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Youth Challenge International (YCI) is recruiting a team of six volunteers between the ages of 18 and 30 with diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds for a five-week youth development project in Nicaragua from February 23 to March 30, 2010.

Volunteers must be either Canadian or American citizens, landed immigrants or permanent residents to participate.

This exciting opportunity will include a pre-project distance-learning program, followed by an intensive five-week placement in Nicaragua. While in Nicaragua, you will work with Reto Juvenil Internacional, YCI’s partner, and the Nicaragua Sustainable Development Association (ANIDES) to further the reach and relevance of their youth development program.

KEY PROJECT ACTIVITIES:
• Improve health and nutrition by creating community gardens
• Develop the English language skills of children in the community and improve basic literacy levels
• Facilitate local youth involvement in program activities with a particular emphasis on leadership development and peer-to-peer education
• Promote Earth Charter principles and environmental education
• Mainstream gender equality and women’s rights
• Support the community in archaeological excavations.

RECOMMENDED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
• Experience in facilitation and community mobilization, preferably with youth
• Background in development, social science, engineering, physical education, teaching, nursing, health sciences or gender studies
• Training, experience or interest in youth programming, literacy, monitoring and evaluation, and/or international development
• Previous experience teaching English or literacy
• Experience leading workshops
• Experience working with at-risk, marginalized and/or indigenous populations
• Training in gender issues; proven effectiveness in cross-cultural settings
• Prior overseas experience an asset.

FUNDRAISING GOAL:
YCI’s volunteer participants are required to fundraise and/or contribute a minimum of $3,000 to contribute to YCI’s global youth development programs worldwide.

WHAT’S COVERED BY YCI:
• Preparatory support and pre-project distance learning
• In-country training
• Modest local accommodations and food
• In-country work-related travel
• Comprehensive medical and evacuation insurance

WHAT’S NOT COVERED:
• Airfare and personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Participants will be expected obtain the required vaccinations and take anti-malarials at their own expense

Please apply online using YCI's online application form available at http://www.yci.org/html/programs/overview/applynow.asp

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