Code of Good Practice Sending Agencies Directory

Mission Statement

Our mission is to actively involve people, through an educational process, in learning about and then tackling social, political, environmental and economic issues that affect their lives and the lives of others at a local and global level.

Is Irish

Yes

Non Profit

Yes

Activities

The insightprogramme is designed to incorporate both theoretical and practical learning activities. Volunteers are involved in theoretical educational activities and discussions on a range of development issues. This is achieved in a non-formal adult educational setting. They are also involved on a practical level (hands on) working on a project that has been chosen by the local partner ngo and community, some examples of previous projects are – Renovating a health clinic, building a foundation for a school classroom, planting mangroves and digging ponds, building an outdoor basketball court. The overseas component is viewed as the experiential learning phase of the programme which encourages participants to plan, act, reflect and evaluate

Age Requirements

participants must be over 18years

Language Requirements

Yes, participants need to have basic English in order to be involved. This includes pax from our partner organisations. Our Insight programme is an educational journey consisting of many theoretical workshops and therefore it is important that ALL participants have an opportunity to input and learn equally

Disability Access

Yes

Education Requirement

No

Other Requirements

Ideally volunteers would have access to groups of people either through their employment or hobbies (ie musicians, artists, actors, teachers, youth workers etc) in order to act as multipliers, post programme.

As part of our final phase we encourage the group to design and facilitate workshops on specific development challenges that they have witnessed/experienced throughout their Insight journey. They also have an opportunity to organise an event or campaign.

Application Procedure

There is an initial application form that needs to be filled out (please find attached). Then an information (question and answers) evening is scheduled where interested participants have an opportunity to find out more about the programme and we get a chance to meet with them in person. Individual interviews are set up for those who cannot attend the information night. We do not ask for references to be provided. A 50 euro deposit is paid up front to secure a place on the programme and a statement of personal awareness is signed before the overseas phase.

Cost

50 euro deposit is paid after the information evening to secure a place on the programme.850 euro fundraising – towards programme costs, accommodation, food, internal travel expenses overseas, contribution towards local project overseas (which is identified by our partner organisation), residential weekend in Ireland during the pre-departure phase, facilitation costs and guest speakers, return visit to Ireland for Tanzanian pax. Each participant pays for their flight, insurance and medical costs (ie vaccinations and anti-malaria tablets)

Benefits

We provide accommodation, food, training, work placement, internal travel, guest speakers, facilitation, support, pre-departure residential weekend, and internal travel expenses overseas.

Work Individually/In Teams

We always work as a group. Learning from each other and working together is at the heart of our organisation.

Code Of Practice

Signatories to Comhlámh’s Code of good practice.

In Country Support

Yes, during the welcome and orientation day overseas, Participants are made aware of the various leaders and contact people available to them. We always work with a local partner who provides us with local leaders and relevant contact details. Ie chemist, local doctor, hospital, taxi service etc

Pre Programme Training

Yes,Our pre-departure phase runs over three full weekends. The focus of these weekends is an introduction to development issues, teambuilding, residential weekend and preparation for overseas trip (vaccinations, health pre-cautions, flights, what to pack, information about the  country, culture and environment they will be visiting).

The group have the benefit of being familiar with each other before they embark on the overseas journey. They have a foundation of basic knowledge of development issues that affect the lives of people locally and globally. They are prepared logistically and mentally.

Contact with Returned Volunteers

Yes, our post phase or final phase incorporates 3 full weekends of debriefing, reflection, next steps, how to get involved with development agencies and charities at home, how to design a workshop on a specific development challenge of interest, how to design an event or organise a campaign, how to lobby local politicians, how to involve family and friends in development discussions, how to make changes in their own lives that positively effect the lives of others.

Location

Africa

Asia

Countries

Africa (Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda, Liberia, Sri Lanka)

Duration

0-4 Weeks