Adult Education
(Zambia)
This is always rewarding because you will be teaching adults who have often missed the chance for an education due to poverty or gender and find themselves battling in a literate world. They work hard and are somewhat better at concentrating than their younger counterparts! This is a wonderful experience for anyone planning to teach.
Animal Conservation
(Kenya, Romania, Tanzania, Jordan)
We work with several groups across the world – focusing particularly on African wildlife such as chimps and European brown bears – who are deeply committed not only to looking after damaged animals but also to changing the mind-set of their countries towards pets and wildlife. With plenty of hands-on work it’s a great grounding for veterinary work.
Childcare (Paid)
(Australia, Canada - Whistler)
Paid jobs in childcare tend to involve a very different type of child – almost certainly well fed, clothed and educated – to those in voluntary jobs, but it is just as important. It may involve home schooling or be more of an entertainment role. Those aiming for jobs in nursery nursing, paediatrics, teaching or full-time child care will learn a lot from this.
Childcare & Orphanages (Voluntary)
(Brazil, Kenya, India, Nepal, Romania, Tanzania, Zambia)
The kids may come from desperate circumstances, but these are some of the placements that our participants find most moving and rewarding. The children are generally affectionate, mad-keen to learn and delight in any extra-curricular activities such as sport or drama.
Community Centres
(Brazil)
These are demanding jobs, working in urban shanty towns or slums, known in Brazil as favelas, with children and adults who live in conditions of great poverty. But the programmes we’re involved in are full of energy and excitement – whether involving music, drama or football – and you can see people change before your eyes. This is a great chance for anyone considering a career in drama or teaching.
Farm Work (Paid)
Not easy, possibly back-breaking and never over-paid…but lodgings and often food are usually included, so it’s easy to save a lot of money for travelling after your placement has finished. You also meet other people, get fit and brown and possibly develop a six-pack. If you work hard – or have previous experience – you may well get the chance to move on to more skilled farm jobs, such as riding or animal work.
Healthcare & Hospitals
(India, Kenya, Romania, Tanzania, Zambia)
There is an infinite need for helpers in the medical systems of the developing world, much of it being about flexibility and turning your hand to just about anything. It’s an amazing opportunity to see grassroots healthcare in action for anyone thinking of a career in medicine, and a chance to become involved in prevention programmes for people aiming for teaching or social work jobs.
HIV/AIDS Care & Education
(Zambia)
The devastating effect of HIV/AIDs on developing nations and the colossal funding pouring into research means that it stands on its own in the health world. The job provides an incredible insight into the cross-currents of culture, religion, ethics and public health and a chance to be involved in educating people about, and managing, the disease.
Hospitality (Hotels, Bars, Restaurants)
(Australia, Canada - Banff, Canada -Tremblant)
Paid work in the hospitality industry tends to be hard, not brilliantly paid, and long hours, but it’s incredibly good fun and usually very social! There may be a lot of temporary workers around the same age, accommodation is often included and there may be other perks such as ski passes or free transport involved, depending on the employer.
Refugee Care
(Nepal)
This is specialised work, in the sense that refugees are often suffering not just from a lack of basic provision – food, water, shelter, healthcare – but are also having to cope with complex emotional reactions to their displacement, including anger, fear for the future and often grief. It demands a sympathetic, flexible and mature attitude in a volunteer, along with warmth, enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in.
Sports Coaching
(Tanzania)
This is not only available as full-time work, but often goes hand-in-hand with teaching or community centre jobs. Children in schools and orphanages benefit both physically and psychologically from doing sport, and however simple the facilities, it’s an invaluable chance to get practical experience before starting a career in sports education.
Teaching
(Brazil, Chile, India, Kenya, Nepal, Romania)
Our teaching programmes span the world, involve students of all ages and generally provide incredible opportunities to fit in with a local community, meeting parents, other teachers and getting to know the children. Teaching participants are encouraged to use any other skills they may have – sports, drama, art, technology – for extra lessons: a fine chance, obviously, to prepare for a teaching or childcare career.
Women's Literacy
(Zambia)
A sub-clause of Adult Education, but one that comes with its own particular demands: in some countries women are doubly barred from education - for cultural reasons, or because of the demands of childcare or earning money to look after their families. Literacy is closely linked to empowerment and economic status of women.
