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Let’s Learn More About ProWorld!

Tue, 09/27/2011 - 06:33

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This awesome article was brought to you by Sarah Palmer

Sarah has researched and educated others about international volunteering for six years, and currently works with volunteers adjusting to the return home from their service trips. You can follow her on Twitter at @VolunteerGlobal or at her website, Volunteer Global.

Let’s Learn More About ProWorld!

Continuing this month’s volunteer abroad profile theme, I had the chance to interview Richard A. Webb, co-founder of ProWorld. Founded in 1998 in Peru, ProWorld works in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, with an emphasis on development initiatives spearheaded by local communities. There currently are seven main project areas in which volunteers work, including community development, education, women’s empowerment, and more. Says Richard, “At the root of all placements is our commitment to engaging participants in meaningful and sustainable efforts in environmental, social and economic development projects.”

Let’s learn more about ProWorld and how you can get involved!

Placement Basics

How long?: One week to a semester or longer.
Where?: Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, and Thailand.
What do volunteers do?: Community development, education, environment and conservation, health, working with children, construction, and women’s empowerment.
How much does it cost?: Volunteer programs range from $1,345 to $1,545 per week, plus $270 to $320 for each additional week.
What do fees cover?: Room and board, transportation to and from the project site and other outings, cultural and adventure excursions, and project funds that benefit the program with which volunteers work.

About Volunteering

Volunteers can choose and sign up for ProWorld trips online. Pre-departure information and a telephone interview with all volunteers are provided to prepare them for service. Once volunteers arrive to their project sites, training and country- and program-specific information are provided by ProWorld staff.

ProWorld employs on-site staff who help manage the volunteer experience and ensure they focus on the needs of the community while also providing an enriching experience to volunteers. To make sure programs are operating smoothly and sustainably, Richard says, "We use a variety of metrics to help us assess local development needs and keep in constant communication with our local community partners and leaders. In most cases, we recognize that we are not the experts in the community needs, but facilitators of innovation and resources to help make ongoing changes and improvements to the economic and personal welfare of the members of the communities where we work."

Today, ProWorld has more than 4,000 volunteer alumni. The organization keeps its supporters up-to-date on their own projects as well as new ones through a regular newsletter and social networks.

The best part of working with ProWorld is being inspired by all the people within the ProWorld community, including participants and local partners, who whose great work and commitment make everything go around!

Program Highlights

Ecotourism in Costa Rica: Volunteers on this trip promote ecotourism among rural communities, with possible projects to include working at an animal rescue center or dairy farm, cleaning and maintaining hiking trails, building a butterfly garden, and more. Housing and meals are provided by a local family, and volunteers are encouraged to visit the nearby towns of Manuel Antonio/Quepos and Dominical. This trip starts from $1,345 for one week, plus $270 for each additional week. Learn more about volunteering in Costa Rica.

Volunteers can promote ecotourism in Costa Rica

Public Health Education in Ghana: During this project, volunteers teach rural communities about HIV/AIDS and other healthcare issues such as sanitation, malaria prevention, and reduction of the spread of typhoid and cholera. Volunteers research their health education topics, create lesson plans, and hold classes and workshops. Housing and meals are provided by a local family, with organized trips provided at the beginning of the program and free weekends for volunteers to travel the area and explore. The Public Health Education program starts from $1,345 for one week, plus $270 for each additional week. Learn more about volunteering in Ghana.

Teaching English to Refugees and Minorities in Nepal: Volunteers in this Nepal program help build English and career skills to underserved communities, as well as assisting with organizational administration and marketing, helping with website and database management, and organizing and running workshops for local populations. Group housing options in close proximity to Kathmandu are offered for volunteers, with possible excursions to include World Heritage site tours, Hindu and Buddhist temple visits, and more. As with the Ghana and Costa Rica programs, trip fees start from $1,345 for the first week, plus $270 for each week thereafter. Learn more about volunteering in Nepal.

Women’s Empowerment in Peru: Through this program, volunteers work in a hostel providing educational and social services to working girls by helping to promote and expand the program; developing seminars on health, nutrition, self-esteem, and sexual abuse; and assisting girls with their homework. This project requires volunteers to have background experience in this program area, Spanish language ability, and a minimum time commitment of one month. Volunteers stay with a local host family, and are encouraged to take weekends to explore Machu Picchu and other surrounding areas. Volunteering with the women’s empowerment program starts from $1,545 for one week, plus $320 for each additional week. Learn more about volunteering in Peru.

Construction in Belize: Offered over winter break, this trip promotes cultural immersion and community development by getting volunteers involved in construction and painting projects, which may include painting and renovating a local hospital, building a playground, and building a community education center. This program is offered one time, from December 27, 2011 through January 8, 2012, and costs $1,865. Volunteers stay with a host family, and weekends are free for excursions to Mayan ruins, snorkeling, cave tubing, and more. Learn more about volunteering in Belize.

View more ProWorld programs and read ratings and reviews!