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VolunteerCurrent Volunteer Opportunities:
Tigania East District in Meru, Kenya, East Africa Purpose The purpose of AUSPF's Volunteer program is to help AUSPF fulfill its mission of assisting entrepreneurs to grow businesses and create economic growth in rural areas of African countries. Volunteers work closely with teams of AUSPF Business Advisors to provide business development services to clients. AUSPF’s volunteer program is organized to enable people to experience life in a rural area in Africa, while specifically helping to increase the level of economic activity among the community in which they are assigned. AUSPF works in partnership with local community-based organizations and educational institutions. Projects are practical hands-on work with women and youth entrepreneurs. The goal is a simple one; to help the entrepreneurs learn new business planning, operations, customer service and marketing skills; to help the entrepreneurs build personal and organizational capacity; and to help the entrepreneurs to develop strategies that will grow and sustain their businesses.
AUSPF's volunteer program offers volunteers an opportunity to: Since our volunteers represent AUSPF they must be flexible, patient, willing to learn from other cultures, and respectful of others. AUSPF’s volunteer assignments focus on entrepreneurial development projects in a variety of sectors and areas. The purpose of the AUSPF Volunteer Program is to address specific challenges in our ongoing partnership projects. Volunteer assignments typically range from two to six weeks, including travel time. Weekends are usually spent with families and the community in social settings. Safaris and special tours can also be arranged. All AUSPF volunteers are required to submit an end of assignment report, describing the activities and their evaluation of the project. 1. Application -- Read all the information then fill in the online application form.
2. Assessment and Briefing -- On receipt of the volunteer application form, an interview will be scheduled. If a board member or an advisory committee member is in the geographic area where the volunteer lives a personal interview will be arranged. If an AUSPF representative is not available the interview will be conducted by telephone. The interview gives the volunteer a chance to find out if the AUSPF program is appropriate for them and gives AUSPF an opportunity to evaluate the suitability of the volunteer for an AUSPF project. If the applicant is offered a place as a volunteer, AUSPF will ask for references including personal, medical and work or volunteer. A police check report is also required. 3. Training and Support -- Once volunteers have been accepted and assigned to a project they will receive advice and support throughout their preparations. They will receive the AUSPF Volunteer Manual and the AUSPF Volunteer Coordinator will support each volunteer in the country. 4. Cost -- Volunteers pay a fee, based on the length of stay and specific project. Approximately 10% of this fee is for administrative cost, 30% for the volunteer in country transport, food and lodging expenses and 60% directly distributed into the project. Volunteers must be willing to pay for their own round-trip travel, en route expenses (including the costs of passports, visas, insurance coverage and required immunizations), and donate their time and expertise. AUSPF will provide housing, meals and in country incidental expenses.
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