Ashoka Volunteer Newsletter
December 2006
Contents:
ASHOKA YEAR-END REFLECTIONS
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES -- New Listings
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES -- Archives
ASHOKA FELLOWS IN THE NEWS
ABOUT THE ASHOKA VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
December 2006
Dear Ashoka Volunteers,
A deep thank you for your continued enthusiasm and support of Ashoka and social
entrepreneurship! Our Ashoka Fellows and staff around the world trust and admire your
generous, consistent and reliable contributions to their work – translation, strategic
planning, and in-person assistance. We hope you have the found the opportunity to
connect with their innovative work equally meaningful. On behalf of all Ashoka staff and
Fellows, thank you for the invaluable service and encouragement you provide.
On the conclusion of Ashoka’s 25th anniversary year, we wanted to share a few
highlights and reflections:
- This year we welcomed 150 new leading social entrepreneurs selected as
Ashoka Fellows, including our first Ashoka Fellows in Lebanon, Afghanistan,
Palestine, Spain, France, Germany, and Ireland.
- Over 30 Ashoka Fellows won national and international awards, including
Mandira Sharma (Nepal), winner of the 2006 Human Rights Watch Award, Arvind
Kejriwal (India), winner of the 2006 Magsaysay Award, and of course Global
Academy Member Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank and winner
of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.
- An unprecedented 230 Fellows from across Latin America gathered in Buenos
Aires, Argentina in August to celebrate Ashoka’s 25th anniversary. Led jointly by
Ashoka Fellows and staff, participants reflected on the past 25 years while
looking forward to key challenges they hope to tackle collectively over the next
25 years.
As we look forward to the next quarter century, we see an integrated global community
of Ashoka Fellows, staff, partners, volunteers and friends collaborating to build a
community more powerful than the sum of its parts. A community of creativity, passion,
empathy, and collective action. A community where everyone is a changemaker!
To strengthen this community, we need your help! As you generously volunteer your
time and expertise (see the array of new volunteer opportunities below!), please also
consider a financial investment [https://invest-ashoka.org/01/invest_in_ashoka] in
Ashoka. Please do what you can – there is no higher yielding, more important
investment!
Thank you, and best wishes for the New Year,
Scott Rechler, Peggy Carr, Beth Inabinett, and Bethany Brady
P.S. On a more personal note we offer a hearty congratulations to Bethany Brady
Spalding – Ashoka volunteer and volunteer coordinator – who welcomed into the world a
beautiful baby daughter on December 2, 2006.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES – New Listings
Volunteer Translation Services
Translation of Documents from Spanish to English
Virtual
Ashoka’s Andean Region office requests multiple volunteers in December and January
to translate important documents from Spanish to English. Documents include Ashoka
Fellows’ progress reports as well as resumes, idea sheets, and proposals from potential
candidates for Fellowship which will be analyzed by our English speaking interviewer
during the selection process. Volunteers should commit to translating on a deadline at
least one entire document of approximately 10-15 pages.
Qualified volunteers should be native English speakers and extremely proficient in
Spanish.
If interested contact Natalie Zuniga, Fellowship Coordinator, at natalie@ashoka.org.pe
or +1 973-998-6429
Translation Between Spanish and English
Virtual
Ashoka’s Southern Cone office, based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is looking for a
volunteer to translate documents from Spanish to English, as well as from English to
Spanish. A qualified volunteer should be fluent in both languages and would be helpful
at any time for any duration.
If interested, please contact Victoria Emanuelli at victoria@ashoka.org.ar or
info@ashoka.org.ar
Translation from Spanish to English
Virtual
Fundación Soles, led by Cecilia Dockendorf (Ashoka Fellow, Chile), seeks a volunteer to
translate their web site from Spanish to English over 1-2 months. The text contains
general and sociological information and has about 7,000 words. A qualified volunteer
should be a native English speaker, with good command of Spanish (ideally a
professional translator).
If interested, please contact Juanita Arroyo at jarroyo@soles.cl or fundacion@soles.cl
Volunteer with Ashoka Regional Offices
Support Ashoka Fellows Traveling in the United Kingdom
London
Ashoka in the UK provides support to Ashoka Fellows from across the globe who pass
through the UK. This may include conducting research for their organizations, hosting
them in your homes, providing general logistic support, or helping to introduce them to
supportive individuals or organizations.
If you are interested in meeting these remarkable individuals and donating some of your
time to their cause, please contact Silvia Giovannoni at infouk@ashoka.org
Volunteer with Ashoka’s Global Office
Assist the Executive Team
Arlington, VA
Ashoka’s Executive Office is seeking a self-motivated and enthusiastic volunteer to
assist in the day-to-day activities of the EO team. A consistent part of the volunteer’s
activities will involve tracking and distributing EO correspondence and assisting with the
distribution of articles, publications, and introductory Ashoka materials. This volunteer
may also help in assisting with other long-term projects as needed.
Qualifications include:
 An interest in learning the functions of an executive office.
 Strong interpersonal skills to effectively interact with all levels of staff.
 Good oral and communications skills to effectively present information.
 Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team.
 Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications.
 Flexibility and Enthusiasm
Qualified candidates should be able to make a minimum three month commitment and
work four to six hours each week.
If interested, please contact Shannon Howard at showard@ashoka.org
Research Potential Staff Candidates
Virtual
Ashoka’s Recruitment team is looking for a volunteer to research potential staff
candidates, reporting by memo to the sourcing team and updating the online
spreadsheet. Qualified candidates should have familiarity with internet search engines,
basic use of MS Excel, and good writing and editing skills. Volunteer help is needed in
December with further engagement to be determined.
If interested, contact Chaula Kothari at ckothari@ashoka.org.
Profile Candidates for Fellowship and Help with Other Writing Projects
Virtual
Ashoka needs writers to help edit Ashoka Fellow profiles. An integral part of the Fellow
selection process, the profile summarizes all the interviews and panel discussions.
Ashoka’s global board of directors decides on candidacies based on these profiles, and
the profiles are also posted to Ashoka’s website highlighting each Fellow’s new idea,
their insights in identifying social problems, and their creative solutions.
Volunteers will help primarily with final revisions of profiles for the board and the website,
as well as with other writing projects on an on-going basis throughout the year.
Interested applicants should send resumes and writing samples to Stephanie Savell at
ssavell@ashoka.org.
Institution Building with Youth Venture’s Young Innovator’s Initiative
Arlington, VA
Youth Venture, an Ashoka sister organization, seeks a part- or full-time volunteer to
design and prepare staff handbooks, an orientation package for new hires, and report on
success stories from across the world. Youth Venture supports young people as social
entrepreneurs, encouraging them to start and lead their own organizations.
Qualified volunteers should be strong in both writing and design, creative and detail
oriented. A minimum of eight hours a week is requested (two half days a week) for as
long as the volunteer is available. This position is located at the Global Office in
Arlington, Virginia, easily accessed by the Rosslyn metro station.
If interested, please contact Ms. Xing Hu, at xhu@ashoka.org, or 703-600-8205.
Community Greens
Arlington, VA or virtual
Community Greens, an Ashoka initiative, works to help improve social and
environmental conditions in cities and suburbs across the country by creating
resplendent shared gardens that are owned and managed by the residents whose
homes enclose them (see www.communitygreens.org for more details). Community
Greens is looking for volunteers in the following areas:
Marketing and Outreach:
 Create a toolkit: “How to Create Community Greens” and gear it toward 3
different audiences: homeowners, municipal leaders, landscape
architects/developers.
 Assist in outreach to new constituency groups – including creating new marketing
materials.
 Media outreach – compose articles, find placements for publication; find
documentary film maker interested in chronicling the social and political process
of developing a real community green.
 Fundraising - Help create donor data base and tracking system; research related
to likely supporters; call on donors; write proposals.
Scientific/Professional:
 Use the GIS-model created by American Forests, CITY Green, to determine the
environmental benefits of community greens in specific settings. (Volunteer must
have access to proper GIS software.).
 Long-term study and social examination of the interaction of people on a green
vs. those not on a green.
 Aid with the creation of a certification program for Community Greens.
Administrative:
 Update, maintain and improve the web site (Drupal skills required).
 Write and distribute periodic newsletters and year-end appeals.
 Other research and assignments as needed.
All volunteers will have the opportunity to do substantive work and will work directly with
the director of the program. While volunteers may work virtually (off site), regular
meetings, deadlines, and deliverables are a must.
If interested, please email cover letter and resume directly to the director, Kate Herrod,
at: kherrod@ashoka.org.
Volunteer with an Ashoka Fellow
Employment Opportunity with Rugmark Foundation USA
Washington, D.C.
Rugmark Foundation USA – the US branch of Rugmark, founded by Kailash Satyarthi
(Ashoka Fellow, India) – is looking to employ a Communications Specialist. Rugmark
USA, based in Washington, DC, is a nonprofit organization working to end illegal child
labor in the handmade rug industry. Rugmark certifies handmade rugs from India,
Nepal, and Pakistan as child labor-free; rescues and rehabilitates working children; and
offers consumers the choice to purchase carpets bearing the Rugmark label.
Rugmark is currently in an exciting strategic growth phase, focused on making products
with the Rugmark certification known and more widely available in the U.S. The
Communications Specialist will be part of a three-person team that will launch and
execute a national consumer awareness campaign. The goal of the campaign is to
increase the market-share of Rugmark-certified rugs to 15% in the next 10 years, thus
eliminating illegal child labor in the carpet industries of India, Nepal and Pakistan. The
Communications Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that Rugmark’s campaign
and organizational messages are well-communicated throughout all of its outreach,
including its website, brochures, press releases, business partner tool kits, consumer
organizing materials, and annual report. They will also be responsible for event planning,
building media relationships, and securing targeted partnerships with non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) that can help to build the Rugmark brand through grassroots
mobilization.
The qualified applicant should have:
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3-5 years of communications and marketing experience, preferably in a socially
responsible business environment.
Experience managing successful communications campaigns.
Proven track record securing high-profile media placements.
Background in event planning and organizing.
Experience with Web marketing.
Knowledge of how to build and engage partner networks to participate in
communications campaigns.
Excellent writing, interpersonal, presentation, and organizational skills.
Willingness to travel.
To Apply, please email resume and cover letter (explaining why your skills and
experience are suitable for this position) to: Helena Brykarz, Contract Recruiter Global
Recruitment Specialists P.O. Box 7382 Berkeley, California (CA) 94707 Tel / Fax: 510527-3316 E-mail: HBrykarz@GlobalRecruitment.net URL: www.globalrecruitment.net
Teach English to Learning-Disabled High School Students
Santiago, Chile
Helena Todd (Ashoka Fellow, Chile) seeks volunteers a) to teach English in a poor high
school outside of Santiago, and b) with pre- or post-graduate engineering or technical
training to assist with project administration. Helena has developed the Cognition,
Development, and Learning method designed to treat learning disorders in economically
disadvantaged and understimulated children, with the goal of keeping them from failing
in school. Her holistic model integrates intellectual, social, and emotional development
techniques with active family participate to promote confidence and academic success.
Volunteers should be comfortable with Spanish, share a love of children and an ability to
work with families as well as with project staff. Qualified candidates should have an
independent personality with a capacity to problem-solve and work within the norms and
principles of the organization. Volunteers should be able to stay for a minimum of three
months, ideally from April through June or from August through December, and will be
supported therapeutically in order to ensure a good experience.
If interested, contact cdamartinich@yahoo.es
Help Expand Recycling Cooperative
Minas Gerais, Brazil or virtual
Luiz Tadeo Damaschi (Ashoka Fellow, Brazil) seeks a volunteer for his Cooperative
which collects recyclable material, employing 15 low-income families. Luiz is a leading
advocate of environmental change in Sao Paulo and has pioneered the “greening” of the
industrial city. The Cooperative operates a broom factory that produces brooms from
bottles. He would like help in expanding the Cooperative, which entails raising funds to
acquire a new truck and build new storage. He also requests help in finding project
partners and buyers for the Co-op’s brooms.
If interested in helping Luiz Damaschi on site in Minas Gerais or virtually, please contact
him at coletaseletiva@uflanet.com.br
Advise on Systems, Production and Inventory for Life in Africa
Kampala and Gulu, Uganda
Christina Jordan (Ashoka Fellow, Uganda) seeks multiple volunteers for her organization
Life in Africa. Life in Africa is a global community of people committed to Africa and
promotes innovations in community development. Their Webbed Empowerment
Centers in Kampala and Gulu are looking for the following qualified individuals:
Systems Advisor for 6-8 weeks; 70% in Kampala and 30% in Gulu
Integrate and streamline the recordkeeping systems that handle craft and coop
payments, micro-loans, group production points, inventory, and member participation in
community building activities. The volunteer should be well-versed in computerized
office administration and database applications. The ideal person might be a retired
accountant or manager with experience in an integrated services or manufacturing
company. Accommodations are available nearby in Kampala for $10/day. A similarly
priced guesthouse with full board is available in Gulu.
Production Advisor for 6 weeks; 50% in Kampala and 50% in Gulu
In the context of Life in Africa's Recycling for Peace program, this volunteer will help to
organize small groups of producers learning to make crafts from locally collected
recyclables for export. The challenge is to increase the group’s craft output and quality,
while at the same time ensuring that both skilled and unskilled members of the
community are able to participate in and learn all aspects of production. The ideal
person will have experience in developing low-tech production processes and/or artistic
craft design, and will offer a well rounded general perspective on selling handmade craft
products in global markets. Accommodations are described above.
Inventory Management Advisor for 5 weeks; 80% in Kampala and 20% in Gulu
Life in Africa currently buys over 5,000 craft items per month from community members
for export and local sale. The advisor will help us improve our existing intake, quality
control, storage, inventory movement tracking, and order fulfillment systems. S/he will
also advise on creating better displays and sales recording systems at both Webbed
Empowerment Center Galleries. The ideal candidate would have wholesale/retail
sales background with inventory database management experience. Accomodations
are described above.
If interested contact Christina Jordan at christina4lia@yahoo.com. For more information
about Life in Africa please visit http://lifeinafrica.com
Provide Fundraising, Translation, Computer and Survey Assistance for Rain
Harvesting Center
Virtual and on-site in Chennai, India
Sekhar Raghavan (Ashoka Fellow, India), founder of the first rainwater harvesting center
in India, seeks volunteers in fundraising, translation, and computer assistance. The Rain
Centre requests help with fundraising for implementing rainwater harvesting systems in
orphanages, old age homes, and slums (can be done virtually)
They also need translators who can adapt resource material on rainwater harvesting,
translate a book on traditional water harvesting to English, and ideally also to German,
French, Hindi, and Mahratti so it can reach a larger audience. (can be done virtually)
Finally, they need someone on-site who can help Sekhar Raghavan with power point
presentations, Excel databases, charts and tables. He also needs help conducting
surveys on various aspects of water, groundwater, and rainwater harvesting
installations. Volunteer/s should know English, be well versed in computer software, and
have an engineering background. On-site volunteers should be able to spend at least
three months at the Centre. Inexpensive accommodations can be arranged and an
allowance of 4000 Rupees per month will be offered.
If interested contact Sekhar Raghavan at sekar1479@yahoo.co.in or call him at 009144-2461 6134 [Rain Center].
Produce a Television Series and/or Documentary on the Disabled
Benin City, Nigeria
Chris Omusi (Ashoka Fellow, Nigeria) is looking for a volunteer to assist in the
production of a television series and/or documentary. Chri’s organization Project
Charlove provides special education and vocational training for deaf, mute, blind, and
physically and mentally handicapped individuals, helping them to re-engage them fully
with mainstream society. The ideal volunteer should have communication skills and
experience in cinematography and film production, as well as in television production
and direction, and be able to spend at least six months on-site in Benin City, Nigeria.
If interested, contact Mr. Omusi at chrisomusi@aol.com or through Lesley Gene Agams,
Nigeria Representative for Ashoka at ashokanigeria@metrong.com.
Teach Organic Agriculture to Young People
Pirque, Chile
Mary Anne Muller (Ashoka Fellow, Chile) is looking for a volunteer to work in the
Agricultural School of Pirque in the area of Organic Agriculture production for six months
to a year. The volunteer needs to have knowledge and experience in the production of
organic horticulture and a desire to teach young people what they know.
She can provide housing, some meals and will discuss a stipend.
If interested contact Mary Anne Muller at mamuller@fundacionorigen.cl
Build and Expand Technological Access to Rural Indian Villages
Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
Satyan Mishra (Ashoka Fellow, India) offers ten opportunities to volunteers to spend
anywhere between 3 and 24 months at various locations in villages and cities in
Northern India. Satyan builds service kiosks in countryside villages in India, providing
internet connections and ready, affordable access to government, business, and health
information. His business, Drishtee Dot Com Limited, is one of India’s leading private
sector players in the Information and Communication Technology for Development
(ICTD) Domain. With 1000 kiosks in over 10 states across India, Drishtee has been
recognized by the President of India and has won several national and international
awards. Quiver Infoservices Limited is a subsidiary of Drishtee which aims to become
the leading service provider for ICTD initiatives in rural India. Quiver is working on six
critical service ventures including rural to urban e-commerce, rural BPO, agriculture,
microfinance and e-health. Volunteer opportunities include:
Human Resources Strategist – harness and develop talent in sales force recruitment;
assess opportunities for outsourcing
Sales Force & Channel Management – analyze inefficiencies, suggest modifications
such as multi-layering and appropriateness of each sales channel; assess pricing, return
on investment, and coordination of sales force
Supply Chain Management – including transportation and warehousing strategies,
inventory management, relationship management with vendors (and buyers in case of
procurement from villages), and negotiation strategies.
Finance Management – financing of kiosks, working capital, cash flow; relationmanagement with banks and financial institutions; understanding of subsidies and
alternate financing schemes as Drshtee sets up its accounting procedures on par with
global standards.
Power Supply Development – a huge constraint and also opportunity for innovation:
battery powered low cost PCs, cost-economic solar generators, wind-powered systems,
bio-fuels, community generating sets, carbon trading, etc.
E-Commerce & Procurement – Platform for small & marginal farmers and artisans
(mostly women) to get a better prices for their produce and improve their livelihood;
volunteer will address procurement strategy, quality control, logistics, and partner
management.
Rural Business Process Outsourcing – develop a holistic and multi-sectoral framework
to harness IT and communication technology to enable development; quality-control
system for data entry and transcription.
Financial Services – delivery of microfinance services; negotiation with banks and
financial institutions and monitoring and coordination
Affordable Health Access – develop and manage an end-to-end health service;
negotiation and management with health service partners; should have experience in
health sector.
Marketing (Branding & Promotion) – build a platform of direct and channel marketing of
various Quiver applications.
Volunteer applicants should be willing to spend 3 to 24 months at Drishtee and should
have:
 6+ years relevant experience along with relevant qualification however younger
candidate are welcome.
 Excellent communications skills
 Knowledge of computers
 Ready to travel to rural India, most importantly in Northern India, and prepared to
face rural challenges
Drishtee is offering housing arrangements for all participants throughout their stay.
If interested in any of the above, please contact Satyan Mishra at satyan@drishtee.com.
For more information on Drishtee, check their website at http://www.drishtee.com
Initiate Financing Projects to Help Sustain Agrarian Work with Cognitively
Disabled Children and Adults
Popayan, Columbia
Ricardo Cobo Diaz (Ashoka Fellow, Colombia) is looking for volunteers interested in
helping those with cognitive disabilities through art and agriculture. Ricardo uses art and
the land as therapeutic elements towards the achievements of independence, happiness
and dignity. The organization, the Foundation Institute for Stimulating Development and
the Arts (FEDAR), operates a farm which husbands animals and grows coffee and
vegetables, all tended by 100 children and adults with cognitive disabilities. He is
looking for a volunteer who can help FEDAR find a way to generate programs to help
finance his projects on the farm.
A qualified volunteer should be interested in helping those with cognitive disabilities, and
enjoy working in the agrarian profession, particularly land and cattle administration. A
university degree is not necessary, but it would be helpful to be familiar with clean
agriculture and the operation of farm equipment, to enjoy working in rural communities
and with children. The volunteer should be able to spend at least six months in
Popayan, 20 minutes from the central site in the Calibio, which is a small and calm city
of 250,000 in southern Columbia. Other arrangements can be discussed.
If interested, contact Mr. Diaz at fundafedarmtel.net.co or fliacobomtel.net.co or call
Fundación FEDAR: 0928-232263 8202300 8202310
Publicity, Fundraising and Translation
Alagoas, Brazil and Virtual
Irae Cardoso (Ashoka Fellow, Brazil) seeks assistance with resource mobilization and
translation for her organization AAPPE, which works with the deaf community in the
northeast of Brazil. Irae is leading an effort to have states in Brazil recognize the
hearing impaired as a cultural and linguistic minority with the same rights as other
minority groups. AAPPE is eager to develop a strategic plan to increase the visibility of
their work and mobilize resources. This volunteer should be fluent in Portuguese and
based in Brazil. AAPPE can offer accommodation. Translation assistance may be done
in-person or virtually via the internet.
If interested, please contact Irae Cardoso at aappe@aappe.org.br.
Assist With Development of Micro Business School for Rural Woman
Mhaswad and Satara Districts near Mumbai, India
Chetna Sinha (Ashoka Fellow, India), founder of the Mann Deshi Mahila Bank, is
requesting a volunteer to help in the development of a micro business school. In the
Districts from which she hopes to draw her students, more than 50% of girls either drop
out of formal education or fail the 10th standard. Without employment skills, they end up
as day or migrant laborers with unstable wages, become unemployed altogether or
married off at a young age, vulnerable to the whims of their in-laws and others. The
business school will fill the capacity building gap that exists in the microfinance industry
through comprehensive entrepreneurial training and market orientation of rural women.
The goal is to provide them a set of skills, knowledge and motivation that will enable
them to change their pattern of income generation from low return business to high
return business, creating a multiplier effect on the socio-economic indicators of their
families and communities.
The volunteer should have a strong interest in rural development and education, strong
English skills, and while not necessary, a basic grasp of Hindi and/or Maharahati will be
helpful. Working primarily in the Mhaswad and Satara Districts, with some travel to
Mumbai for meetings, the volunteer will be able to stay and travel with the staff.
Assistance is requested for at least four months and up to one year.
If interested contact Chetna Sinha at chetnavsinha@gmail.com.
Bring Nature to Urban Dwellers by Helping OpEPA with Communication, Web
Development, Data Management, and Video Production
Bogota, Columbia
Ashoka Fellow Luis Alberto Camargo is helping young people to forge a meaningful
connection to nature in a country where decades of civil war have kept urban dwellers
out of the countryside. His group, Organization for the Environmental Education and
Protection (OpEPA) brings nature to Columbia’s urban youth through traveling science
and nature centers which employ an innovative teaching methodology. See
www.opepa.org for more information
OpEPA is looking for volunteers who can stay in Bogota for one semester or more and
who have the following abilities:
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A good social communicator with experience in public relations and marketing to
draft press releases, surveys, and to make public presentations. Specific duties
would include seeking resources, employing marketing strategies, and
establishing relations with media outlets, the press, government, international
NGO’s, and international foundations.
Good technical ability in managing databases, web sites, and macromedia flash,
specifically installing a new web platform and consolidating a database integrated
in to a virtual platform
Experience with Web design related to the environment and conservation.
Duties would include developing communications campaigns, and creating
printed and digital materials for mass dissemination.
Experience in producing videos, movies or television. With personal equipment
this volunteer would co-produce documentaries on the environmental
conservation and a video on first aid.
If interested, contact Mateo de Valenzuela at mdevalenzuela@opepa.org.
Help Obtain Funds for Aquaculture Project and Help with Spanish/English
Translations
Tacuarembo, Uruguay
Aler Donadio is a new Ashoka Fellow from Uruguay who is a biologist interested
sustainable aquaculture. He is seeking a volunteer with knowledge of fresh-water fish
and fish farming who can spend up to one year helping his organization obtain funding
and work with his team in translating projects and documents between Spanish and
English. The volunteer will be based in Paso de Los Toros and Montevideo in the state
of Tacuarembo. Housing arrangements can be discussed.
If interested, contact The Instituto Rio Negro at Indrauruguay@yahoo.es
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES – Archives
Translation! – Virtual
Ashoka is always looking for volunteers to translate to and from English into the
following languages:
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Spanish
Portuguese
French
German
Arabic
Thai
Indonesian
Other...
If interested, please email Peggy Carr at volunteers@ashoka.org with TRANSLATION in
the subject line.
The following organizations are still looking for volunteers:
Volunteer translation services
Translation from English to Spanish
Arlington, VA or virtual
Ashoka’s Social Financial Services has an urgent need for a volunteer to translate a very
important survey from English into Spanish. The survey is about 8 to 10 pages in length
and contains financial and eye care (ophthalmologist, cataract, etc.) terminology.
If interested, please contact Sai Patil at spatil@ashoka.org
Translating Social Entrepreneurship DVD Series into French, Spanish,
Portuguese, Arabic, German, Hindi, and Farsi
Virtual
Ashoka’s Global Academy team is seeking volunteers to assist in translating the new
Social Entrepreneurship DVD series from English. Each DVD is 45 minutes long, with a
total of 16 DVDs featuring Bill Drayton, Muhammad Yunus, Oded Grajew, Alice Tepper
Marlin, Peter Eigen, and Fazle H. Abed. Volunteers will use the site
www.dotsub.com/ashoka and dotSUB’s technology to submit the translation.
If interested, please contact Daniela Arredonod at arredondo.daniela@gmail.com.
Translation from Arabic to English
Virtual
Ashoka Fellow, Mohamed Nagui, is the leading the Habi Center for Environmental
Rights (www.hcer.org or www.hcer.org/en/index.htm). He is in need of a volunteer to
translate a document from Arabic to English.
If interested, please contact him at habi_center1@yahoo.com or +2 02 682 0615
Translation from English to Spanish
Virtual or Colombia
Colombian Ashoka Fellow, Edgar Ardila, is looking for assistance for the School of
Community Justice at the National University of Columbia. They are in need of a
volunteer to work up to 15 hours a week doing translation of calls for proposals and
documents related to community justice. These things have not been easily accessible
previously because of the language barrier, but they would contribute enormously to
their efforts.
If interested, please contact Edgar Ardila at consolidacionejcun@gmail.com
Translation, web maintenance, and communications/outreach coordinator for
environmental organization
Virtual or Mexico
Ashoka Fellow, Pati Ruiz Corzo, brings sustainable development to the rugged Sierra
Gorda bioregion of Central Mexico (see www.sierragordamexico.org for more details).
Her organization is looking for volunteers to assist in three areas:
1. English to Spanish translation and Spanish to English translation
2. Webpage maintenance and support
3. Communications and outreach
If interested, please contact Laura Perez-Arce at sierragordareserve@yahoo.com
Volunteer with Ashoka regional offices
Ashoka Nominator Network Coordinator
New Delhi, India
Ashoka’s New Delhi Venture Team is looking for an enthusiastic, self-driven, young
person to volunteer as the Nominator Network Coordinator. The Nominator Network is
comprised of leading professionals, academics, journalists, and social workers who have
agreed to nominate social entrepreneurs to be elected to the Ashoka Fellowship. The
Network Coordinator would be responsible for maintaining relationships with members,
as well as growing the nominator base. S/he should have excellent communication and
relationship-building skills and attention to detail is essential. S/he should be able to
spend at least 6 months (1 year is ideal) continuously, and then hand over the role to the
succeeding volunteer.
If interested, please contact Prodyut Bora at pbora@ashoka.org or Tel : 91-1126190969/8002 or Mob : 91-9810203691
Youth Venture, Germany
Frankfurt or virtual
Youth Venture, a sister organization of Ashoka, encourages young people to start and
lead their own organizations for the betterment of their communities. Youth Venture
Germany is in need of volunteers in the following five areas:
1. Translation
- Specific activities: translating website, application forms, and all other youth material
into German
- Skills: Fluent in English and German
- Time: From now until task is done (around November)
- Location: Can be done virtually
2. Accounting:
- Specific activities: Doing the accounting for Youth Venture in Germany
- Skills: Working for an accountancy service company
- Time: From now on, open end
- Location: In Germany (as German Accounting laws apply), can be done virtually
3. Legal Issues:
- Specific activities: Assisting with legal issues at the launch (other than setting up the
organization), such as data protection laws etc.
- Skills: Certified lawyer in Germany
- Time: From now on, until around 2008 (only on demand, no regular support needed)
- Location: Can be done virtually
4. Design:
- Specific activities: Designing all materials for young people (flyers, application
materials, etc.). Design only, not content
- Skills: Designer
- Time: From now on until January 2007
- Location: Ideally in Frankfurt, but can be virtual as well
5. Printing:
- Specific activities: Helping us to print all application materials, information flyers, etc.
- Skills: Working for a printing company in Germany
- Time: From now on, every two years or so (on demand, no regular support needed)
- Location: in Europe, so that shipping is not too costly
If interested, contact Nicola von Hoensbroech, Director of Youth Venture Germany, at
nhoensbroech@ashoka.org or 069-7162-5584.
Ashoka Arab World Regional Office
Cairo, Egypt
The Ashoka Arab World Regional Office is seeking volunteers who have sound writing
skills and comprehension of the development sector and interventions in the Middle
East. Volunteers would assist fellows with developing action plans, writing reports and
proposals, and approaching donors for funding opportunities. Volunteers must be Arabic
speaking.
If interested, please contact Iman Bibars, Regional Director, at ibibars@ashoka.org or
Tel: ( +202) 5328586 – 3625305.
Data Analyst at the Ashoka UK Office
London, UK
The Ashoka UK office is looking for a post-university, mature volunteer to assist them
with analyzing data on former supporters. The data needs to be cross-referenced and
consolidated into a single platform. This work will be extremely helpful for development
purposes, allowing Ashoka UK to re-engage previous donors. The volunteer should
have good data analytical skills, attention to detail, initiative, and some knowledge of the
citizen sectors. The volunteer will be needed for four to six months. The office is
prepared to cover transportation costs.
If interested, please contact Silvia Giovannoni at sgiovannoni@ashoka.org or .
+44 (0)20 7961 6507
Hungarian translator at the Ashoka Central Europe Office
Slovakia or virtual
Ashoka’s Central Europe and Baltics office is in need of a volunteer to assist with
translation projects from English to Hungarian. The volunteer would help communicate
with Hungarian Fellows and participate in meeting. It would be great to have the
volunteer based in the office, but virtual work could also be considered.
If interested, please contact Filip Vagac at fvagac@ashoka.org
Phone: (+421) 2-4924-7322
Volunteer with Ashoka’s Global Office
Outreach Coordinator for the Changemakers Peace Building Competition
Arlington, VA or virtual
The Changemakers outreach volunteer will work with a small team to actively promote
the upcoming Changemakers competition on the theme of Peace Building. This will
include researching innovative organizations in the sector and reaching out to these
organizations directly through phone calls and emails. The volunteer position requires
good Internet researching skills, ability to build the Changemakers network of innovators
in the field, communicate effectively with contacts around the globe, be comfortable with
international calling. In addition, the volunteer must have the ability to speak to Ashoka’s
mission, the work of Changemakers, and value of Changemakers’ competitions in an
effective manner. The time frame for the competition is now through the end of
December; however, the volunteer could contribute for all or portions of this time frame.
If interested, contact Charlie Brown at cbrown@ashoka.org or (202) 360-5280.
Volunteer with an Ashoka Fellow
Documenting social impacts of organic gardening and greening
Cape Town, South Africa
Rob Small, an Ashoka Fellow in South Africa, directs an urban agriculture and
environmental action association in the socio-economically neglected townships of Cape
Town. Abalimi assists individuals, groups, and community based organizations to
initiate and maintain permanent organic food growing and nature conservation projects
as the basis for sustainable lifestyles, self-help job creation, poverty alleviation, and
environmental renewal. (see www.abalimi.org.za for more details). Rob is searching for
someone doing a Masters or Doctorate program in social psychology or anthropology or
some such field who would like to survey and document the pure social impacts of
Abalimi’s work. The volunteer would have to be completely self funded, and would likely
need at least three to four months in Cape Town to do an extensive study.
If interested, please contact Rob Small at rsmall@xsinet.co.za
Biology, natural sciences, or forestry volunteer
Oaxaca, Mexico
Mexican Ashoka Fellow, Heladio Reyes Cruz, helps rural communities develop and
adapt best practices in crop management, forestry, organic agriculture, wildlife
preservation, and biological pest control that maintain the environment and allow people
to still practice traditional hunting and agriculture. He is looking for a volunteer with a
background in biology, natural sciences, or forestry to assist his organization.
If interested, please contact Heladio Reyes at heladioreyes@yahoo.es
Medical professionals and information technology specialists
Bamako, Mali
In a country where thousands of people do not have access to quality medical care,
Garba Hamadoun Cissé has created Assistance Médicale Décentralisée (AMD) to bring
the services of diverse specialized doctors to socially disadvantaged populations, such
as women, children, the elderly, and those living in remote areas or in detention. A
medical doctor by training, Garba organizes his colleagues to volunteer their time and
skills to bring specialized medical care to those without access while simultaneously
training local medical agents to provide such care in the future. He currently is in need
of volunteer nurses, midwives, and other medical personnel to assist with training and
placing students in health schools in Bamako and Kidal. Information technology
specialists are also needed. Food and lodging will be provided for all volunteers.
If interested, please contact Dr. Hamadoun Garba at lactele@afribonemali.net
Eradication of Trafficking in Persons
Delhi, India
Indian Fellow, Roma Debabrata, has founded STOP—an organization that works to
eradicate the trafficking of persons through grassroots efforts, advocacy, and policy
change. STOP is in need of several volunteers to work in many different areas:
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Trained counselors
Consultants in the field of project report writing
Accountants
STOP needs volunteers with strong English skills who are available for at least three
months. Housing and honorarium are available.
If interested, please contact Roma Debabrata at romadeba@vsnl.com or
romadeba@ndb.vsnl.net.in
Web design for literacy organization
Nkwo-Nike, Nigeria or virtual
Ashoka Fellow, Betty Agujiobi, is combating widespread adult illiteracy in Nigeria by
adopting an approach to education that is built upon the interests and goals of individual
learners. Her organization is looking for someone to help them design a website to
promote their important efforts.
If interested, please contact Betty Agujiobi at melpwod@yahoo.com
Fundraising and/or legal work for development organization
Minia, Egypt or virtual
Ashoka Fellow, Maher Boshra, has founded the Better Life Association for
Comprehensive Development (BLACD) in Minia, Egypt. BLACD aims to improve the
quality of life for the poor and deprived people in Upper Egypt (see www.blacd.org for
more details). They are looking for assistance in two areas:
1. A fund-raising volunteer to help market proposals to donors and companies in the
private sector.
2. A legal volunteer to help register BLACD as a 501(c)(3) with the Internal Revenue
Service.
Volunteers could do the work virtually, or if they are interested in being in Egypt, the
organization could cover all expenses of accommodation.
If interested, please contact Maher Boshra at wnapqw@link.net
Fundraising for agricultural development organization
Uganda or virtual
Ashoka Fellow, Benon Sebina, is overturning the top-down approach to rural
development in Uganda by stimulating farmers to work together to identify creative
solutions that rely on local resources. He is looking for a volunteer to assist his
organization, ECUIFA, with fundraising for a new project in the area of commercial
chicken production. Funds are needed to distribute micro-credit loans to rural women to
enable them to start chicken production businesses.
If interested, please contact Benon Ssebina Ssalongo at ssebinabenon@yahoo.co.uk
Fundraising for Community Mental Health Resource Center in India
Virtual
Amresh Shrivastava is working to establish a community mental health resource center
to carry out research, education, and services to needy patients in Mumbai, India. The
government has donated a piece of land for the center, but she still needs to secure
funds to construct the building and provide services. She is looking for a volunteer to
assist her in writing grants and targeting funding agencies.
If interested, please contact Amresh Shrivastava at dr.amresh@gmail.com
Fundraising and documentation for economic development organization
Uttar Pradesh, India
Ashoka Fellow, Anil Singh, is the CEO of the Network of Entrepreneurship & Economic
Development (NEED) which brings together underprivileged communities with teams of
activists in order to maximize human resource potential and create positive change in
their socio-economic and political environment (see www.indianeed.org &
www.needup.org for more details). NEED is in search of a volunteer who can assist with
fundraising and/or documentation for three to six months. The volunteer would be based
at the organization’s headquarters, but would have many opportunities to work in the
various field locations. Housing would be provided.
If interested, please contact Anil Singh at info@indianeed.org
Communications, web design, and strategic planning for Zimbabwean
Biodiversity Institute
Masvingo, Zimbabwe or virtual
Zimbabwean Fellow, Osmond Mugweni, has founded the Njeremoto Biodiversity
Institute which encourages livestock farmers to adopt a collective land management
system to improve productivity and halt desertification. He is currently initiating a new
project to enhance sustainable grazing and wetland management. Osmond is searching
for volunteers who could assist him with establishing a website; creating videos, CDs,
and pamphlets for resource mobilization; and linking the institute to donors and
foundations.
If interested, please contact Osmond Mugweni at mugweni@zol.co.zw or +263 11 202
312.
Strategic planning, public relations, and fundraising for organization that supports
the disabled
Lagos, Nigeria or Virtual
Nigerian Fellow, Aku Christy Orduh, has developed the first Nigerian learning center—a
place where able-bodied and disabled people are trained alongside each other and
where the disabled are sometimes the instructors for able-bodied students. She is
looking for a volunteer to assist her in with strategic planning, public relations, and
fundraising for her organization, Friends of the Disabled (see www.fotd.8m.net for more
details). A particular project that needs assistance is campaigning for sign language to
be used in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria. Volunteers should be able to
interact well with disabled people and to promote the cause of mainstreaming disabled
people into society.
If interested, please contact Aku Christy Orduh at fotd2002@yahoo.com
Strategic planning, fundraising, and implementation of community center
Samaru-Kataf, Kaduna State, Nigeria or virtual
Nigerian Fellow, Emmanuel Nehemiah, is aiming to build, equip, and maintain a
community resource and development center. The center will serve as a place for the
discovering, developing, utilizing and maximizing both natural and human resource for
rural development. The center will teach skills and have demonstration farms for
irrigation, fishery, poultry and animal husbandry, economic trees, storage, and the
processing and packaging of farm produce. Emmanuel is in need of volunteers to assist
with strategic planning and fundraising and to work towards the implementation of the
center.
If interested, please contact Emmanuel Nehemiah at
nehemiahfoundationintl@yahoo.com
Translation, web maintenance, and communications/outreach coordinator for
environmental organization
Virtual or Mexico
Ashoka Fellow, Pati Ruiz Corzo, brings sustainable development to the rugged Sierra
Gorda bioregion of Central Mexico (see www.sierragordamexico.org for more details).
Her organization is looking for volunteers to assist in three areas:
4. English to Spanish translation and Spanish to English translation
5. Webpage maintenance and support
6. Communications and outreach
If interested, please contact Laura Perez-Arce at sierragordareserve@yahoo.com
ASHOKA FELLOWS IN THE NEWS
Muhammad Yunus wins Nobel Peace Prize!
Congratulations to Muhammad Yunus, founding member of Ashoka’s Global Academy
of Social Entrepreneurs, for winning the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize!
Muhammad Yunus is founder of the Grameen Bank and leader in microcredit. He has
spread microcredit globally and pioneered in social business ventures such as Grameen
Telecom which have enabled rural village women to become profitable sellers of
telecommunications services in their communities. He will be directing some of his $1.4
million award towards building eye hospitals for the poor in Bangladesh, in conjunction
with Ashoka Fellow David Green.
Ashoka’s Global Academy has produced three films on Muhammad Yunus. These will
soon be available at www.dotSUB.com/ashoka. Ashoka would like these to be
accessible in approximately 100 languages by December 1. If you or anyone you know
are able to help translate, please contact AcademyTeam@ashoka.org.
Ashoka Fellow from Nepal, Mandira Sharma is one of the three recipients of the Human
Rights Watch Award 2006. Human Rights Watch will give its highest honor on
November 2 to three leading activists working to defend human rights in Mexico, Nepal
and Zimbabwe. Read more at
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/10/18/usint14409.htm#SendURL
Victoria Hale Global Fellow, was named a 2006 MacArthur Fellow. She is the
Founder & CEO of the Institute of OneWorld Health a pioneering non-profit
pharmaceutical company which focuses on the neglected health needs of people in the
developing world. Read More >
Sompop Jantraka, Thailand, was honored with Project HOPE International’s Antitrafficking Award “Champion of Hope” October 17th in Washington, DC. Sompop is the
Founder and Director of the organization “Development and Education Program for
Daughters and Communities.”
“ANGELS IN AFRICA” a new book by Kimberley Sevcik and Beth O’Donnell profiles
seven extraordinary women one of whom is Fellow Aminata Dieye from Senegal. The
publisher is Vendome Press. Check it out on www.amazon.com
Mr. Cosmas Okoli is among the eminent Nigerians listed for this year's prestigious
National Honours Award under the category of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
This is recognition that Nigerian Fellows' contributions to the development of their
country is appreciated..
Recently the Nepal Government "Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare
(MWCSW)" formed the National Disabled Coordination Committee. They have
nominated Ashoka Fellow Shudarson Subedi , who is working for the rights of the
disabled ,to be a member of the coordination committee. This committee will work to
prepare and advise national policy for people with disabilities
Zepheniah Phiri Maseko, of Zimbabwe will be coming to Washington, DC for a
ceremony on November 6. He is the winner of the National Geographic /Buffett Award
in Africa Conservation. Phiri has devised a system of harvesting and conserving water
that alters a practice that perpetually makes farmers in southern Zimbabwe vulnerable to
soil degradation and drought.
ABOUT THE ASHOKA VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the Ashoka Volunteer Newsletter! The newsletter offers listings of virtual,
Arlington-based, and international volunteer opportunities, as well as a feature on
Ashoka Fellows in the News. Enjoy!
To volunteer with any of the opportunities mentioned below, send an email to the
respective contact people with “Volunteers” in the subject line.
If, upon receiving the Ashoka Volunteer Newsletter, you have begun volunteering with
an Ashoka Fellow or staff member, please email us to let us know!
Contact Scott Rechler, Peggy Carr, or Beth Inabinett at volunteers@ashoka.org with any
questions.
If you would like to unsubscribe to this newsletter, please email
volunteers@ashoka.org with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.