Safety and Security

At HELP International we know that we are only as safe as our least informed volunteer. Safety and Security, in all aspects, is vital to our success in country. This safety training covers necessary topics for traveling to and living in a developing country such as: Safety in the home, Money handling, Health / Food Safety (physical and emotional health), Travel safety - in-country and prior to departure, precautions prior to departure, dealing with unwanted attention and harassment, and general personal safety. HELP's Code of Conduct will also be discussed - there are reasons for everything we do.

Intro to Third World Development

The poverty interventions organizations choose are directly related to what they believe is the root cause of poverty. This interactive training explores the causes of poverty, examines and questions our world view about poverty and poverty alleviation, and expands the volunteer understanding of different interventions, international development as an industry, and the non-profit sector in general.

As we look at four different responses to poverty; Welfare/Relief, Transformation, Development, and Liberation; we discuss the following:

a.) Types of services or resources offered by each of the above interventions

b.) Examples of organizations that respond to poverty through the above methods

c.) Potential problems with each type of response

Intercultural Communication

Volunteers discuss what culture is and why it is important to study prior to working and living in another country. This includes understanding the root of cultures, cultural differences, how to participate and observe to learn about a specific culture and how to properly to respond in different cultural settings. Volunteers will also be prepared for culture shock - recognizing the symptoms and how to deal with it.

Successful communication and work with local NGOs and their clients, depends on our ability to understand the different facets of cultural behavior and expectations. Case studies and discussion will help prepare volunteers for what they will face in country.

Self as Instrument

The mission of HELP International is to provide a life-changing experience through service to the poor. However, you can not serve with others efficiently until you understand yourself, your style of communication and your team.

In this training we provide volunteers a jumpstart by helping them to discover how their strengths and weaknesses, their team dynamics and the organizational structure of HELP can positively or negatively affect their experience in-country.

We use a simplified Myers-Briggs Personality Test to explore volunteer's personality types and what each type combination means for working with other team members. Respecting differences and managing conflict will allow for a more successful summer and a better individual experience. Setting "SMART goals" will also help each volunteer to get the most out of his / her experience. Staff and Country directors can help facilitate this life-changing experience, but ultimately your HELP summer is up to YOU!

Project Planning and Implementation

This training is aimed to help volunteers understand and apply techniques to design, start-up, track, and follow up on project work through community mobilization and action research.

As HELP International volunteers, we are in-country only a short amount of time. How can we co-create (with our local partner organizations) projects that will have long term sustainability and provide lasting meaningful change? The key is community mobilization and action research. Community Mobilization is a capacity-building process through which community individuals, groups, or organizations plan, carry out, and evaluate activities on a participatory and sustained basis to improve their needs, either on their own initiative or stimulated by others. Action Research is a reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals working with others, in teams, to improve the way they address issues and solve problems

PICK 2 OPTIONS: (Trainings below do not have pre-readings)

ESL teaching

English is one of the most requested projects we encounter as we get into country each year. Our methodology produces long-term language acquisition because it uses content based natural language learning techniques and teaches to use both sides of the brain. Volunteers will be taught how to use this method, given a sample lesson, and then allowed to practice. HELP has been doing this for many years and has developed lesson plans and ideas to help volunteers feel prepared and adequate. In-country as volunteers work with their students, they can also adapt the curriculum to the needs of the class.

learn more about our English teaching projects

Square Foot Gardening

This method of gardening uses 80% less land and 80% less water than traditional row gardening. It is easy to learn, less labor intensive, and allows for more crop variety. Likewise it does not take away from a person's arable land that they are using for cash crops. The garden is built with a series of 1-ft squares where each holds a different vegetable, fruit or herb. Teaching this method in-country allows families to provide better nutrition for their children and is highly sustainable. Volunteers will practice building the garden and learn how to adapt to the different situations they will encounter in-country.

learn more about our gardening projects

Adobe Stoves (combined with SFG)

Approximately ½ of the world's population use solid fuel for cooking and heating. (approximately 2.4 billion people use biomass (wood, crop residues, charcoal and dung) and 3 billion use coal). It is a technology that has changed little since the Stone Age. The smoke from burning these fuels in the home is one of the four leading causes of death and disease in the world's poorest countries. The indoor air pollution from the burning of solid fuels is linked to the deaths of over 1.6 million people predominately women and children each year. This is more than 3 people per minute.

Building these simple, inexpensive adobe stoves with a chimney, allows the smoke to be funneled out of the home and uses less fuel. An estimate in Uganda was that the adobe stove used 5 times less wood than a traditional stove. Building stoves affects the long-term health of the entire family and as well as conserves their minimal resources. HELP has had much success with this is Guatemala and Uganda and has affected hundreds of families.

learn more about our stove projects

Orphanage Activities

Situational training allows the volunteers to understand the different circumstances of orphans/street children that we work with. One major similarity between all the orphanages/homes where we work is that they have good, kind staff-but they are often so understaffed that the kids receive no stimulation, education, or enriching activities. Volunteers will discuss different types of orphans and be prepared with specific ideas for ways to help them this summer and long term. (art, physical therapy, recreational therapy, games, education, etc.)

learn more about our orphanage projects

Teaching Business and Micro-Entrepreneurship

Volunteers are trained to facilitate, not just convey knowledge. Course participants will discover business concepts through activities and discussion, which are stimulated by the course materials. Participants apply skills, knowledge and examples that are relevant to their own immediate environment. We use a product called the BEST Game, which is a highly interactive business simulation game that engages the participants in a virtual market of producers, buyers, sellers and consumer. BEST Game does not simply show and tell participants, but involves them so that the learning points are grasped in the context of how they actually apply in the real world. Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to make business decisions and then experience the consequences of those decisions. Volunteers will have the opportunity to practice facilitating the course and be prepared to set up classes in country with current or future micro-entrepreneurs.

learn about our business projects

Public and Community Health in the 3rd World

Public and community health covers a wide variety of health related issues. The United Nations' World Health Organization defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Volunteers will learn about hands on ways that they can improve lives through the prevention or treatment of disease. Additionally, in-country, volunteers will often be asked to do more they are capable or trained to do in a health related situation. This training will discuss the ethical limitations to consider when working in-country in a clinic, hospital, or home.

learn about our public health projects

Libraries

Working with local organizations to promote literacy and reading is more than just taking random books into country. How does a village gather, store, and share books. Most of us take for granted our library systems, but in the countries we serve, libraries are few and far between. Phyllis Hall, librarian for over 25 years will share insights into how to connect with the community and choose the right books to help create and better local libraries. Phyllis has helped to create and grow indigenous libraries in Peru, Bolivia, El Salvador and Guatemala.

learn about our library projects

Literacy for Social Change

Effective community development depends on the participation of the local people. The literacy for social change methodology is more than a strategy for teaching reading and writing skills. It is a very effective tool to engage people in active discussion and analysis of their local situation. It lays the groundwork for collective planning and action. It motivates people to use their reading and writing skills for practical purposes in daily life. It is also an effective tool for participatory action research.

In the workshop, you will learn how to facilitate discussions about community issues through experiential learning and hands-on practice. You will also learn how to develop learning materials for different cultural settings, different development topics and different educational levels.