Volsol singapore brochure 2016 compressed

2016BROCHURE

SINGAPORE

www.volunteeringsolutions.com

VOLUNTEER INTERN TRAVEL

ContentsCover01

Contents02

Your Accommodation07

Accommodation and Living08

Cost and Start Dates09

What am I Paying for?10

What am I Paying for? (Contd.)11

Things to Do12

How to Apply - The Process13--15

Get in Touch16

Singapore Overview03

Singapore - All Programs04

Animal Rescue Center05

Center for Disabled People06

VOLUNTEER


Singapore is one of the bustling metropolis of the world and a gem

of South East Asia. For volunteers, it is one of the safest cities to

travel to and of course the cleanest. Established as a British

trading colony, Singapore still retains that aura in its architecture

and designs. As a volunteer you will get time to immerse in

Singapore’s unique culture which has a wide Chinese, Indian and

Malaysian influence. For volunteers who enjoy their meals and are

particularparticular about what they eat, Singapore owns the title of being

one of the greatest eating capitals of the world. Singaporean food

is legendary, with bustling hawker centres and 24-hour coffee

shops offering cheap food from all parts of Asia, and shoppers can

bust their baggage allowances in shopping meccas like Orchard

Road and Suntec City.

As an international volunteer with Volunteering Solutions, you will

get an opportunity to explore the wild and work for them in an

Animal Rescue Centre. You have an opportunity to immerse in the

local culture by participating the cultural exchange programs.

Volunteering Solutions offers Volunteering, Internships and

Cultural Immersion programs in Singapore and North Singapore.

A thorough favourite with the international travelers, our global

volunteersvolunteers get to make contribution towards the local community,

animal welfare problems, and work for the disabled.

Singapore Trip Highlights

Do not miss out on the big entertainment center- Sentosa. You will find so many things there- theme

parks, botanical clubs, beaches and more

Try the Singapore Flyer- ferris wheel overlooking the entire city

Do not miss out the theatres on the Bay and the Merlion Park

Popular destinations like Chinatown, Clarke Quay (for food), Marina Bay Sands Sky Park, Little India, and

the amazing night safari

Feel the charm of working for animal rescue, and their rehabilitation

Work for the disabled and help them with day to day activitiesWork for the disabled and help them with day to day activities

Singapore Overview


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Animal Rescue Center

Center for Disabled People

SINGAPORE

Singapore - All Programs04

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program

Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.

The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

Be in good health.

This project involves working with the largest wild animal center in

Singapore. The center has 11 staff members. Volunteers work 5 days

per week for around 8 hours per day. The center is short of manpower

and is in regular need of volunteers to provide assistance. The

volunteer work at the center will include the following assignments:

AssistingAssisting in animal care duties, such as preparing food, cleaning

enclosures and providing animal enrichment. You may assist in other

daily operations and maintenance of the Center such as gardening,

and giving guided tours to visitors. Gardening and maintenance

activities at the center include tending to the organic garden and pond,

trimming grass as well as tidying the center shop, store room and

volunteer house. Running errands at the center, includes sending

greetingsgreetings to monthly donors, posting mail, typing petition signatures

and making badges for merchandise sales.

Assisting the center team in conducting observations of the welfare of

captive animals in zoos and marine parks. Researching the availability

of Cruelty-Free products in Singapore e.g. writing to companies asking

about their animal-testing policies. Writing to supermarkets/shops

asking them to stock cruelty-free/more humane products (e.g.

free-range eggs) and many other similar activities.

I learned a lot about reptiles

and how to take care of them.

I got hands on work with real

animals

-Young Ha Suh

Animal Rescue CenterStarting from $1500

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Add On Tour

Universal Studio ........................................... Full Day Tour

Bintan Island Indonesia ........................................... 1Night / 2Days

Volunteers will work in Cheshire Home which was founded in 1957

with the aim of providing a “home” for the care of differently abled

people who have limited or no financial means of support and whose

families, if any, are unable to provide adequate care. The organization

runs a Residential Home with a capacity for 66 residents and 34

day-care clients who are the physically disabled of both sexes and any

races or creed. They provide a rehabilitation program to enable the

physicallyphysically disabled to achieve their optimum level of independence.

They receive nursing care, physiotherapy and occupational therapy,

training in daily living skills, handicraft, computer practices as well as

social and recreational activities.

Volunteers will work for generally 5-7 hrs from Monday to Friday. You

will be supervised by the volunteer coordinator in the Home.

Center for Disabled PeopleStarting from $1500


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Add On Tour

Sentosa Day Trip ........................................................ 1 Day

Penang, Malaysia ........................................................ 1 Night/2 Days

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program

Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.

The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

Be in good health.

I felt so welcomed and I liked

both the staf f and the clients.

I would recommend the place

for anyone

-Jenni Viitanen

Your Accommodation


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Accommodation HighlightsFully Furnished accommodation

Near all the project sites

Near basic amenities and markets

It is our endeavour to provide all the international volunteers with

the best of accommodation arrangements. In our effort to do so

we have tried to create an “at home” environment for all our

participants. As soon as you arrive in Singapore, one of the local

coordinator would receive you and take you to your project

location.

FirstFirst day of the project is the orientation day where volunteers get

an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the project as well

as Singapore. Volunteers will stay in the volunteer's flat and take

public transportation to the home every day. This flat has shared

rooms with showers and all basic amenities. The accommodation

is near all the project sites and the local markets. You can easily

buy stuff from around the your accommodation. There are several

sightseeingsightseeing options near your accommodation and you can utilize

your free time and weekends to explore Singapore. On certain

occassions participants are also provided accommodation in

volunteer dorm in the project premises itself.


Accommodation and Living08

So, why do I have to pay for volunteering abroad? I mean, I want to help them and all and still I will have to pay? That is a

common question people ask. People often forget that volunteering is never free. Volunteering Abroad is definitely a choice,

and when you choose to do so, you have to pay. For what? For your airfare, for your lodgings, for your meals, for local

commute, airport transfer, for your project placement tie-ups! There is more in the list, but again, all of us dread the word

"program fee"

So, we thought we should simplify it for you. Your program fee solely aims to provide you comfort, while you volunteer

abroad. It is structured to meet your most basic needs.


Cost and Start Dates09

Please Note: -An application fee of $225 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

Airfare

Mobile connection and recharge

Entry fees to monuments or sightseeing places (if not included in program)

Transportation and local travel

Visa Fee

Personal expenses

Return Airport DropReturn Airport Drop

Expenses other than program fee

Singapore Program Start Dates

Singapore program cost (in USD)

1 Week 2 Weeks 3 Weeks 4 Weeks 5 Weeks 6 Weeks 7 Weeks 8 Weeks Program Name Extra Weeks

---- -- $1500 -- -- -- $2200 --Animal Rescue & Disabled Care Program Cost

Most people are surprised to hear that they have to pay to volunteer abroad. What they often do not realize is that there

are significant administrative costs involved to arrange for a worthwhile volunteer abroad placement. Volunteering

Solutions is not supported by any government funding and runs its programs entirely from the fee that volunteers pay to

take part in the volunteer programs. Volunteering Abroad, involves incurring of many costs such as food, accommodation,

transportation, transfers, project selection etc. The program fee charged by us, goes into providing you all these services.

The money that you pay to us is distributed at various stages to provide you a meaningful volunteer abroad experience.The money that you pay to us is distributed at various stages to provide you a meaningful volunteer abroad experience.

VOLSOL Program Cost IncludesAdvertising Online/Offline Credit Card processing charges

In country maintenance of offices, vehicles etc.Staff recruitmentVolunteer recruitmentMaintaining office and other expenses

Salaries for staffNGO financial helpCommunication with volunteers and partners, by phone/email etc.International travel done by our staff to monitor projects and attend local meetings with partnersWebsite maintenance.Government taxes.


What am I paying for?10

Administration Cost

In Country SupportProject Development

Project Support &Field Cost

Food & Accommodation

It is necessary for an organization to employ full time staff to recruit and manage volunteers. There is lot of work that goes

side by side ensuring that you are supported before and during your program. We are dedicated to make your volunteering

abroad a memorable experience and ward off of all possible hunches at every steps. Our administration cost is 28% of the

total cost which include advertising, staff salary, website maintenance, taxes, volunteer recruitment and other expenses.

The application processing fee is part of your administrative costs, unlike many other volunteer travel company we do not

chargecharge any additional credit card processing fee. These companies can charge as much as 6% on your application fee taking

it to a difference of almost $100 extra. We have a flat rate and that is what we charge.

Administration

You may be endowed with exceptional skills and acumen in your area of expertise but to figure out your exact role in the

placement agency and to gain insights of its operations require training. To know cultural practices and etiquettes is of

sublime importance to carry out your tasks. So you need someone who could impart training and dispel your doubts at

every step, obviously he/she doubles as your friend and trainer.

Good grasp of the local language is an added advantage that helps you to communicate effectively and learn the culture

promptly so in some cases they also assign language trainers to help you out who is paid by program provider.

Training and orientation

We charge for food and accommodation based on your preferences. You may decide to do home stay or group

accommodation or relish the cuisines cooked by host family and pay them. You may cook for yourself if you find it

economical or your placement organization may provide you lunch. You have plethora of options to choose from and

charges are determined accordingly. Host organization provides a safe and welcoming atmosphere for the volunteers.

Food and accommodation charges cover 40% of your total expenditure.

Food and accommodation

Volunteer service organization often employs in-country staff to provide local support and to make your volunteering

abroad experience memorable. As long as you are volunteering outside which may take up to six months, our staff is

continuously working for you behind the screen. So we pay them from program fees we receive despite other sources like

grants and donations.

NothingNothing can be more discomforting than to struggle for getting basic services like healthcare, banking or even visa

reviewing in a foreign land that otherwise would have been comparatively less difficult in an English speaking country. As a

volunteer, you have not been tied up to the agency only but you may roam around the city to watch historical places, zoo,

movies etc. and should have total access to everything in order to distress yourself. VolSol has incredible in-country support

(around 12%) to ensure your trip runs smoothly.

In country support

The most important part of the volunteering fees is on the project which you have chosen. Program fees help fund the

project activities and resources. Thus organizations need paid staff member to ensure continuity of your program and

administrative duties. Project development involved 11% of the total program fee.

Project Development

What am I paying for? (Contd.)11

Sentosa, the most popular island resort in Singapore, is one place you would never forget your entire life. With a tank full

of attraction points; including, two huge golf courses, 14 luxury hotels, a tenacious fort (Siloso), a 2kms long sheltered

beach and a theme park of Universal Studios; the island resort has got everything under one roof for you.

An Island on the Island

The robustness of the wildlife, residing in this island nation, reflects from the choice of their national animal, viz., Lion. With

over a thousand different species of birds, insects and mammals, Singapore is a walk of heaven for wildlife enthusiasts.

With a variety of options to interact with the nature’s flora and fauna on offer, such as Night Safari, River safari, Jurong Bird

Park, Marine Life Park and many more, there is clearly no dearth for someone to get attached to these wonderful creations

of the almighty.

Get connected with Wildlife

Hop on to the world’s second tallest Ferris wheel in the world, The Singapore Flyer. This 165 meter tall observational wheel,

with 28 air-conditioned capsules, is one of the main tourist attractions in Singapore. Considered to be the answer to The

London Eye, the flyer is a great way to see the beautiful island.

Enjoy the aerial view

It is a common tendency of doing shopping while one is on a trip in a foreign land. The reason to do it and choices to buy

triples when the markets are that of Singapore. With so many flea markets, wet markets, malls and local street vendors

selling a variety of local artistry and souvenir products, one can bludgeon their baggages with shopping items.

Fill up your luggage bag

The influence of Chinese, Indian, Malaysian and Indonesian culture in Singapore has its results in local food preparations

and dishes as well. One can experience the ‘out of the world’ taste from a hot bowl of Bak Kut The (pork ribs soup) even

from a small roadside food stall, that’s the level of consistency in taste throughout. The simplest of the dishes, such as a

plate of dim sums, will also make you go omnomnom!!!!

Craving for food is justified


Things to do while volunteering in Singapore

12

Trip Notes

Do not forget to watch out for the Pink Dolphins at Sentosa

How to apply - The process13

From the drop down select either Volunteer Abroad, Intern Abroad or Summer programs abroad.

If you are already familiar with the website and are visiting just to apply ignore this step and simply click on the Apply Now button at the

end of the drop down header.

Where it will ask you to create a login and password for your My Account login. Your email id would be treated as the username or user

id. Click on the proceed to next step button. The next step button will take you to a form that you have to fill to pay your application fee

of $225. This application fee will book your seat in the placement until you pay the entire program fee amount. If we fail to provide you

the placement we will refund you the money.

**Points to Heed

**If you are a past volunteer and already have my account user id and password then login to your my account section directly.

**If you are a returning volunteer within a year, then you do not need to pay the application fee again. **If you are a returning volunteer within a year, then you do not need to pay the application fee again.

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When you click on the apply now button, you will get a window like this:

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Fill out the forms marked 2 to 4 and submit application, it will be redirected to your payment gateway, where you can make the payment.

If you make the application fee payment now, your My account login would be activated as soon as we receive the payment. In case of

any glitches if your My account login is not activated, please inform us and we will do it manually.

You will receive a Thank you mail for booking the application or making your my account

login. You will get this email irrespective of full payment made or not.

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This email would be followed by a Welcome mail and a community email with platforms to

help you connect with our past volunteers. If you are using gmail, please check your

promotions folder or spam folder and mark them not spam and shift them to your inbox.

Actively participate in VolSol Facebook page and Groups and also join the social

community made by volunteers, that will help you better prepare for the trip.

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One month prior to your booking you will get your pre departure booklet. The

pre-departure booklet would contain all the details about your project and project

location.

While on the project, we will send you an email to check on you, whether you are doing fine or not. You can send your pictures, blogs or

videos or anything related to your ongoing work to us and we will share it with other prospective volunteers.

After the completion of your project, we send you a feedback form, fill this form out and help us improve our services.

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If your placement is confirmed you will get an email from us stating the same, along with

the final payment due amount.

You can pay your program fee from your my account section or from payment page. The

links for the same would be provided in the email. Payment details would be updated on

your my account page.

05

Know your Team in Singapore

Jessie(Program Coordinator - Singapore)

Jessie has been working with international students, volunteers and interns for five years. She obtained

her Master's degree in Education in the UK and has taught English and Mandarin in primary and

secondary schools for 9 years. She loves working with international students, volunteers and interns

from all over the world. In her holiday time, she has a great love for travel and has been to France,

Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Canada, USA, South Africa, Norway, Ireland, UK, Morocco,

Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brussels and Australia. In free time, she enjoys cooking, dancing,

Chinese instrument, golf, table tennis and swimming.


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Volsol singapore brochure 2016 compressed