Volunteer with VSA

Change your scene and become a VSA Volunteer and share your experience, knowledge, and skills to transform the lives of many. Work with our partner organisation to create a fair future for all. 
 
VSA will organise and fund, flights, visas, insurance, accommodation, living allowance and utilities while on assignment. 

Please note VSA Volunteers must be a NZ citizen or permanent resident. 

Volunteering with VSA 
 
Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) is not your typical volunteering agency, we are committed to building sustainable communities across the Pacific. If you’re an experienced Deaf Education Trainer, looking for an extraordinary overseas experience in the Pacific to build into your field of expertise – working collaboratively with the Ministry of Education and Training - Inclusive Education Unit then read on, as we have an exciting opportunity in store for you!
 
Our Partner Organisation - Ministry of Education and Training - Inclusive Unit.
An Education Sector Study identified that children with disabilities were often excluded from Education, and the Inclusive Education (IE) Unit was subsequently established in 2007. The Unit is under the authority of the Ministry of Education and Training, and currently has 8 staff, with 3 staff working in the special education class, and 5 staff providing the IE support in mainstream schools.

The purpose of this unit is to support the education of all children to ensure that they participate in education and progress well. Staff within the IE Unit work for and with ECE centres, primary schools and secondary schools as requested. In 2007 the first special education class was opened in the central area for all children with disabilities in Tonga age 5-12 who cannot attend mainstream schools. The IE support program began in 2017 to support the education of children with learning difficulties in primary schools to ensure inclusion. Additionally, the IE Unit provides support for ECE centres to encourage inclusion.

The Assignment

This assignment is a partnership assignment between VSA and the Ministry of Education and Training - Inclusive Education Unit.

In this assignment a VSA volunteer will provide support with a focus on assisting teachers to teach deaf children and those with hearing difficulties to
communicate using sign language. Teachers, children, and families will benefit through:
o Improved and effective strategies for teaching deaf children and those with hearing difficulties
o Improved sign language learning opportunities for children and their families
o Access to quality learning in the classroom for all students

The VSA volunteer will also support NGOs and community groups who work with children, adults, and families affected by deafness and hearing difficulties, training and supporting staff and families.

It is expected that the volunteer be based with the Ministry of Education and Training 4 days per week, and be community based 1 day per week.

The Volunteer

Are you someone who wants to make a difference, have a sense of adventure and like the challenge of being outside your comfort zone?  VSA Volunteers are technical experts who impart their skills and knowledge to the local community. You will need to be flexible, adaptable, resourceful, resilient with a passion for Aotearoa and the wider Pacific community.

We're looking for a volunteer with the following:

• Knowledge of, and communication skills in, New Zealand or Australian Sign Language 
•  2-5 years of experience in teaching New Zealand or Australian Sign Language
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Creativity to cater for children with diverse hearing and learning needs
• Understanding and respect for cultural differences
• Ability to monitor progress of teachers and children in sign language.
• Team work.
• Flexible and can adapt to new environment
• Empathetic towards others
• Good social skills

The Country
The Kingdom of Tonga consists of 176 islands in four major groups, Tongatapu Island group, Ha’apai Island group, Vava’u Island group, and the Niu Island group. These islands form a narrow archipelago extending north from the Tropic of Capricorn.
  
There are many natural wonders in Tonga, and it is also one of the only places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales.

Apply Now!

Apply for this amazing opportunity through our website. For more information on this assignment, email volunteer@vsa.org.nz.

To review the full assignment description please copy and paste the below link into your browser:



If you are on the VSA website, please click on the download assignment description tab above.

We are looking for a volunteer with:

• Rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in Tonga!
• Change your scene and transform the lives of others.
• Flights, in country accommodation are provided by VSA!