Our Needs / Volunteer

Update: March 23, 2009

VOLUNTEER ABROAD OPPORTUNITY IN INDIA

It's that time of year again...Visions is holding 2 youth leadership & empowerment trainings in South India this summer, and you are invited to come and volunteer! This is now Visions' 7th year of running this program, for which over 80 international volunteers have now volunteered their time abroad. For those of you who have volunteered with us before, you know how meaningful and insightful these trips can be. For those of you who have not volunteered with us, we invite you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to explore, have fun, and make a difference in the lives of many underprivileged young people from destitute communities and disadvantaged backgrounds.

Our scheduled trip dates are as follows:

July 30: Volunteer Arrival in Chennai
July 31-August 1: Volunteer Training
August 2: Transit to training site
August 3-8: Visions Youth Leadership Training #1
August 9: Day of Rest & Exploration
August 10-15: Visions Youth Leadership Training #2
August 16-18: Volunteer Retreat
August 19: Volunteer Departure

This year we are working again with SAWED Trust (www.sawedtrust.org), our fantastic hosts from last year. They will be organizing two 6-day trainings in two different cities in Tamil Nadu, Southern India. The exact locations are still TBD. For each training we will be working with roughly 65 enthusiastic and inspiring students. You are welcome to attend just one training, but it is recommended that you stay for both if you are going to make the journey all the way over to India. And upon completion of the trainings, we will be taking a relaxing volunteer retreat for 3 days, the destination of which will be decided by the volunteers themselves (you!), so you don't want to miss out on that!

You can download the 2009 Visions Volunteer Application & Waiver HERE. If you are interested in applying, simply fill out the application and send it to me: 4080 View Park Dr., Yorba Linda, CA, 92886. Even if you cannot make it this year, please share the opportunity with your friends and contacts. The exact details of this trip are being worked out right now, so I will be sending that out to those who apply in the weeks to come, and helping you to prepare for your trip. We really hope you will be able to join us this summer in India for this incredible experience! Please email gtbuie@gmail.com if you are interested or planning on applying.

Update: November 25, 2008

ONGOING VOLUNTEER ABROAD OPPORTUNITY

Starting this April 2009, Visions will allow for international volunteers to join a team of local staff and volunteers in Sri Lanka at any time of the year, for any duration of time in conducting these important leadership trainings for youth (orphans) and teachers. Each month at least one training will take place for either a group of 50 teachers, or a group of 100 orphaned youth. Visions is willing to work with each prospective volunteer in accommodating your schedule and assuring that you have all of your needs taken care of during your volunteering experience. This opportunity has no specific volunteer dates, so please email us to discuss the particulars of you volunteering for Visions in Sri Lanka this year.

To learn more about this opportunity please visit our volunteer abroad listing on GoAbroad.com:click here)

Update: September 21, 2008

GRANTWRITER NEEDED!

This is an open appeal to any and all persons who are interested and willing...Visions needs a local volunteer(s) who can help with grant research and grant writing. Our organization is looking towards foundation & NGO funding, but we need your help! Prior experience is of course preferred but not necessary. This is a crucial component to keeping Visions up and running, so we encourage you to get involved today. Please email gtbuie@gmail.com if you are interested. Thank you!

Update: April 5, 2008

VOLUNTEER ABROAD WITH VISIONS
Join us in India and/or Kenya in Summer 2008 and volunteer with the Visions summer leadership camps for disadvantaged youth.

Visions India
Trip Dates: July 29-August 13, 2008
Location: Arrive in Chennai; Pondicherry (July 29-31); Karaikal (August 1-10); Kerala (August 10-12); Depart Chennai
Program Fee: $1295/volunteer (excludes airfare)
Volunteers Still Needed: 3

Visions Kenya
Trip Dates: August 24-September 3
Location: Nairobi/Near Nairobi (August 24-August 31); Masai Mara (September 1-3)
Program Fee: $995/volunteer (excludes airfare) for full trip
Volunteers Still Needed: 3

July 2009: Karole Holland-Hagino

In 2008, Karole volunteered abroad with Visions in Kenya, bringing incredible passion and energy with her. Her motivation for helping others has also translated over locally, volunteering her time and energy to help with Visions' efforts at home. For the last 2 years she has helped a great deal with our annual "Fashions at the Cove" charity fashion show, has collected and donated all sorts of supplies needed for our annual trainings, and more. She is constantly spreading the word about Visions and getting others to support us as well. We hope she will be able to join us abroad again sometime in the near future. As a small organization with lofty goals, Visions relies on volunteers like Karole to help achieve these goals and grow, so that we may better serve the youth and communities we help.

August 2008: Cassandra Pataky

Having worked in the nonprofit sector herself for the past several years, including the last few with the Green Belt Movement, Cassie is very aware of the importance of development work and is committed to leaving a positive impact on our world. This summer Cassie was able to raise over $3,200 for Visions through her personal network and through reaching out to the Yorba Linda Rotary Club, of which she is a member. Cassie has also helped locally with various Visions efforts and is looking to be more actively involved in the organization as we grow.

July 2008: Tamara Ackland

Tamara is the type of extraordinary volunteer that does not come along very often. Having volunteered with Visions in Sri Lanka in 2003 and 2005, as well as Kenya in 2007, she has helped conduct more Visions Leadership & Empowerment Camps than any other volunteer. As Visions puts on its 11th and 12th Visions Camps next month in India and Kenya, it is only fitting that we look back and honor those who have helped build this organization. She has also helped with a number of Visions events and other projects here in the US. Tamara's commitment to education and to leaving her mark on the world is not only evidenced through her commitment to Visions, she also works full-time as an elementary school teacher in New York City. Both locally and abroad, we can always count on Tamara to pour her heart and soul into her work.

June 2008: Elaine Lin

Elaine is a student at Esperanza High School in Anaheim, CA where she will soon be a senior. She is very involved at her school with student government, dance, speech & debate, and music. Elaine took the personal initiative of planning and implementing a supplies drive to benefit the Visions Leadership & Empowerment Camps in India and Kenya this summer. Working with other student groups and local businesses, Elaine was able to raise nearly $400 in supplies and collected another $300 in donations. We are impressed by her strong leadership and organizational skills, and personal ambition in planning this effort on her own. Visions thrives on this type of creativity and commitment from volunteers all over the world, so thank you for your support, Elaine!

May 2008: Mythri Jegathesan

Mythri is currently a member of the Visions Board of Directors and has been volunteering with Visions since 2005. She has volunteered in Sri Lanka in 2005 and 2006, and has been an avid supporter of the organization since then. Mythri was instrumental in planning 2 Visions events in New York City on May 22nd and May 25th, making the logistical arrangements for the young professionals conference and volunteering her time at the social event as well. She helped to publicize both events and spoke at the conference, offering her knowledge of the situation in Sri Lanka and encouraging others to stay committed to doing humanitarian work in this country where it is so deeply needed. We are proud to have her support and unending enthusiasm.

April 2008: Trent Holland

Trent Holland, a graduating senior at UC San Diego, served as the Event Organizer for the ‘Fashions at the Cove’ Charity Fashion Show in La Jolla, CA on April 17, 2008. That event raised over $3000, all of which will go towards the annual summer leadership camps in Sri Lanka and Kenya. The event also brought in over 120 guests & 25 volunteers and served as an important opportunity to share the Visions organization with others. It was a great success overall. His effort shows just how far one person’s personal initiative can go in building our organization and helping those in need. Trent will be volunteering in Kenya this August with Visions and is looking forward to it with great anticipation.