Volunteer in Nigeria (6 months, 1 year) with United Planet!

  Nigeria

Lagos

Durations of Program: 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Dates: ongoing

Description: About 20% of the West African population resides in the country of Nigeria. This populous country has intense beauty and intense need. The programs are located in Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria. Focus your attention on the kids here who need your help. This is perfect for those of you who really want to make a difference in the community and love children. Work with the blind and the young children of Lagos and you may walk away with a more meaningful experience then you ever could have imagined traveling abroad.

Highlights: As a long-term volunteer, you will have the exciting opportunity to gain an even deeper understanding and appreciation of a foreign land and culture through humanitarian service, language and intercultural training, cultural learning activities, and exploration.

United Planet is the proud US and Canadian partner within the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) Federation, the oldest long-term volunteering federation in the world. With over 50 years of experience, the ICYE Federation has a proven track record and upholds the highest standards for excellence in serving both the volunteers and the communities involved.

Long-term Quests are available for 6 months and 1 year. Volunteers take part in intensive orientations, mid-year, and final year camps with other volunteer exchanges from all over the world. You do not need any specific skills or language abilities to take part. You will attain new skills, competencies, and broadened global perspectives through your involvement in the long-term quest program!

There are many interesting destinations both in developed and developing countries. You can support children and the disabled in communities throughout France and Italy. You can assist in agricultural, environmental, and community projects in New Zealand, Nepal, and India. You can help with AIDS/HIV programs in Uganda, Russia, Nigeria, and more.   You can assist in human rights issues in Brazil, Bolivia, Mozambique, and Lithuania. These are just a few of the many opportunities we offer!

United Planet and the ICYE Federation, as non-profit organizations, are committed to the accessibility of these programs for all. For less than the cost of living independently in many of our program countries, you can participate in a fully supported and well-structured international voluntary exchange program with years of experience. We hope that you will recognize and take advantage of this special opportunity.

Cost in US$: 6 months $4695, 12 months $7195

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: United Planet requests five things of you: Flexibility, Courage, Open-mindedness, Tolerance and Compassion. Volunteer and educational travel around the world is often filled with unpredictable surprises, such as transportation delays, local holidays, etc. Cultures vary greatly. Some things may appear shocking and you might feel outside of your comfort zone in some situations. You might also experience disturbing poverty or suffering in certain areas. People, including the local population and fellow Quest participants, might have vastly different religious, ideological, racial, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds. In short, you will be challenged and stimulated in ways that you may not be able to currently imagine. If you remember the UP code and maintain flexibility, courage, open-mindedness, tolerance, and compassion, you will build greater bonds with the people around you, attain a rich cultural understanding, and truly experience the ultimate educational adventure of a United Planet Quest, while having lots of fun along the way.

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Nigeria Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

United Planet's Mission Statement: As an international non-profit organization, United Planet (UP) strives to create a world in which all people understand, respect, and support one another. United Planet's global network of leaders and volunteers fosters cross-cultural understanding and addresses shared challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders. In 2008, United Planet was one of only ten organizations selected by CNN to be part of its "Be the Change" initiative.

Year Founded: 2001