Volunteer with MEJOR Communities in Peru!

Founded on the idea that health creates opportunities, MEJOR Communities is a nonprofit organization that aims to create opportunities in rural areas of Peru through our health education programs and projects.

We are currently searching for individuals interested in serving as a volunteer(s) in a remote community in Peru for a minimum of six months. Our in-country partner organization, MIRHAS-Peru will provide technical/project support. Training will be provided prior to travel in the city of Portland, OR. Couples are encouraged to apply.

Position Responsibilities:

Previous volunteer(s) have trained 12 youth (ages 13-18) in various health topics, (first aid, nutrition, hygiene), leadership and project management skills, as well as peer counseling (self-esteem, communication). They have also begun the motivation and beginning stages of project planning for a youth-lead community health project. Some parenting workshops have also been completed.

The new volunteers will be continuing parent education, and supporting the youth as they carry out their elected community project, as well as completing the final evaluation of the Youth as Health Advocates project. Further responsibilities will be listed in the volunteer contract, and explained during training. The community health project as determined by the youth and community members will be a trash collection and removal system. Along with this will be a mural project, composting, and educational health video production with the youth.

Volunteer will pay for airfare (at a discount rate through flyforgood.com) and appropriate international health insurance, while all other costs will be covered by MEJORC (food, lodging, materials, in-country travel, etc).

Position Qualifications:

*Strong communication skills in both English and Spanish.

*1-2 years experience working in rural/remote communities. OR *1-2 years prior living experience in another country. OR *1-2 years experience in community relations and/or teaching and/or community-building.

*Applicant should be flexible, patient, and culturally aware, as well as determined, friendly, and responsible.

Please send resume and letter of interest to [email protected] by February 15, 2010 (or ASAP).

Letter of interest should clearly answer the following questions:

1) Why are you interested in this volunteer position?

2) What is your experience with working in a grassroots environment, either abroad or locally?

3) What uniquely qualifies you as an advocate for youth leadership and health opportunities in a remote village of Peru?

Position to begin June, 2010. Training start date will be May 3rd, 2010.

Previous Volunteer Testimony:

“It's been both challenging and amazingly rewarding and definitely one of the richest experiences of my life. It was one of those things that stretched you in so many ways, in some exciting, wonderful ways and in some really tough, uncomfortable ways, but all that made it so meaningful and important in my life. I hope that you… know how much it means to have given us a chance to become part of a family like I did with Zoila and Isaac and Meli and to become so close with a community that is striving towards a better future for their young people. I love that two more people will have that opportunity in June… On our last night I really felt as if I was genuinely part of a very loving community. Some people cried at our despedida that we never expected to really mind too much one way or the other! And we all cried with our families. MEJORC and San Francisco are very close to my heart and I really hope to continue to be involved in MEJORC's work.” Valerie Scott

For more volunteer stories of the experience please see our blog at www.mejorc.wordpress.com.

For more information about MEJOR Communities please visit our website www.mejorc.org or e-mail [email protected]