28.02.2012
Experience Exchange Exploration Weekend
USPG is holding an exploration weekend for its Experience Exchange programme on March 9 and 10.
Experience Exchange is a programme run jointly by USPG and the Methodist Church, which gives people the opportunity to spend six to 12 months gaining insights into global mission and growing in understanding of the church and culture of another country.
The programme has been placing volunteers, who must be a minimum age of 18 but there is no upper age limit, in more than 60 countries worldwide for over 40 years.
No special skills are necessary, but if you have skills you would like to use, that will be taken into account in the allocation of a placement. Previous volunteers have taught in schools; worked on agriculture; building or health programmes; helped in vocation and rehabilitation institutions, assisted in administration or with children’s and youth work, according to the needs of the placement and the local church.
Placements, which can be anywhere in the world, are personally tailored for each volunteer, taking into account preferences, background, skills and availability. USPG does not normally send groups or teams, but has occasionally placed couples. To date the organisation has placed volunteers in Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean, South America and Europe. Placements are for six to 12 months.
This is a self–financing programme and volunteers usually have to raise approximately £2,500/€3,000 to cover airfares, health insurance, some living costs, training and preparation. The total cost varies from placement to placement.
The exploration weekend takes place in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Dublin, from 5.00 pm on Friday March 9 until 5.00 pm on Saturday March 10. To find out more contact Linda Chambers at uspg@ireland.anglican.org or (086) 8586337.