Inspiring young locals volunteering overseas
Tess Bennetts and other volunteers in India
A group of inspiring young locals from ¬Canberra are currently overseas volunteering in Asia.
Tess Bennetts and Claire Nimmo are working as Community Workers in India while Matthew Baker and Paul Tkalcevic are working as Sports Coaches in Vietnam. These placements are through a new volunteering program called Young People Without Borders.
Unlike many of their friends who are studying or working, these Canberra locals decided they wanted to challenge themselves and volunteer in a new country for a few months after finishing school.
Young People Without Borders was launched this year by the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) and there are still placements available for 18-20 year olds to volunteer in China, India and Vietnam.
As part of this first year, volunteers will receive a Trailblazer Award which covers over 50% of the costs. It is also possible to apply for additional financial support as well.
The application deadline for these funded placements, which depart in August 2012 and last 4-5 months, is Friday 27 April for anyone who may be interested in applying.
Young People Without Borders is a structured pathway into volunteering for young people aged 14 to 20; it is a journey of discovery which culminates in a volunteering placement overseas.
Every volunteer involved in the program experiences life beyond their borders, develops different perspectives, learns new skills, grows in confidence and independence and makes new friends from home and abroad.
All Young People Without Borders volunteers in 2012 are undertaking their placement with Lattitude Global Volunteering. Lattitude is one of the largest international volunteering organisations in Australia that has specialised in youth volunteering for 40 years.
Young People Without Borders is a movement of young people, like Tess, Claire, Matthew and Paul, who have a sense of adventure and the courage, imagination and will to make a difference.
For more information and to download the application form, visit www.lattitude.org.au/why-volunteer/ypwb
