Program Description
SPW volunteers deliver important health and environmental information, by acting as role models to engage fellow youth, using a peer-education model. Volunteers work, in rural communities in Africa and Asia, with young people to equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to make informed choices about their lives. International volunteers live and work in partnership with national volunteers and local community members, thereby promoting links between schools, communities, local NGO’s, councils and businesses. This dynamic sustains relationships so that they can work together after the volunteers have departed.
Commitment & Duration
Programmes run from 5 to 11 Months
Minimum 1 month intensive in-country training and a 5 day intensive training in Melbourne before leaving for the program.
Who we look for?
Volunteers aged 18-28 and committed to making a difference.
Volunteers must be willing to live in basic conditions, which may include no electricity or running water.
Application Details
As a volunteer for a non-profit organisation, SPW asks volunteers to raise $10,000 towards SPW projects. In return, SPW covers all the costs associated with volunteering on an SPW programme (including flights, long term work permit, insurance, training, food and accommodation). We provide fundraising advice and will support all fundraising efforts.
To apply volunteers can complete an online form along with a $50 application fee (deducted from fundraising total). A telephone interview will follow and references will be checked and in most cases volunteers will be accepted and fundraising efforts can begin.
Contact Details
Web site: www.spw.org.au
Email: spw@spw.org.au
Phone: 03 9815 2052
Location
International volunteers are eligible to be placed in six countries including:
- Uganda,
- Tanzania,
- Zambia,
- South Africa,
- Nepal and
- India
SPW also runs programmes in Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe but due to safety concerns only national volunteers are able to participate in these countries.
Testimonials
“Gap years – both pre and post University – are big business these days, and there are countless organisations that offer the whole ‘chance of a lifetime’ package for those willing to sign on the dotted line. However, the main thing that distinguishes SPW from most of these is the huge emphasis that is placed on the concept of partnership, with Western volunteers and volunteers from the host country working together in mixed nationality groups. This is unusual, and while certainly from my point of view it made communication a lot easier, the main point is to give young people from developing countries the chance to play an active role in their country’s future.”
- International volunteer in Nepal
