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Volunteer in South Dakota
The Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation is home to around 15,000 residents and lies within two of the poorest counties in the United States. The unemployment rate is high, occasionally reaching over 75% in some areas, and the majority of families live at or below the poverty level (according to USA standards). As much as 50% of the population of the reservation is under the age of 18 years old, which means that youth and outreach programs have become vitally important to securing a viable future for the Lakota people. .: The ProgramVolunteers will work with children aged from 4 to 18 years old. During the school term the youth centre is open in the afternoons and during the summer holidays it is open all day. There is no typical day at the centre and activities will vary according to the time of the year and how many children are at the centre.Activities include: Library time, arts and crafts, helping with homework, working in the organic garden, outdoor games, serving meals, fundraising drives within the community, helping with general upkeep of the centre. In addition, volunteers with particular skills, for example language or sporting skills, will be encouraged to implement their own programs with the children. .: Program LocationThe youth centre is located in Eagle Butte. With a population of around 3000, it is the largest town on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation and the center of tribal government. The reservation is situated in the mid-west state of South Dakota, bordering North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota. The reservation encompasses approximately 2.8 million acres of rolling prairie land. Volunteers are housed at the youth centre in dormitory-style accommodation..: Program RequirementsAs a volunteer in South Dakota you must:
.: Program ScheduleVolunteers can arrive on any day of the month and the program runs year-round. Volunteers can choose to volunteer from 8 weeks to 6 months. Longer-term positions may be arranged on a case-by-case basis and large groups of volunteers can arrange to volunteer for a shorter period..: Program CostThe costs of the program are as follows:Global Volunteer Network - Application Fee: US $350.00. The application fee covers administration, marketing, program information, and communication. (This fee is paid to us before you leave for South Dakota). South Dakota Program Fee:
The program fee covers in-country coordination and administration, food and accommodation, as well as transport to and from the airport. (This fee is paid to us 8 weeks before you leave for South Dakota). The other costs you will need to meet are: your flights to South Dakota, visa (if required), travel insurance (required) and corresponding airport departure taxes. .: Frequently Asked QuestionsWe have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.Click here .: Volunteer JournalsIf you would like to read about the experiences of some of our volunteers who are currently overseas, you can do so here. This journal service is provided free to all our volunteers.Click here .:Application ProcessAll, applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form via the link below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program. (2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance. (3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will refund your application fee if you decide not to go. (4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, our volunteer partner will contact you to ensure everything is organized. Our volunteer partner will also request that you send them a copy of your CV, passport and degrees. This is to help them find an appropriate placement for you. We will also send you the link to our program guide, which covers topics such as country information, travel links, visa application process, and fundraising ideas. (5) Communication & Support: Throughout the application process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going. To apply for this program, click here. |
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