Ashoka Volunteer Newsletter

February 2007
Contents:
ABOUT THE ASHOKA VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES -- New Listings
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES -- Archives
ASHOKA FELLOWS IN THE NEWS

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, please email the contact
person listed at the end of the project description with Volunteers in the subject line.
If you begin 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.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES New Listings

Volunteer Translation Services

Translate the Ashoka Welcome Packet
Virtual
The Ashoka Global Fellowship Team has recently revised its Welcome Packet,
introductory material orienting new Fellows to Ashoka. The team is looking for
volunteers to help translate the packet into a number of languages so it can be easily
read by Fellows from around the world. The packet is 56 pages of general information,
not very dense but with some terminology particular to Ashoka. If you are extremely
proficient at translating from English to French, Spanish, Portuguese, Thai, Indonesian,
Polish, German or Arabic and would like to help with a section or more of the packet,
please send a description of your experience and the time you have available to devote
to the project. We will then provide you with a sample page so you can get a better feel
for the material.
If you can help, contact Beth Inabinett at binabinett@ashoka.org
Translation from Spanish to English and French
Virtual
Larry Silberman (Ashoka Fellow, Mexico), has built a national childrens theater program
in Mexico and is opening an additional office in Montreal, Canada. He needs assistance
in translating project material, CVs, and his web site content from Spanish to English
and French, and from English to French.
If interested, please email silberlarry@yahoo.com.mx
Translation and Interpretation from French to English and English to French
Virtual and/or Live Interpretation in Dakar, Senegal
Ashokas Sahel office in Dakar, Senegal is looking for volunteers to translate documents
of a general nature, approximately 10-20 pages in length, from English to French and
from French to English. The document translation can be done virtually. They are also
looking for a volunteer to act as an interpreter at a panel to be held over eight days in
early June in Dakar. Food and housing will be provided. Both translators and
interpreters must be extremely proficient in both languages.
If interested, please email sahel@ashoka.org or phone (221) 825 43 43.
Translation from English to Portuguese and Portuguese to English
Virtual
The Association of Parents and Friends of Special People (AAPPE), led by Irae Cardoso
(Ashoka Fellow, Brazil), is an organization that works with the deaf community in the

northeast area of Brazil. AAPPE is looking for a volunteer to help translate

organizational materials into English for a partnership with an institution for deaf children
in England and for general international use. They also need translation of documents
from English into Portuguese.
If interested, please contact Irae Cardoso at aappe@aappe.org.br

Volunteer with Ashoka Regional Offices

Support Ashoka Fellows Traveling in the United Kingdom
London
Ashoka in the UK provides support to Ashoka Fellows who are visiting from different
parts of the world. These remarkable individuals could use your volunteer help to
conduct research for their organizations, provide general logistic support, introduce them
to supportive individuals or organizations, or even to host them in your homes.
If you can help, please contact Silvia Giovannoni at infouk@ashoka.org

Volunteer with Ashokas Global Office

Assist the Executive Team
Arlington, VA
Ashokas 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 volunteers
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 work in the Arlington, VA office, make a minimum
three month commitment and work four to six hours each week.
If interested, please contact Shannon Howard at showard@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.
Ashokas global board of directors decides on candidacies based on these profiles, and
the profiles are also posted to Ashokas website highlighting each Fellows 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
Young Venturer Connection/Development Specialist
Arlington, VA
Youth Venture, an Ashoka partner organization, invests in the ideas and capacity of
young people ages 12-20 so that they can create, launch, and lead their own social
ventures as sustainable community-benefiting organizations, clubs and businesses.
Become a part or full-time volunteer who will help with the Young Venturer Fellowship
Program and with development projects. The qualified volunteer should be enterprising,
and/or have fundraising and institution development experience. A minimum of six 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 in this position, please contact Ms. Xing Hu, at xhu@ashoka.org, or 703600-8205.
Become a Member of a Youth Venture Selection Panel
Virtual and/or On-site in Select Cities
Youth Venture is also seeking judicious adults of any background to join the Youth
Venture Selection Panel, the panel to which two to four youth teams present their
Venture Action Plan for evaluation. Selection panels occur either live or virtually over the
phone, depending on where the venture teams are located. A panelist will receive the
venture applications in advance and will be able to question the teams before
participating in the final round of decision-making with their fellow panelists.
Participating in a panel is a great way to right to the heart of Youth Venture and play an
important role in a short amount of time. The time commitment is approximately 3 hours
per panel (one hour for reading the selection booklet and up to 2 hours for the panel
participation). Panels are launched throughout the year as teams in our pipeline
become ready to present. While some months are busier than others, at least one
virtual panel is offered every 2-3 weeks. Live panels occur most frequently in New York,
and occasionally in Concord, NH; Leominster, MA; Seattle, WA; and Washington, DC.

If you wish to help young people who want to create positive change in the world
contact Team Leader Sabeen Pirani at spirani@youthventure.org. For more information,
check the website www.youthventure.org.
Update Website or Profile Universities Teaching Social Entrepreneurship
Virtual
As part of the Global Academy, The University Network is a network of academics and
practitioners that are working to strengthen teaching and research in the field of social
entrepreneurship. They are seeking a volunteer well-versed in Drupal to help them
simplify their website. They anticipate this taking about 10-15 hours over the course of a
few weeks. An ongoing position is a possibility. Check out the site at
www.universitynetwork.org.
They are also looking for volunteers to research and profile universities actively engaged
in the field of social entrepreneurship. This can be done from the comfort of your own
home!
If interested in helping with either of these projects, please contact Marina Kim at
mkim@ashoka.org
Community Greens
Arlington, VA or virtual
Community Greens, an Ashoka initiative, works to 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

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. Chriss organization Project
Charlove provides special education and vocational training for deaf, mute, blind, and
physically and mentally handicapped individuals, helping them to re-engage 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.
Locate Donors Interested in Youth Development in South Africa
Virtual
Agape Copeland Train (ACT) was created by William Solomon (Ashoka Fellow, South
Africa) to nurture a new generation of civic leadership by providing counseling, civic
activities and inter-school connections to matriculating secondary school students in
rural South Africa. He needs research assistance to locate potential international donors
for his program.
Learn more about his program and how you can help at
http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/700/proj677b.html If interested, contact
willsol7@mweb.co.za

Strengthen Farmers Relying on Horse Power

Virtual or in Malopolska Province (and possibly other regions), Poland
Jadwiga Wietrzna-Lopata (Ashoka Fellow, Poland) is creating an alternative eco-village
economy for rural Poland, encouraging and socially supporting organic farming methods.
Using well tested, traditional farming practices are crucial to maintaining the productivity
and economic sustainability of family farms as well as the health of the Polish
countryside. One threatened practice is the use of work horses, whose use is more
economical and ecologically sound for the family farmer. Jadwiga is looking for
volunteers who can find organizations in other countries that are also promoting the use
of horse power and who can explore potential funding for her project. The work can be
done virtually or on site, with inexpensive housing being available on an eco-tourist farm.
If interested, contact Jadwiga Wietrzna-Lopata at jadwiga@icppc.pl
Help Expand Micro-Finance Bank Services and Help Develop Micro Business
School for Rural Woman
Mhaswad and Satara Districts in Western India
Chetna Sinha (Ashoka Fellow, India), founder of the Mann Deshi Mahila Bank, a
cooperative bank run by and for rural women, is requesting volunteers to expand bank
services and to assist in the development of the Mann Deshi Micro Business School for
Rural Women. The business school provides vocational, technical and financial literacy
training along with the confidence building rural women need to successfully open or
expand their businesses. In 2007, the school will open in two new locations and plans to
expand to all of Mann Deshis branch and extension locations, as well as launch a
Business School on Wheels, bringing a mobile classroom to remote areas.
There are eight exciting volunteer internship opportunities available for a period of four
months to one year. These opportunities are:
1. Establish Partnerships with Commercial Banks: The volunteer will help to establish
micro-finance partnerships with major commercial banks, as well as explore partnerships
on refinancing, technology and impact assessments. They may also explore
establishing a pension or mutual fund program for Mann Deshis clients.
2. Advocate for Regulatory Change: The volunteer will identify policies and regulations
that must be changed in order to meet the needs of underserved sectors in India, and
will advocate for those changes along with the World Bank, FWWB, and other partners.
3. Expand Kiosk Project in Rural Areas: This summer, Mann Deshi will expand a pilot
program to establish informational kiosks in rural villages. The kiosks will provide
information about market prices, training opportunities, potential resources and will allow
access to the internet. They will also provide employment for many of the women who
wish to operate them. The volunteer will help further establish this project and expand
its scale.
4. Incorporate SMART Card Technology: Mann Deshi will be one of the first rural banks
in India to utilize SMART card technology for its banking operations. The cards will
utilize micro-chip technology which will allow bank agents and clients to access

important financial data. A volunteer intern can help develop partnerships with
technology providers and promote the program to donors and other funding sources that
might wish to underwrite the smart cards for the women enrolled.
5. Design and Implement Impact Assessment Tools: This will require crafting
assessment mechanisms and interacting with rural clients and four bank branches to
judge the effectiveness of the banking and business school programs.
6. Expand Girls Education Competition: Design and organize the district expansion of an
educational competition which has been implemented in local villages to encourage
100% enrollment of girls in school. This will involve meetings with local families,
government leaders and school officials, as well as providing regular progress updates.
7. Update Mann Deshis Website: Updating the 2003 website will involve gathering,
organizing, and writing information on new projects, programs and accomplishments of
the past few years. Relevant technical skill is required.
8. Create Electronic Newsletter: Mann Deshi would like to keep its international friends
and supporters updated on these and other projects by publishing a bi-yearly electronic
newsletter. The volunteer intern can help to design and write the first edition to be
published this summer.
Volunteer Interns should be enthusiastic and 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. Volunteers will travel with staff primarily in Mhaswad
and Satara Districts, with periodic travel to Mumbai for meetings. Housing will be
provided with staff and their families. Volunteers should plan to stay for at least four
months and up to one year.
If interested in any one or more of these important and exciting projects contact Chetna
Sinha at chetnavsinha@gmail.com. For more information, visit her website at
www.manndeshi.org .
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 Indias 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 Drishtee 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 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
Design Mobilization Plan for Micro-businesses or Create Social Franchise
Venezuela
Mireya Vargas (Ashoka Fellow, Venezuela) has created the first nonprofit management
and training center in Venezuela, the Service for Local Support (SOCSAL). Her
program helps to stimulate and strengthen development work, encourage long-term
sustainability initiatives, and partners with public and private entities to provide direct
technical services for its clients. She is looking for a volunteer to help mobilize
resources for micro-enterprises related to food processing and nutrition, and educate
clients on business and finance, risk management and community banks. The volunteer
will design a resource mobilization plan, map opportunities, and set up a resource
mobilization unit.
Ms. Vargas is also looking for a volunteer with business expertise to help systematize
methodologies on social businesses. This volunteer will integrate client experiences,
design business plans and create a social franchise.
If interested, contact Mireya Vargas at mireyavargas@cantv.net
Publicity and Fundraising for Brazilian Deaf Community
Alagoas, Brazil
Irae Cardoso (Ashoka Fellow, Brazil) seeks assistance with strategic planning and
resource development for her organization, AAPPE, which works with the deaf
community in the northeast areas of Brazil. AAPPE offers 110 deaf students education,
healthcare, civil rights defense and labor market integration, and handles 4000
consultations a month. 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 long-term strategies that can meet the
growing demand for its services, to increase the visibility of their work and to mobilize
adequate resources. The qualified volunteer should be fluent in Portuguese and based
in Brazil. AAPPE can offer accommodation.
If interested, please contact Irae Cardoso at aappe@aappe.org.br.
Bring Nature to Urban Dwellers by Helping OpEPA with Communication, Web
Development, Data Management, and Video Production
Bogota, Colombia
Luis Alberto Camargo (Ashoka Fellow, Colombia) 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 Colombias urban youth through traveling
science and nature centers which employ an innovative teaching methodology. (See
www.opepa.org for more information)

10

OpEPA is looking for volunteers who can stay in Bogota for three months or more and
who have one of the following interests and abilities:

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
NGOs, 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 OpEPAs professional
miniDV camera, this volunteer would co-produce documentaries on
environmental conservation and a video on wilderness first aid.

If interested, contact Mateo de Valenzuela at mdevalenzuela@opepa.org.

Fight Poverty Through Educational Reform
Xelu, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Jorge Chojolan (Ashoka Fellow, Guatemala) has created an alternative school system
designed to spur educational reforms throughout Guatemala, a country where 65% of
the indigenous population is illiterate, and 66% of its children are not in school. Jorge
needs help to bring his organization to the next level of professional development,
particularly at Colegio Miguel Angel Asturias, an innovative nonprofit school providing
quality, culturally relevant education to 200 students. He is looking for volunteers to fill
the following five positions:
Scholarship Program Director: This is a six month, 25 hour/week position beginning in
February. The director will work with staff to further develop and expand a U.S. donor
program which currently provides tuition, uniforms and school supplies to 35
underprivileged youth. A volunteer must have excellent written and verbal
communication skills; advanced Spanish proficiency; an aptitude for problem solving;
and a commitment to fighting poverty through educational reform. Photography or
graphic design skills, Excel or database experience a plus.
English Teachers: There are two teaching positions available for kindergarten through
second grade and third through sixth grade. These are six month, 25 hour/week
positions beginning in February. English teachers will provide basic exposure to English,
making use of music, movement, games and conversation. The volunteers should be
enthusiastic, love children, have some teaching experience, open to innovative
pedagogical methods, and have medium proficiency in Spanish and excellent proficiency
in English.

11

Graphic Designer: This is a three month position beginning in February at 25

hours/week. The designer will work with staff to design the schools communications
products, including brochures, web content, and a style template. The volunteer should
have excellent graphic and some web design skills, some proficiency in Spanish and
English composition.
Social Enterprise Generator: This is a six month, 25 hour/week position beginning in
February. The SEG will work with staff to start, run and sustain viable for-profit
businesses which can provide income streams to the project and provide work skills
training and employment for students. Likely markets include tourism and language
instruction. The volunteer should have an entrepreneurial mind, value creation seeking,
and a strong ability to make things happen, have experience starting and leading a
business or project, good verbal skills, advanced Spanish proficiency, and unquestioned
integrity.
Grant Writer: This is a six month, 25 hour/week position to raise funds for operations
and new programs. The volunteer will identify and cultivate potential supporting
foundations and write for and follow through with grants. The volunteer must have
excellent written and interpersonal skills, be proficient in Spanish; experience in grant
writing is a plus.
If you are committed to fighting poverty in Guatemala through educational reform, these
are outstanding opportunities to work with award-winning project leadership and to see
concrete results measured in lives transformed. They offer the Guatemalan culture,
physical beauty, travel opportunities and rich social history. The Colegio is not able to
offer financial support for these positions at this time, but very comfortable living can be
had in Xela (including occasional travel) for an average of $400/month.
If interested send resume with cover letter stating your time availability, language skills
and your particular job interest to colegiomaa@gmail.com
Help Obtain Funds for Rural Development
Paso delos Toros, Uruguay
Aler Donadio is a new Ashoka Fellow from Uruguay who is a biologist interested
sustainable aquaculture and rural development. He is seeking a volunteer who can
spend up to one year helping his organization obtain funding to carry out a variety of
projects. The volunteer must have advanced proficiency in English (native speakers
preferred) and knowledge of Spanish or other languages is a plus. They offer
comfortable accommodation, a lot of work to do, and an excellent job experience in a
lovely place.
If interested, contact Instituto del RAo Negro at indrauruguay@yahoo.es

12

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Archives

Translation! Virtual
Ashoka is always looking for volunteers to translate to and from English into the
following languages:

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 have posted in the past and may still be looking for
volunteers:

Volunteer with Ashoka regional offices

Translation of Documents from Spanish to English
Virtual

Ashokas 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
Ashokas 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

13

Volunteer with Ashokas Global Office

Research Potential Staff Candidates
Virtual
Ashokas 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.

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
Rugmarks 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:

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.

14

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:
510-527-3316 E-mail: HBrykarz@GlobalRecruitment.net URL:
www.globalrecruitment.net
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
Initiate Financing Projects to Help Sustain Agrarian Work with Cognitively
Disabled Children and Adults
Popayan, Colombia
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

15

Popayan, 20 minutes from the central site in the Calibio, which is a small and calm city
of 250,000 in southern Colombia. Other arrangements can be discussed.
If interested, contact Mr. Diaz at fundafedarmtel.net.co or fliacobomtel.net.co or call
Fundacin FEDAR: 0928-232263 8202300 8202310

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 under stimulated 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-ops 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

16

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 groups 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. Accommodations
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)

17

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].

ASHOKA FELLOWS IN THE NEWS

Ren Schrer, Brazilian Fellow, will be speaking at the Seafood Summit in Jacksonville,
Florida later in January. Rene will lead the panel on The Re-Artisanalization of the Spiny
Lobster Fishery in Brazil Sustainability and Fair Trade. There is information on the
conference and a nice bio on Rene at www.seafoodsummit.org
Prerana was selected for the UNAIDS Civil Society Award 2006. The award
acknowledges the exemplary role of civil society organizations in the fight against HIV in
India. Priti Patkar, Executive Secretary of PRERANA, received the award on behalf of
Prerana on December 1, 2006, Worlds AIDS Day, at the National Stadium, New Delhi.
Bank of America has announced the 2006 recipients of its third annual Neighborhood
Excellence Initiative (NEI) in Houston. The Mexican Institute of Greater Houston will
receive $200,000 in grant funding and leadership training over the course of two years.
Jos-Pablo Fernndez is President & Executive Director of the Institute which has been
instrumental in providing services to local Hispanic students and their families. The
Institute, with more than 100 on-site program locations in Houston schools, provides
technology-based distance learning programs that benefit Hispanic families and works to
increase parental involvement in a childs education.
Congratulations to the 55 newly elected Ashoka Fellows from Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand who were officially inducted to
the Ashoka Fellowship at a ceremony hosted by Narayana Murthy and Infosys in
Bangalore, India on February 18, 2007.
INPRESS
To help ring in the New Year, please celebrate the collective media successes of the final
few months of 2006 in this edition of the Ashoka Inpress. Articles are featured from all
over the world, including Argentina, Indonesia, South Africa, Peru, Germany, Spain, Sri
Lanka, U.S., U.K., Palestine, and many more.
http://ashoka.org/files/InpressOctDec.pdf

18

19