Projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America
Volunteers on their way to a tree planting project in Mwanga, Tanzania
The Africa, Asia, Latin America Programme is a Development Education programme set within the Millenium Development Goals. The programme enables people to gain an insight and understanding of development issues facing people and countries of the developing world by participating in short term International Volunteer Projects, of practical benefit to local communities. The Programme is made up of four elements; Preparation, Projects, Evaluation and Using your experience.
We encourage volunteers to join in 2 or 3 short term projects during their 2 month stay in a developing country, as well as visiting other development and community projects. However, it is also possible to join an individual project.
Africa: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Asia: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam.
Latin America: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru.
The Projects are organised by local voluntary work organisations and involve teams of local and international volunteers helping:
- to build extra classrooms onto a local school
- to renovate a rural health centre
- to plant trees and other environmental projects
- to make play facilities at a centre for children with disabilities
Villagers and volunteers work together on an environmental project in Sri Lanka, Summer 2008
2010 Projects - Check the Project Search engine
We encourage volunteers to join in 2 or 3 short term projects during their 2 month stay in a developing country, as well as visiting other development and community projects. However, it is also possible to join an individual project.
Sports activities with local chilren in Mwanga, Tanzania
Volunteers helping with sports activities with local children in Mwanga, Tanzania
Who can take part
The programme is open to volunteers over 20 years of age with previous volunteering experience.
Costs
Free food and accommodation is provided while on the individual projects. Projects are mostly held in rural areas and conditions on the projects can be basic e.g. no electricity; no running water etc.
- Volunteers have to cover travel to the country and internal travel to/from the projects.
- Volunteers have to take out a comprehensive insurance policy. Volunteers have to cover visa fees (if any).
- Volunteers must be members of VSI and also have to pay a programme fee of €140 for projects in 1 country to VSI once accepted on the programme.VSI fees for projects in a 2nd country are an extra €40.
In addition volunteers will have to pay the host organisation a Project Fee ranging from €100 - €200 - more details at the Preparation Workshops.
Constructing a toilet at a village school in Bangladesh
Volunteer and villagers put the final touches to the new latrine for the local school.
How to apply
Apply Online: Click here to apply for the AALA Programme online
Apply by Post: Click here to download the application form (word document) complete the form and send it back to us
Preparation
We organise a comprehensive preparation and orientation programme/briefing for participants. Contact the office for more details.
Here you can download the VSI Preparation Handbook for Volunteer joining the Africa, Asia, Latin America programme.
VSI has signed the Code of Good Practice for Sending Organisations