Global Awareness Programme
The Global Awareness Programme is an exciting training, volunteering and awareness programme focussing on HIV&AIDS. Each year 4 people are chosen to participate on this partially funded programme. Applications for 2011 will be open at the end of 2010. Watch this space!
Maeve, Emily, Gill and Paul are the 2010 Global Awareness Volunteers. As part of the programme, they received a training in Kimmage Development Studies on “Understanding HIV in Development” , they got an overview of the HIV&AIDS reality in Ireland by meeting the staff of Open Heart House and they received a training on Media skills. They are currently volunteering with a local project in Nigeria and South Afirca working with people living with HIV&AIDS. On return to Ireland, they will lead an awareness raising campaign on HIV & AIDS up to World Aids Day on December 1st. If you would like to know more about HIV&AIDS click here.
Nigeria
Maeve Galvin
Maeve is 24 and she is from Bray, Co.
Wicklow. Maeve is cur
rently conducting a Master in Development Studies with
Chinese and Arabic in DCU and has a journalism degree. Maeve is a very
enthusiastic person and has a lively interest in development and human rights
and has been actively involved in human rights organisations in Ireland.
"My main reason for applying for this programme was I felt a huge draw to the fact that it focuses on awareness. I really wanted to find an opportunity to use my skills as a journalist for something that I feel utterly passionate about. It’s been said that the most effective weapon we have at our disposal to fight HIV and AIDS is education and awareness creation. I really believe in communication as a catalyst for change and this programme is a wonderful opportunity to use it to its full potential."
We asked Maeve some questions about her expectations, motivation and feelings before she leaves. This is what she told us during the interview.
Meave left on the 22nd of June, read her stories on her blog.
On the 31st of May, East Coast FM's Declan Meehan interviewed Maeve Galvin. Listen the interview here.
Emily Price
Emily is 23 and she is from Ennis, Co Clare. Emily is a primary school teacher and has a passion for sport, music, history and art. She has previous volunteer experience both in Ireland and in India. Emily is a cheerful and positive person.
“I feel this programme will increase my awareness of HIV & AIDS through first hand experience… By witnessing first hand people’s experience of life with HIV&AIDS I would be able to educate people far more effectively.”
We asked Emily some questions about her expectations, motivation and feelings before she leaves. This is what she told us during the interview.
Emily left on the 22nd of June, read her stories on her blog.
On June 4th, 2010 The Clare Champion covered Emily Price's
story in the article "Teacher
to work on Nigerian Aids programme". Read the article...
South Africa
Gill Carter
Gill is 20 and she is from Raharney, Co
Westmeath. Gill is currently studying International Development & Food
Policy in UCC. Gill has previous volunteer experience
with special needs children in Romania. Gill is a very enthusiastic and
motivated person and she is very involved in UCC’s international Development
Society.
“ This programme will allow me to develop my current opinions and perceptions of HIV&AIDS in Africa” Gill says “It will allow me to feel involved and fire my passion for development further…. I will enjoy learning more, growing as a person and gaining experience of which I will later tell others about on my return.
We asked Gill some questions about her expectations, motivation and feelings before she leaves. This is what she told us during the interview.
While in South Africa, Gill is writing a blog, follow her stories here.
Paul Quinn
Paul is 25 and he is from Co. Cavan. Paul is currently doing a Phd in Politics and International Relations in UCC. He has
been volunteering on an EIL programme in Nigeria last year. Paul is a very
positive, committed and reliable person. He is currently volunteering in an Irish project
working with people living with HIV&AIDS.
"I want to participate on the Global Awareness Programme because I am passionate about human rights and developmental issues. This programme provides an amazing opportunity to gain knowledge and insights into real issues affecting people living with HIV&AIDS in South Africa... I have no doubt that the programme will be challenging but I am eager to contribute in any way I can".
We asked Paul some questions about his expectations, motivation and feelings before he leaves. This is what he told us durng the interview.
While in South Africa, Paul is writing a blog, read his stories here.
Programme details
What is it all about?
33 Million People are living with HIV. The response to AIDS depends on the strength of individulas and communities. This is your chance to make a difference!
The EIL Global Awareness Programme is an exciting Training, Volunteering and Awareness raising project focusing on HIV & AIDS.
Every year four people are chosen to participate on the programme.
- The participants attend a training on HIV&AIDS and media Skills
- Volunteer for 8 weeks in an HIV&AIDS organisation in South Africa or Nigeria
- Plan and Implement an awareness raising campaign around HIV&AIDS on their return in Ireland
The programme is partially funded by EIL and Irish Aid and supported by Trocaire.
Deadline passed: No further applications being accepted for 2010. For application for the Global Awareness Programme 2011 check again in December 2010. For more info email caterina@eilireland.org or call Caterina on 1850 292939.
Step 1: Training
The training stage aims to familiarise the volunteers with the goals of the Global Awareness Programme and give them the basic skills and resources they need to be effective in-country. Therefore as a participant on the programme you will attend:
- 1 day introduction to the programme including workshops on development issues and tips & ideas for fundraising
- 2 day course on Understanding HIV in Development and Community Responses to HIV
- 1 day workshop on media, campaigning and awareness raising skills
- 1 day debriefing workshop on return
Step 2: Volunteering in South Africa or Nigeria for 8 weeks
Volunteering internationally is a unique cross-cultural experience. Working with local community organizations in South Africa or Nigeria you will be helping in the fight against the spread of HIV&AIDS. The start date is flexible, however the placement period is between mid June and mid September. Once there you will:
- Take part in an orientation training upon arrival
- Volunteer in a HIV&AIDS local project
- Gathering materials & stories for your awareness raising campaign in Ireland
- Live with a local family
- Be supported by in-country staff
Typical volunteer activities in a Care Centre for HIV+ children in South Africa
- Help with meals and medicine
- Take the children to creche
- Pick up any shopping/donations/medication that is needed
- Touring projects satellite sites with the project's staff
- Drive the social workers into and around the community
- Gather materials and stories, understanding challanges within different communities
- Visit day hospitals
- Collecting chidren at school
- Playing time
Typical volunteer activities in a care and support project in Nigeria
- Facilitating workshops on HIV&AIDS awareness in schools, colleges, community groups
- Support in facilitating group meetings
- Gather stories
- Support to staff and local volunteers
Step 3: Awareness raising in Ireland
The Awareness raising campaign is the key aspect of the EIL Global Awareness Programme. HIV&AIDS is not solely a Developing Countries' or isolated issue. Positive social action involves considerable shifts in Western thinking as well as government policy. Stigma and discrimination remain a huge challenge.
From the beginning you will be encouraged to plan and implement an awareness-raising campaign, thinking about how you could involve members of your communities in your experience before, during and after the overseas element. As a participant on the EIL Global Awareness Programme you will be well positioned to lead sustained and focused public engagement around HIV&AIDS in Ireland, giving voice to the stories of the people you have being living and working with overseas.
Past participants have been engaged in organising many different activities to promote awareness of HIV related issues and fundraise. This included facilitating workshops in schools and local communities, giving talks, organising quiz on HIV&AIDS issues, organising coffee events writing articles to local newspapers.
Is it for you?
- Are you over 18 years of age?
- Are you committed to learning and to helping others learn more about HIV&AIDS?
- Are you flexible and eager to learn about another culture?
- Are you willing to make a positive contribution to communities in South Africa or Nigeria and Ireland?
No special skills or qualifications are required, but a commitment to challenge peoples’ attitudes about HIV&AIDS and take action on a global crisis is essential!
Covering the costs
Participants will receive a grant from EIL to cover a substantial part of the costs. This is a co-funded programme and each participant will be asked to rise €1500 to cover the remaining costs. Costs include Dtalk Course on HIV&AIDS, media&campaigning training, pre-departure and debriefing workshops, flights, insurance, programme costs relating to the project, host family accommodation, in-country support for the duration of your placement and support from EIL staff during the whole programme.
Blogs
South Africa : Chicken feet for dinner?! Kayamandi so far..!
Chantelle Wallace. Global Awareness Programme travel award winner 2007
Media coverage
GAP volunteer Maeve Galvin interviewed on East Coast FM
GAP participants interviewed on Newstalk's Global Village
Past volunteers
Global Awareness Programme 2009: the Volunteers
Ciara, Lynda, Karen and Barry are the 2009 Global Awarenness Volunteers. They volunteered in South Africa and Nigeria in local projects focussing on HIV&AIDS last summer. Back in Ireland, they lead an awareness raising campaign on HIV&AIDS.
South Africa
Lynda Piper Roche
Lynda lives in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin. She is very passionate and energetic. She has a degree in Business, Economic and Social Studies and a keen interest in development issues. She is currently studying Nutritional Therapy and working in a home support service for elderly and vulnerable people in Wicklow.
We asked Lynda some questions about her expectations, motivation and feelings before she left. This is what she told us during the interview. While in South Africa, Lynda wrote about her volunteer experience and on her retun she continued writing as part ofher raising awareness campaign.Read her blog here.
On the 7th of October The Bray People covered Lynda Piper-Roche's story in the articel Out of Africa. Read the article...
Ciara Cunningham
Ciara
is from Roscommon. She is very enthusiastic and mature person. She has
a degree in Property economics. She has been working for different
business companies in Dublin and she will go back to study next
September.
She volunteers every week with St Vincent De Paul running activities for children in arts and crafts, music and drama.
We have asked Ciara some questions about her expectations, motivation and feelings before she left. This is what she told us during the interview. While in South Africa, Ciara writes about her volunteer experience, read her blog here.
On June 26, 2009 The Roscommon People covered Ciara Cunningham's story in the article Support Ciara’s African work at local coffee morning. Read the article...
On August 14, 2009 The Roscommon People covered Ciara Cunningham's story in the article Roscommon, Cape Town and a boy called Chkwan. Read the article...
On September 18, 2009 The Roscommon People covered Ciara Cunningham's story in the article The sad plight of an AIDS orphan. Read the article...
Nigeria
Karen Reidy
Karen is from Kilkenny and she is currently living in Dublin. She has a degree in Media Arts and she will start a Master in Development Studies next September. She has previous volunteer experience with special needs children in Belarus. She is very enthusiastic person and she is a good communicator, keen photographer and she works as video editor.
While volunteering in Nigeria, Karen writes her own blog on the EIL website. Click here to read Karen's blog.
On July 1, 2009 The Kilkenny People covered the story of Karen Reidy in the article From Nigeria with toothpaste. This is what Karen recounted to the newspaper before she left earlier this month. Read the article...
Barry Morrissey
Barry is originally from Thomastown, in Co. Kilkenny. He is a Primary Teacher and he has been working in a developing school in Dublin 15 for the last three years. He has travelled around most of Europe, the Americas and parts of Asia. He also spent one year and a half working in Spain.
We have asked Barry some questions about his expectations, motivation and feelings before he left. This is what he told us during the interview.
While volunteering in Nigeria, Barry writes his own blog on the EIL website. Click here to read Barry's blog.
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