the 4 month 2009 programme

Applications for the opportunities listed below are now open.

Last minute applications welcome - apply ASAP!

See below for available places

There are seven different projects you can get involved in across a number of continents. Four-month placements depart in March and April, the six-month placement departs in late January.

Below you'll find information on the projects and the programme as a whole. Please pay special attention to the dates of all the events as you must attend all pre-trip training to travel.

Interested in our 6 month team to Cambodia departing in January? click here for more information.

To apply, please download and fill out the forms on the application documents page.

Costs:

The cost of your trip will be £2800 PLUS the cost of your flight. The cost has risen £150 per trip since being originally advertised due to the costs of trips in country rising.

Please note that all costs are subject to change; this is due to the variable nature of overseas travel expenses.

To give you an idea of how much your flight may cost, prices from the 2008 trips are given below:

Bolivia £1026; Cambodia £857*; Malawi £784; Mexico £806; Peru £1026; Russia £500*; Rwanda £745*.

Please see our FAQs section for further details of what is included in the cost.

*the 2008 cost for Cambodia was for a 4 month trip, the cost for Rwanda was for a 4 week summer team (we did not run a 4 month team to Rwanda) and we are hoping to send the Russia team by train which will be cheaper and will also reduce your Carbon Footprint. we expect it to cost approximately £300; the cost of £500 was the price of the flight in 2007.

the projects

Listed below are the confirmed projects for the 2009 programme.

Bolivia Mosoj Yan

SPACES: for either girls or 2 guys - numbers must be even on this team

This project will best suit those who enjoy spending time with young people, as much of the work is about developing relationships with them rather than achieving specific tasks. The ability to speak some Spanish would also be a big advantage.

download project information : click here for the Mosoj Yan website

India Oasis

SPACES: for either 2 girls or 2 guys - numbers must be even on this team

This project will best suit those over 25 who are able to adjust to new situations quickly & work using their own initiative. It's less of a team experience, you'll probably have an individual placement and live with just one other of your team members in the home of a local Christian family.

download project information : click here for the Oasis India website

Malawi SU

NO SPACES AVAILABLE

This project will best suit people with a desire or ability to teach or communicate as the main focus of the time in Malawi will be helping Malawi SU to deliver an extensive 'life skills' teaching programme in local schools. In addition to this focus there will be plenty of opportunities to be involved in a variety of other aspects of SU's work and church life.

download project information : click here for the Scripture Union Malawi website

Mexico Amextra

SPACES: for girls

This project is most suited to people who are willing to serve in a wide variety of ways, have a good grasp of Spanish or a willingness to learn it and are comfortable with the idea of being in a smaller group of 4 and also living with a family in the community in which you work. The current plan is for 2 groups of 4 people to work in the Lomas and Ajusco regions connected with AMEXTRA's work.

download project information : click here for the Amextra website

Peru Warmys Association

NO SPACES AVAILABLE

This project is for people who are willing to serve wherever the need is (material, spiritual or emotional), who are motivated and driven; committed to being part of a team. In addition to Spanish language skills, those with teaching skills and a willingness to get stuck in with agricultural work are encouraged to apply.

download project information : click here for the Warmys website

Russia Salvation Centre

SPACES: for either girls or guys

Another project for those who are over 25, with an adventurous nature, ability to take initiative; those who love spending time building relationships. The current plan is for the team to travel by train so you'll experience quite a different trip to many other transform experiences. It's a diverse project often requiring you to use and discover new skills, helping beneficiaries in their life journey by spending quality time with them.

download project information : click here for the Salvation Centre website

Rwanda RDIS

NO SPACES AVAILABLE

A project for those with the ability or desire to teach people, especially young people. Using initiative is vital and being willing to travel whilst on placement to work with a variety of projects is too. Building will form part of your work while in Rwanda as well as teaching and you must be willing to be flexible and open to working in a wide variety of projects while away.

download project information : click here for the RDIS website

THERE IS ALSO A SIX MONTH PLACEMENT IN CAMBODIA LEAVING JANUARY, CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE.

Please note that all teams are subject to gaining enough applications to make them viable; also, if a partner's circumstances change the team may be cancelled.

the programme

The main aspect of the programme is the four months spent overseas working with a Tearfund partner. There is however a great deal more to this whole experience both before and after the trip, which Transform and Tearfund view as being vitally important.

The following guide is there to serve both as a reminder of when these events are taking place but also to give you some idea of the purpose of the event.

All of the following events are inclusive in the cost of the programme.

The 2009 four month programme timeline:

Applications for the 2009 programme are open; the application deadline is 30th September 2008.

10th and 11th October 2008 : Interview and Briefing days : Teddington Baptist Church.

The main purpose of this event is for Transform staff to conduct a 30 minute one-to-one interview with applicants to assess their suitability for the programme and for applicants to expand on the information given in their application form. The day will also include a presentation on Tearfund, Transform and the ethos of the Four-month programme. There will also be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and to meet and chat with fellow applicants. More detailed information about the projects will also be made available.

Applicants will be informed about options for day and time slot for their interview by email soon after they have applied. You would only be required to attend one of the two dates and for about 3-4 Hours in total. Basically for either a morning or afternoon session.

Week beginning Monday 26th October 2008: Letter confirming final outcome of interview days.

Transform will write to you to confirm decisions made following the final interview and briefing day. If you are offered a place on the programme it will be a provisional place and will include the name of the team and which orientation you will be required to attend.

1st - 5th December 2008: Oakwood Youth Challenge Centre, near Bracknell. Orientation 1 for the following teams: Cambodia:CHO, India;Oasis, Mexico:AMEXTRA and Rwanda:RDIS

More specific details about timings, content and purpose of the orientation will be available at the interview and briefing days in October.

This training event will be the first opportunity participants have to meet with their team and to begin the process of team building and gearing up for the trip together. Team building is one of many important aspects to this training week. As well as several sessions dedicated to this, the orientation will also cover numerous other subjects including 'What is poverty?' 'Cultural Awareness' 'Health and Safety' and an initial session on your country and project. There will also be the opportunity for participants to take part in some 'outdoor pursuits' during the week.

19th - 23rd January 2009 : Oakwood Youth Challenge Centre, near Bracknell. Orientation 1 for the following teams: Bolivia:Mosoj Yan, Malawi:SU, Peru:Warmys and Russia:Salvation Centre. The Tanzania GoMAD Team will also orientate at this event.

This event will also be the send off for the 6 month Cambodia:CHO team.

More specific details about timings, content and purpose of the orientation will be available at the interview and briefing days in October. Please read the description from the above orientation for more details.

8th - 10th March 2009: Oakwood Youth Challenge Centre, near Bracknell.

Second orientation and departure. This event will be for the India, Mexico and Rwanda teams going in March. The teams will then depart from the Oakwood centre for the airport.

5th - 7th April 2009: Oakwood Youth Challenge Centre, near Bracknell.

Second orientation and departure. This event will be for the Bolivia, Malawi, Russia and Peru teams going in April. The teams will then depart from the Oakwood centre for the airport.

The Tanzania GoMAD team will also orientate and depart from this event.

Week beginning 27th July 2009: Debriefs for Rwanda, Cambodia and Mexico teams. The debriefs will be held at Tearfund's Head Office in Teddington.

Week beginning 17th August 2009: Debriefs for Bolivia, India, Malawi, Russia and Peru teams. The debriefs will be held at Tearfund's Head Office in Teddington.

This is an opportunity for you as a team to do some more in depth reflection and post project work with a trained UK Registered Psychotherapist and BACP Registered Practitioner from InterHealth. It is a really valuable and helpful part of reflecting on your experiences after you return to the UK.

Most debriefs will be an afternoon half day event, if this is not the case you will be advised otherwise. Please arrive at Tearfund on your teams allocated date for 12.30pm for lunch. The debrief will run from 2-4.30pm. More details about this event will be explained at send off orientations and also in your welcome home pack on returning from your trip.

Please note that debrief dates are subject to confirmation and may change.

October 2009: Journey - a weekend for students
23rd - 25th October or 30th October - 1st November 2009. This will be confirmed as soon as possible.

We hope that your Transform trip is just one step in an ongoing journey for you. And this weekend is an opportunity to gather together with other students and think about the journey ahead. What does acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God look like now we’re home? (Micah 6:8). We're going to spend time worshipping, hearing from speakers who are living the life and making space for conversations and debate. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see your team again, connect with like-minded people and get inspired to stay on the journey.

We'd love to see you there.