On October 7, JCONGD held the International Volunteer Reflection Group meeting, created ad hoc, to take stock and reconsider the future of international volunteering promoted by JCONGD within the new strategy being developed by the NGO.
Belén Jiménez, JCONGD's volunteer manager, explained that one of the group's conclusions was that "volunteering is a process of personal and social transformation; what we contribute as an organization is to facilitate these transformations. Furthermore, if we make the experience a success, the return commitment is guaranteed."
However, it also emerged that many factors come into play in order to be successful in volunteering. For the interested person, previous volunteer experience, knowledge of the Hospitaller Order, motivations and expectations before leaving, and adaptability, among other factors, are taken into account.
The organization, in this case JCONGD, offers online and in-person international volunteer training. This is essential and requires a dedicated time prior to travel, which is why it involves a process that takes several months. Furthermore, the NGO acts as a bridge to the centers in Latin America and Africa, where the Brothers of St. John of God are responsible for hosting the volunteers, supervising their activities and any needs they may have during their stay.
Meeting held on October 7th at the Juan Ciudad Foundation. From left to right: Gonzalo Sales, Carme Vega, Fernando Rivilla, Juan JosĂ© Ăvila, BelĂ©n JimĂ©nez, Inmaculada Merino, Pilar Orenes, and MoisĂ©s MartĂn.
JCONGD currently offers various types of international volunteering, including experiential volunteering, in which volunteers are integrated into the host centers and can perform a wide variety of tasks, depending on the needs, such as accompaniment, sociocultural activities, etc., and are involved in awareness-raising activities upon their return; and more professional or technical volunteering, associated with medical campaigns and also providing support, advice, and training in the various areas in which the Hospitaller Order operates.
Following the review, several proposals have emerged to adapt JCONGD's current volunteer model to the new needs identified in today's society and at centers in Latin America and Africa.
And one of the most immediate changes to be undertaken is to adjust the volunteer offer to the demand of the destination centers. Therefore, a pool of volunteer profiles will be created based on the requirements described by each center to fill volunteer vacancies. Therefore, the information and requirements for applying for the Juan Ciudad NGO international volunteer program will not be published until next November. They will be available at https://www.juanciudad.org/?q=voluntariado
The group that met was heterogeneous, with people with experience in the management of international volunteering and the San Juan de Dios Spain volunteering: Brother Juan JosĂ© Ăvila (Delegate of the Superior General), Brother MoisĂ©s MartĂn (former director of the Office of Missions and International Cooperation of the General Curia and former director of JCONGD), Inmaculada Merino (Provincial Head of Volunteering for the Province of Aragon), as external advisor Pilar Orenes (Deputy Director of Oxfam IntermĂłn), Fernando Rivilla (pediatric surgeon and JCONGD volunteer for 11 years), Carme Vega (professor at the SJD Teaching Campus in Barcelona and head of the Solidarity and Solidarity Work Camps Area), as well as Gonzalo Sales (Director of JCONGD).
Text and photo: Adriana Castro, Communications Juan Ciudad Foundation NGO.
