Africa calling New Zealand Youth
The VSA-SPW Partnership
Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) has formed an alliance with an innovative international development organisation, Students Partnership Worldwide (SPW).
Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) is now recruiting young Kiwis to work as volunteers in Zambia and South Africa through Students Partnership Worldwide (SPW). The programme, for 18-28 year olds, offers training on environmental and community issues, HIV/AIDS and other health concerns, as well as teaching techniques. The volunteers are then hosted in communities for 8 - 11 months, where they work as peer educators to lead community projects, sharing the knowledge they've gained. The SPW approach is targeted at empowering young people to take up leadership roles so that they have the confidence and skills to shape the development of their own lives, families and communities.
Participants in the SPW programme need to fundraise $11,500, and will be provided with fundraising advice and support once accepted onto the programme. In return all airfares, accommodation costs, a living stipend and insurances will be covered by SPW.
VSA is recruiting now for SPW volunteers to begin their assignments in January 2009.
"SPW recognises that it's not about people going in and telling others how to live their lives. It's about volunteers sharing their skills and building the capacity of young people, helping develop the skills and opportunities to enable them to lead their own lives."
Felicity Gibson, VSA volunteer with SPW, 2007
