Facts-Overseas

1. Will I have Support on my Mission Overseas ?

You will be a Humanitarian Volunteer in the field and working at the coalface.
Your Safety and Security Overseas is our Priority. We will meet you at the airport and you will receive comprehensive briefings before commencing work on your project.
Your performance will be monitored by the Project Leaders and a Humanitarian Volunteers representative will visit you to ensure that everything is running smoothly.
Finally, Humanitarian Volunteers Headquarters will regularly monitor your progress.
 Click here to Safety Page

2. Are the Mission Areas Safe ?

In general, people in developing countries are friendly, helpful and humane. The vast majority of volunteers recount only positive experiences about their overseas mission.
However, political instability, crime and violence can also be common in developing countries.
Humanitarian Volunteers will regularly monitor the security and safety issues in each mission area. Click here to Safety Page

3. Who will pick me up at the Airport ?

A Representative of Humanitarian Volunteers will meet you at the Airport. The Representaive will be instantly recognisable and will carry a sign with your name.
You will be wearing the Humanitarian Volunteers T-Shirt which will make You instantly recognisable also.

4. What happens if I get Sick on the Mission ?

Should you become ill while on your overseas mission, Humanitarian Volunteers will ensure that you will be brought to a hospital where the very best medical care is available. We will liaise with the hospital and your insurance company on your behalf.
We will also of course be there for you as a Friend.

5. Can I extend my Mission Period Overseas ?

Yes – provided your flight tickets can be altered and you are within your Visa period.

6. Will there be other Volunteers ?

Maybe – Maybe Not. On balance be prepared to be the Only Volunteer in the project.
You will not be Alone however. You will be working side by side with local project managers, teachers and aid workers. You will be overwhelmed by local hospitality.
You will also experience loneliness and sadness at times - but you will cope.

7. Will I Enjoy Every Day on my Overseas Mission ?

Probably Not. While you will most likely have the experience of a lifetime, there will inevitably be days when you will ask yourself “ What am I doing here” ?
Living and working in a Developing Country will present difficult situations that you have never encountered before. You will experience the realities of extreme poverty at first hand. There will probably be a few times when you will want to just quit and go home. It is then you must show your true strength and character.
You must adapt, be patient and learn to tolerate. You will take a deep breath, smile, display self confidence and optimism and get on with the job.
If you cope, you will find a new side to your character which will never leave you in future life.

8. Must I bring Teaching or Training Materials ?

The levels of poverty and despair in developing countries is truly heartbreaking. You will work in a project or area where people have nothing. You must be fully prepared therefore with your programme materials. You cannot arrive empty handed.
If you wish to teach English then you must bring the necessary texts, writing materials, pens, markers, chalk etc, etc, with you.
If your expertise is in teaching Basketball, then you must bring the Ball, the Basketball Ring and the ball Pump.

9. Where will I Live ?

For the most part you will be accommodated in local buildings. The accommodation will not be a Mud Hut – but it will be extremely basic – Good by Third World standards but low by European standards.
In some instances we may accommodate you with a local family adjacent to the project.

10. What will I Eat ?

Food will normally be provided at the project base. You will eat the same basic food as the locals. You may find a diet of Ugali, Beans and Porridge quite difficult.
People with special diets or fussy eaters are likely to experience problems.
In some projects, you may eat with a local family or you may be required to act as Cook yourselves.

11. Do I need Language Skills ?

Yes and No. Language skills are always an advantage. However, you will not be placed in a project where English is not spoken by at least some people.
We will also arrange that you are given casual lessons in the local dialect by students or teachers at the project. “Hakuna Matata” !

12. Will there be Running Water and Electricity ?

Maybe – Maybe Not. It depends on the country, the project and the location.
Water may be drawn from a well or bore hole. The cardinal rule is that you must ensure that all the water you drink is either boiled or filtered. Better still, purchase and drink bottled water.
At night, your project may have electricity. If not, it will be lit by lanterns or candles which will provide adequate light for eating, playing cards or just interacting with others.
It is strongly recommended that you bring a flashlight and an adequate supply of batteries with you when commencing your mission.

13. Are there Toilets and Showers ?

You could be lucky that your project might have a flush toilet. Be prepared however for long drop latrines. ( This means there is a hole in the floor and you need to practice your aim).
You may be fortunate to have a shower or you may have to use a bucket of water for washing.

14. How can I Communicate with Home ?

We will endeavour that you will be located in an area that you may contact home by phone or e-mail . This may entail catching a matatu (local bus) journey in some cases.
You might also consider bringing your cell phone and purchasing a local Sim Card if available.

15. Will there be Free Time ?

Yes – normally at weekends. Take the opportunity to de- stress and leave the project base for a while.