In country

What will I be doing?

You’ll be in a group of about 5-6 UK volunteers and the equivalent number of national volunteers. After your selection and pre-departure and in-country training, you’ll undertake a project with one of our local partner organisations. You will work alongside local people offering your enthusiasm, ideas and skills in order to contribute to the needs of the community; working with children, young people, older people, in community, environmental, education or livelihood projects.

While you’re away you’ll reflect on your experience, recording your trip and deepening your understanding of development issues. People are trapped in poverty for lots of reasons – you’ll find out why and what you can do about it. Once you’re back and buzzing, you will draw on your experience to work for change overseas and at home on your own and with your fellow volunteers to complete your Action at Home.

Who will I be with?

You will be with about five other UK volunteers and five national volunteers with two group leaders, one UK and one national. You’ll be working alongside local communities and organisations whilst Progressio in-country and partner organisation staff will be key points of contact.

What is the support provided?

You’ll be supported by UK-based staff before you go and after you come back, and by in-country staff while you’re away. Like a lot of things, you’ll get out what you put in, but you’ll be supported by us. There is lots of information on our website, we will also provide you with information packs and training. Remember that we are always here if you have a question however trival!

Preparing for your departure: once you have been selected, you’ll be given a post selection pack and participate in pre-departure training with other volunteers to help you get to grips with development issues and prepare you for living and working in a different culture. Please be aware this training will not cover what your day to day placement activities will be.

In country: you’ll go through orientation training before starting the placement. This will include some language support and more specific culture and safety and security guidence in prepartion for your placement.

Returning to the UK: About a month after your return, you will attend a Returned Volunteer Weekend to reflect on your experiences and to support your plan for your Action at Home.

Will I be safe?

Progressio ICS has ensured that risk assessments have been conducted in all volunteer placements and accommodation. Progressio incountry staff will be responsible for ensuring volunteers’ safety throughout their stay overseas. During in-country orientation in-country staff will give country specific briefings with regard to any national health and safety issues that volunteers need to know.  However volunteers will be expected to act responsibly and adhere to any guidelines given during the orientation to ensure their safety and the safety of others.

I don’t speak the local language, how will I communicate?

Wherever you go, a commitment to learning the basics of the local language and engage with local culture will make the experience better for you and the local people. You will receive some language lessons at your in-country orientation, however we strongly recommend you start learning and practicing as soon as you are selected.

Where will I be staying while I’m volunteering?

You will most likely be living in house with the other volunteers but you might be in a residential centre, lodge or host home.  There are minimum standards and we’ll ensure any special needs are met, but it will often be fairly basic.

Can I travel before or after I’ve finished the 10 week placement?

No. As you are going as part of a team, you all need to leave and return to the UK together, this is important as you will motivate each other and ensure that you have a greater impact. You need to be in the UK before you leave in order to fundraise and to attend the pre-departure training. You will need to be back in the UK after your placement to take part in a Returned Volunteer Weekend and to complete your Action at Home.

How many groups will be going out to each country?

At most departures two or three groups of about UK volunteers will go to each Country. 

Will we meet the other groups in country at the same time?

You will have orientation in-country together, but then do different projects.

Will there be free time during the placement?

You will have free time during the placement, this will be at least one day a week off from your volunteer placement activities. These will be times when you don’t have structured activities, but, in general you will be kept pretty busy! For example, even when you are not doing your day-to-day placement activities, you could do things for your volunteer role.

Will I be able to travel while in country?

No, in your free time you may be able to see some local attractions, but you will not be able to travel large distances to tourist destinations. We would expect you to spend as much time as possible in your placement community.