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Thinking about volunteering overseas?

As part of its Volunteering Options Programme, Comhlámh is holding an information evening for people who are thinking about volunteering overseas in developing countries.  This short, informal talk offers the opportunity to hear more about the issues you need to consider before making a decision about volunteering.  It also provides an opportunity to hear first-hand about the experiences of a person who volunteered abroad and to ask any questions you might have about your options.

There is no charge for this event, but please register your interest by emailing Kate(kate@comhlamh.org) or calling 01 478 3490

Date: Thursday 1st October, 2009
Time:  18.00 – 19:30
Venue:  Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, O’Con Read More »

At the Teachers Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin
Thursday, October 1st 8.00 pm
In aid of Voluntary Service International
€40 per Team of 4 people


Team Prizes, Raffle, Spot Prize

You can book a table at info@vsi.ie Tel: 01-8551011

Comhlámh, the Irish Association of Development workers is advising people currently considering volunteering for global development to inform themselves carefully about their volunteer placement and reflect carefully on their motivations for volunteering.  According to Anne Reilly, Manager of the Comhlámh Volunteering Options Programme, volunteer sending agencies are seeing an increasing number of enquiries from people recently made redundant who are seeking to escape the current labor market situation in Ireland and pass on their skills to projects in developing countries.

“We urge all potential volunteers (whether short or long term) to carefully consider their own personal motivations for wanting to go.  Thinking carefully and realistically about what you expect to achieve on your placement helps people prepare for living and working in a host community. This is a critical part of the preparation.” – Reilly points out.

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Volunteering Options is delighted to be hosting a stand at the Annual NUI Galway Volunteering Fair which will take place on on Thursday, 24^th September 2009 from 1.00pm – 5.00 pm in Áras na Mac Léinn, NUI Galway.

Are you recently returned from development/human rights/solidarity work overseas?
Why not check out Comhlámh’s upcoming “Coming Home Weekend”?
A residential weekend offering a unique opportunity for returned volunteers and development workers to meet, relax, network and have some fun while sharing advice on readjusting to the 'culture shock' of being home.
The weekend is open to people who have been overseas in a development capacity for three months or more and is subsidised by Irish Aid, no cost to participants.
When? 6-8th November (Friday evening-Sunday lunchtime inclusive)
Where? Dromantine Conference Centre, Newry Co. Down
How? Contact Deirdre or Suzie for a booking form and more information at deirdre@comhlamh.org or suzie@comhlamh.org (086-3367683 or 01-4783490)
Previous participants have expressed their feeli Read More »

 Voluntary Service International invites you to a screening of The Day after Peace on 21 September (UN International Peace Day) at 6.30pm in the Irish Aid Volunteering Centre, O Connell Street, Dublin 1.  There will be refreshments served from 6.00pm. Speakers: VSI; Why Violence Campaign.  The Day After Peace, made by Jeremy Gilley, charts a 10-year journey to establish an annual Peace Day on the 21 September. In this documentary Jeremy Gilley travels around the world raising awareness of the official day of ceasefire and non violence.  Even after this ‘Peace Day’ is adopted by the UN, the struggle is not over. The ceasefire is rarely adhered to, resulting in an outcry of cynicism. ‘The Day after Peace’ is a moving testament to the power of an individual and the perseverance of the human spirit’. Film details can be found on www.peaceoneday.org.  Please RSVP to info@vsi.ie, T: 01 8551011.

A-Z Children's Charity provides health care and education to HIV infected and affected children in Uganda. We are currently looking for a motivated outgoing Fundraising Coordinator to manage our current and new fundraising activities. This is a full time position.  To apply you must have experience in managing large events and marketing knowledge/ experience.  For a full job description please e-mail Brian, info@azchildrenscharity.org.  Closing date: 15 October.

UNV Internship programme open for applications

Irish Aid is funding sixteen positions as part of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Internship programme in 2010.

The purpose of the programme is to help develop the next generation of Irish development workers and to provide individuals who want to work in the Irish overseas development sector the opportunity to gain field experience with the UN in some of its missions around the world. Interns will be placed as project officers with UN agencies located mostly in one of Irish Aid’s programme countries; Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Timor Leste, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia. However some placements may also be in other countries in which Irish Aid provides support e.g. Cambodia, Laos, Sierra Leone and the Ukraine.

Interns will work in a UN field office for a period of 12 months (non-renewable) and will receive a stipend to cover basic living Read More »

Saturday 26th September 2009 : 10:00 AM -- 5:00 PM

Irish Aid is hosting a public information fair on overseas volunteering opportunities on Saturday 26th September (10am-5pm). Over 20 short and long term volunteering organisations will have stands at the fair and there will be presentations on volunteering every half hour from 10am-4.30pm.

The following organisations are taking part:

A-Z Childrens Charity, Camara, Comhlamh, DTALK, EIL Intercultural Learning, Friends from Ireland, Global Schoolroom, Habitat for Humanity, Hope Foundation, International Service Ireland, Irish Aid, Niall Mellon Township Trust, Progressio,  Serve, Skillshare International Ireland, Sli Eile, Suas, USIT, Viatories Christi, Voluntary Service International VSI, Voluntary Service Overseas VSO,  Volunteer Missionary Movement

We are a volunteer sending organisation which places people to work in areas of need in developing countries for 1-2 years.  We require people of all disciplines for overseas placements. Our volunteers work in South America, Asia, and Africa and help make a long-lasting impact on the lives of others as well as making a positive contribution to their communities. As a sending organisation we produce a contract to which we, you and your host organisation are party. We support you with transport and accommodation as well as providing a subsistence allowance. For anybody wishing to explore such a challenge, Viatores Christi offers a part time training programme to prepare people for working in a new environment and facilitates with finding a suitable project. Viatores Christi is actively recruiting for its next preparation programme in September and will hold information days throughout the country:
 
Galway: 26 August, 7.30pm, Westside Resource Centre, Seamus Read More »