About VESA
VESA’s humanitarian and conservation projects aim to provide direct action support to communities in parts of the world overlooked by traditional charities and aid organisations.
Learn moreProject Support
From the minute you book your trip we provide you with everything you need to know, so you get the most out of your VESA experience. This is your travel adventure, and we’re here to support you each step of the way.
Pre Project Support
In Country Support
Post Project Support
Pre Project Support
We’ll provide you with tips and tricks to get you geared up for travel, plus vital info that will ensure you’re feeling confident and ready as soon as you step off the plane. Our comprehensive emails and information packs cover everything from what to pack, what to expect in-country, assistance when booking flights, information about insurance and vaccinations, weather reports and gift suggestions for your host family or locals.
Should you have any further questions, the phones at Volunteer Eco Students Abroad are manned 24/7, and all emails are generally answered within 24 hours.
The emails sent to upcoming VESA project volunteers include:
| TITLE | CONTENT | ATTACHMENTS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Confirmation of project after deposit received | Advice of timeline for group flights, payment schedule, itinerary | Fundraising guide and fundraising support information |
| 2 | Booking form for extension program | Details of project or tour and cost | Itinerary |
| 3 | Welcome to the VESA community | Advice: Group Flights, independent flights, passport and visas, insurance, Vaccinations | |
| 4 | Group Flight booking form | Instructions on how to join VESAs group flight, cost, deposit amount and flight schedules | Booking Form |
| 5 | Facebook email | Links to Facebook discussion groups for each program | |
| 6 | Invoice | Invoice #, program dates, amount received, amount owing, due date | |
| 7 | Travel Information 1 | What to Bring, Itinerary, Gift guide for hosts, Money/currency guide, optional actives price list | |
| 8 | Travel Information 2 | Reminders for: Passports, visas, flights, e-tickets, vaccinations, Travel Insurance. Emergency contact numbers, meeting point details | What to Bring, Internet and phone info, itinerary |
| 9 | Invoice due reminder | For those not paid | |
| 10 | Group finalised and ready to go (45 days prior) | Advice on how many in group, e-ticket info, Facebook reminder, meet up details, currency/bank advice | |
| 11 | Important Pre-departure email (14 days prior) | Don’t forget passport and copy of insurance, in-country staff phone numbers ICE, meeting at departure airport advice, check in time advice, baggage allowance, packing advice, customs and declaration cards, meeting details on arrival in country, consulate contact details ICE, ATM instructions, meeting instructions for those not on the Group Flight | What to Bring, Itinerary, Gift guide for hosts, Money/currency guide, Optional activities price list |
In Country Support
We are very aware that for some of our volunteers this may be their first experience abroad, or away from family. We want to assure you that should you have any questions or need any assistance while on project, there will always be someone nearby to help. Never hesitate to ask any question at all! Our leaders and staff are there to ensure that our volunteers have the best possible experience.
The students are supervised and accompanied by VESA staff on all volunteer work, activities, overnight accommodation and in-country transportation.
VESA also provides:
- Emergency in-country number of our Program Leader for the project volunteer’s nominated contact person
- Notification of safe arrival in country for project volunteer’s nominated contact person
- 24 hour VESA office contact number
Post Project Support
While our VESA volunteer projects are short-term, each one is a crucial step towards social and environmental sustainability in the project communities. Our volunteers see their contributions for themselves, and we provide additional post-project support to show each group where their work fits in to the bigger picture.
Shortly after the project completion, our Project Leaders provide an evaluation of each group’s achievements, and our Project Manager creates a detailed timeline and report of the entire season (May – August & Nov – Feb), which is then emailed to each volunteer individually. With this information our volunteers can really see how their work has contributed to our long–term projects.
Each VESA volunteer is given a personalised certificate of completion within two weeks of the project conclusion, available upon request. This can be included in your resume, used for academic credit, or hung up on your wall as a reminder of your epic achievement!
Your work with us doesn’t have to end with your project. VESA volunteers are our future office staff, project leaders, conference team, student and global promoters. We hire four times a year: in January, March, June and October. All past volunteers are contacted with the available opportunities and are encouraged to submit an application.
