Charta For Our Voluntary Workers

“Schools of the World” welcome candidates looking for experience as a voluntary worker in India to the extent that there are available positions in our various village or shanty-town schools.

We don’t have any formal conditions linked to the voluntary work undertaken in our schools. The main requirements are a demonstrable motivation and interest in addressing the issues of under-privileged children and the absolute ethical necessity of respecting completely and from every angle the rights of children.

We are particularly proud of our numerous voluntary workers and of their record in happily and diligently respecting

 

Activities

We list below the types of activities that our voluntary workers may be expected to undertake:

  1. Welcoming children.
  2. Teaching English.
  3. Teaching mathematics.
  4. Participation in our “Health Programme”.
  5. Organising and taking part in recreational activities.
  6. Various organisational tasks linked to the schools.
  7. Taking part in exchange programmes between European children and Indian children from “Schools of the World”.

 

RULES OF CONDUCT

The primary duty is respect of our pupils’ rights from the point of view of your attitude and behaviour. Right from the start of your assignment within our Association you will be under the orders of the person responsible for your section.

Below we list the rules of conduct to which each voluntary worker in our Association must submit:

  1. Respect of the Charta of Children’s Rights as promulgated by the United Nations.
  2. Respect of the Indian culture in relation to pupils, teachers, parents, local inhabitants and their environment.
  3. Respect of our policy of religious and political neutrality.
  4. Acceptance of the mission given by your supervisor(s), whether a secretary, a principal or a teacher, as well as the related orders.
  5. Behaviour and dress code adapted to local conditions.
  6. Appropriate dress and behaviour when outside “Schools of the World” and during the entire assignment.

 

CONDITIONS

Voluntary work implies that candidates offer their services free of charge to the “Schools of the World”. This means assuming the following expenses:

  1. Outbound and return airfare.
  2. Food, lodging and miscellaneous expenses.

Public or private transport to the place of work as well as to the various places visited on outings or for recreational purposes if “Schools of the World” does not provide transportation.

HELP AND SUPPORT

Taking into account our philosophy and resources, “Schools of the World” can offer no form of financial compensation to its volunteers.

However, our Association will help volunteers settle into their new assignment with ease offering the following benefits.

  1. Welcome at the point of arrival in India (airport, railway station, etc).
  2. Local support early in the assignment to permit the best possible adaptation to the work and local environment.
  3. Proposal upon arrival of a decent lodging at the best price, without any obligation to accept it.
  4. According to local conditions and possibilities, organisation of free trips to sites of interest.
  5. Practical advice and help in organising private travel throughout India that each volunteer might wish to undertake during his/her stay.
  6. Moral and logistical support for any unforeseen problem that might arise during the stay, for example:
  • Health problems.
  • Loss or theft of passport or money.
  • Problems of adaptation to local conditions.

 

COMMENT

We recommend that each voluntary worker should consult with their doctor before their departure to guard against any eventual health problems.  No vaccinations are obligatory for trips to India, but any preventive medical measures are left to the appreciation of each volunteer in consultation with his/her doctor.

Furthermore, we would like to emphasise certain points for those of you thinking about joining us in India. We are well aware of the attraction that India has for many visitors, globe-trotters and other pilgrims.  We must insist on the fact that an assignment as a voluntary worker with “Schools of the World” must not be viewed as an initiation into different religious or other practices or as an escape towards a promised land capable of resolving the problems of existence in Western societies.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND YOUR KIND SUPPORT TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGE CHILDREN

Marina Dupuis and Martial Salamolard - “Ecoles de la Terre” / ”Schools of the World” - Headquarters
Geneva, July, 2006

 

 
 

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