From November 2013 to January 2014, Port Alberni will once again be hosting a group of 18 Canada World Youth (CWY) volunteers from Vietnam and across Canada.
The volunteers’ three-month stay in the community will be the second stage of a CWY educational exchange program. The first half of the program will take place in Vietnam from August until October 2013.
Lisa Jaster has begun working in Port Alberni to begin laying the groundwork for the program, building upon the successes of last year’s program. This year the program will focus on health, youth employment, and entrepreneurship. There are three ways for interested parties to be involved with volunteers during their stay:
1. Become a host family for two volunteers, one from Canada and one from Vietnam.
2. Offer two volunteers work placements that will give them hands-on work experience.
3. Volunteer your personal resources (i.e. offer transportation for volunteers, help Lisa with initial program set up and promotions, provide Lisa with great ideas on how the participants can be involved in community activities).
Integration into a family and volunteer work with local organizations and initiatives are key goals of the program. They allow volunteers an opportunity to learn about the region, as well as the local lifestyles and culture.
What Canada World Youth looks for in host families is an openness and enthusiasm to share their home life with two young people, and to allow their lives to be enriched by these new relationships. Host families receive a weekly allowance of $180 for accommodating two volunteers, one from Vietnam and one from across Canada.
CWY is also looking for organizations interested in welcoming two young volunteers into their community initiatives, to help them acquire hands-on work experience and job skills for the future. Possible work placements might include those involving health sectors, employment services, educational initiatives or community development.
If this interests you or you would like more information, please contact Lisa Jaster at (250) 918.9155 or ljaster@cwy-jcm.org.
