Global Xchange Seeks Volunteers in the Clifton Diocese

04 August 2008
 
An exciting project - Global Xchange - is coming to Bristol at the moment and volunteers are being sought in the Clifton Diocese.

Following two successful exchanges with Bristol in 2005 and 2006, Global Xchange is back this year. It's a great opportunity for all kinds of people and organisations to be involved in a unique and valuable learning experience. You could be one of them.

David Whittaker the Programme Supervisor for Global Xchange gives us a brief introduction to what Global Xchange does.
 
What is Global Xchange?
“Global Xchange supports the development of active global citizens, committed to working for positive change in communities.” Our programme gives nine young people (18-25) from the UK and nine from the Philippines a unique opportunity to work and live together with a community for six months – three in Bristol and three in Iligan, in the southern region of Mindanao. Together they develop and share valuable skills and experiences by working in local charities, NGOs, and community organisations, and living in local homes. By immersing themselves in each other’s culture, they not only make a real contribution to the local area and bring together countless people and ideas that wouldn’t otherwise mix, but also aim to leave behind initiatives that will go on long after the exchange has finished.
 
When is all this happening?
The team will go first to the Philippines at the start of September this year. They will return to live and work in Bristol at the start of December and stay here until February 2009. So between now and the end of August, we’ll be arranging all the details.
 
How can you get involved?
Community organisations and local “host homes” are the two main elements of every exchange. A ‘counterpart pair’ of volunteers, one from each country, will undertake three months of project work with a local organisation. The work could be around gender, fair trade, community cohesion, education, disability, HIV, or anything else that contributes towards community development. They will also live with local people in their homes – whether that’s with a single person, people sharing, with or without children, and homes of all other shapes and sizes. Two Programme Supervisors oversee the exchange and are available to support you throughout.
 
As a host home, you would have:
a fascinating international experience from your own home
a unique educational opportunity for you and your household
help with cooking, cleaning, and housekeeping
a weekly payment to help cover the costs of hosting.
 
As a community organisation, you would benefit from:
a pair of enthusiastic volunteers working full or part-time for 10 weeks
a fresh perspective on how your organisation works
a unique insight into Filipino culture
the chance to kick-start new ideas and initiatives in your work.
 
During the exchange, the team will also get involved in as many community events and activities as possible. So we are also very keen to hear from local organisations, community centres, and individuals who might be able to work together with us in other ways. For example, your community centre might be able to offer a meeting room or internet access? You might know other people or organisations arranging community events that our volunteers could take part in, speak or exhibit at, or help setup? However you can or want to get involved, just let us know! 
 
What do I do next?
If you know someone else who might be interested in the Global Xchange programme in Bristol, please get in touch with me on 01173 003 628 or 07968 691664.

David Whittaker