For tens of millions of people around the world, volunteering is an expression of support for a principle that strikes to the heart of the United Nations system: that by working together, we can make the world a better place for everyone.

This principle has driven millions of people to participate in activities which have affected millions of other lives. On campus, UWISE is working do its part to expose students to opportunities to volunteer and give something to society.

In 2006 five students were sent to a project of the Religious Youth Service in Jamaica, where they became Youth Ambassadors for Peace. Two of them were also involved in training to faciliitate international projects. Last year, three others were sent to Suriname where they also became Youth Ambassadors for Peace, and in addition, Campus Volunteer Day 1 & 2  came off with great success. Volunteers participated in three projects around Trinidad and Tobago all coordinated on one day in CVD 1, and in CVD 2 we returned to Chacachacare Island for another beach cleanup after the semester closed.

As a result of the stirring response to a call for volunteers, we have decided to expand our volunteer opportunities, and have therefore included this section in our website with information on volunteer opportunities. 

The list is shown on the left in the menu, and will be updated regularly with new opportunities. If you would like to be updated about newly added opportunities, sign up to join UWISE here.

In order to ensure that we always advertise projects of high quality, we screen the projects we are offering. Some of the organisations with which we will be advertising projects are listed below, with a short introduction to who they are, what they are about.

Come back for more information as we list more projects and partner with more organisations

DON'T FORGET TO CHOOSE A PROJECT ON THE LEFT! 

YMCA of Trinidad and Tobago - http://www.ymcatt.org
The Young Men's Christian Association was founded in London, England, on June 6, 1844, in response to unhealthy social conditions arising in the big cities at the end of the Industrial Revolution (roughly 1750 to 1850). Today, YMCAs are found all over teh world, and at the 6th World Council meeting in Kampala, Uganda, in July 1973, adopted at the same time a declaration of principles where they make teh following cmomitments. 

1. To work for equal opportunity and justice for all.
2. To work for and maintain an environment in which relationships among people are characterised by love and understanding.
3. To work for and maintain conditions, within the YMCA and in society, its organisations and institutions, which allow for honesty, depth and creativity.
4. To develop and maintain leadership and programme patterns which exemplify the varieties and depth of Christian experience.
5. To work for the development of the whole person.

Religious Youth Service - http://www.religiousyouthservice.org
The RYS is a service-learning project with a special focus on building personal leadership and peacemaking skills through service. Also woven into the schedule for each project is time to experience the local culture and community as well as do some sightseeing in the country hosting the project.  

Interreligious Peace Sports Festival - http://www.ipsfestival.org
The Interreligious Peace Sports Festival creates an environment where participants can share and compete in the sport they love. The IPSF provides athletes a chance to gain a global perspective on life while offering numerous opportunities for the free and dynamic exchange of culture, idea and the gift of friendship.

During the Sports Festival, our opening ceremony, cultural and educational sessions, spiritual and service programs as well as personal encounters, provide a unique opportunity to offer the best things we as individuals an teams have learned and inherited: our character, our culture and especially our faith.