African Summer Workcamps
Posted January 8th, 2008 by EmilyStewart
Sponsored by The African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI) a project of Friends Peace Teams
International workcamps in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda
Two-day Pre-service Orientation begins Saturday June 22,2008 in Washington DC.
Following Orientation Workcampers fly to Africa where the become part of a team and assist with building clinics, peace centers and/or schools
Details of 2008 Workcamps are available
Visit our website at http://www.aglionline.org or contact Dawn Rubbert via dawn@aglionline.org
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about FPT-AGLI Workcamps
What is FPT-AGLI?
Friends Peace Teams is the parent organization for the African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI). AGLI promotes peace work in
What happens at a workcamp?
Workcampers build, schools, clinics and community structures such as peace centers. 2008 summer projects will include continuing work on an HIV-AIDS clinic in
When do workcamps take place?
Workcamps take place in late June and July and last about five weeks. They are preceded by a 2-day orientation in the
Who applies for a workcamp?
. . . anyone with a leading to do peace work. Workcampers of all ages are welcome, though most are between 18 and 35. To date the youngest workcamper was 8 and the oldest 84. While many Quakers apply, persons of any spiritual calling are most welcome. Typically, on any given workcamp team, there are both non-African (e.g., Americans and Canadians) and Africans. With regard to character, it is expected that each workcamper be able to work cooperatively and to be respectful of and open to other cultures.
What skills do I need?
No skills are required. Each person does what s/he is able to do. Don’t have carpentry skills? You can carry the lumber. Don’t have bricklaying skills? You might surprise yourself and find you have an aptitude and can learn.
Where will I live?
Most often workcampers live with host families. Depending on the site, workcampers may live in a dormitory within a church compound, or in a house shared with other workcampers.
Is it dangerous where I will be sent?
While it’s true that the some communities where AGLI projects take place have been sites of conflict, workcamps are set up well after the conflict is over and when it is deemed safe. Rates of violence in Africa are lower than in the
How much does it cost and how do I pay?
Each American workcamper is expected to raise a minimum of $3,800. Workcampers typically receive contributions from a variety of individuals and groups, e.g., monthly meetings (churches), yearly meetings, college grants, civic organizations, local businesses, etc. With assistance from their clearness/support committee they hold fundraisers. The $3800 covers: the cost of the Orientation; airfare to/from Africa; living expenses in Africa; and, it subsidizes the living expenses of Africans from other countries who are on the team; and, provides a minimum of $1,000 for the purchase of building materials for the workcamp project. All building supplies are purchased locally in
How and when do I apply?
Go to the website http://www.aglionline.org. Once there, you can read the workcamp description. Next, select the workcamp application. The form indicates that each applicant will want to begin with a clearness committee to determine the depth of his/her leading. Because the process of committee gatherings and reporting can take a little time, and because fundraising will be necessary, it is recommended that applicants begin the process 6-8 months before the late June orientation. The 2008 workcamp description and application form are on the website.
Questions? -- Contact Dawn Rubbert, AGLI’s Program Manager, via Dawn@aglionline.org
