Creating life-changing opportunities

Protecting children

Promoting ethical behaviour

Volunteering Policy and Guidelines for IODR Sri Lanka

Volunteering Policy and Guidelines for IODR Sri Lanka IODR Sri Lanka is a UK and Sri Lankan registered charity with a mission “undertake activities that work towards improved opportunities for vulnerable children and their families in Sri Lanka”. We have constructed a community welfare & education centre near to Weligama in southern Sri Lanka, a fantastic new facility. More info can be found on our website: www.iodr.co.uk

New work in 3 areas:

• Children’s Education and Well-being
• Community Health Education
• Climate Change Education and awareness.

Various programme activities in these areas are just starting and will continue to grow in the coming years. This will present increasing opportunities for local and international volunteers to get involved in our work. IODR Sri Lanka therefore actively encourage a limited number of UK/International volunteers to work in its programmes in Sri Lanka, or potentially those of its partners.

Although there are clear advantages to all involved in establishing a volunteer programme, it is also important to us that we establish standards of best practice that protect the organisation, its beneficiaries and the individual from potentially damaging allegations and ensure volunteers get the experience they want.

IODR are aware of recent reports relating to bad experiences of volunteers that pay money to work for overseas charitable organisations and want to assure all potential volunteers that IODR can offer a rewarding and valuable experience. We have this ‘International Volunteering Policy’ which outlines our commitments to volunteers in terms of our transparency and accountability in ensuring that all parties have the best experience possible. Provided volunteers comply with this policy at all times, IODR can offer a life enhancing and personally rewarding volunteer experience

A word about the conflict… You are probably aware that Sri Lanka has been in and out of an internal conflict for the past 30 years. Recently this conflict has appeared to escalate, primarily in the north and east of the country. IODR Sri Lanka is based about as far from these areas as is possible, being right on the southern tip of the island. We have never had any security incidents nor have we been directly affected by the conflict in any way. We are committed to ensuring all volunteers have a safe and rewarding experience and regularly monitor the situation. If you need official advise, please check the Foreign Office Travel Advise site : http://www.fco.gov.uk

Guidelines

• The application form should be completed and returned to the Country Director of our programmes in Sri Lanka who will manage the process. Some positions may require an interview.
• All applicants are always welcome to contact the IODR Sri Lanka office at any time via phone or email with any questions they might have.
• The Country Directors recommendations for volunteers require final approval by trustees in Sri Lanka and the UK.
• Provided the applicant has what IODR are looking for, at the right time, we will pursue references and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks and get you on board!
• If everyone is in agreement in terms of logistics and costs, the volunteer pays a small deposit and signs our Child Protection Policy (more on that later) and a form of commitment.
• Final balance should be paid before arrival in Sri Lanka.
• The process need not take a long time, but it is always best to give us as much notice as possible so that we can plan accordingly.

Accommodation

There are a couple of options for accommodation, depending on the volunteers length of stay, levels of supervision and what is available at the time they wish to come. IODR have some accommodation on-site at its centre in Weligama for up to 4 people. They are twin rooms with a small kitchen and bathroom. If we have multiple volunteers, then they will need to share a room with others (same sex only, unless specified otherwise i.e. you are a couple). Alternatively, there is a place called Crystal Villa which is 5 minutes from the Centre. IODR work closely with a local tour operator, Crystal Holidays, who have a villa close to the centre. It has air-conditioned rooms, is right on the beach and has a swimming pool. There is a restaurant with western and local food and beverages.

IODR would prioritise long term volunteers and those under 18 years old for the onsite accommodation. Others can stay there if there is availability; otherwise the accommodation at Crystal Villa offers a good alternative.

Once accepted as a volunteer, IODR have a Volunteer Pack that will give you detailed information of you stay, advise on what to bring, wear etc, and some idea of what else Sri Lanka has to offer during your stay.

* Accommodation at Crystal Villa includes bed and breakfast. These prices might also change slightly depending on the season. ** IB students will require additional and dedicated supervision.

Other Costs:
The cost of flights varies depending on the season, ranging from £450 - £900 (December Jan being most expensive times). The only other costs incurred will be your food and drink. The IODR Centre has full cooking facilities and the plenty of local supermarkets and fruit and vegetable markets that can provide for most needs. There is also a range of places to go out and eat in the area. For those staying at Crystal Villa there is a staffed kitchen that can provide for most needs at a very reasonable price. Cooking at the centre, if needed, is available to all. A budget of £100 a month for food is plenty (not eating out, but cooking for yourself). As for drink, that depends on your tastes!

Examples:
A long term volunteer staying for six months would pay IODR £900. They also play for their flights and medical cover, and bring around £600 for sustaining themselves.

A Gap Year student, staying at the centre for 2 months will pay IODR £400, They also play for their flights and medical cover, and bring around £200 spending money with them.

An IB student staying for 2 weeks, staying at the centre, should pay IODR £300, plus their flights and medical cover, and bring £100 spending money with them.

IODR will arrange transit to and from the airport at the start and end of the stay. Any further questions can always be clarified as and when necessary.

The Child Protection Policy:

One of the cornerstones of our work with children is our Child Protection Policy. It protects everyone, the child, you and the organisation, and creates a positive culture for working with children within the organisation. IODR Sri Lanka is committed this policy and everyone that visits us needs to comply with it. Some relevant highlights:

• Everyone involved in the work of IODR Sri Lanka has a part to play in keeping children safe.

• IODR Sri Lanka will ensure that:

1. Volunteers are suitable to work with children by ensuring that effective recruitment procedures are followed (interview, vetting & references)
2. Volunteers are briefed about the way they should behave towards children and are provided with a Code of Conduct. This will include a 2 hour workshop upon arrival on the Child Protection Policy to ensure that all parties understand the rules in working for IODR.
3. Any complaints, allegations or concerns receive appropriate attention and steps are taken to ensure the safety of all concerned.

• Volunteers are expected to:

1. Co-operate with IODR Sri Lanka’s vetting arrangements and provide the necessary documents and/or consent to ensure that criminal records checks can be completed
2. Follow IODR Sri Lanka’s Code of Conduct at all times and take action if they witness or suspect someone else is behaving inappropriately
3. Bring any complaints, allegations or concerns to the attention of IODR Sri Lanka without delay - regardless of the circumstances

Potential Activities desirable skills

IODR will develop a range of programmes that focus on our 3 main areas of activity, as stated at the beginning of this document. Ultimately we look for enthusiasm, commitment and an open mind, but various practical skills are also useful

• Teaching – TEFL is good, supporting existing teachers
• Sports – supervision, coaching etc for cricket, volleyball, swimming
• Arts and Craft skills
• Computer training
• Helping out at local orphanages
• Midwifery knowledge for educating local people
• Specific skills relevant to any of our areas of activity

This is just a sample, if the volunteer has something to offer that we can find useful then agreement can normally be reached, so we encourage potential volunteers to tell us what they have to offer.

The Code of Conduct

IODR Sri Lanka’s Code of Conduct for Volunteers seeks to ensure that children are kept safe from harm and that volunteers are not placed in a compromising position.

All IODR Sri Lanka volunteers will be expected to have read and understood the code of conduct.

Do’s:

• Do put the Code of Conduct into practice
• Do remember that Sri Lankan culture may be different to your own
• Do plan activities, which involve more than one person being present,
  or at least are within sight/hearing of other volunteers or local staff
• Do work with other volunteers and local staff as a team
• Do respect a child's right to personal privacy
• Do listen to children's views and concerns
• Do encourage others to discuss attitudes/behaviour they do not like
• Do remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions
• Do recognise that caution is required even in sensitive moments,
  such as when dealing with bullying or bereavement

Do NOT’s:

• Do NOT permit abusive peer activities (e.g. bullying)
• Do NOT allow children to stay in volunteer accommodation
• Do NOT play rough physical contact games with children
• Do NOT have any inappropriate physical or verbal contact with others
• Do NOT jump to conclusions about others without checking facts
• Do NOT show favouritism to any individual (e.g. money, gifts etc)
• Do NOT give excessive gifts to children or their families (donations can be made through IODR Sri Lanka)
• Do NOT make suggestive remarks or gestures to children, even in fun
• Do NOT ignore others who do not put the Code of Conduct into practice

Police Checks

• All volunteers participating in one of our programmes are required to submit a police check.
• Volunteers working directly with children are required to submit, to IODR Sri Lanka, a full police check report which includes offences against children. In the UK this is known as the Criminal Records Bureau CRB Enhanced Disclosure check. This is the same check as schoolteachers, scout leaders etc receive.
• Volunteers can contact http://www.ukcrb.com/ and ask to have an Enhanced CRB Disclosure processed

Visa’s

• Volunteers staying for up to 3 months can apply for a 3 month visitor’s visa before arriving in Sri Lanka. This is effectively a tourist visa, but for 3 months rather than the 1 month you get upon arrival.
• Volunteers staying longer than 3 months should be taken on a case by case basis as to whether a ‘work’ visa is required. (this process can take up to 3 months