Global Awareness Programme
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 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. If you think this is the programme for you, have a look at the three steps of the Global Awareness Process and apply by the 20th of March 2012!
Please note: Due to the current situation in Nigeria, the 4 Global Awareness Volunteers will volunteer in South Africa this year.Participants might have the choice to opt for the programme in Nigeria if the safety situation improves.
Step 1: Training
The training stage (May- June) 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:
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Step 2: Volunteering in South Africa for 8 weeks (June - September)
Volunteering internationally is a unique cross-cultural experience. Working with local community organisations 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:
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Typical volunteer activities in a care and support project in South Africa:
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Step 3: Awareness raising in Ireland
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. In 2010, volunteers organised an itinerant photo-exhibition. The programme is partially funded by EIL and Irish Aid.
How to apply
To apply, fill in the application PDF / Word and please include 2 pictures, CV and submit one of the following:
EITHER: You have organised a t alk at a local school about your experiences on the HIV&AIDS project in Nigeria/South Africa to raise awareness about the issues. Give an outline of how this school presentation might look. *
OR: Write a short essay about the importance of raising awareness about HIV/AIDS in Ireland and how you would go about this on your return. *
Send the application, outline or essay, pictures and CV back in hardcopy by the 20th of March to:
Global Awareness Programme
EIL Intercultural Learning
1, Empress Place
Summerhill North
Cork
*outline /essay should be no more than.5 page
Apllications for 2012 are now open. An adjudication panel will select the nominees who are most suitable. Nominees will be invited to attend interviews in Dublin on the 21st April 2012. The results will be announced in early May 2012.
For more info email caterina@eilireland.org or call Caterina on 1850 292939.
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!
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 raise €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
From Touchdown to Today! Time is just flying on an amazing experience!!
3 Weeks into the Global Awareness Programme in South Africa
Global Awareness Pre Departure: why I can't stop pinching myself...
GAP volunteer Maeve Galvin discusses her experiences on East Coast FM
Chantelle Wallace. Global Awareness Programme travel award winner 2007
Photos & Videos
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Media coverage
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Photo exhibition
Maeve, Emily, Gill and Paul Global Awareness Volunteerso 2010 rganised a photo-exhibition "Visions in solidarity" to raise awareness of HIV & AIDS in Ireland. The exhibition has been displayed in:
Mary Immaculate College, Limerick from the 3rd-12th of November 2010
Camden Palace, Cork, One World Week Central, 13th of November 2010
UCC, New Bar in the Student Center, Cork, 29th of November - 10th of December 2010
Cavan, Public Library, Cavan, 18th - 28th of February 2011
Irish Aid Volunteering & Information Centre, O'Connell Street, Dublin 1, March/April 2011
Trinity College Dublin, April 2011
Irish Aid (Department of Foriegn Affairs), Riverstone House, Henry Street, Limerick, May 2011
Nigeria, July 2011
Bray Public Library, Bray, Co.Dublin, August 2011
Ennis, October 2011
Hunt Meuseum, Limerick, 1st- 8th December 2011
If you are interested in hosting the photo-exhibition in your university, work place, youth club, cafe', local library, please get in contact with Caterina, caterina@eilireland.org
Past volunteers
Global Awareness Programme 2011: the Volunteers
Danielle, Aisling, Ciara 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 and Campaigning skills. They volunteered for 8 weeks with a local project in Nigeria and South Africa working with people living with HIV&AIDS. They are currently organising events and activities here in Ireland to raise awareness of HIV & AIDS. If you would like to know more about HIV&AIDS click here.
Global Awareness Programme 2010: the Volunteers
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 2010, East Coast FM's Declan Meehan interviewed Maeve Galvin. Listen the interview here.
On the 20th of September 2010, East Coast FM's Declan Meehan interviewed Maeve galvin. Listen the interview here.
On the 29th of September 2010, Bray people covered Maeve's story in the article "Delivering the message on the danger of HIV". Read the article.
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..
On September 24th, 2010 The Clare Champion covered Emily Price's story in the article "A close-up perspective on Aids in Nigeria". Read the article...
As part of her awareness raising campaign Emily is organising several workshops. Read here about her visit to a schoolin Co. Clare..
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.
Global Awareness Programme 2009: the Volunteers
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.
Previous volunteers:
2008: Amy Rose McGovern, Claire Tadla, Michelle Healy
2007: James O'Connor, Nogugu Mafu, Sophie Brouker; Katie Moore
2006: Tara Finglas, Paul Fallon, Deirdre Tobin, Liam Quaide