For those who want to make a difference, but perhaps feel helpless about it, here is a chance to act on your dream.
The Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand’s Programmes team may be able to match your skills to situations in the Pacific and elsewhere that could give you an opportunity to make good use of them.
Volunteer placements vary in length from a few months to a year or two, as do the kinds of skills needed.
English teachers are highly sought after, as are builders, electricians, architects and engineers.
Long-term finance and administration volunteer positions are currently available in the Daru-Kiunga Diocese of Papua New Guinea and in Kiribati.
“It makes good sense for Caritas’ Programmes team to oversee Catholic Volunteers Overseas because Caritas works primarily in the Pacific and can make use of our long-term relationships with our partners there, as well as our detailed knowledge of the region,” says Beverley Turnbull, Chair of the Caritas Board.
“It is extremely satisfying to match people who have highly developed skills and knowledge, to positions in the Pacific,” says Ms Turnbull.
“New Zealand volunteers have a lot to offer and teach our brothers and sisters in the Pacific, and they learn a lot in return.”
And now as a result of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference’s consultation with Oceania partners, the Catholic Volunteers Overseas programme has also been given a broader scope to include a wider selection of countries.
Papua New Guinea and Kiribati, Peru and Timor Leste, and countries that the New Zealand Catholic Church has a special relationship with, are now also included in the list of volunteer opportunities that have been identified.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer overseas can contact Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand at volunteers@caritas.org.nz or by calling 0800 22 10 22 during office hours.
Source
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- Image: www.caritas.org.nz