Mercy Volunteer Corps

  Guyana

Georgetown

Duration of Program: 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 years
Dates: July 2010 to July 2012

Description: Volunteers positions are for a two year commitment.

Volunteers serve at an orphanage, hospital, and/or a vocational school for teenagers.

Service sites:

St. John Bosco Orphanage: A home for 45 boys between the ages of 4 and 16.

Volunteers are needed to serve as teachers and tutors as well as to lead sports and artistic activities, and to aid in the day-to-day activities of the home. Social work and counseling skills are also useful in the holistic development of the boys. Teaching and/or social work background is helpful but not required.

Mercy Wings Vocational Center: An innovative vocational-technical training program for adolescents, ages 15-19 who have not completed traditional schooling. Vocational tracts are offered in construction, child care, and catering. Volunteers are needed as teachers in the Adolescent Development Program and in remedial subjects (math, reading, computer literacy), as counselors, and to assist with music, dance, or art. Educational and/or social work background is helpful but not required.

St. Joseph Mercy Hospital: A non-profit health care facility offering 24-hour care. They offer traditional in-patient services as well as outreach programs. Volunteers are needed as social workers, counselors, nurses and public health nurses (experience preferred), physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other health care professionals.

Highlights: Mercy Volunteers receive room and board, medical insurance, a stipend, transportation to and from the site of service, professional and personal growth, orientation and retreat opportunities, and the opportunity to live simply within a prayerful community.

No foreign language skills required as volunteers serve in the only English speaking country in South America.

A mutual discernment process throughout the application and screening processes helps decide if the applicant and MVC will be well-matched.

Two weeks of cross-cultural training; One week orientation to MVC and the principles of simplicity, community living, social justice, and shared spirituality.

On-going support from the local Mercy community. Site visit and on-going support from the MVC main office.

Retreats for reflection and renewal during the term of service.

Re-entry retreat and readjustment allowance.

Qualifications: A member of Mercy Volunteer Corps must be 21 years of age or older, a high school graduate, able to work 40 hours per week at the assigned service site, able to live in an intentional community where there are persons of faith, and able to commit to living on a small stipend provided for personal and communal expenses.

Volunteers also should be flexible and adaptable, gifted with a sense of humor, and comfortable with the Catholic Church.

It is preferred that applicants have some significant experience living or serving abroad, living in community, or working with people who are poor and marginalized. It is also preferred that applicants have a true desire to live intentionally and interdependently with the people they serve.

Mercy Volunteers can be single or married with no dependents.

Minimum Education: High School

Salary / Pay: Volunteers receive a monthly food stipend, personal stipend, and transportation stipend. Mercy Volunteer Corps assumes responsibility for the volunteer's medical insurance coverage from their day of departure to their international site through the completion of the service period. Upon completion of the full two-year commitment, volunteers receive a readjustment allowance. Volunteers may qualify for a deferment of the repayment of their student loans during their term of service.

Experience Required: yes

Some positions require college or work experience.

Age Range: 21 years of age and older

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

Participants Travel to Guyana in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

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

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Mercy Volunteer Corps's Mission Statement: In partnership with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, lay women and men of Mercy Volunteer Corps (MVC), enter into relationship with people who are economically poor and marginalized. In a spirit of mutuality, volunteers cultivate mercy and justice in the world by embracing compassionate service, social justice, spirituality and a simple lifestyle in community.

Year Founded: 1978

Mercy Volunteer Corps 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.