Overview

Due to a few last-minute cancellations, openings are now available for ITW South Africa.

New Funding Available for ITW Honduras Volunteers! See the Central America Homepage for more information.

The Inform the World Program sends volunteers from around the world to assist rural librarians in South Africa, Guatemala and Honduras. The volunteers conduct practical service projects determined by the needs of their host libraries. Previous ITW volunteers have trained librarians in basic skills such as how to inventory, weed, repair and catalog books. They also used their knowledge and creativity to help libraries reach out to and meet the needs of their communities. They have painted murals, taught workshops, made display boards, produced publicity fliers and pamphlets and helped clean, brighten and re-organize libraries. They have worked on projects ranging from creating a bookmobile to training students to work in their own libraries. After returning to the U.S., the volunteers also work with WLP to design projects that will continue to help the libraries they visited.

Where: Honduras and South Africa

Make a difference this summer as an Inform the World (ITW) volunteer in South Africa and Honduras! ITW volunteers provide practical, hands-on assistance and training to communities with a pressing need for information. The program is a unique opportunity to teach, learn and grow while experiencing another culture. If helping rural communities in Africa and Central America gain access to the information they need to build a better future sounds like a challenge you would enjoy, join us for this exciting service project.

When: Summer 2003

Central America
Honduras: June 25 - July 23, 2003

South Africa
Limpopo: July 15 - August 15, 2003
Kwa-Zulu Natal: July 22 - August 22, 2003

These dates are subject to change by a few days on either side, depending upon the needs of our hosts. The volunteers will have three days of training in South Africa or Central America and will then travel to their host libraries where they will spend three weeks working on service projects. The ITW volunteers and their host librarians will reconvene for a book fair and a debriefing/evaluation session at the end of the program.

Eligibility:

WLP invites individuals over the age of 18 who love libraries to apply for the program. In particular, we encourage participation from librarians and library science students, teachers and IT professionals. Individuals with a background in community organizing, facilitation, adult education, training, and theatre are also encouraged to apply. There are many other skills and experiences that will enable individuals to make significant contributions as a volunteer, so do not hesitate to apply if you feel you have something to contribute. The most important characteristics of a successful volunteer are flexibility, a love of libraries, a sense of adventure and the ability to adapt to very basic living conditions.

****Conversational Spanish is required for the Central America program*****

Cost:

The cost of the trip is $2,200. This includes:

placement
training
materials
in-country orientation and debriefing
accommodations
most meals
site visit by the trip coordinator during the project
in-country transportation

Note: Airfare is NOT included in the cost of the trip.

See cost detail for a breakdown of the costs.

WLP raises funds for a general ITW scholarship fund. WLP distributes this funding equally among all the volunteers requesting financial assistance. WLP can provide materials and suggestions to help volunteers secure additional funding from other sources.