My Job Description

What work will I be doing? While my work can vary greatly, I wanted to share the 3 main goals of a Rural Community Development Volunteer with some examples of current volunteer projects.

Goal 1: Organizational Development
Community organizations, governmental & non-governmental organizations will increase their capacity to serve and address the community's needs.
1.1 Assessment & Information
Conduct activities to assess and prioritize community & organizational needs, development opportunities and information sharing techniques.
1.2 Project Design & Management
Train community members and groups in planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation and writing proposals for grants.

Current Project Examples:
- Help write a bi-monthly community newsletter which features all community groups' projects and plans.
- Facilitate a workshop for community leaders on how to write a budget.
- Help group of local farmers organize a bi-weekly Feria del Agricultor (Agriculture Fair).

Goal 2: Economic Opportunity
Community members, especially women and youth groups, will learn and adapt knowledge and skills to increase opportunities and capacity for income generation.
2.1 Business Plans
Train community members and groups to identify potential products and services, develop and implement basic business plans.
2.2 Training
Train community members in basic small business practices including cost analysis, planning, record keeping and marketing, as well as household financial management.

Current Project Examples:
- Assist local development association in assessing whether rural tourism is viable in their town and help them identify potential products/services they could offer.
- Carry out house to house questionnaire with women's group to assess the feasibility of their Tortilla business idea.
- Solicit INA (Insituto Nacional de Aprendizaje) to come in for a course on basic business administration for current and potential business owners.

Goal 3: Education
Community members, especially women and youth, will learn and adapt knowledge, skills, attitudes and resources necessary for lifelong learning.
3.1 Education
Conduct formal and non formal educational activities for youth, parents and adults, including tutoring, training peer tutors and educators, preparing for entrance and equivalency exams, continuing vocational education topics, parenting, environmental, information technology and health education, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), recreational opportunities, etc.
3.2 Resources
Develop educational resources such as lesson plans, curricular materials, computers, libraries, and facilities.

Current Project Examples:
- Teach environmental education through Art workshops at the school.
- Host an after school life-skills workshop for girls focused on decision-making skills, building self-esteem, etc.
- Assist English teacher in designing lesson plans for her classes.