1. You are working on long term projects

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Each individual/team should have their own project goal (e.g. classroom, sand dam, kitchen, community centre, rehabilitation centres), and this goal should be part of the ongoing long-term aims for the project. All projects should be for a minimum of 5 years and work with local project partners to ensure doing work that is needed and has been asked for. Organisations should not impose themselves or volunteers on the community - they should have approached us and work with us to develop the project for the best of the community and the teams that send out.

Working with long term partnerships in this way ensures that project partners understand what type of work a volunteer team can do and they can ask organisations to provide realistic and achievable project goals.

2.
Your money is going to the right place

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Organisations should provide all team members with a detailed cost breakdown, so you know exactly where your money goes. It is important that unskilled team members donate a sizeable proportion to our projects if unable to offer a skill. This pays for all your needs on the project, so volunteers are not burdening the communities they work with. It may also provides funds to buy materials to complete large projects to an exceptionally high standard. It is also essential that part of each person’s donation is set aside to provide long-term funding to project partners, so the project can be maintained once the group has left. You should also be involved in deciding where any left over project funds are spent. (You will have a very good idea by the time you finish your project).

3. You are travelling ethically and responsibly

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Ensure that the organisation has a responsible travel policy. One good way to ensure this is if the organisation employs its own fully qualified staff to manage all operations. You should never be sent off to join another company, unless they can guarantee a high level of service.


4. You are part of a team

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This will ensure that you live and work together towards the same goal, not only with people from your team but also with the local communities. The feeling of comradeship as you succeed and complete your project goal together is one of the main reasons for opting for a team expedition. It really does become a journey, as you face ups and downs together with the same common purpose.