| SStS PARTNERSHIPS!
We are often asked how we initiate an introduction with non-governmental organizations. The best adjectives to describe all of our first contacts are "informal and varied." To date, our relationships with NGO's have been started by introductory phone calls after internet research, direct contacts through friends, and introductions through other NGO's. With a bit of creativity and keen passion for our work, we find that this step is the easiest: the partnerships often present themselves.
SStS PARTNERSHIP PROCESS:
The challenging yet rewarding work is establishing a professional partnership with potential host NGO's. After conversations - usually email exchanges - to establish kindred spirit and like philosophies, we ask the NGO's to send us a proposal, addressing the myriad standards we have related to safety and quality of experience.
You might be interested to know that we ask our prospective NGO's
to provide the following:
- Expertise and a history of working with, rather than for, the community;
- A demonstrated need for untrained, high school aged volunteers;
- A goal of helping communities work towards creating independent and sustainable;
We also ask for the following from our NGO partners:
- Projected costs
;
- Travel recommendations;
- Biographical sketches of NGO leaders;
- Door-to-door itinerary;
- A local guide who stays with us during the trip;
- Home stay arrangements;
- Clear strategies for any degree of potential medical intervention;
- Organization of cultural experiences;
- Details and organization of project work;
- Arrangements for in-country travel and room-and-board.
If believe we can arrange a strong, respectable, and trustworthy relationship with the NGO, we send a trip leader to the specific area for a complete, first-hand analysis and reconnaissance.
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