for first 2 weeks, GBP 60 for extra weeks

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

* A comprehensive information booklet and pre-departure support
* Travel advice and assistance
* Being met on arrival at Belize International Airport
* Tour of the campus and introduction to the project, staff and children
* Accommodation (a simple shared room)
* All meals
* Ongoing support, help and advice from our local team

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

21 +

This Program is open to

Worldwide, American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi and South African Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 2-4

Application Process Involves

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

Personal Overseas Development (PoD)'s Mission Statement

PoD is a leading non-profit organization arranging ethical, inspiring and supported volunteering opportunities around the world. Established in 2001, our aim is to support ongoing projects with our partners in Belize, Cambodia, Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam by providing passionate and committed volunteers. We work with long term projects that we know personally and where there is genuine benefit to local communities. A placement with PoD will not only develop volunteer's skills and confidence, get them out of their comfort zone and exploring incredible parts of the world but also the ability make a genuine difference. We currently offer gap year, career break, working holiday, volunteer projects and school expeditions from 1 week to 6 months with year round departures. We offer a personal and professional service drawing on years of experience from staff in the UK and overseas. Volunteers are needed to help work with disadvantaged children, communities, animals and conservation projects including: caring for elephants and wild animals; joining an Amazon jungle conservation project; scuba diving and marine conservation; community building projects; volunteering at orphanages and care homes; teaching English and running summer English camps. PoD believes in providing challenging, safe and fun experiences for individuals and groups to enjoy. We are passionate about giving volunteers of all ages the opportunity to use their energy, enthusiasm and personality where it counts.

Year Founded

2001