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Volunteers
Appeal for volunteers to Bangladesh
Learn about the Experience of the Volunteers
by clicking a picture or a link
Katja
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Kate
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Dr Sabrina
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Tony
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Naim |
Sergio
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Rae
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Bruce
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Click here to read Kate McCleanaghan's Feedback - 9-JUL-08
Click here to read Katja's Feedback - 26-MAY-08
Click here to read Dana's Feedback - 14-APR-08
Click here to read Samar's Feedback - 13-APR-08
Click here to read Dr Nomy's Feedback - 12-APR-08
Click here to read Mariam's Feedback - 12-MAR-08
Click here to read Flo's Feedback - 4-MAR-08
Click here to read Anas' Feedback - 3-MAR-08
Click here to read Bader's Feedback - 27-FEB-08
Click here to read Tauhid's Feedback - 14-JAN-08
Click here to read MacMillans Family Feedback - DEC-07
Click here to read Alex's Feedback - 12--JAN-2008
Click here to read Noosha's Feedback - 6-JAN-2008
Click here to read Florence's Feedback - 7-JAN-2008
Volunteers in 2007
Click here to read Grace's Feedback - 24-DEC-2007
Click here to read Jodi's Feedback - DEC-07
Click here to read Cristiana's Feedback - SEP-07
Click here to read Alex's Feedback - SEP-07
We do welcome volunteers to come visit us in Dhaka. To get an idea of the kind of work volunteers might like to be involved in, please visit our website www.thedhakaproject.org, under "Volunteers" page (this page) or under "Latest News" where you can read a story by a volunteer visitor. This story gives an outline of the kind of volunteer work that a visitor can do. You can read further our newsletters in the "Archive" section to find out about the experiences of other volunteers. We are also open to suggestions from visitors.
The Dhaka Project is a charity organization and in order to help us to develop the sustainability, your flight, accommodation and living expenses will be at your own charge!
BEFORE COMING: (Open) +
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BEFORE COMING
Flights
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The Arrival Airport is DHAKA, Zia International Airport. A lot of different companies fly here; please check the internet for schedules and prices.
Travel Insurance
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This is always worth having when travelling! Check with your insurance or Credit Card Company to see wether you may already be covered.
Passports
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Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after planned return home.
Visas
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If flying in, American, British, Europeans, New Zealand, Australian citizens can get a visa on arrival in Bangladesh - this is valid for a 15 day stay. You will need
$50 to pay the visa fee at the airport. If you want to stay longer, please send us a passport copy and your current CV by email so we can process an invitation letter. This will emailed to you. With the invitation letter, go to the Bangladesh embassy or consulate in your country and apply for a visa. It should take 3 days but we have had volunteers waiting longer than that. We recommend starting the process one month in advance.
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Citizens of Other Contries - Visas are not available on arrival.
Please follow the instructions above so we can process an invitation letter for you.
Travel Essentials
- Travel Journal.
- Money belt.
- Torch.
- Camera, batteries, charger, spare memory cards.
- Laptop.
- Universal adapter.
- Earplugs.
- Snacks or other food you can't leave behind ;-) Please note - Sweets for the children are banned at The Dhaka Project.
- Insect repellent,suncream.
- First Aid Kit inc. Paracetamol, antibiotics and Imodium.
- Towels and toiletries (soap, shampoo, shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste)
- You may want to bring wet wipes and hand sanitizer.
Clothing and footwear
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If you want to play with the kids take some clothing that you don't mind getting dirty! - you won't enjoy it as much if you are worried about spoiling your clothes!
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The Project involves some walking. Make sure you have a pair of shoes with a good grip and a supply of socks.
- Flip-flops and waterproof ponchos are very useful - especially during the rainy season!
- Please remember Bangladesh is a Muslim country so consider conservative clothing.
Money
- Local currency is Taka. Rate is 1$ = 68 taka.
- Bring large USD notes - the exchange rate is better.
- A team member will go the first day to change the money with you.
- Don't change money at the airport, the exchange rate is low.
Health and vaccination
- We recommend basic travelling vaccinations as Hepatis B, Typhoid and Tetanus.
- Please inform us if you have any specific allergy or any medical condition (i.e. epilepsy or diabetes) that we should be aware of.
Please remember - the project is closed on Fridays.
However, we can still arrange airport pickup.
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Click here for more Volunteer Information
LIVING AT THE DHAKA PROJECT: (Open) +
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LIVING AT THE DHAKA PROJECT
Guest House facilities
- 7 rooms with twin beds with shared bathrooms.
- Kitchen set up for breakfast and simple cooking.
- Dining room.
- Common living room with TV, DVD, Books, Music system and internet access.
- Very cheap safe drinking water.
Rates (to become effective on 19th July, 2008)
- 1 to 7 days ............... 1,500 Taka/day (approx. 80.25 AED, 21USD, 15 EUR)
- 1 to 2 weeks ............ 1,250 Taka/day (approx. 67 AED, 17USD, 12.5 EUR)
- 2 to 3 weeks ............ 1,000 Taka/day (approx. 53,5 AED, 14USD, 10 EUR)
- More than 4 weeks .... 700 Taka/day (approx. 37.5 AED, 10USD, 7 EUR)
- These costs include:
1. Airport/Train/Bus Pickups, 2 meals (breakfast+lunch) from Saturday to Thursday).
2. Accommodation.
- Additionally, we will also be offering lunch for day visitors for 100 Taka/meal.
Food
- Local food is safe only when prepared by our project cook or recommended by ourselves.
- All meals are available on site (rice, noodles, vegetables, meat, dal, eggs, bread, butter, jam, etc...).
- Pizza, Chinese, Thai and Bangladeshi take-aways are available @ 300+ Take per person per meal.
- The local area does have a basic supermarket (milk, sugar, tuna, etc). We can show you the best places to shop!
- There are some excellent restaurants in town that we can recommend.
Drinks
- ONLY drink Mineral water and be sure it is sealed (we recommend washing your teeth with mineral water as well)
- Soft drinks like cola, fruit juice or chocolate milk are available at local shops.
Laundry
- A local 24 hour washing and ironing laundry service is available.
Transport
- Airport pick up and drop off will be arranged by TDP (inlcluded in Rates).
- Rickshaws, tuktuks and taxis are easily available - we will provide the averages rate so you know you're paying the right price!
- Minivan can be booked 24 hours in advance (2,500 Taka per day).
Tailoring
- The Dhaka Project's sewing shop can tailor tailor traditional dresses.
- Single color 2 piece in 48 hours, embroideries done in 5 days. Please remember to contact us in advance.
Goods Donations
- If you are bringing donations, please contact us in advance so we can ensure we're ready to receive them.
- Please do not bring sweets for the kids - they are banned from the project.
- Please contact us in advance to know what are our current urgent needs.
Local Behavior
- Bangladesh is a Muslim country - please respect the culture.
- Please do not give money to the kids in the project or on the street. It encourages them to beg instead of joining a school.
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Contact Us
I hope that is enough information. Please contact our Volunteer Manager if you have any other questions you need answering.
Maria Conceicao
Founder, The Dhaka Project
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How Volunteers can positively affect the lives of the children.
Volunteering at The Dhaka Project
Here are some examples :
Education and game playing
activities like drawing, painting, music, dance, children's
games, drama workshops, singing, organize treasure hunts,
take photographs of children and put together albums for
them. If you have computer skills, you can show the children
how a computer works. If you are sporty, you can help set up
sports programs. Volunteers help the children build
confidence, knowledge and a sense of belonging.
You will make a real difference to the lives of these
underprivileged children. The volunteer activities provide
the children with:
- Better opportunities for future employment and prospects
by learning basic English.
- Vital social skills and friendships through team building
activities.
- Basic hygiene, safety and health care skills in order to
improve their daily life.
- An understanding of the world beyond life in Bangladesh
through the passing on of your knowledge and life skills.
- An interest in newly learnt hobbies and skills.
- Friendship and integration back into society of ex-slum
dwelling children.
The emphasis is very much on the activities that the
volunteers want to do rather than a daily structured
itinerary. Any suggestions for new activities will be warmly
welcomed by The Dhaka Project's coordinators.
What is required of a Volunteer? Some helpful
hints are given below:
- A personal drive to make a difference to the lives of
others, and a good work attitude and eagerness to work as
part of a team for the benefit of others.
- Plenty of energy and enthusiasm and passion.
- You need to be adaptable and flexible.
- Have a sense of humor, willing and able to listen.
- Be culturally sensitive, freely accepting others and
their differences without discrimination.
Conclusion:
Immersing into the life of The Dhaka Project, volunteers have
a hugely rewarding experience as watching the children enjoy
themselves and improving their knowledge makes the visit,
time, effort and expense all so worthwhile.
Seeing abject poverty in the slums of Dhaka, seeing how The
Dhaka Project brings hope to very poor children, and
interacting with the children in different ways - all these
cumulatively left an indelible imprint on me.
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