Volunteer and Reach Out

  Guatemala

Guatemala City

  Honduras

Tegucigalpa

  India

Bangalore,  Mumbai

  Kenya

• Mombasa: 
Mombasa

  Thailand

• Bangkok: 
Bangkok

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: February 2009, June 2009, August 2009

Description:
Programs:
GRO's home base is the U.S., and we recruit deaf American youth to join our delegations, which occur at different times of the year. Currently, GRO has established programs in the developing countries of Thailand and India. In each country, the goal is to identify and address social issues faced by the deaf youth living there. Addressing these issues cannot happen without first empowering the delegates to realize their potential as role models. If they believe they can fight for change, they will work to inspire their fellow community members to do the same.

Future Programs:
For the next few years, GRO will be focusing on establishing consistent relationships with our delegates and NGO partnerships in India and Thailand; we want to ensure that they actively pursue their goals long after we leave their home countries. GRO's long-term goal is to eventually establish new programs in other parts of the world.

Highlights: Vision:

GRO's primary aim is to help build a global community in which all Deaf individuals understand the meaning and necessity of Deaf rights in human society. Advocating for Deaf rights is crucial for promoting education, leadership, and empowerment among Deaf youth, which ultimately improves their access to a high quality of life. GRO provides the information, resources, and advocacy tools that empower Deaf youth to become their own advocates and catalysts for change.

By creating opportunities for Deaf Americans and their peers in developing countries to learn from each other through cross-cultural dialogue and workshops, Deaf rights can be articulated on a global platform. Through this collaboration, it is hoped that Deaf youth in developing countries will be inspired to advance awareness of Deaf rights issues in their home communities. Ultimately, each project country will have its own satellite facility in which Deaf youth will be able to work with their peers to create and sustain local programs based on the leadership tools they have gained from prior GRO programs.

These endeavors will address the significant needs identified within each unique Deaf community, but they will collectively share GRO's vision of improvement in the quality of life for all Deaf individuals, regardless of age, race, nationality, gender, or economic class.

Qualifications:
* Ages 18-30s
* U.S. citizen, permanent resident of the U.S.
* Preferred to be fluent in sign language
* Demonstrated interest and experience in leadership, deaf rights, human rights, social justice, activism, community development, and international issues.
* Demonstrated interest in actively participating in the entire program, a strong desire to learn and serve, and a desire to share the experience with others upon return to the U.S., continuing to work on collaborative projects with peer delegates.
* Ability and motivation to raise the necessary funds to cover the expenses of the trip (flight tickets; hotel; food; etc.) This is not a sponsored trip.

Cost in US$: Contact us for more information.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Delegations vary from country to country. Delegates meet (Americans and other countries) to figure out issues together and spend the weeks together developing workshops and projects to help fight those issues. Possibilities include presenting an audience of 300, visiting villages, plan community events, visit deaf schools, and so on.

Age Range: 18-30ish

This Program is open to American Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 4-20

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• In-Person Interview Required
• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Written Application

Global Reach Out Initiative's Mission Statement: Global Reach Out Initiative, Inc. (GRO) strives to create a sustainable community of Deaf advocates through the establishment of peer-to-peer cross-cultural programs in developing countries.

Year Founded: 2007