Download and print our FAQs sheet

Information on application instructions, selection criteria and deadlines

What will I do?

How much will it cost?

What does SPW provide?

How does SPW support volunteers?

Will I be safe?

What happens at the end of the program?

What will I do?

This will vary depending on the program and country that you choose. You will be working with rural youth and communities and will use non-formal teaching methodologies to share information. Click here for more information on our country programs Return to top

How much will it cost?

Volunteers do not pay a fee to join a program. Instead, we ask that you become a fundraiser for the organization, raising a minimum donation before you go overseas. Volunteers are essential to the work we do in two ways: not only do you give your time and service overseas, but you also help us continue our work by raising vital unrestricted funds. We ask each international volunteer to make a commitment to raise a minimum of $6,400.

How do I raise the money?

SPW provides selected applicants with a comprehensive pack which includes advice, ideas and examples of successful fundraising approaches used by former volunteers. Volunteers typically raise their money from a variety of sources, such as family and friends, fundraising events and local businesses. Community members and businesses are often generous in supporting work that will make a genuine difference, particularly if they can see that you are also making an effort by working to raise funds.

Where does the money go?

The money volunteers raise is an unrestricted donation which supports the work of SPW USA and overseas offices and their programs.

Does SPW make any financial contribution to its volunteer programs?

The total cost of hosting a volunteer on an SPW program is far greater than the amount a volunteer raises. So the money volunteers raise doesn’t directly cover the costs of actually hosting the volunteer. In order to sustain the program, we undertake organizational fundraising activities. The majority of our funds come from sources such as government agencies, international aid organizations, charitable trusts and foundations, and individuals.

Volunteers are eligible for discounts on camping/ travel equipment from Travel With Care. Return to top

What does SPW provide?

Travel Arrangements

SPW volunteers' travel arrangements are booked through STA Travel. All volunteers are responsible for booking their flight to the UK where all volunteers will gather at the Heathrow airport to join a group flight to their placement. SPW covers volunteers’ flights from the UK to placement.

Individual arrangements are possible providing sufficient notice is given, but late arrival or early departure from programs is unacceptable. This will also be an extra cost to you in addition to the fundraising for SPW.

Visas

SPW USA will assist you in obtaining an entrance or volunteer visa before your departure. Any longer term work permits acquired in-country will be paid for by SPW.

Healthcare overseas

SPW gets their volunteers comprehensive medical insurance through STA Travel. (including local medical insurance), which provides for medical repatriation if necessary. All overseas country offices have details of recommended physicians and clinics and have a wealth of experience in dealing with the common health problems volunteers may experience while on placement.

Training

Conference Calls: All prospective volunteers are required to attend a pre-departure briefing, which for the Americas is held by conference call approximately 2 months before departure. These briefings provide volunteers with the opportunity to talk with each other, former volunteers and SPW USA staff. The call is designed to make volunteers fully aware of the work they will be doing; to provide detailed medical information and equipment requirements; and to cover cultural and social issues to help prepare volunteers for the time they are overseas.

Full training is conducted on arrival in-country and lasts for 3-6 weeks. The exact length of the training program and its content are tailored to your specific program. With the exception of India, this training lasts a minimum of one month. Training is run by SPW staff, representatives of our partner NGOs and other specialist organizations, and is intended to prepare volunteers for working and living in rural communities.
Some of the topics include:

• Teambuilding skills
• Cross-cultural awareness
• Basic development theory
• Language training
• Adolescent health issues (e.g. puberty, HIV and AIDS, gender issues)
• NFE (Non Formal Education) Techniques
• Sustainable development and participatory rural appraisal techniques
• Visits to former placements

Stipend & Accommodations

Volunteers are provided with a minimal stipend to cover costs of basic food and local transportation needs. Volunteers’ accommodations depend on the program, but may consist of local family homestays, group homes with other volunteers, or teachers’ dormitories. Return to top

How does SPW support volunteers?

Support on placement

SPW has field staff residents in each country working from one or more permanent offices. They visit and assess all placements and organize training, accommodation and stipends. All volunteers receive regular visits in their placements. Workshops during volunteers’ time in placements allow volunteers to swap ideas and receive refresher training. At the end of placements and before returning home, debriefs are conducted to allow for an assessment of what has been achieved and suggestions for future action to ensure sustainability.

End of the program

Following debriefings in-country, SPW USA schedules a phone debrief with returned volunteers to discuss their experience and to explore ways in which returned volunteers can stay involved with SPW. Returned volunteers are encouraged to join the Global Youth Network through which SPW is able to provide professional development, advice and support. The network also keeps volunteers in touch with developments within SPW and within each volunteer’s host country. Within SPW USA, there are opportunities to intern in the office or to help with recruitment, publicity and advocacy events. Most of the international staff members working in SPW country program offices are former volunteers, so there are significant opportunities for professional development within the organization. Return to top

Will I be safe?

SPW works in some of the poorest areas in the world. We recruit volunteers with the desire to embark on this REAL challenge. There will of course be certain inherent risks involved, but we do our best to prepare volunteers for them and give advice as to how to avoid and deal with potential risks. All SPW offices have emergency action plans in place to deal with emergencies. Should it prove necessary, volunteers will be evacuated from the area or country in which they work. The rural areas where we work are usually the safest places to be in times of disturbance; the most serious risk to volunteers is usually from petty crime in the urban centers. SPW keeps in close touch with the relevant embassies for volunteers in the countries where we work, along with NGOs and other organizations on the ground, to ensure that safety information and advice given to volunteers is as up-to-date as possible. Return to top

May I talk to past volunteers?

Yes. If you register for an Information Session, you can speak to volunteers recently returned from our programs. This is a wonderful way to get a real feel for SPW and what it is like to volunteer on a program!