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The YOG Code of Practice and Terms and Conditions
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The YOG Charter, signed up to each year
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Provide annual Accounts
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Have a crisis and risk policy in place, together with trained staff
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Have public liability insurance of at least £2 million
Organisations that comply with these conditions give volunteers the re-assurance and support that may be essential and will provide help and assistance if required.
LETTER OF THANKS FROM A PARENT:
"I will focus on two significant issues which gave me great
comfort as a Mother with a boy in South Africa. RJ's first
placement was at a township school in Knysna (on the Indian
Ocean) working with the students in the areas of voice and
guitar. He lived in a home with other volunteers, not with
a family. Shortly after arriving he could not find his
wallet. He went through the usual retracing of steps etc.
He had no money or credit cards at that point. Luckily he
had his passport. Travellers Worldwide facilitated the
transfer of funds, accommodating RJ in every way possible
during this time. When I thanked them in emails and
apologized for the bother, their response was always, "that
is why we are here." Subsequently they also made sure
that the replacement credit card I sent went to them at a
secure address.
My second and perhaps more important reason for so respecting this organization is their suggestion that RJ change his plans for the second month of his stay in South Africa. About two weeks into his placement at the township school he found out that the other volunteers were leaving early. RJ would have been the only volunteer left for the second month.
RJ assumed he would just deal with this, but Travellers approached him with several alternative placements as soon as they realized he would be the only volunteer. They took the initiative on this, recognizing that this would be a lonely experience for him during his free time. They found a placement for him which worked with his pre-scheduled flight to Cape Town at the end of that second month. He worked at a wildlife sanctuary experiencing a totally different side of South Africa than during his month at the township school. If anything I would say this second placement stands out more for him in hindsight, although, during the first he would report to us how rewarding it was to teach and see the children progress. He is planning on a teaching career in the Performing Arts (he is now a sophomore at Middlebury College), so clearly the experience was positive"
From Anne Adler, Richard Adler's mother (South Africa Volunteer)
LETTER OF THANKS FROM GERALDINE BORG, A VOLUNTEER ON THE INDIA PROGRAMME:
Hi Dear Robin, Karen and Pradeep [Travellers Staff in India],
It's been two weeks since I got home and I am still walking in the clouds. I can't believe I was so privileged as to have been in India just a few weeks ago! It had been a wish of mine to go to India for a number of years, but somehow the time had never been right. Travellers helped one of my dreams come true! After my first somewhat slow week, everything went so well. I loved both my placements, enjoyed living at Anita's so much, got on very well with the other volunteers, enjoyed travelling in India, and appreciated and loved everything Indian. Thank you for having been there for me. It really is amazing that nothing was ever a problem for Pradeep or Robin and that anything needing sorting, was sorted so quickly.
Pradeep - Thanks for your support, company and for sharing your knowledge about Indian culture with me. Thanks for being the vital link to the placements.
Robin - It was great to be your neighbour. It was reassuring to have someone from Travellers living so close. You were the first friend I made upon arriving in Madurai and I really appreciate your offering your friendship and company when the other volunteers had not arrived yet. It was also really kind of you whenever you offered use of your computer and internet from your office, as well as the first call to my family on y first day. Furthermore, I really appreciated your observations about me.
Karen - Thanks for your support and for all the helpful info you gave me before I left for India; and for the emails you wrote to me while I was there. It was great to get to meet you in the last days. You were always very prompt and practical - thanks!
I miss you all! Thanks, from the bottom of my heart! Geraldine :-)
