North South Programme
North South International Volunteer Programme: Latin America, Africa and Asia
These projects come from community-based initiatives which focus as much on the intercultural aspect of having an international group working within a local community as on the practical work itself.
They do not involve humanitarian or aid work. Instead, they promote understanding and co-operation between the North and South countries and give participants the opportunity to learn from living a completely different way of life.
Generally, projects involve basic environmental, construction or renovation work although there are some social, archaeological and arts-based projects available, depending on the country. Many projects will also involve a social aspect such as health promotion or youth awareness issues.
Here are some examples of projects that might be available:
- Organise activities for street children in India
- Helping with a HIV awareness in Ghana
- Constructing a safe drinking water and sanitation building in Uganda
- Improve children’s education in Peru
- Protect marine turtles in Mexico
North South Preparation Weekends
All volunteers applying for a project in Latin America, Asia and Africa must attend a preparation weekend in Brighton before departure. This is to ensure that you are sufficiently prepared, both for travelling in the South and for the conditions on our projects.
The weekend will explore issues such as health and safety, cultural awareness, relations between the North and South, living conditions and development. There will also be the opportunity to talk to people who have been to the countries involved in the past.
The preparation weekend is also a good chance for all those who want to know more about the North South Programme but still haven’t decided where to go or what project to chose. It is possible to apply for the preparation weekend only, with the intention of attending this event to decide on the right project for you.
Preparation weekend dates are usually set in February, June, July and, as of 2010, October as well.
Dates available for 2010 are the following:
- 11th-13th June 2010 - weekend residential – booking closed
- 16th October 2010- book a place>>- one day preparation
What participants say about our North South preparations:
“Great day! Extremely friendly staff, very useful information quite intense (I am knackered!) but I feel more ready to go travelling. Loved hearing real life stories from staff, volunteers and participants”. (North South Preparation Day April 2010)
“Fantastic day, really enjoyed every part of it and grateful for the opportunity, very well run!” (North South Preparation Day April 2010)
“It was fun and enjoyable. The food was great, all the coordinators were friendly and there was a really nice atmosphere in the group. It was far more useful than I imagined it would be. Thank you, I am really excited about my project now!!” (North South Preparation Weekend July 2010)
“Thank you so much for such a nice weekend. Thank you for all your time and effort. I feel more confident about my trip now, as I have been working in group and experiencing a little bit of what my volunteering experience will be. Loved the “energizing” activities and the nice atmosphere. Thanks for the food.” (North South Preparation Weekend July 2010)
“Really useful, fell ready for my project!” (North South Preparation Weekend July 2010)
“I really enjoyed it”. (North South Preparation Weekend July 2010)
“Really well run and organized, well thought out to make all activities worthwhile and clearly a lot of effort gone behind it. Trainers really great, friendly, approachable and welcoming. Food and accommodation excellent. Thank you” (North South Preparation Weekend July 2010).
“Had an amazing time, thank you, more useful than I ever imagined. Lovely group, really enjoyable time, great food. It will be sad to go but now even more eager to go on my project!” (North South Preparation Weekend July 2010)
For experiences and comments from our volunteers about North south projects:
