- How do I live at the project?
Conditions vary a lot from project to project. In some cases you will live in a house or a flat together with other Development Instructors. In other cases you will live in a hut in the bush.
- If I don't like it at the project, can I leave?
Yes, you can use your return ticket home.
We will, however, first try to find out if there is a problem we can help you to solve so you can stay at the project. You worked very hard to get to where you are, and leaving it can cause a lot of disruption for the project. Another possibility can be to move to another project to finish your service period.
- What does a "normal" day look like at the project?
Life changes a lot in African countries and India and at the projects themselves. So a "normal" day can vary very much.
Be prepared to get up early - a day usually starts at 05.30 with breakfast at 06.00.
At 06.30 it is off to work at the school, the administration office of the project, or in the village. You will start the work at 07.00, maybe by preparing lessons or preparing the field work this day together with your team mate or local colleague. Start working at 08.00 up to lunch at 12.00. Continue there after to 16.00.
In the afternoon you may organise culture, scout, literacy or sports clubs, and you will usually use the evenings for preparing lessons or the next day’s work.
Get ready for a very busy schedule!
- How can I stay in contact with my family while working in an African country or India?
At most of the projects there is mobile connection as well as internet connection. Some places further into the bush there may be only a satellite phone.
Most DI’s will have access to internet, in some cases only a few times per week. Ordinary post is very slow in most places.
- Can my family and friends visit me while I am staying in an African country or India?
It may be possible, but any visits must be discussed with your teacher from CICD and with the Project Leader in very good time beforehand. The project is not likely to be able to host and take care of extra visitors, so preferably you should plan the visit for a time when you have your holiday.
- Do I have a holiday during the project period?
No. Our volunteers normally don't have any holiday during the project period.
- Can I work as a doctor in Africa?
There are no Development Instructor positions as doctors. Humana People to Peoples projects focus more on prevention of diseases, so the tasks will be to ensure clean drinking water, prevent malaria, prevent spreading of HIV/AIDS, teach about diarrhea, start up fruit and vegetable production for more nutritious foods etc...
Development Instructors also help to build and start up clinics and health care centres and organise vaccination campaigns. Local nurses will get the vaccines and use them in the work at the clinics.
However, if you are a qualified doctor or nurse, you might well be able to use your knowledge in practice.
- Who are the Project Leaders?
The Project Leaders are professional people employed by Humana People to People. Most come from different African countries or from India, a few are from Europe or USA. They lead a project for a minimum of 5 years. Most Project Leaders have worked with Humana People to People for many years - but some are new and have recently been volunteers themselves.
- Is it possible to stay longer than 6 months at the project?
No. But it may be possible for you to go back to work at a project again after finishing the programme. Some DI-s decide after the programme to make a more long term commitment, and to train to go back to Africa or India as a project leader.
- How do we do with food at the project in Africa or India?
Most places, you and your Trio do your own cooking. You get an allowance for food and pocket money from the project. There are also some projects, such as Teachers Training Colleges, where you can eat a meal every day with the school.
