Program Description

Youth Challenge Australia (YCA) is an Australian-based, not-for-profit, secular organisation. YCA actively engages young adults in community identified development projects both internationally and within Indigenous Australia.  Since 1992, our programs have offered 18-30 year olds with the opportunity to affect positive change in communities around the world.

Volunteering with YCA provides an invaluable opportunity to explore new personal boundaries and make important contributions where it counts – all while having fun and experiencing things most people only dream about!

YCA has a wide variety of programs. Some programs place volunteers individually or in pairs, and others are small group programs with in-country support and trained Field Staff.

Some examples of the work of current and previous volunteers include:

• Working as a tutor in a school in West Arnhem Land;
• Working with a team of volunteers and local community members in Vanuatu to build a Disability and Inclusion centre;
• Working with a team of volunteers and the staff of an orphanage in Mexico to support the children and build the capacity of the staff;
• Working as an intern in India to support the work of an NGO while developing skills in research, teaching, health, communications or marketing.

Commitment & Duration

Placements range from 4 to 10 weeks in duration.

Who we look for?

Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30. Some programs have a minimum age of 21.

Application Details

For all of the details and to apply, visit www.youthchallenge.org.au

Contact Details

Website: www.youthchallenge.org.au

Email: admin@youthchallenge.org.au

Phone: (02) 9514 5512

Location

University of Technology Sydney

Ku-ring Gai campus

Eton Rd

Lindfield, NSW

Testimonials

“Working for a few months in an Indigenous community, anywhere in Australia, is an experience that every [young Australian] should undertake. It introduces you to a world that is poorly portrayed in popular Australia and…this image needs to be changed if we want to live in a fair and equal society…I have learnt far more about myself and about Indigenous Australia than I ever could by staying [at home]. Not to mention learning about the world’s oldest continuous culture…it is a wonderful heart and eye opening experience.”

- Emma Newland, Central Australia

“YCA was my window and gateway into an unknown but remarkable world. Never before had I felt that my actions truly made a difference in the lives of others or that an experience could connect me with a community for life. A small group of committed individuals really can make an incredible difference and they are my inspiration today to continue positively changing the lives of others.”

- Narelle Couper, Costa Rica