work

Hello all,

Some of you may have got the impression that we are just holidaying about out here, so I thought i'd explain what work we are doing (sorry, no photos!).

Andy:

• helping out the Executive Director with writing funding proposals for various projects (currently working on one to AusAID to support refuse collection and composting)
• assessing ongoing programmes against their stated aims and outcomes, and feeding back to funders
• developing an environmental policy for AYISE
• updating the website "creatively"
• writing up annual report(s)
• representing AYISE at meetings on an ad hoc basis, when required
• Develop a tree nursery initiative and participate in the coordination of environmental work camps
• Help in developing AYISE’s HIV and AIDS as well as Gender Policies
• Handover (with any required training) all responsibilities for ongoing work before leaving
• Ensure AYISE systems of work are appropriate in both a local and international setting

Rachel has a bit of a double role:

The role of Volunteer Coordinator involves coordinating the work of all international volunteers and the local volunteers involved in international placements and workcamps, including coordinating the World Heritage Volunteers project. The specifics of this role include:

· Communication with volunteers and partner organisations, including:

i. Lead on communication with all potential volunteers prior to workcamps/placements and ensure effective communication with prospective international volunteers on the conditions and situation of each specific camp.

ii. Regular communication with all local and international partners interested in workcamps

· Organisation of practical arrangements before and after workcamps, including:

i. Identification of work outlines for each camp and/or placement

ii. Together with the programme Officer for Workcamps assess all the workcamp sites and prepare the communities and the local volunteers that will be involved on each camp.

iii. Assisting in sourcing the material needs of each workcamp
iv. Training of host homes on the expectations of international volunteers
v. Ensure most needs of international volunteers are addressed including conflict resolution
vi. Carry out evaluations of all the workcamps.

The role of Policies advisor includes:

· Help in developing AYISE’s HIV and AIDS as well as Gender Policies
· Ensure equal opportunity considerations in all the camps
· Handover (with any required training) all responsibilities for ongoing work before leaving

Assisting staff responsible for gender programmes with their work when required.

So that's what we're doing! At the moment Rachel is trying to organise volunteers for, and a visit to one of the sites of the first volunteer placements, which is a couple of primary school construction projects near Majete (down in the Shire valley, about an hour from Blantyre).

Back to work now!

Love to all.