This year, JOA is running three, two-week trips which will see up to 36 islanders travel to Nepal, Kenya and Rwanda.
2023’s projects include:
- Constructing a sand dam in South-East Kenya with Sand Dams Worldwide. 10th June-24th June .
- Providing teaching skills for students and teachers with hands Around the World Jersey in Rwanda. 28th July-12th August.
- Construction of a community facility with The Gurkha Welfare Trust Jersey in Nepal. October/November.
“I am very proud of Jersey’s overseas volunteering programme. It says an incredible amount about the people of Jersey that so many Islanders are willing to give their time and their skills to help build schools and community centres, construct water pumps in rural villages and build critical infrastructure, that enable people in some of the poorest countries in the world to build themselves a future,” said Jersey’s Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey. “This year we are running three projects, and for the first time one which is specifically aimed at teachers or Islanders who have teaching experience. This team of 10-12 volunteers will have a fantastic opportunity to share their skills with a school community in Rwanda
Each overseas volunteering project is organised by JOA and is delivered in the field by one of JOA’s partner organisations. Each group is usually formed of about twelve volunteers and is led by an experienced team leader. Volunteers participate in training and team-building exercises in the months before departure. Participants contribute £500 towards their travel expenses and JOA funds the additional costs of the trip. JOA also funds materials and supplies necessary in order to complete the projects. Bursaries are also available to ensure that financial circumstances are never a barrier to enabling Islanders to deploy their skills in the service of others abroad.
Since 1972, JOA has facilitated parties of volunteers to work with communities in developing countries for up to four weeks. Many have led to lasting links with communities all over the world, and several local charities were born from volunteers’ experiences abroad. Over the past half century more than 1,000 volunteers had completed over 100 projects in some of the world’s poorest communities.
Islanders who are interested in applying can do so at https://joa.je/get-involved/volunteering/. Alternatively, islanders can call the JOA office on 01534 446901 or email enquiries@joa.je for more information.