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Why it was needed

The Great Generation are currently looking for volunteers to take part in projects in Brazil, Africa and India. Each of our projects lasts one to two weeks and involves a team of up to 12 volunteers, whose individual skills, experiences and enthusiasm enable them to achieve a huge amount in just a short time. Volunteers may undertake anything from painting houses and helping families to create home gardens, through to running sports competitions or children’s programmes.

Volunteers will work alongside local people, and supported by The Great Generation staff and our expert partners, gain an in depth knowledge of the use of grass roots business and finance tools to alleviate poverty.

What's being done

The Great Generation creates opportunities for people to do ‘hands-on’ work and support positive change in areas where it is needed most.

Our projects provide a dynamic environment in which volunteers learn by doing and are able to give their time and money to help local people. It is our aim for The Great Generation participants to return home with a deeper understanding of how communities are affected by disaster and poverty, and that this will inspire them to carry on making a difference.

The Great Generation works closely with local organisations and individuals to identify volunteer projects that are community-driven and tackle real needs.

How it started

To take part in our projects we ask our volunteers to fill in a registration form, and fundraise £1,000. This amount covers your flights, food, local transport and accommodation, which we source from the local community. The fundraising also goes towards the community in two ways. One part helps to set up a microfinance fund in the community, which is used to help local people create livelihoods for themselves. The second part is provided as an infrastructure grant to the community such as a water tank or sports equipment. Volunteers then attend two half-day briefings, which will help you to prepare for your project and start to learn about the community you will be living in.

For further information about our 2008 programme, please visit our website at Click here to read the original link or contact Juliet on Juliet.rroberts@thegreatgeneration.org.

More

The Great Generation is a young, innovative and forward thinking organisation set up to maintain the momentum and spirit of giving following the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004. Our projects are open to all volunteers and are ideal for anyone who has a desire to experience life in Brazil, Africa or India. All volunteers have life experience, skills and knowledge which can be of value to a developing community and The Great Generation will look to utilise these experiences, skills and knowledge as much as possible in order to work with our expert partners and the local community to find creative solutions to meet local needs.