Volunteers engage in an array of different types of service while living in-country based on their individual skills and interests. Activities range from general volunteer work at existing organizations, doing manual labor alongside local natives, or designing and implementing new development projects with local NGOs to meet a specific community need. Some activities past volunteers have participated in include building and repairing water systems, volunteering with local orphanages and hospitals, and teaching basic business classes. Regardless of which activity volunteers participate in, each teaches the nuance of the native culture, the essential principles involved in collaborating with local leaders, and how to implement meaningful solutions to fight poverty. To equip volunteers with the tools necessary to effectively contribute to sustainable development projects, volunteers have the opportunity to receive training in the following areas:

• Third World Safety and Intro to Third World Development
• Intercultural Communication and Understanding Yourself as an Instrument for Change

• Teaching English as a Second Language
• Orphanage Activities and Recreational Therapy
• Square Foot Gardening & Stove building
• Business Training & Microentrepreneurship basics
• Community and Public Health in the 3^rd world

• Literacy for Social Change
• Action Research Design and Research Proposal Preparation

HELP International is committed to training volunteers to contribute meaningfully to the community, while having a life-changing experience themselves. The most effective development projects are initiated and embraced by the local community and thus lead to changes which benefit the local population for years after the HELP International volunteers return home. Likewise, the best experience a volunteer can have is to learn how be actively involved in social change and poverty alleviation for the rest of their lives.

What are the expectations of a HELP volunteer?

Pre-departure

Be prepared for and attend volunteer trainings (3 mandatory, 2 optional)

Work with Country Directors on project ideas and areas of interest

Be in contact with members of your team (trainings, team activities, blogs, etc.)

Research about your country and third world development

Set up a checkout appointment with a member of the HELP staff

In-Country

Participate in volunteer and team projects

Be prepared for classes that you are teaching or projects you are in charge of

Maintain a positive relationship with your Country Directors and fellow volunteers

Take initiative to assure that you are working on projects that are of interest to you

If asked to be a project lead, fulfill your duties and work with Country Directors manage all aspects of the project, partner relations, and other volunteers

Attend weekly meetings set by Country Directors

Adhere to the HELP International Code of Conduct

Attend in-country trainings set up by Country Directors or fellow volunteers

Make sure that the projects you initiate are sustainable, appropriate, and meaningful for the people you are serving

Get to know the local people and the culture

Be vigilant, smart and use common sense in all situations

Remember that you are a representative of HELP International and Americans when you are working, traveling and vacationing

Post-experience

Complete Volunteer Exit Survey (Available online, more information given when you return)

Turn in at least three high-quality photos or an approved multimedia piece of project work

Take time to journal about your experience

Invite parents and friends to attend annual HELP reunion with you

Share your experience with others!

Stay involved with HELP: help with the reunion, stay in touch with your teammates, donate to the alumni fund, let us quote or film you talking about your experience, help with next year's training and volunteer prep

How long do volunteers serve for?

HELP International volunteers can serve for six weeks up to four months. We send volunteers in three waves, each lasting six weeks.

Wave 1: May 6th - June 16th

Wave 2: June 10th -July 21st

Wave 3: July 15th - August 20th.

Volunteers can choose to stay for as many waves as they wish. The program cost is the same regardless of how long volunteers decide to stay in-country. There are also opprotunities in Fall and Winter. Check out Guatemalan Children's Project or Hogar del Nino.

What are the differences between the three waves?

Wave I : The HELP International program has a unique take on development in the sense that the Country Directors as well as the volunteers get to participate in all aspects of the development process. The Country Directors are in country a week earlier than the rest of the volunteers, but have a lot they need to accomplish. They find housing, they get used to bus routes, they take care of the eating arrangements, they introduce themselves to the partner organizations, among other things. Because HELP emphasizes the idea of volunteers helping out with the creation of the program, there is a part of the first wave that the volunteers get to give their input and help set up the projects. Some projects only require a limited amount of planning and scheduling (such as Habitat for Humanity) and the volunteers can start working right away. Other projects require more extensive scheduling and planning and multiple meetings with the partner organization to work out the goals of the partner organization as well as how the HELP volunteers are best able to work with them. Scheduling is in flux, at times, as volunteers and partner organizations work out a middle ground to where the needs and interests of both the volunteers and the partners are being met. Volunteers become project leaders and start creating specific activities based on their areas interest and "expertise" as well as on what the partner organizations are looking for. Some time is spent figuring out some of the idiosyncrasies of the partner organizations and the different roles of the volunteers with these partner organizations.

Wave II: As HELP volunteers spend more time in country a balance is created. Most projects have a specific schedule and the volunteers have more of a defined role with these organizations. Expectations on both sides are clearer and, with some volunteers staying over between waves, transitioning the new volunteers in the projects goes relatively smoothly. There is a concentration on developing and beginning "larger" projects as the volunteers continue to do day to day work.

Wave III : In the third Wave, new volunteers have a little bit of a different adjustment as other volunteers have "established" themselves in projects and partner organizations have more specific expectations since they have been working with the volunteers for over 2 months by this point. Some of the larger projects had been completed in the second Wave but there are still others, based on the needs of the partner organizations that will be done during the third wave. There will also be some time in the last two weeks or so where there will be a concentration on closing out the projects. In the third Wave, the time seems to fly by the fastest. Before you even realize it there will only be the last few weeks left and at times there may feel like there is a scramble to accomplish some of the goals that were set earlier on. If goals are addressed early on in each wave and discussed continually, it will minimize the chances of the last two weeks "suddenly" appearing. There will be time spent saying goodbyes, a lot of partner organizations will want to do special "thank you ceremonies" or have specific closing items to be taken care of before the volunteers leave. The volunteers will be expected to help close the house, meaning packing and cleaning will need to be done as well as distributing the remainder of the contributed items to the partner organizations. It is a fun but difficult time as volunteers are saying their goodbyes and trying to finish all the goals they had set for themselves and for HELP International volunteers in their country.

When is the best time to turn in an application if I'm planning on going in May or June of summer 2009?

NOW! There is no time like the present to get your application in. Not only do you have a better chance of being accepted, but you also have a longer time to fundraise and prepare. Even more, applicants who apply before January 1st recieve $150 off their program fee. Click here to apply

Would you be willing to work with some paperwork in order for me to fulfill my internship requirement?

How do volunteers finance their service?

HELP International requires all volunteers to fund-raise or contribute the program cost of $2750 + airfare. Volunteers may plan or participate in various fundraising activities in the months preceding their volunteer service to assist with this cost. HELP International offers individualized mentoring and assistance with fundraising. With this help, many volunteers are able to raise a substantial portion of the required program cost to offset out-of-pocket expenses. In the past, volunteers have coordinated their efforts and had great success in raising funds. If you are interested in fundraising or concerned about the program fee, contact the office for more information. Click here for more information about program cost and fundraising.

What does a typical day as a HELP volunteer consist of?

Volunteers live together in the same building with their country directors. Hot evening meals are provided either through a restaurant or a local cook. Breakfast and lunch are eaten at the work site or at home. Although no day is exactly the same, volunteers spend their mornings and afternoons working on specific development projects in their area of choosing. Some evenings are spent working and preparing for projects, while others are reserved for fun events and activities which introduce volunteers to the local cultural traditions and practices.

The primary purpose of a HELP International volunteer's time is to serve the members of the local communities. However, while this is the main focus of each volunteer's time, there are ample opportunities for sight seeing and to have fun with other volunteers and local community members.

What do volunteers do in their spare time in the country?

We recommend you get involved with the local people. Participate in local traditions and celebrations; learn how to cook local foods, etc. You'll also have time for reading, traveling, hanging out with other volunteers, etc. There are lots of options for what to do in your spare time.

Do volunteers have the opportunity to attend religious services?

HELP International is nondenominational and volunteers are not required to attend religious services. However, for those who wish to worship, country teams are expected to make every reasonable effort to accommodate their needs. Volunteers have the weekends off and are free to attend religious services if they choose.

What are the eating arrangements like in-country?

Dinners are provided by HELP International. Country Directors hire a cook that will make balanced meals using local ingredients. Volunteers are responsible to take care of his/her own breakfast, lunch, and vacation meals. Each volunteer is given a modest stipend which is calculated to cover the basic food costs of for these meals and transportation to and from the projects. Each volunteer is responsible for managing his or her own stipend. Additional expenses such as souvenirs, internet café time, calling cards, vacations, etc. are not included in the stipend.

Volunteers are strongly advised not to drink tap water in any of the countries we work in, and Country Director funds are budgeted for basic water needs for the team. Part of the Safety Training, which is mandatory for all volunteers, outlines which foods are safe to each and which to avoid. Volunteers can use water to cook, but it must be filtered or boiled for at least 7 minutes.

What are the housing arrangements like in-country?

Volunteers all live together in the same house, and we require that males and females have separate bedrooms. The number one reason for combined living is safety. Houses are always in upscale neighborhoods and have security measures such as a high fence, barbed wire, or a guard. The second reason volunteers live in the same house is for logistical reasons and cost effectiveness. Coordinating projects, schedules, lesson plans, vacation time, etc., is easier when all the volunteers are together. Additionally, most of our volunteers are college age students and we do everything we can to keep costs down. Living in the same house also builds solidarity among the team members.

Houses are chosen by the Country Directors one week preceding the arrival of the first wave of volunteers. The Country Directors negotiate a summer-long contract to rent a home they deem fit. We ensure that housing includes basic amenities such as electricity, running water, flushing toilets, a stove, refrigerator, and basic furniture. However, these residences typically do not have hot water heaters. Although beds are provided by HELP, volunteers are responsible for their own bedding. Clothes can be washed by hand and air dried or laundry can be sent out.