The Humanity Exchange

http://thehumanityexchange.org/2011/02/orp...

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PO Box 2514 Prince George, BC V2N 2S6 Canada

Orphanage Assistant

Benin
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Location
Benin: Ouidah

Program Duration
5-8 weeks

Dates
year round

  • Description

    Your Role
    Volunteers who spend time with children, offering their love and care, play an integral role in child development. In this position you will be caring for handicapped, orphaned, and abandoned children, as well as those children living with HIV or AIDS.

    Examples of Activities:
    - Dress and feed children
    - Tutor children in various academic subjects
    - Assist staff in the nursery school
    - Mentor children
    - Run extra-curricular activities
    - Assist in follow-ups with previously established Press relationships, in establishing new relationships and in the overall progress of our press networking.

  • Highlights

    Language
    You can compliment your volunteer experience with French classes. On days when you have class, you will spend half the day volunteering and the other half learning French.

    Class setting: You will learn French in a small group setting (1-6 students). All teachers are university-trained French teachers. You will learn through reading & writing, the use of media, and field trips where you are guided in actively practicing your French

    Standard French: Two Hours, Three times per Week
    Intensive French: Two Hours, Five times per Week

    You can add as many weeks of language learning as you like to your placement. View costs to determine how much your program will cost depending on how much French you would like to learn.

  • Qualifications

    Language Requirement: Basic French (Note: if you do not have the required level of French, contact us to learn about options for language learning before your placement or other opportunities which may be suited to your goals and skills).

  • Languages

    • French

  • Cost in US$:

    Starts at USD 700 for one week

  • Cost Includes:

    • Housing
    • In-country staff support
    • Registration fees
    • Written materials abroad
    • Written materials pre-departure

  • Program Fees Include:

    * Pre-departure support: You will have a staff member available to support you throughout your time preparing to go abroad. In addition, you will be provided with all the resources you need including your Pre-Departure Manual & Culture Matters Workbook. The pre-departure manual includes all information you need regarding your destination, as well as advice on blogging and fundraising. The Culture Matters Workbook is a self-study course focused on:
    - Culture shock
    - Issues power and race
    - Managing politics, religion, and gender
    - Working effectively in a cross-cultural setting
    - Preparing to reintegrate as you return home
    * Transportation to and from the airport
    * Accommodation (single or double occupancy in self catering apartment).
    * Laundry, cleaning, and one African meal provided weekly
    * Organization placement
    * Reference letter and/or compliance with your college or university for course credit (Upon request; 90USD fee applies for students obtaining course credit)

    What's not Included:
    * Food
    * Airfare
    * Insurance
    * Vaccinations
    * Local transportation
    * Pocket money

  • Credit Available

    yes

  • Experience Required

    no

  • Volunteer Types

    • Academic Reinforcement
    • Childcare/children
    • Clerical And Office Work
    • Community Development
    • Community Organizing
    • Education
    • Orphans
    • Primary Education
    • Public Education
    • Street Kids
    • Teaching
  • Typical Volunteer

    College & university students, early career professionals. Typically you will work 9am-5pm in this position. You can take mornings or afternoons off if you will be learning French while volunteering. You can take long weekends to travel and explore Benin, just let your supervisor know in advance. You and your supervisor may arrange an alternate schedule where you also help out on weekends or take certain weekdays off. While generally volunteers are involved in a typical workday alongside local staff and volunteers, we know that you are volunteering your valuable time. Therefore, if you would like to volunteer for less hours, this is okay. You can arrange this with your supervisor once in Cameroon. In sum, your schedule at the orphanage can be flexible, you just need to ensure you communicate the schedule you would like to have with your supervisor.

  • Age Range

    18+

  • This Program is open to

    Worldwide Participants.

  • Typical Living Arrangements

    • Guest House

  • Participants Travel

    Independently or in Groups

  • Typically Participants Work

    Independently or in Groups

  • Scholarships are Available

    Media Matters Award We offer awards of up to $300 USD to defray the costs of volunteering abroad. Applicants must demonstrate a desire to contribute to our online community in the long term through various forms of media. Types of media include but are not limited to blogging, photography, online articles, and video content. Other forms of media which can be transferred for viewing online, for example painting, drawing, and sketching, are also possible. We welcome innovative ideas. Successful applicants have a clear and well-organized plan regarding what media they will create, and demonstrate a commitment and proven ability to complete their media project. Application Deadlines: March 15th, June 15th, September 15th, December 15th http://thehumanityexchange.org/resources/media-matters-award-application/(

  • Application Process Involves

    • Online Application plus Application Assessment
  • Typically The Application Process Time is

    3 days

  • The Humanity Exchange's Mission Statement

    To provide exceptional international exchange experiences, that foster globally minded conscientious leaders and contribute to development in cooperation with local communities.

  • Year Founded

    2009

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I'm really happy I went through The Humanity Exchange to facilitate my volunteer experience abroad. I didn't want to go through a program that tailored the experience to a tee, so that you feel lik...

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