Interview with Sarah Ehlers of A Broader View

How does A Broader View choose volunteers?

Sarah: We use a detailed application process that includes questionnaires, background checks and references, acceptable age requirement, education credentials as well as foreign language skills when applicable.

Rosy, an ABV volunteer, in Cusco, Peru

Certain programs do have age requirements (17 and 18) but children as young as 12 are accepted traveling with parents. Many of our Central and South American volunteer programs require conversational Spanish. Our health care programs require current medical/dental/nursing credentials or current graduate level enrollment.

What do your program fees cover?

Sarah: Our fees cover accommodations that are pre-approved and monitored by ABV. These locations are safe, secure, and supervised. Accommodations can include host families, hostels, shared guesthouses, on-site dorm rooms (in orphanages), and local hotels. Fees also cover two or three local meals per day. In addition, fees cover airport arrival “meet and greet,” transfer from airport to project location, orientation and support by an in-country ABV director, and departure transfer to the airport. Fees also cover the placement and supervision of the volunteer into the project.

How do you prepare your volunteers for their projects, either before they leave or as they arrive in-country?

Sarah In addition to direct telephone and email access, ABV supplies a detailed 25-page orientation guide. This covers information about visas, vaccinations, recommended packing lists, money exchange information, water and health safety issues, cultural differences, work expectations as well as fund-raising information.

Our website is a plethora of information that includes detailed facts, resources for discounted air travel and travel insurance. We also have videos with clear explanations, as well as feedback from previous volunteers. When the volunteer arrives in-country, they receive a one-day overview orientation from the ABV coordinator.

Our volunteers work in conjunction with the locals as aides or assistants and not replacements.

How do you manage volunteers' expectations? If someone is disappointed with the project or expected something different, how is that addressed?

Sarah: It is impossible to manage every person’s expectations while living in a developing country. It is impractical to compare one’s life in the States, Canada, Europe or Australia with the lifestyle of our volunteer sites.

Jared, an ABV volunteer, in Quito, Ecuador

However, our website, and our ABV orientation guide consistently reinforces the notion that volunteers must be completely flexible, open-minded, proactive and accepting of the conditions and limitations. Though we cannot manage anyone’s expectations, we do our best to accurately prepare them for the reality of life and work in a developing country.

How do you ensure your programs are sustainable and mutually beneficial for you, the community, and the volunteers?

Sarah: ABV partners with local, grass-roots organizations that are solidly established within each community. Our volunteers work in conjunction with the locals as aides or assistants and not replacements. We perform regular assessments with our in-country coordinators, project leaders and host families. We determine what works best and what does not. We procure feedback from our volunteers when they return and utilized their suggestions.

Get involved:

• Orphanage / Child Care - ABV offers programs which specifically focus on child care abroad
• Teaching / Education Programs - In communities around the World there is a an ongoing need for native English speakers to help provide lessons and instructions in rural and urban schools.
• Dental / Healthcare Programs - Medical and dental placements are available worldwide which assist the local staff in whatever capacity they may need, such as taking medical history, checking vitals, providing check ups, giving vaccinations and HIV testing.
• Woman's Support Programs - ABV offers programs specifically focusing on the plight of young woman and destitute woman in poverty communities.
• Community Development / Building - These programs are not for the faint of heart. Programs range from heavy construction, to light manual labor tasks.
• Law / Human Rights - A Broader View Volunteer offers a program specifically dealing with human rights, youth advocacy and justice issues in Zambia.

Learn more and connect:

Website: www.abroaderview.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/abroad.volunteer
Twitter: @abroaderview

Address:
1001 Dell Lane
Wyncote , PA 19095
United States
Email: volunteers@abroaderview.org
Phone: +1-215-780-1845
Fax: +1-215-887-0915