Global Awareness Programme

This Award is open to ANYONE 18+.

What we are looking for in an Explorer:

• A person who is curious about other cultures, tolerant of differences and is flexible and open to engage with new and at times challenging situations.
• A person who is willing to engage with EIL upon their return to Ireland, to share their experience, and to learn with others.
• A person who is seeking a different and new opportunity that can provide open mindedness, global awareness, self reflection and self improvement.

• Mexico: Volunteers on this placement share their time between two projects that support children from disadvantaged backgrounds with Down Syndrome, Autism, impaired hearing among other conditions. The first project is a mixed school open during week days where teachers and therapists need help with physical activities, art and body expression, early stimulation classes and during lunch time. Help is also needed in maintenance of the garden, painting walls and cleaning the workshop areas. The second project is a permanent house for boys with special needs. Volunteers help by assisting teachers in classes, organising activities in drama, art and creative workshops and general assistance with the boys.

• South Africa: These education projects are mainly based at public primary and high schools and are located in disadvantaged communities in and around Cape Town. The classes range from 40-50 learners per class where facilities and resources are very limited. Most schools do not have sports clubs or library services and help is needed in these areas. Classes for student with special needs or homework support clubs are also usually not available. Volunteers are needed to provide teaching support in classrooms, to assist with sports activities and computer literacy. Teaching experience and/or an interest in Education is a requirement. School term 3 runs from July – Sept. No teaching placements are available in May or June. A TEFL or teaching qualification is desirable.

• Vietnam: The Center for Sustainable Development Studies in Vietnam addresses development issues in Vietnam with particular focus on children support through social inclusion, youth development through international exchange and non-formal education, and women empowerment through sustainable livelihood support. Their project “Youth Drivers for Change” implements activities through a variety of channels to engage and build the existing and significant potential of Vietnamese youth in the civil society sector. The working principle of the project is that by enhancing young people’s access to and engagement with broader grassroots civil society organisations, both the youth and the communities involved benefit, often in innovative ways. The project focuses on inclusive, participatory and holistic training activities. It uses proven good practice training and facilitation methods and thematic expertise to build the capacity of the young people involved.

• Mexico: Aware of the needs of women leaving prostitution and not having the means to survive, Pozo de la Vida started Nunayú in March 2015. Nunayú is a social enterprise focusing on the needs of women who lack opportunities or vocational experience . Thru Nunayú, women receive vocational training and are empowered to fulfil their personal dreams and endeavours. It provides women with art therapy, nutrition workshops, continual education, counselling and social services.  Nunayú´s focus on victims of human- trafficking is a response to the needs of women who have been trapped in the industry for more than 10 years.  Volunteers in this project will receive talks on how to manage the special circumstances of its population, and not very often will be in contact with newly “rescued” women. However they will get to know how through constant presence and quiet support Pozo de Vida has given hope to women in desperate situations.

• Guatemala –Most families in Guatemala depend directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihoods. But farmers disproportionately bear the impact of climate change – they are particularly vulnerable because any disruption to their agricultural system resulting from extreme weather events like hurricanes, extreme rainfall or drought results in significant crop and income losses and exacerbates food insecurity. Few farmers have adjusted their farming strategies to cope with climate change, due to limited resources and capacity. This permaculture project focuses on the promotion of native seeds and the protection of local ecosystems by sustainably managing its natural resources while also having a positive impact on the livelihoods and wellbeing of local communities. Volunteers are needed to help with maintenance and improvement of gardens, nurseries and gardens, to help in the construction of new infrastructure, bio-construction and construction using recycled materials (buildings, solar showers, terraces, paths) and to help manage the seed bank support (germination tests, seed catalogue,  packing of seeds for sale, selection and preparation of seeds). A genuine interest in sustainability, environmentalism and/or permaculture is required.

• Ecuador: This is a dual focus project, where the volunteer will work during the morning in the educational part of the project and in the afternoon in the technical one. Education: Cataloguing plants, reviewing the information for the guided tours and adapting itineraries. Registering birds spotted, accompanying guides on the tours and learning  how to guide and how to handle different age groups. Assisting with providing information  to visitors, when they have questions – help with organizing and set up the special exhibitions – reviewing and updating the inventory etc. Gardening – technical area: This work involves cultivating plants,