VIDES

  Brazil

• Rio de Janeiro: 
Rio de Janeiro
• Sao Paulo: 
Sao Paulo
• Northern Brazil: 
Manaus,  Recife
• Southern Brazil: 
Belo Horizonte,  Porto Alegre,  Campo Grande,  Cuiaba

  Kenya

• Nairobi: 
Nairobi

  Mexico

• Oaxaca: 
Oaxaca
• Guadalajara: 
Guadalajara
• Mexico City: 
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)
• Monterrey: 
Monterrey
• Pacific Coast: 
Morelia,  Zamora

  Thailand

• Bangkok: 
Bangkok

  United States

San Antonio

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months

Description: A variety of educational, development, and outreach services are offered benefiting especially children, young adults, and women. These services include religious education, teaching on all levels, youth ministry, social services, child care, migrant worker ministry, communications and public relations, health care services in some mission regions, secretarial and office work, fundraising and grant writing, and other youth or women promotion related projects.

Training: Two or three week Formation Service Camp (in January, June, or July) is required before national or international service. After completion of service, participation in a Re-Entry Workshop (usually in August) is highly recommended.

Highlights: Affiliation: Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco), Roman Catholic

Application Deadline: Priority will be given to applications completed by October 1 to participate in the January Formation/Service Camp (FSC) or by March 1 to participate in the Jun or July FSC. Allow up to four months before initiation of service to accommodate completion of brief profile, application, interview, two or three week formation period and placement procedures.

Financial Arrangements: VIDES provides the volunteer with basic health insurance, room and board. If needed, applicants may apply for a campership to participate in the two-three week formation/service camp, otherwise a contribution is requested. Volunteers are responsible for transportation costs to and from the Formation/Service Camp and to the actual service site. All personal expenses are the responsibility of the volunteer. AmeriCorps Education Awards are possible for those doing non-religious national service. Student loan deferment or forbearance is usually possible.

Living Arrangements: In a religious community possibly with other volunteers.

Qualifications:
- Catholic or non-Catholic open to faith-based service and to community living within a religious family
- Female or male
- Single or married, 18-35 years of age, no children in mission
- for VIDES US: US citizen or resident
- for VIDES International: from any country
- Knowledge of language spoken in the mission
- Attendance at the formation/service camp
- Experience in the desired area of service preferred

* The Mission Site provides the Volunteer Missioner with room and board.
* VIDES+USA provides the Volunteer Missioner with basic health insurance, formation, accompaniment, and re-entry integration experience.

Volunteer Missioners are responsible for transportation costs to from
Formation/Service Camp and actual service site), and for all personal expenses.

AmeriCorps education awards are possible for national non-religious service. Student loan deferment or forbearance is usually possible.

* Participation in a re-entry workshop (usually held in August)

Cost in US$: Varies

Experience Required: yes

Experience may be required if a specialized field of service is chosen.

Typical Volunteer: VIDES volunteers have a great love for children and young adults; are open to the challenges of religious community living, to cultural differences within the larger local community; are flexible in meeting daily challenges, generous in giving of themselves and have a cheerful outlook on life. VIDES+USA volunteers are U.S. citizens or residents. If volunteers are from another country, they are directed to serve through one of our other international offices.

Age Range: 21-35

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of two or more

Scholarships are Available. If needed, applicants may apply for a campership to participate in the two-three week formation/service camp.

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• In-Person Interview Required
• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

VIDES's Mission Statement: VIDES (Volunteers International for Development, Education, and Service) is a Catholic Volunteer Missioner Leadership Program which provides worldwide opportunities for young adults and sponsors of all ages to share their time, talent, and treasure in the service of others especially children, youth, and women who have little or no access to education or development in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, South and North America. It is an NGO (and 501 c 3) in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Department of Public Information (DPI) of the United Nation.

Year Founded: 1987

VIDES is a Catholic based organization. We do not require our participants to be of the same faith. Our volunteers will not be involved in religious proselytizing.