ANNOUNCEMENT OF AFS INDIA SHORT TERM PROGRAMS 2018

This year you will find wide array of programs in terms of content, duration, countries, dates etc.

All AFS Short term program are created with a focus on Intercultural Learning of each and every participant and their overall development. Most AFS Programs as skill based programs such as Language Learning, Creativity, Sports orientated etc.

Following are the links to a list of Short Term Programs and Application Form. 

SHORT TERM PROGRAM 2018 

APPLICATION FORM

Please promote the programs in your respective chapters and give the schools and students a platform to be global in true sense. 

Volunteer Registration Fees

Volunteer Registration Fees

Membership Type	Volunteer	Returnee	Family (2-6 members)
1 Year	Rs 250	Rs. 175	Rs. 400
Lifetime	Rs. 4500	Rs. 3000	Rs. 7500

Dear Volunteer,

Greetings for the day!

Hope this mail finds you in good health. We would really want to encourage all our dear volunteers to share their volunteering experience with AFS in 350-500 words. 

It would be really nice if you could emphasize on the impact that volunteering with AFS had on you while writing your experience.. Also, kindly share few nice pictures (with captions) related to your experience. 

Last date : 28th October'17

Note : If your story doesn't get published this month, do not get disheartened we will make sure to publish it in the next edition of our newsletter or on our website and AFS IND Blog. 

If there is anything that you feel we all should know and is worth going on the AFS India newsletter then please feel free to share your write up any time of the month. 

Hope to get my mailbox full (joceline.joshy@afs.org) with your wonderful stories!!

Thank you. 

Take care. 

Have a great day!

Best regards,

Joceline Joshy

​Volunteer Support

Invitation for Training for Trainers organized by AFS Czech Republic on Active Citizenship in Central and Eastern Europe that is scheduled to happen on Tuesday, July 4, 6 pm - Sunday, July 9.

​​AFS CZE is organizing a training for our junior trainers and members of the Czech Pool of Trainers. The training is aimed at developing general trainer skills. As a leading topic of the training and particular activities, we choose Active Citizenship in Central and Eastern Europe.  

Themes and Objectives of the Training Course

The Training for Trainers organized by AFS CZE, except general trainer skills development, will also concentrate on the topic of Active Citizenship in Central and Eastern Europe. Our focus should reflect on both current events (social, political) happening in this part of Europe, but also the needs of our organization - we would like to address the link between intercultural learning and active responsible involvement in communities.

By gathering multipliers from different countries and providing them with relevant tools and skills we hope to create an interesting learning environment. Last, but not least, we hope that through exploring this topic, we can offer our participants a good starting position for taking a part as trainers in e.g. the ECTP (European Citizenship Trimestral Program) camp in Brussels, where they can further develop their skills and knowledge acquired during this Training for Trainers.

At the end of the training, participants will have time and space for designing their own training under the supervision of the trainers which will be then performed to an invited auditorium consisting from Czech volunteers and other participants.

This Training for Trainers will address 3 main points:

• Developing trainer competences
• Providing trainers with practical experience of training and group work
• Connecting current and future trainers from Central and Eastern European countries
• Topics ​T​easer​:​
• Active citizenship and AFS
• Session design and activity flow
• Expectation management
• Methodology and various methods for group and individual work
• Group dynamics and group development
• Reflection methods
• Evaluation done right
• … and much more!

Accommodation:
Since we are all young and agile people, we feel that paying large amounts of money for a hotel is a waste of resources. Therefore, we will organize accommodation at homes of other participants who live in Prague or ask volunteers from the Prague chapter to accommodate  participants of the training. In case not enough beds are found in Prague, we opt out for airBNB. We are aware that this option is slightly punk but we believe that it will foster a strong AFS feeling of socializing and getting to know new people.​

Application deadline: ​10th June, 2017​
​
Criteria: 

Registered Volunteers,
1 year of active involvement in chapter, must be able to represent India during training, should have knowledge & background of the chapter and organization, should be ready to share the knowledge and learning after coming back​

Fee: 110 EURO​ ​+ Airfare + Visa + Local Commute

The fee includes accommodation in Prague, all training sessions, materials and lunch during all days. ​Participants will need to take care of the airfare, visa & other local commute. ​

Volunteer Exchange Program to Switzerland

Hosting by Switzerland-9th October- 22nd October, 2017  |    Hosting in India -25th September-9th October, 2017   

Place- Zurich 

Please share your application forms by 20th May, 2017

Program Duration-2 weeks

Eligibility Criteria:

1. One has to be a registered volunteer and active – both at local level and/or national level

2. Should be willing to take part in both hosting and sending of the Volunteer Exchange Program

3. Preference will be given to those who have not participated in any exchange program earlier

4. One has to continue being active in the chapter for a minimum of 1 year after attending this Volunteer Exchange Program

5. Should have filled “AFS and You form” with activities with last one year's activities. 

6. Should have spoken English capabilities.

Important Note:

1. The Agenda and Eligibility criteria are subject to change depending on the requirement of the partner country

2. The volunteer is responsible for all the expenses which include travel, visa and other incidental costs

3. The volunteer is required to share a report about the exchange upon their return from the program as well as after completion of hosting participants from partner country

Interested volunteers are requested to please contact Priya Bhattacharya (priya.sen@afs.org) and Aadil Fahim (aadil.fahim@afs.org)​ for forms by 20th May, 2017. The forms received beyond the deadline will not be entertained.

The initial screening would be done by the National Office and only the shortlisted volunteers will be intimated.

Apply Today to Participate in PEACE Project | Deadline 10th May, 2017

​​An opportunity for participating in the PEACE project. PEACE stands for Peace in Europe and Asia through global Citizenship Education.

​The overall aim of the project is to develop a new sustainable 3-month secondary school exchange program between Asian and Europe called PEACE which recognises non-formal learning. In addition, the project aims at strengthening the volunteer force which supports the program, empowering them to take ownership of the PEACE program and making the volunteers themselves active global citizens.

​​During this visit, each European partner will visit their Asian pair​ (in India)​ to explore the local/national reality of global citizenship in Asia. The idea is to set up meetings with local and national organisations that work on global citizenship, but also explore the awareness of AFS volunteers and staff regarding the topic. These activities can be combined with a visit to the national AFS office​​.​ ​

After the country visits all participants (Asian and European) will meet in India to gather the findings.
This is where you'd be needed. ​

How to apply?

To participate in the PEACE project, you need to write a cover letter (word limit 800-1000 words) by answering these questions:

• How do you think this participating in the PEACE project will help you in your holistic growth?
• With your given background, cite examples of how you think you can help in strategizing and developing programs needed in the PEACE project?
• Have you worked on creating any programs in the fields of education and intercultural learning? If yes, provide examples.
• Have you had exposure of European c​​ulture? If yes, how do you create programs while keeping in mind both the aspects of Asian and European culture?
• How would you use acquired skills, tools & experiences in terms of benefiting yourself, your chapter & the organization?

Criteria to apply:

• Must be a registered volunteer with AFS India.
• Must submit the cover letter before deadline.
• Must not have attended any national or international event in last six months.

The dates for the event is 19th – 23rd June, 2017. (Arrival being 18th June & Departure being 24th June)
​Deadline: 10th May, 2017
​

Volunteer Exchange Program with Russia

Volunteer Exchange Program with Russia. ​

Hosting by Russia- late September-early October  |    Hosting in India - late October- early November

Place- Kirov region in Russia. Nearest airport- Domodedovo airport, Moscow. It's a 2-hour flight from Moscow or a 12-hour train ride. **

Please share your application forms by 30^th April, 2017.

Program Duration-2 weeks

Eligibility Criteria:

1. One has to be a registered volunteer and active – both at local level and/or national level

2. Should be willing to take part in both hosting and sending of the Volunteer Exchange Program

3. Preference will be given to those who have not participated in any exchange program earlier

4. One has to continue being active in the chapter for a minimum of 1 year after attending this Volunteer Exchange Program

5. Should have filled “AFS and You form”- Click HERE.

Important Note:

1. The Agenda and Eligibility criteria are subject to change depending on the requirement of the partner country

2. The volunteer is responsible for all the expenses which include travel, visa and other incidental costs

3. The volunteer is required to share a report about the exchange upon their return from the program as well as after completion of hosting participants from partner country

Interested volunteers are requested to please fill the attached form and share with Priya Bhattacharya (priya.sen@afs.org) and Aadil Fahim (aadil.fahim@afs.org)​ by 30^th April, 2017. The forms received beyond the deadline will not be entertained.

**From Moscow to reach Kirov region, the cost involved will be USD 100 to 200 extra, depending on the class of travel and the way chosen (train/plane) for a round trip. You can have extra days in Moscow or Saint Petersburg at your own expense. AFS Russia can help you to plan

 CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FORM

Appllications invited to  conduct orientation and represent AFS India for the pre-departure orientation in Italy for the group of Italian students.

Responsibilities -

1.     The volunteer should be able to conduct and facilitate the country-specific orientation during the orientation in Italy.

2.     Maintain regular & monthly contact with this group of Italian students (20 students) coming to India in 2017-18.

3.     Share updates with  Hosting Team of National office by every 22nd of every month, without fail till they complete their exchange journey.

4. Be the first point of contact for all the Italian students.

The orientation date would be in the last week of May'17 or early week of June'17.

This group of students would be given country-specific orientation for India.

This opportunity is open for hosting team volunteers in your respective chapters.

We invite the applications by 30th April'17 latest  So that we can finalise the name latest.

Please find enclosed the commitment form.

 

Kindly note: Applicant has to be at least W level before applying for this opportunity.

                                                       CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FORM

CHAPTER MEETING - APRIL 2017

INTERNATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS

April is International Autism Awareness month and DC being inclusive has been hosting events over the years with the objective of spreading awareness about Autism.

We begin with a special assembly on ‘Autism Awareness and how to help children who have Autism’ on 31^st March, 2017. The video message on Autism awareness by Mrs. Rashmi Ahuja, Headmistress Jr. School, will also be shown.  (Already uploaded on youtube)

This year DC will be organizing a drawing competition in association with ‘Arunaabh’ – an intervention center for the differently- abled in Indore. Around 80 students will be participating along with special children.

The details of the event are as follows

1) Name of the event – ‘Anhad’ (inner voice)

Date- 8^th April, 2017

Time 9.30 am to 11.00 am

Prize Distribution: 11.30 am (followed by tea)

Venue: The Daly College, (Jr .School) 

Theme:

Group  I- Class III – IV- School / Family / Nature / Fruit

Group  II- Class V- VI – Autism Awareness / Sharing and Caring

Participating schools : Shishukunj International, Emerald Heights, Indus Valley, Daly College, and special children from Arunabh and two other schools for special children.

 Ishita Marina John wins accolades in the World Language Fair

On March 18 2017,  AFSer Ishita Marina John participated in the World Language Fair for cultural dance in which she did an Indian dance and made a comparison between Spanish dances and Indian dances. She also participated in the Spanish Vocabulary Bee. 

She secured first position for the dance competition and second in Spanish Vocabulary Competition. She had a great experience and was very proud to share our Indian culture there.

Here is a link to the dance video by Ishita Marina John

https://youtu.be/XDoc1j-XCxM

Minutes of the Monthly Meeting by Chapter -15th March 2017

Minutes of the Monthly Meeting by Chapter

Chapter Name                         :         Indore

Month                                      :       March  2017

Date of meeting                       :         Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Prepared by                             :        Mrs.Vinita Dautkhane

Total Volunteers attended        :         33

S.No.	Agenda Points	Plan of Action	Responsible (Volunteer responsible for the Plan of action)	Deadline
1	Chapter funds	Chapter funds transferred to Emerald Heights Intl.  School	Ms. Anamika Singh, Emerald Heights appointed as the new Finance Co-ordinator	Done
2	Use of Chapter funds	Chapter fund to be used for community service - donation to Municipal Corporation	Mr. Siddharth Singh, Principal Emerald Heights International School	31st March 2017
3	Hosting programs 2017-2018	Hosting co-ordinators to finalise host families and block applicants from Italy and Thailand	Schools interested in hoisting	At the earliest
4	Sentio plus 18 programs	Dr. Sumer Singh and Mr. Siddharth Singh explained the relevance and benefits of this program and asked the volunteers to reach out to colleges. Dr. Singh gave the details of the academic programs offered to students by different universities under this program.	Mr. Siddharth Singh, Principal Emerald Heights International School
5	W Level Training for new volunteers	Schools to give the names of volunteers for the training programme. Training to be held in June.	Ms. Sarita Badhwar
6	Attendance in Education Forum April 2017	Dr. Sumer Singh gave the details of the event and urged volunteers to register on the website as soon as possible He also confirmed the cost waivers for different schools.	Educators from different schools to apply at the earliest	Before 31st March 2017
7	List of Office Bearers for the chapter elections	Shivala Sharma’s name proposed and accepted for the post of Sending Coordinator IPS.
8	Farewell Dinner	Emerald Heights to host the dinner at their premises	Nisha Ahmad Michelle Sisodiya	17th April 2017
9	Next Chapter Meeting	To be hosted by Choithram International		Date to be informed
10	Cluster meet for Sending, Hosting, Finance and Sentio	4 volunteers will be sent	Mrs. Asma Ansari       Sentio Ms. Anamika Singh            Finance Ms. Sarweshwari Singh Hosting Mrs. Shivala Sharma            Sending Dr. Rinku Joshi to be confirmed	scheduled at Delhi from May 11-14, 2017