Exciting opportunities for Catholic volunteers

11 July 2016

Exciting opportunities for Catholic volunteers in the Pacific

From carpenters rebuilding schools in Solomon Islands to nurses helping manage community clinics in Tonga, Catholic volunteers have been making an important contribution to development projects around the Pacific for decades. Formerly known as Mahitahi, the Catholic Church’s international volunteers programme is now called Catholic Volunteers Overseas and opportunities are available.

Overseen by Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand’s Programmes team, volunteers are matched to situations in the Pacific that are appropriate to their skills.

“It makes good sense for Caritas’ Programmes team to oversee Catholic Volunteers Overseas because Caritas works primarily in the Pacific and can make use of our long-term relationships with our partners there, as well as our detailed knowledge of the region,” says Beverley Turnbull, Chair of the Caritas Board.

As a result of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference’s consultation with Oceania partners, the Catholic Volunteers Overseas programme has also been given a broader scope to include a wider selection of countries, including Papua New Guinea and Kiribati. Peru and Timor Leste, countries that the New Zealand Catholic Church has a special relationship with, are also included in the list of volunteer opportunities that have been identified.

Volunteer placements vary in length from a few months to a year or two, as do the kinds of skills needed. English teachers are highly sought after, as are builders, electricians, architects and engineers. Long-term finance and administration volunteer positions are currently available in the Daru-Kiunga Diocese of Papua New Guinea and in Kiribati.

“It is extremely satisfying to match people who have highly developed skills and knowledge, to positions in the Pacific,” says Ms Turnbull.

“New Zealand volunteers have a lot to offer and teach our brothers and sisters in the Pacific, and they learn a lot in return.”

Those that are interested in becoming a volunteer overseas in the future can contact Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand on volunteers@caritas.org.nz or by calling 0800 22 10 22 during office hours.

ENDS

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