Dear potential volunteer,
We are delighted that you have taken this first step in deciding to apply to become a volunteer with SVP. We hope to make this process as simple and painless as possible, and we will be following your application every step of the way, both in London and Khartoum, until completion. While we are proud to be completely independent, we work closely in conjunction with the Ministry of Higher Education in Khartoum, and the Sudanese Embassy in London, to reduce red tape and delay as much as possible.
We will also try to put you in contact with past or existing volunteers who can share their advice and experiences with you. This page should answer most of your questions, but if you need to ask about any detail please email David as below.
Our basic business is teaching English at various levels in Sudan. Mostly, we promote conversational practice and discussion groups with University students and other adults and also in some secondary schools. This is a wonderful chance to help young people, to learn about a society which is both sophisticated and unique, and work in a country amongst the friendliest and safest in the world.
SVP works with under-graduates and graduates who are native English speakers (regional or national accents are not usually a problem). TEFL cert or experience and Arabic are very welcome but not required.
As always we are looking for people who have a real interest in language and teaching and who are available for nine months or more.
SVP and our local host institutions pay for accommodation & modest living expenses. SVP arranges training sessions and orientation on arrival and there will be opportunities to work with experienced teachers in the classroom.
Most young Sudanese have received over 8 years of English language training in primary and secondary schooling but have never heard a native English speaker and have had no opportunities to develop the skills of speaking or even reading or writing simple messages.
Our volunteers work will be to encourage speaking, dialogue, drama and everyday exchanges helping to restore the use of English recognized as the second official language of Sudan and a vital component of the peace process.
We need enthusiastic people who want to learn how to motivate their students into expressing themselves, to overcoming their shyness and reluctance to make mistakes. We want people who want to make a significant addition to their own skills and career possibilities and to those of their students.
Sudanese Universities are now aiming to organise the academic year into two semesters Sept to Jan and Jan to April. It therefore makes sense to plan arrivals ahead of these starts by a week or two with the object of staying at least for the whole semester - though semesters often run late.
Some volunteers’ placements may be available earlier than this so apply giving the earliest date of availability and offering the longest period of time in Sudan that you can.
Most universities and colleges are now pressing for volunteers to offer a minimum of six months in Sudan - please consider this when making your application.
Teacher Training Qualified and/or experienced English language or literature teachers are especially welcome for work in departments of Education.
It is important to stress that we can only work with:
1. People whose native or mother tongue and first daily language is English AND who have studied at a university or similar institution i.e. who are graduates or undergraduates or,
2. Non native English speakers but with established qualifications or experience of teaching English.
Experience of teaching, foreign travel and discomfort are advantages. Good health, resilience, good humour, patience, initiative and enterprise, tenacity and endurance are all qualities we need.
Volunteers must pay the price of their own airfare to and from Sudan plus GBP 60 towards their insurance (this covers the first 3 months - insurance for any period beyond this is paid by SVP).
The return ticket valid for 12 months costs about £465, including UK taxes, by British Airways, a number of other lines fly to Khartoum through other centres, and Sudan Airways now have a direct flight twice a week from Heathrow.
SVP arranges and the host institutions pay for your accommodation and they also pay basic subsistence (approximately $130 per month in local currency). The maximum hours of work required of volunteers are 30 per week of which no more than two thirds would be teaching while the rest is preparation and marking or informal teaching. Some teaching within that amount may be organised in extra-mural teaching at public cultural centres.
In view of the present Middle East crisis and the violence in Darfur, it's worth mentioning that Sudan, in the northern parts where we work, remains the friendliest, most hospitable and safest country I know anywhere - I was there again earlier this year. No one thinks that Western individuals represent the policies of their states. We can put you in contact with volunteers at present in Sudan or recently returned so you can satisfy yourself and your family on this and any other point which may concern you.
Do not be misled by the alarmist tone of the Foreign Office website. They have no choice but to warn of the worst possibilities so they are not held responsible iif something bad happens. SVP volunteers are welcomed and standards of personal security in Khartoum and northern Sudan are high. As is well known there are parts of the country afflicted by violence: non-Sudanese are not permitted to go there, so the danger for our volunteers is non-existent in that regard.
Don't hesitate to ask more questions when you have had a good look through our website - particularly at the "FAQ" about Sudan Volunteer Programme.
When we get your filled-in application form, giving the dates you can offer, it will be passed to colleagues in Khartoum for their response.
Best wishes,
David Wolton
Sudan Volunteer Programme,
34 Estelle Road
London NW3 2JY
Tel/Fax (44 for UK) (0)20 7485 8619 day or evening
email:- david@svp-uk.com
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