[Tlc] TLC-volunteer

[justinm at ucr.edu]

Forwarded from Dr. Vinya Sysamouth.
Thanks,
justin


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Application Deadline Extended for Laos Long-Term Posts, Bali Service-Learning and Vietnam Summer Programs!
VIA (Volunteers in Asia) is still accepting applications for long-term volunteer positions in Laos PDR and summer positions in Bali and Vietnam in 2009! Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until Friday, April 10, 5 pm PST or until the positions are filled.

 

Laos Long-Term Volunteer Posts
For 45 years, VIA has been partnering with Asian institutions in need of native English-speaking volunteers. VIA provides extensive training and a wide array of support to all volunteers. VIA supports 1-2 year volunteers at a small number of educational and community organizations in the captivating Lao PDR:

 

Dream Center is an English Teaching post at a private school with curriculum in English, computers, Chinese, Korean. Although the Korean director is Korean wanted to set up a non-profit, it's very difficult in Laos. The Dream Center is run as a private school offering low tuition and donating profits to support Laos schools in rural areas with the aim of increasing the livelihood and welfare of Lao people in the region. The school serves a broad demographic including students and adults working in tourism, government, and business. Huay Xai, Bokeo Province is a scenic and peaceful bordertown in the northwestern corner of Laos. The quiet Mekong river runs along Huay Xai, and Thailand is a short boat ride away. The region is rural and mountainous with a large percentage of people belonging to minority ethnic groups. There is a small community of expatriates who work for international NGOs. Chiang Mai is only five hours away by bus, and it's also the jumping off point for river t!
!
ravel to Luang Prabang. Because Huay Xai is rural, it is a bit spread out and lacking public transportation; it's important that the volunteer be comfortable with the idea of riding a motorbike. We can help the volunteer become more accustomed to riding in Chiang Mai.

 

Community Environment Promotion and Cultural Association (CEPCA), in Vientiane,  is a non-profit association (NPA) under the umbrella of the Laos Union of Science and Engineering Associations (LUSEA), which is home to most of the fledgling national quasi-NGOs in Laos. They do training on environmental education, environmental journalism, and advocacy training for local villagers on environmental rights, such as land rights. They walk a fine line between advocating for local rights and training journalists to report on issues while taking care not to directly criticize government development policy. This year they received two major grants to create an environmental magazine and for various training programs. A major role of the volunteer will be donor relations and report writing, starting with learning about CEPCA's activities to report to the granting institutions.  This will offer firsthand experience in how a small national NGO operates. They are a small office and work te!
!
nds to come in floods or trickles, depending on activities. The present volunteer also teaches English to a class drawn from the local NGO community and the director is talking about possibly sharing the volunteer with LUSEA from time to time when things slow down, so this position gives great access to a wide range of NGOs in Laos. CEPCA provides a basic apartment for the volunteer.

Eligibility: VIA long-term programs are open to US residents who speak English with native fluency and have a bachelor's degree (by summer 2009). Local language skills, teaching experience, and development experience are not required.

Dates:

April 17 - 19: Spring Orientation in Marin, California

July 14: Arrive for Training in Chiang Mai, Thailand

 

Program Fee: $2000

 

Bali Service-Learning Program
The VIA Bali Service-Learning program is an 8-week group cultural immersion and service opportunity. Volunteers will live with Balinese families, learn about the community and culture, and engage in service projects at the invitation of local groups. The island of Bali, known for its verdant rice terraces and unique form of Hinduism, is a magnet for anthropologists, cultural tourists, volcano-climbers and art-lovers.

Dates: 
June 23 - 24: Training in VIA's San Francisco Office
June 25: Depart for Bali

Program Fee: $1700 for undergrads, $2200 for others


Teach in Hue Program
The Teach in Hue program is a 7-week group program based in Hue, the cultural and historical capital of Vietnam. Volunteers team-teach English and American culture classes to Vietnamese university students and learn about culture and development in Vietnam by volunteering at local non-profits. The program is and is open to any undergraduates or college grads.

Dates:
July 1: Arrive in Hanoi for orientation
July 7: Travel to Hue for program
August 14: Last day of program

Program Fee: $1500 for undergrads, $2000 for others

Viet-Am Service Learning Program
The Viet-Am Service leanring program is a 6-week summer program exclusively for Americans of Vietnamese heritage. Volunteers work with a local non-profit organization that focuses on women's empowerment and anti-human trafficking in An Giang Province and teach English to at-risk middle school students. Volunteers must possess strong Vietnamese language skills (fluency not required).

Dates:
July 1: Arrive in Hanoi for orientation
July 7: Travel to An Giang for program
August 9: Last day of program

Program Fee: $500 for undergrads, $1500 for others

Program Fees and How to Apply
Program fee includes training and orientation costs, housing, in-country program transportation, insurance, full-time program staff support and much more. Program fee excludes international airfare plus other miscellaneous expenses.

Applications can be downloaded from our website.


VIA (Volunteers in Asia) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization headquartered in San Francisco that aims to increase understanding between the US and Asia through programs promoting cross-cultural education and service. For more information, please visit the VIA website at www.viaprograms.org or e-mail us at info at viaprograms.org.

 


-- 
Daniel Mandell
Regional Asia Program Director
Volunteers in Asia (VIA)
San Francisco, CA USA
Chiang Mai, Thailand

+66 81 366 3325 mobile




-- 
Redirect corporate profits to VIA at no cost to you...
Simply go to via.maatiam.com before shopping online.
-
Nathan Camp
VIA Indonesia Program Director
www.viaprograms.org
965 Mission Street, Suite 751, San Francisco, CA 94103
415.904.8033



______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
3046 INTN
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu