ApplicationPreparationAbout the placements
No, the programme is open to all young adults, We are looking for a broad range of candidates, both those still in college and those with a few years work experience. So whether you are a business graduate, an aspiring writer, a legal professional, a teacher or a student of any discipline, we are interested in receiving your application. We do ask that by the scheduled departure date, participants will be out of second level schooling for at least one year.
Teaching experience is not necessary. We are looking for people who are genuinely enthusiastic about working with children and young people and who are willing to learn some skills which will help while working in the classroom. However, in each group we will be looking for at least one person who has had teaching experience or who is in teacher training.
This is a team based Programme so it is essential that each volunteer has the ability and desire to work in a team. We look for volunteers with strong leadership potential, excellent interpersonal skills and a high level of maturity. In terms of specific skills, we select very diverse teams and while the primary role of a volunteer is assisting teachers in the classroom, volunteers have completed short-term projects with our partners including research, IT, curriculum development etc. There is scope to take the initiative use a wide range of skills on the Programme.
This year, we expect to have approximately 80 places on the programme. This will depend on our evaluation of the overseas placements and their needs.
Each year, we receive approximately 3 applications for every place we can offer on the Programme. However, we look for a very diverse range of skills for each team. If you feel that the Programme is right for you, we would encourage you to apply. The recruitment process itself is an excellent way to build your skills and the assessment centre (group exercise and individual competency based interview) is the equivalent, if not more comprehensive than a professional job interview.
You have to raise a minimum of €2,995, with a deposit of €400 due by 22 February 2010. We do recognise that this is a significant challenge, but don't let it put you off! In fact most past volunteers have well exceeded it. Suas offer comprehensive support package which includes a fundraising mentor per team, scheduled bag packing slots, project management and fundraising training sessions, on-going support and advice from the office and assistant with booking events.
The €2,995 covers: flights, accommodation, insurance, training costs, a donation to your Partner Organisation as well as a contribution towards the running costs of the Programme. Volunteers will need to bring extra funds to cover the rest of their living expenses: food, daily transport, holidays and/or post-placement travel.
See fundraising to read about some of the activities that former volunteers have organised to fundraise.
Most of our volunteers raise funds over and above the target amount required. All of the funds raised above and beyond the target amount go directly to our Partner Support Programme, which provides the financial support that enables our partners to deliver education within their communities & funds teacher and management training programmes for our partners.
As the money raised is primarily for the running costs of your placement on the programme if you do not raise the amount you will have to forfeit your place. However if you are having trouble with your fundraising you will have the support of your team and Suas in order to help you reach it.
Yes. Suas considers that good preparation is essential to maximise your time while overseas.. The pre-departure weekends, and the Return Weekend are an integral part of the programme overall. Should you not be able to commit to all weekends your place on the programme may be revoked.
Yes. You will need to complete a course of the recommended vaccinations and provide proof of vaccinations before departure. Malaria tablets are recommended for both countries. You are required to take any medication that is advised by your GP and/ or the Tropical Medical Bureau (or equivalent) before going overseas.
To date it has primarily been through personal contacts. We are currently drawing up criteria by which to assess our current partners and select others.We seek organisations where we think that both the organisations and volunteers can benefit in a fair manner.
We aim to place people in placements that they feel they can contribute most to. This includes the age of the students they will be working with. In both countries the age range is roughly 4-18, with a somewhat younger age profile on average in India (more 4 -12) and older in Kenya (more 9-18)
In India, the children are younger and have little, if any, English. However, with some basic Hindi and Bengali, volunteers are able to assist pupils with alphabet and maths skills. In Kenya, the children are slightly older and most of them have a reasonable level of English. The curriculum is taught through English, but a basic level of Swahili is useful. A small amount of language training for all volunteers are included in the preparation weekends, however we strongly recommend that volunteers take the time themselves to learn some of the local language prior to departure.
Management and Administrative staff in the host organisations have a proficient level of English while the level of English spoken by teachers varies.
The size of team varies depending on the placement but is usually made up of 12 volunteers and 1 Team Coordinator, supported by 1 Development Education Coordinator per city. There is also an additional Teaching Support Coordinator per country
Suas will arrange accommodation for you, which will either be in an apartment or house close to the school you will be working in. You will stay with other members of your team and your Team Coordinator. The accommodation provided is very basic with usually about 4 volunteers per room.
While you are overseas, you will be working in teams. A Team Coordinator will be travelling with you and will be in regular contact with Suas in Dublin. Suas will be in touch with your placement organisation to ensure that all is running smoothly. Suas Health, Safety and Security policies and procedures apply throughout the overseas placements and provide guidelines to risk assessment and management in an unfamiliar environment. A 24-hour emergency phone manned by Suas Staff will be in operation while you are on placement. Your insurance cover also includes access to a 24 hour hotline for medical and other support. We will send weekly emails with updates and are available through email or phone should you need to raise an issue or concern.
While away, you will be required to submit some written reports to Suas back in Dublin. This will help us to see how you are getting on, whether there is anything else we can do to support you, and it will also give you a chance to keep track of your own learning while on the programme.
At all times, Suas emphasises risk awareness, taking precautions and acting responsibly. Suas has policies and procedures which all volunteers must agree to adhere to. Security protocols are agreed among each group and there is an emergency telephone number so that volunteers can contact Suas at any time. Health, safety & security remain the number one priority areas in the programme. Suas monitors the security in each of the placement countries and the placements do not proceed unless it is safe to do so.
Suas categorises Health, Safety & Security incidents into Major, Medium and Minor. Major: Results in long-term physical or mental injury
Medium: Professional care required and/or hospital admission, but no long-term injury
Minor: No professional support required
To date, the programme has had one major health incident, where a volunteer suffered damaged to the cornea of one eye resulting in loss of sight.
The Programme's insurance does not cover any costs related to returning home to repeat exams. However you are free to get your own additional insurance. The airlines will sometimes accommodate a change in return dates, but it is at their discretion and they are often constrained by limited of seats.
Suas organises a Return Weekend where all volunteers get a chance to reflect upon their experience overseas. It is a time to process and work through the challenges you and your team faced during the placement with a team of experienced facilitators. It gives you the opportunity to find out about the experience of the other volunteers in the different placements while giving you the chance to showcase the achievements in your own placement. Suas also encourages volunteers to stay involved with Suas and other service orientated activities through getting involved with small action projects; this can be anything from writing about the placement in a local newspaper, to visiting local schools, to organising a fundraising event.
Many returned volunteers remain involved in Suas and associated projects on returning to Ireland. Such activities have included: - Setting up and /or participating in a Suas College Society getting involved in clubhouses, after school programmes, fundraising and awareness raising campaigns.
- Active involvement in the Suas Alumni Association
- Offering volunteer assistance to Suas programmes, helping to plan and deliver future volunteer programmes
- Fundraising for Suas and its partner organisations overseas
If you question is not answered here - please let us know vp@suas.ie and we will update the site
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Volunteer with children from Prayas, Delhi
Volunteer teaching in Maweni School, Mombasa
Global Perspectives session, preparation weekend 2
Volunteer Fundraising
Volunteer Teaching students from DAS, Kolkata
Volunteer with students from Gatoto School, Nairobi
2008 Volunteer Group, preparation weekend 1
Volunteer correcting children’s work, DAS, Kolkata
Volunteer assisting in Geography class, Maweni school, Mombasa
Fundraising
Volunteer Coaching Hurling, Prayas School, Delhi
Language role play, preparation weekend 3
Volunteer assisting her teacher, Sabuj Sangha School, Kolkata
Team planning session, Irish Aid Centre
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