Overview

Effective preparation is vital for overcoming the challenges presented by the Programme and making a positive contribution to the partner schools.

The Preparation Phase constitutes the four month period between February and June. Each Volunteer works with their team to ensure that they are fully equipped and prepared to offer a quality service to the partner organisations.

There are four main components:

• Knowledge and skills development.
• Getting to know your team.
• Fundraising.
• Health, safety and security (HSS).

We understand that Volunteers need to balance their personal commitments with those of the Programme; nevertheless, former Volunteers have successfully passed exams, submitted their theses and completed various work projects whilst also preparing sufficiently for the Programme.  The process is, however, fairly demanding and requires considerable commitment from the time offers are accepted.

Preparation Weekends

The Volunteer Programme team organises three weekends to assist Volunteers with their preparations prior to departure. Using the Plan-Do-Review cycle, the team supports the Volunteers to make the best use of their preparation time. The weekends also enable the teams to meet and learn more about their placements from former Volunteers. 

It's important to note that, whilst we aim to provide a comprehensive preparation package across the three weekends, time is limited and we cannot cover everything. Volunteers are expected to take responsibility for their preparations and: read about the partner schools, review previous years reports, meet former Volunteers, work on the local language and spend a few days in a school to re-familiarise; all of which go a long way towards ensuring that the overseas experience is positive and rewarding for all involved.

The responsibility for preparation is in the hands of the Volunteers and their team - that's part of the challenge!

Click here to download a sample timetable for the Suas preparation weekends

On-going support (February - May):

• Support and advice from the Suas fundraising manager
• Office assistance when booking: events, bag packs and table quizzes etc
• Specific fundraising sessions at the preparation weekends.  These include: project organisation, event planning, time-management and goal setting
• Monthly updates

Fundraising can be a challenge, but you will be adequately supported. Furthermore, the skills that you develop during this process, such as: event organisation and time management, are highly valued by employers.

Find out how Volunteer Andrea Wickham fundraised over €4000 

What is not covered?

• Visas - Volunteers will need to obtain a Visa for the appropriate country at least 6 weeks before departure.
• Vaccinations - Volunteers will need to complete a course of vaccinations and submit a signed GP completion form by May 3rd.

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The safe completion of the Programme for ALL, without serious incident to Volunteers, children or staff of our partner schools is the number one objective of the Programme.

We have a three part approach to achieving this goal:

1. Prevention:  Staying healthy and understanding local conditions and cultures, as well as the associated risk of activities in the new context of a developing country. Also, adhering to the Suas Health & Safety guidelines and those of our Partners.
2. Preparation:  Being ready to respond in the event that something does happen.
3. Personal Responsibility:  Taking responsibility for your own Health & Safety as well as that of your team, colleagues and our Partners.

The Challenges

The Programme is a physically and psychologically demanding experience. Working in the rough and tumble environment of urban slums, Volunteers are prone to minor accidents and upset stomachs caused by water-borne diseases. This physical challenge is compounded in India by the heat and humidity with temperatures in the range of 30 to 50°C.

Also, living and working in close proximity to your teammates can be claustrophobic at times, especially in Nairobi and Mombasa, where getting personal space is balanced against the need to adhere to the security guidelines.

Volunteers also have a duty of care to the children they work with, especially during day trips, summer camps, and other Volunteer organised activities.
 
In addition, there are the day to day challenges of living and working in a developing country. Witnessing the extremes of wealth and poverty, as well as gaining an understanding of the challenges faced by our Partners is, for some, one of the most difficult aspects of the Programme.

Prevention and Preparation

All Volunteers are required to attend a health screening with their GP in advance of their departure, to certify that they are both physically and psychologically fit to travel, and to take part in the Programme. They are also required to receive all recommended vaccinations for the particular host country, and to take appropriate anti-malaria medication and other medical advice as recommended by their GP. Volunteers are encouraged to be in good physical shape before they depart, and also to look after their physical well-being when abroad.
 
The preparation weekends will provide an overview of how to stay healthy overseas and how to work and travel in safety. All Volunteers are expected to understand and follow the Suas policies and procedures on Health & Safety and child protection, as well as the Child Protection Policies of their host organisation. They are also expected to develop the skills and understanding to enable them to work overseas and return home safely. During their placements, Volunteers are expected to remain up-to-date with local events which may have health or safety implications, and to subscribe to a travel alert service, such as the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Before taking up an offer of a place on the Programme, each Volunteer needs to be fully committed to playing their part in ensuring the safe completion for ALL without serious incident.

Continue to Overseas Placements