Since its inception, Global Service Corps has endeavored to not only provide meaningful volunteer experiences abroad but to also develop and implement sustainable and appropriate community service projects in local areas in which our volunteers serve.

Working in collaboration with respected international non governmental organizations (NGOs) and multi-lateral organizations, GSC has developed well respected and effective Community Training Programs. GSC has, as a result of this longstanding collaborative approach and success, gained NGO status in both Tanzania and Thailand in recognition of the organization’s international development work in these countries. GSC projects have regularly been recognized for excellence by the communities they serve.

GSC International Development Projects in Tanzania

Global Service Corps is involved in various community development projects in the city of Arusha and the surrounding Arusha and Meru Districts.

•  The HIV/AIDS Education & Prevention Program trains volunteers to work with rural people in prevention activities. 80% of participants in the rural trainings during 2007 elected to receive voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) at the final training session. In 2007, local partners funded a program to improve training methods for peer educators, teachers and GSC volunteers. GSC provided a comprehensive training that has increased its capacity to further serve Tanzania youth. A pilot project has been initiated to assist hospital staff to introduce computerized records and telemedicine in rural hospitals. In secondary schools, short-term day camps have been introduced in which peer educators teach HIV/AIDS prevention techniques and life skills to their fellow students. GSC volunteers will participate in follow-up training during the current school year.

•  The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program in Tanzania provided extensive training to over 40 farmer groups in 2007 and has provided introductory trainings to hundreds of groups since 2001. Efforts are being made to obtain organic certification for some of the farmers so they may have greater access to local markets. In addition, a new emphasis is being placed on promoting high output “sack gardens” for HIV positive families to improve their diet and ensure food security. In 2008, the Sustainable Agriculture Program will expand its activities to include poultry vaccination to prevent the spread of avian flu. GSC program expansion activities in Tanzania will also include recruiting more long-term volunteers, interns and fellows to ensure project sustainability and initiating a program in which GSC volunteers assist local NGOs in their on-going community development work.

GSC International Development Projects in Thailand

•  In 2006, GSC began planning with the Bangkok office of Programs for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) for a program to address the rising rate of HIV transmission among Thai young people. The result of this planning and preparation was the first ever ‘English for Life’ summer camp program in June and July of 2007. These weekend camps focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and education, sexuality education, and life skills training. Camps were conducted primarily in English, giving these young students the opportunity to practice their English with native speakers and their fellow campers. The camps were held in six different locations throughout Thailand from northernmost Ubonratchatani to the southernmost Nakornsritammarat. Nearly 300 Thai secondary school students and 45 of their teachers participated in the camps, along with 21 GSC Thailand volunteers, PATH technical staff, and GSC in-country staff.

GSC is currently providing much needed follow-up HIV/AIDS prevention and education assistance in selected secondary schools that participated in the camps. GSC volunteers work with local teachers to plan and implement lessons and activities for students ranging from M1 to M6 (7th to 12th grades) to provide students with basic knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention methods. Besides the increase in awareness provided by this assistance, Thai students and teachers continue to improve their English-speaking proficiency, a skill highly valued and important to Thailand in the globalized world. GSC is also investigating the possibility of and looking for funding for continuing the highly successful EFL camps. Realizing the great need for these types of development programs, GSC is working to expand the EFL HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Program to further spread education to more Thai young people.