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 & 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 and safety as well as that of your team and colleagues, and our Partners.

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 50C.

Also, living and working in close proximity to your team-mates can be claustrophobic at times, especially in Nairobi and to a lesser extent 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 & 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 & psychologically fit to travel and 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 recommended 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 & 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 stay abreast of local events which might have health or safety implications and to subscribe to a travel alert service, such as the British Foreign & 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.