Our Projects - a summary
VESL's charitable aim is to set up and run well-structured, well-supported and worthwhile placements in some of the neediest Sri Lankan, Indian and Thai communities. We always work closely with governments and local communities to ensure all our projects make a real and measured difference.
VESL believes in only setting up projects where our volunteers will be used to their full potential. We want volunteers to have a role that they will feel proud of and gain reward from undertaking. We also want our volunteers to have a memorable experience overseas that they will look back on as one of the best things they have ever done.
VESL currently offers the following types of projects...
(why not read through our case studies to find out what volunteers thought about these projects.)
Volunteer teaching English in rural schools
Description:
Volunteers are placed in rural primary and secondary schools to help teach English or work alongside teaching staff as a language assistant. Volunteers run activities and games focusing on spoken English, helping to engage the children and improve confidence levels. Volunteers are also able to run after-school clubs, games, sports, music and art activities or take the opportunity to work within the wider community.
Location and Duration:
Thailand : 3+ month projects throughout the year or 4-6 week projects in July/August
Sri Lanka : 4-6 week projects in July/August
India : 3+ month projects at various start dates throughout the year
Accommodation:
Volunteers are usually placed with a partner and live with a host family within the local community in a homestay placment.
Cost or Fundraising Target:
4 to 6 week : £900, 3 months : £1350, additional months +£250 per month.
Cost Includes:
Pre-departure training, transport to project in country, food and accommodation, comprehensive travel & medical cover, in-country induction, ongoing backup and support in country. Please note - does not include return flights.
Requirements:
We would encourage all interested parties to apply - some of our projects suit those with experience and others are suited to keen, enthusiastic and adaptable volunteers who perhaps have less experience. Some experience working with children, either in a voluntary or teaching capacity, would of course be useful, however, if we feel that you need to gain more experience (such as a TEFL or TESOL course) before taking on a project we will provide that feedback and look into possible projects for you.
VESL summer schools
Description:
VESL summer schools projects involve helping in a local school and conducting out-of-school clubs in the afternoons or in school holidays. These projects can invlove children and adults from the local community. The emphasis is on developing English language skills through games and spoken activities.
Location and Duration:
Sri Lanka and Thailand from 4 - 6 weeks over July/August.
Accommodation:
volunteers are usually placed with a partner and live with a host family within the local community in a homestay placment.
Cost or Fundraising Target: 4-6 weeks : £900
Cost Includes:
Pre-departure training, transport to project in country, food and accommodation, comprehensive travel & medical cover, in-country induction, ongoing backup and support in country. Please note - does not include return flights.
Requirements:
Some experience of working with children would be beneficial, however, we look for applicants with the right character and approach to the challenge and you will be given the opportunity to discuss your strengths during selection
Community Projects
Description:
VESL has a variety of projects working alongside local community organisations and charities; these include orphanages, homes for rescued child laborers and child hospices. Volunteers support the development and running of these projects and work with the children or young adults to run English classes. A number of nursing and medical projects are also available.
Location and Duration:
India - 3 to 6 months only - various start dates.
Accommodation:
Volunteers are placed with a partner and typically live within the project if it is an orphanage, home or hospice or with a teacher or host family within the local community for school base projects.
Cost or Fundraising Target:
3 months - £1350, additional months +£250 per month.
Cost Includes:
Pre-departure training, transport to project in country, food and accommodation, comprehensive travel & medical cover, in-country induction, ongoing backup and support in country. Please note - does not include return flights.
Requirements:
Some experience is beneficial and overseas travel will certainly aid your application but many of our community projects require specific skills or attributes and we would encourage any applicant with a desire to help do something worthwhile to apply as you may be suited to one of our projects.
teacher workshops programme : thailand : August 2010
Description:
Volunteers will run a series of workshops in rural communities across Thailand, offering a forum for Thai and UK teachers to share ideas and teaching experiences. Volunteers will get the opportunity to live in a local community and experience working in rural Thai schools in addition to gaining a unique travel experience in a beautiful country whilst helping to make a real and lasting difference.
Location and Duration:
2 week programme in August 2010 - please go to the - TEACHER WORKSHOPS - page for more details...
optional extra week living within a local community and teaching in a rural school.
No. Workshops:
3 workshops each week, within two provinces of Northern Thailand. 5 to 6 hours per workshop.
Accommodation:
Volunteers will be travelling through a number of regions staying in local family run guest houses and hotels.
Cost or Fundraising Target:
Heavily subsidised placements at £750
Cost Includes:
Pre-departure training, workshop content forum, transport to project in country, food and accommodation, comprehensive travel & medical cover, in-country induction, programme setup and team coordinator providing ongoing backup and support in country. Please note - does not include return flights.
Requirements:
ONLY qualified teachers (PGDE/PGCE inc. NQT, GTP, BEd, TEFL, TESOL, CELTA) are eligible to take part.
If you are interested in learning more about any of these projects, please download our information pack or get in touch with us via email or telephone to discuss your options.
After a project has finished volunteers are free to travel for the remainder of their stay in country/length of visa...
