International volunteering
We place international volunteers with our partner organisations in Africa and Asia. They provide support to our partners and their local communities in a wide range of roles in focusing on sustainable livelihoods, HIV and AIDS, gender justice, sport for development and conflict transformation.
It's not a case of one size fits all... Our placements vary to meet our partners' needs, and our international volunteers include long-term development workers, short-term consultants, medical students, online volunteers and football coaches.
In March 2011, we launched a new volunteering programme for 18-22 year olds as part of the government's International Citizen Service initiative. Find out more and apply online at www.skillshare.org/ICS
Quick stats about our international volunteering programme
- In 2009-10, 113 Skillshare development workers supported our partners in Africa and Asia.
- In 2009-10, 71% of our development worker placements were in Southern Africa, 13% in East Africa, 14% in Asia and 2% elsewhere.
- In 2009-10, 43% of our development workers were from the majority world - Africa, Asia and South America. 57% were from Europe, North America or Australia.
- The average age of our development workers is 39.
- In 2009-10, 94% of Skillshare placements were the traditional two-year model. 3% were short-term placements and 3% were online placements. Placements vary depending on the needs of our partner organisations and the type of placement.
More figures...
- We received 510 applications in 2009-10.
- In 2009-10, 51% of our development workers were female.
- In 2009-10, eight children accompanied their development worker parents.
- In March 2010, we had six couples on placements - where both are development workers, or a development worker is accompanied by their partner/spouse.
Some of the placements we recruited development workers for in 2010:
- Programme Co-ordinator for an anti-trafficking network in Nepal
- Communication and Publications Officer for a gender-based violence organisation in Nepal
- Advocacy Advisor for a child protection organisation in Mozambique
- Music Coach for a youth performing arts project in Tanzania
- Advocacy & Research Officer for a peace building organisation in Kenya
- Occupational Therapist for the Ministry of Health in Lesotho
- Clinical Psychologist for a mental health hospital in Tanzania
- Resource Mobilisation Advisor for a women's and children's charity in Uganda
- Programme Management Advisor for an environmental charity in Tanzania
- Technical & Marketing Advisor to a non-timber forest produce programme in India
- Find out more about becoming a development worker with Skillshare International.