In country

What will I be doing?

You’ll be in a group of about six. 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 alondside 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 health projects.

While you’re away you’ll reflect on your experience, recording your trip and deepening your understanding of development issues and the role of faith. 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 UK Action.

Who will I be with?

You will be with about five other volunteers, one of whom will act as a group leader. You’ll be working alongside local communities and local young volunteers for at least some of the time, so you’ll really get a sense of the people, the issues and the place you’re in. Whilst in country our in-country and partner organisation staff will be key points of contact.

I have never lived abroad before, will I get support?

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.

Volunteers will be provided with training to make the most of this experience:

Preparing for your departure: once you have been selected, you’ll be given a pre-departure pack and participate in training with other volunteers taking part in a range of different ICS programmes to help you get to grips with development issues and prepare for living and working in a different culture.

In country: you’ll go through orientation training before starting the development project to help you become familiar with the culture in which you’ll be working and to brief you on your project or work placement, as well as on how to stay safe while you are on your placement.

Returning to the UK: When you return you’ll look at what you have learnt from your time overseas and have a further day’s training to help you make the most of your experiences.

Will I be safe?

ICS Progressio 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 might be staying in guesthouses, hostels, residential centres or homestays.  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 also need to be in the UK in order to participate in training before you start your placement, and to take part in a return volunteer day and local action after your placement.

How many groups will be going out to each country?

At most departures two groups of about 6 ICS 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 ‘down time’ which is an opportunity for reflection and a chance to have a rest when you need it. 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 will have a particular role within the group – that could be being responsible for “media” or “community liaison” or “monitoring impact” amongst many other interesting things.