What do you mean by 'volunteer'? |
For VMM, the term volunteer effectively means that an applicant is prepared to offer their skills and time for the benefit of others in the spirit of Christian service or witness without prioritising their financial or material costs.
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What do you mean by the word 'missionary'? |
The term 'missionary' is understood by VMM to indicate a willingness by an applicant to practice their Christian values in the service of others and, by their example, be a force for positive spiritual change in the lives of others. |
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What do you mean by the term 'movement'? |
VMM is a membership organisation and through its members it sees itself as a movement for change. Members themselves contribute to the working of the movement through AGMs, Assemblies and sitting on the Management Board of the Charity.
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Can anyone apply for work overseas with VMM? |
VMM sees its contribution to development through the work of its volunteers and their professionally attained skills. VMM also insists that counterpart training and/or capacity-building takes place during the life of the projects. Volunteers' skills must match those requested by our overseas partners. |
Do volunteers have to pay costs? |
Volunteers are reqired to fundraise €1,000 towards the work of VMM. VMM covers up to €100 for travel costs associated to our Orientation Week and up to €150 for medical costs prior to placement. Whilst overseas, volunteers receive basic accommodation and a modest allowance.
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Can I go overseas for less than two years? |
Yes, occasionally volunteers are accepted for one-year assignments. Also, some volunteers are experienced short-term specialists whose work can last from a number of days to few months. |
I'm not qualified in the skill areas mentioned in the requests web page. Should I still contact VMM? |
The bank of requests we have from our overseas partners is continuously updated and all projects are not listed on the website. Contact the office to see if your skill area may have been requested.
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If selected, how long will it take before I go overseas? |
Usually it takes about six months between initial contact and departing to your project country. This is dependant on the timing requirements of yourself, the partner and securing work permits and visas etc. |
Who are VMM partners overseas? |
VMM has many partners overseas, some of these are long-standing partners for over thirty years. Our partners include missionary congregations, dioceses and local organisations who have been long-established in the regions where we work. Some of our partners are Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) who are funded either locally or internationally and many operate social services such as programmes for street children/orphans and HIV/AIDS patients.
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What happens after I've sent in an application to VMM? |
Your Regional Officer will contact you, and possibly call you in for an Interview. If you are selected, then you will attend an Orientation Course for a period of two to three weeks. |
I can't go Overseas, how can I contribute? |
You can support VMM's Overseas Programme by sending your donation to any of the Regional Offices. If you pay tax then VMM can recover an additional sum as a Gift-Aid contribution (ask for details). VMM depends on donations to continue to meet the needs of the people we serve in Africa and elsewhere.
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Will I be with other volunteers? |
It is VMM policy to try and place two or more volunteers within easy travel of one another, wherever possible. Volunteers can be a great asset for one another, especially when new volunteers arrive. |
Where will I stay? |
Accommodation for volunteers varies from project to project but you will always be given secure accommodation which will contain furnishings to offer a simple lifestyle.
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What happens on the Orientation Course? |
During the Orientation Course you will learn about the different values, attitudes and culture of the environment you will soon to be working and living in. How to cope in another culture, communication skills and exploring issues of health, are all part of the three-week training. The final week focuses more on you as a volunteer overseas, understanding 'development' & development issues, your role within these areas, and the practicalities of being a VMM volunteer overseas. |
What happens after the Orientation Course? |
After the course and before departing overseas you will continue your preparation by arranging vaccinations and doing some personal research into your project country and into development issues. VMM staff and Partners will arrange work permit, visas and flights etc.
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How do the VMM projects and programmes come about? |
Organisations/dioceses overseas make requests to VMM for personnel that they believe are needed within their projects and communities. The VMM Overseas Programme Officer visits all potential projects that have the potential to fit within one or more of our four overseas programmes: 1) Diocesan Development Programme 2) Community Development Programme 3) Health Programme 4) Education Programme The VMM Overseas Programme Offcer carries out an evaluation to see if they meet VMM policy concerning development. Fundamentally, all projects should offer where possible, counterpart training (transfer of skills/knowledge), encourage sustainable development, target the poorest, and in no way make a local employee redundant or attempt to disenfranchise the local community. VMM engages with each Partner to develop a Memorandum of Understanding and Programme Plan to help ensure the objectives of the VMM programme involved are being achieved. |
Who is my employer? |
The overseas partner is your employer. You will enter into a three-way contract with the partner and with VMM. The partner is also responsible for your accommodation and well-being whilst overseas.
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Can I come home during my assignment? |
You will have holiday entitlement like any other employee. Most volunteers use this time to travel, and visit other volunteers and countries, and a few decide to come home for a visit. |
What if I get sick? |
You will be well-briefed on the health issues of your country so prevention is always the best approach! Volunteers have access to whatever health facilities are available and have medical insurance to guarantee that they have the proper treatment.
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Aren't some developing countries dangerous? |
VMM does not send volunteers to work in areas where there is a security risk. Media focus and coverage greatly distorts the scale of violence and trouble, particularly in Africa, and does the continent a tremendous injustice. However, like everywhere else, there are risks and these are minimised by constant monitoring and communication with overseas partners and in-country personnel. |
What happens when I come home? |
You will attend a debriefing interview and will also be encouraged and given the opportunity of staying involved in development work - at home, tackling the causes of poverty as well as the symptoms, by getting involved in global issues such as Third World debt, Globalisation and Trade. Returned VMs also come together for social gatherings, to contribute to training programmes and to talk with new volunteers. |
