Like the idea of visiting a developing country but not sure what value it would have? Sarah Francis puts us through our paces and tells us about a brand new scheme that makes this kind of trip affordable.
Imagine you had never tasted chocolate. I could show you pictures of smooth milk chocolate clothed in a golden wrapper, I could describe the luxurious taste to you as ‘delicious’ ‘creamy’, ‘smooth’, ‘rich’, but none of this could substitute for the experiencing of actually tasting chocolate.
Aid agencies like Tearfund spend lots of time painting a picture of the poverty experienced by our global neighbours, and the amazing work that is being done by our partners to lift people out of poverty. But even our best stories are no substitute for the experience of allowing poverty to become personal by working alongside our partners in their communities. At this point, many of us stare longingly into an empty purse, wishing we could go – but our uncooperative bank balance won’t allow it.
Put your purse away and pull up a chair, as we are delighted to announce that through a very new government scheme called the International Citizen Service, 18-25 year olds are being funded to volunteer with us for 10-12 weeks.
This is an incredible opportunity to embark on a journey with Tearfund, as we explore together how to respond to issues of poverty and injustice. We are looking for passionate young adults, with some time to spare and a lot of heart, to travel with us, work alongside our partners and return to the UK and continue to engage with poverty through joining local groups who will pray, fundraise and campaign.
You will be asked to fundraise £800 as part of your experience, but will be supported through Tearfund and the ICS hub to do this. All costs are covered including transport, training, vaccinations and in-country costs. We are sending teams four times a year, with our first teams leaving in September 2012 and going to work in Rwanda, Bolivia and Burundi.
If this has made your heart beat a little faster then find out more here and take your first step on an amazing journey, one that will change you to become the kind of person who changes the world.
Read what Annie, said about her time overseas:
‘In the presence of people who are materially poor I become uncomfortably aware of every place in my life where I seek identity, status, and hope from something material and how empty it is and how poor I am spiritually as a consequence.’ Annie Kirke
