Volunteering opportunities

Below are current volunteering opportunities for international development projects in Cambridge and overseas. If you would like to be notified of new volunteering opportunities, please subscribe to the mailing list here. If you would like to advertise a volunteering opportunity, either in Cambridge or overseas, please email anna-joy.rickard@humanitariancentre.org.

Overseas Opportunities

Volunteer Trainers, Village Ways, India

Are you a native or fluent English speaker? Do you enjoy the quirks of cultural differences? Are you looking for an exciting and challenging volunteering experience? Sustainable tourism organisation, Village Ways, is looking for volunteers to teach English to their local tour guides in some of the most beautiful parts of India.

Background
Village Ways (www.villageways.com) has developed community- based tourism enterprises with partner village communities, enabling them to jointly establish, own and manage guesthouses and provide holidays for discerning international guests. Currently, Village Ways is expanding activities and holiday destinations in India and therefore seeks candidates to provide training to local teams in the new villages.

Job Description
Your primary task will be to enhance the functional English language skills of local guides and community guesthouse managers, to increase their competence and confidence in interacting with foreign guests. In addition, we would expect you to: (a) work with the guides to develop their guiding skills and understanding of local wildlife, culture and history; (b) record any handicraft activities in the area; c) advise on basic first aid and any health & safety issues. We are also keen to raise the awareness of the guides of the importance of nature conservation and reduced littering. We expect to have up to 10 potential guides in each new enterprise, as well as guesthouse managers and cooks.

Location, Timing & Duration
We are seeking trainers for projects in a) South India (Kerala & Karnataka) during November-December 2012; b) North India (Rajasthan & Uttarakhand) during February-March 2013. We envisage two trainers working together in each location, for a period of up to 8 weeks.

Terms & Conditions
Village Ways will arrange and pay for your local travel and provide full board during your assignment in India. We will pay a nominal honorarium to cover incidental local costs. You will be expected to cover international travel and visa costs and to take out suitable medical/accident insurance cover that includes emergency evacuation cover.

Responding
No specific qualifications are necessary for this role. If you have relevant skills and are interested in this challenging and exciting opportunity, please email your CV with a brief covering note to explain how you are suited to the tasks. Please state your preference for the South India or North India assignments. Send to Keith Virgo (keith.virgo@villageways.com), as soon as possible.

Note: this is an initial call for candidates. The actual job descriptions, location of training, duration of assignment, terms & conditions and training content may evolve over the next few months.

Local Opportunities

Touch of Africa, Cambridge

LOOKING FOR A PUBLICITY OFFICER

Touch of Africa is a new fashion company driven by ethical motives based in Cambridge run by four students from Cambridge University. We are looking for an intern to work with us until December. The successful applicant will get a custom-made May Ball dress for 2013. http://www.touch-of-africa.co.uk/

The role will primarily involve:

- Helping to update the Touch of Africa website and coordinate our presence on new media sites such as Facebook, twitter, YouTube and an e-newsletter.

- Taking part in team weekly meetings and meetings with external colleagues where future events are planned and upcoming work priorities are discussed.

If you are available up to 4 hours per week to volunteer for Touch of Africa in Cambridge, and would like to gain experience please email Sela at sela_m@hotmail.co.uk with a CV and cover letter explaining your interest in International Development.

http://www.touch-of-africa.co.uk/

www.touch-of-africa.co.uk

Student Co-ordinators Volunteer, Bridges to Belarus, Cambridge

Bridges to Belarus helps children and families affected by the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. The charity has developed a programme with local organisations where the children and families are supported with items and essential equipment – such as basic food and clothing, school equipment, prams, beds, cookers, washing machines, furniture and plaster for walls. All the needs are assessed by people living and working in Belarus so we do not waste resources on unnecessary items and can identify those families most in need. We plan to continue work to supply clothes, shoes, basic food supplies, prescription medication, vitamins and household necessities to the poorest families and orphanages as well as continuing to maintain equipment already bought.

We are looking for volunteers to promote the charity to the University’s student body to increase involvement, from fundraising to translation of Russian texts. No prior volunteering or fundraising experience required; all you need is the energy and enthusiasm to make an impact on behalf of Bridges to Belarus.

If you are interested, please contact either Rachel Furley (bridgestobelarus@gmail.com) or Sarah Greaves (sarah.greaves1971@gmail.com) for an informal chat.

For more information, please see our website at www.bridgestobelarus.org.uk

Oxfam Emergency Fundraising Volunteers, Cambridge

Oxfam’s Emergency Fundraising Volunteers are motivated individuals taking part in fundraising in response to a disaster appeal.

You will have a vital role in raising funds to support the DEC and Oxfam’s emergency response work.

Key responsibilities:

• Help out at large scale local fundraising events. For example street collections or black tie balls.
• Initiate local fundraising. e.g. distribute collection tins in local businesses.
• Organise small fundraising events such as coffee mornings and pub quizzes.
• Work as part of a group of volunteers.
• Encourage people within your local community to support Oxfam and the DEC.

What Oxfam can offer you as a volunteer:

• This is your chance to help change the world and make a real difference to people affected by disasters.
• Work as a member of your local community but also as part of the wider Oxfam community.
• The unique opportunity to develop existing skills and gain experience in fundraising.
• A chance to learn more about one of the world’s leading charities and to have a voice within Oxfam.
• Enhance your CV.
•  Have fun and meet new people.

Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed where agreed.

There is no deadline for this role. For more information please contact Heather Mack: hmack@oxfam.org.uk.

HoverAid Mission Volunteers, Madagascar

We use hovercraft to reach the most remote places in Madagascar. We need volunteers to go to Madagascar to help with medical relief, construction, engineering projects, teaching and sanitation efforts. If you are keen to learn more about the world and see Madagascar from the most remote places then get in touch today!

The trip will take place from 12th September to 4th October. Volunteers must be aged 20 or over.

For more information or to register your interest, [lease contact Rebecca Plumb r.plumb@hoveraid.co.uk .