Job Title: Volunteering In The Developing World

Helping others to help yourself: why it makes sense - and why it costs

Africa and Asia Venture (AV) is a UK-based, not-for-profit social enterprise that, since 1993, has specialised in volunteering projects in the developing world for those aged 18 to 25. Over 5,500 young people from 30+ countries have together contributed more than 1,200 man-years of service in the communities in which AV works.

Volunteers are based in groups but live, immersed, in the community, typically in pairs or fours: they live with the locals as the locals live. The work they do centres mainly on primary and secondary schools in poor rural areas throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. They help in the classroom, coach sports, get involved in extra curricular activities or work in the wider community. After three months of community work, volunteers enjoy four weeks of independent travel. Throughout their time in country, AV offers volunteers just the right balance of independence and management support from its 247, local, on the ground teams.

Whilst helping the communities in which they live and work, volunteers gain experience that is invaluable in the work place and demonstrable proof of key soft skills that employers seek:

- Communication skills
- The ability to work well in a team and organise lead others
- Flexibility adaptability
- Self-motivation, initiative and creativity
- The capacity to solve problems, to work under pressure, to deadline
- A "can do" track record

Volunteers need to fund themselves (project costs start at £1,565): the experience you gain to fund your time helping others, further demonstrates your determination, time management and budgeting abilities.

Testimonials

"As well as being remarkably good fun, AV, I believe, set me apart in the job market"
- Will Crone

"AV gave me an endless stream of answers to the ever dreaded 'describe a time when...' questions"
- Matt Bywater