This week’s edition — Pass the Hot Sauce Please
Category: Uncategorized
Scott’s Weekly Column is Out
This week’s edition — Getting Punched in the Mouth Abroad
India Eases Tourist Visa Rules
India recently announced that tourists on multi-entry visas will no longer have to wait two months to re-enter India.
So, if you want to visit Nepal for a few days, then return to India — you can now do so right away.
This is relevant to our volunteers because most enter India on a tourist visa..
Scott’s Weekly Column is Out
The week’s edition — Why Are You Volunteering Abroad
Volunteer at a Rehab Center in Ghana, Africa
Cosmic Volunteers partnered last year with Chosen Rehab Center in Ghana to send them volunteers.
As their director Cobe wrote in a recent newsletter, they are one of the largest drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in West Africa. He and his wife currently house 130 “ex-addicts, ex-criminals, and ex-menaces to society.”
They are always in need of volunteers, including medical personnel (doctors, nurses), counselors, and social workers. They also welcome volunteers to help out with child care, literacy training, sports coaching and more.
Here is a slideshow from Cosmic’s Director Scott Burke’s visit to Chosen Rehab in December 2011:
5 things to Do After Signing Up to Volunteer Abroad
After you officially sign-up for your volunteer abroad program, you need to start preparing for the trip. Here is a list of the next steps you need to take:
5 things to do after signing-up for your volunteer abroad program:
1. Passport. Apply for your passport right away. You will obviously need it when you travel, but you will also need it to do things like book your flights and obtain visas. The processing time is usually 4-6 weeks once you submit your passport application.
2. Flights. Historically, the earlier you book your flights, the cheaper your fare will be. The window for buying the best international fares is 6 – 24 weeks. Start searching with Hipmunk and Yapta.
3. Fundraising. Start planning your fundraising efforts, which could include applying for scholarships, giving presentations to civic groups, and writing letters to family and friends.
4. Vaccinations. Consult with a travel medicine doctor at least two months before you departure. Some vaccines need to be given in a series, over a period of time.
5. Visa. The visa is the document issued by the host country giving you entry permission. Some countries do allow you to obtain the visa upon arrival. But If you’re going to a country that doesn’t, you’ll need to apply for the visa before you leave home.
Volunteering in Tanzania
A photo album from our volunteer programs in Arusha, Tanzania:
Ellie Writes About Trip to India
[This article originally appeared on the Jhpiego Facebook page on July 12, 2012.]
A Trip to Remember — GirlSpot Author Volunteers in India
[GirlSpot author and Jhpiego high school intern Ellie Dominguez recently spent time in New Delhi, India doing volunteer work. Ellie shares her international adventures from working with children and visiting villages, to meeting pen pals Tanya and Rushali.]
Greetings! Ellie here, having just returned from a 3 week adventure in India where I explored cities, taught English, and even met Tanya and Rushali, from our previous Girlspot post! It was incredible to learn about and experience such a different culture. Everything from the language and architecture to the food and dress was exotic and beautiful. Everywhere I went I learned new and exciting things about this country of over 1.2 billion people. One moment I would find myself on a bustling metropolitan street, the next, a rural and humble village. It was in the latter that I would realize just how needed Jhpiego’s services are.
As advanced as India is, there are still areas that have little access to healthcare, and with such a large population, it is easy for a person to become just a number. Though I saw few young mothers, when I spoke to Tanya and Rushali, they told me that in certain areas many young girls are married off at 14 and expected to cook, clean and bear children, without a chance to get a good education. It was common for many women of poorer families to work as housemaids for wealthier families; this meant that either the kids were home alone, at school, or went to work with their mother. In the day care where I worked during my time in India, parents who were construction workers and housemaids were relieved to have a safe and happy place for the children to go to during the day.
Tanya and Rushali received a health education similar to mine. Going to an all-girls school and college has made Tanya aware of and passionate about women’s issues, and she has expressed an interest in Jhpiego’s work. Rushali too is aware and concerned, and says her school has made efforts to end human trafficking. They say that seeing these poorer circumstances around them make them appreciate their education and opportunities even more, and they are proud of Jhpiego’s work in saving the lives of women and babies in an effort to keep families strong and thriving.
It was surreal, meeting them and seeing Jhpiego’s headquarters in India. Everyone was incredibly kind, and the experience has left me with a yearning to return. It was great to see Jhpiego’s work firsthand on the other side of the world. A truly memorable trip indeed.
Until next time! Ellie
[Read more on Garrison Forest School website]
Do It Yourself Volunteering Abroad Program
Our newest option for affordable volunteer programs abroad is our Do It Yourself Volunteering Abroad Program, which starts at $99 USD.
How does it work?
Volunteers pay Cosmic Volunteers a $99 fee, which covers 3 things:
- Our standard pre-trip preparation
- Volunteering Handbook
- Contact info of our In-Country Coordinator
Volunteers then deal directly with our local in-country Coordinator. In addition to the $99 paid to Cosmic Volunteers, volunteers would also pay the Coordinator an additional fee to arrange the placement, ranging from $200-$300 (this includes a mandatory donation to the volunteer location such as an orphanage).
Our goal with the Do It Yourself Volunteering Abroad program is to allow goodhearted people to go abroad to help others — without breaking their bank account!
Contact us about this program by:
- Text: 484-504-9551
- Voice: 215-609-4196
- Skype: “cosmicvolunteers”
- Gmail Chat: “cosmicvolunteers”
Thanks!
Scott Burke
Founder & Director
Cosmic Volunteers
White Flint Mall’s Camp & Summer Programs Expo
Cosmic Volunteers will have a table this weekend at the White Flint Mall Camp & Summer Programs Expo in Bethesda, Maryland.
So if you’re in the area, please stop by and say hello to Cosmic’s Director Scott Burke and some of our former volunteers and interns.
What: White Flint Mall Camp & Summer Programs Expo
When: Sat January 28 from 10-5 AND Sun Jan 29 from 12-5pm
Where: White Flint Mall
Address: 11301 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, Maryland 20895