What is Long Term Volunteering?
The Mission of SCI-IVS USA is:
LTV posts generally fall into 3 main categories:
How do I apply for an LTV post?
After volunteering, continue the experience !
What is Long Term Volunteering?
Being a Medium to Long Term Volunteer (M/LTV) is a way to
experience other cultures, meet people from other countries,
learn new skills, take part in peacemaking and help in
environmental, and social service initiatives. An M/LTV
volunteers for three months to a year or more depending on their
preference and the laws of the country they go to. These M/LTV
positions are excellent opportunities for people such as
political science students to gain experience in international
service projects and obtain hands on experience in world issues.
M/LTV posts sometimes bring the volunteer into challenging situations through which the individual discovers strengths and gifts they did not know they had. Being able to contribute to the needs of others as a volunteer boosts our self-esteem better than almost any other experience.
What is SCI-IVS USA?
SCI-IVS USA is the US branch of Service Civil International, an
international movement since 1920 that works for peace and
justice through voluntary service. SCI's main activity is
coordinating volunteers wishing to participate in service
projects around the world.
SCI's History
The idea of international service projects evolved after World
War I when a group of individuals came together to re-build a
village in France which had been badly damaged during the war.
The success of this effort moved Pierre Ceresole, a Swiss
pacifist, to found SCI as an alternative to military service. He
believed that bringing people together to achieve a common goal
would diffuse war hostilities and build a new spirit of peace and
understanding.
As the number of workcamps grew, SCI was formed and workcamps
directed more attention to the basic needs of society. Today SCI
has 33 branches and groups in Europe and Asia, and places about
5,000 volunteers in camps in 50 countries. SCI has links with
many organizations, worldwide, and holds consultative status with
UNESCO, which is part of the United Nations.
The Mission of SCI-IVS USA is:
TO FOSTER WORLD PEACE BY:
LTV posts generally fall into 3 main categories:
PHYSICAL: building, planting, digging, painting, gardening,
restoring, cleaning, constructing, weeding
SOCIAL: working with children, the elderly, or others with
special needs; or taking part in art-related projects
SCI/IVS Mission: Promote the purposes of SCI by volunteering at
one of the branch offices
or some combination of the above.
How do I apply for an LTV post?
1. Read the list of available SCI posts International
Listing.
2. Select a post you wish to apply for and include a second and
third choice.
3. Get the application form, from SCI-IVS USA or this web-site.
4. Fill it in and send, take or mail it to SCI-IVS USA. You must
send the applicable fee to SCI-IVS USA. YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT
BE PROCESSED UNTIL SCI-IVS USA RECEIVES THE APPLICABLE FEE. (see
below)
5. We will forward your application to the SCI branch that
coordinates your selected project.
6. SCI-IVS USA will let you know as soon as we recieve a
response.
7. At that time you may take up direct contact with your chosen
post or continue to have the office handle the communication.
8. You will be informed whether you are accepted, how to get a
visa (if required, where to go, how to get there, when to arrive,
what to take, what to expect, and how long you can stay).
Note: You must contact the SCI office of the country you are living in, regardless of where you want to go !
THE VOLUNTEER pays a fee to the office through which they are
applying. Usually this will be the branch of their home country.
Part of the fee is non-refundable. The fees are:
US Post $65
Overseas Post $125
Eastern European Post $150-$200
After volunteering, continue the
experience!
For many, being an LTV is life changing experience. On returning
home you may find you want to continue this work for Peace. There
are many ways you can get involved with SCI-IVS USA. For example,
you can initiate an international workcamp in your community,
start a local group to work for peace, volunteer as a workcamp
leader, or assist with fundraising. A volunteer will call you,
after you return, to find out if any of these interest you.
Last update: 17th Oct 1999 by Dominik Löffler