WHAT TO EXPECT AS AN
"IEI PAKISTAN VOLUNTEER FELLOW"
Please carefully consider the following expectations.
You have decided to take time out of your life to live & work in a remote mountain valley.To make the most out of this experience
Engage with and appreciate local communities and the IEI Pakistan Team with an open mind and in a spirit of mutual learning and respect.
Be open minded & flexible, participate without expectations or judgment on how you may envision the experience.
Ask yourself “How can I contribute?” As an IEI Pakistan Volunteer Fellow, you are a creative contributor, you add value to the program & are not a consumer of the experience. Creative contributors are flexible, explore possibilities, invest in collective success, and take responsibility.
Self-motivate, challenge yourself and stay organized. Leadership for Fellows is given both pre program and in the form of 24/7 on-site support, however as a volunteer your commitment to the experience is what makes a difference.
Teach by Example: teach curiosity, open-mindedness, confidence, empathy, respectfulness, and the willingness to play and have fun.
Have a positive outlook. Focus on possibilities rather than problems. Concentrate on resources & potential rather than deficits.
Exercise good judgment and personal care to protect the safety and health of yourself and those around you.
You are a representative of IEI Pakistan and will be responsible for your personal and work-related conduct at all times.
Embrace adventure travel to make the most of the experience. Our programs provide an opportunity to experience simple, organic life.
Stay physically active to enjoy the landscape and what it has to offer.
You are prepared to adapt to the day-to-day life in a rural mountain environment.
Toilets. There are squat toilets with water availability. Winter Months: March/April & November/December have no running water in the toilets. Water for use, has to be fetched from the nearby water source.
Bathing. Showers may not happen as frequently as you are used to. Most volunteers shower once or twice a week. Water at the IEI Residence is Electric heated and is dependent on the availability of power. Winter Months: March/April & November/December have no running water in the toilets. Water for use, has to be fetched from the nearby water source.
Laundry and dishes are done by hand. Volunteer Fellows wash their own spoons, plates and cups.
Food at the IEI Residence is seasonal and mainly vegetarian. Meat is purchased depending on the availability. All meals are prepared & taken together.
Early to bed, early to rise. We start early in the morning and our days are full with engagements at school & in community.
Respect spaces & resources. We all care for our physical space and materials and use resources carefully and without wasting.
Reduce waste. We encourage and organic lifestyle & limit the amount of packaged goods we bring to or buy at our work locations.
Time off is relatively nonexistent. Personal commitments & Travel around Hunza and visits with friends and family should take place before or after your commitment.
Internet is non-existent at our work locations.
Bugs and rodents are commonly found in mountain villages. You have to adapt to the environment.
Communal Living IEI Residence is a local home with traditional architecture. The home consists of a central hall (used as a lounge & sleeping space) & a kitchen.
Travel - Trek - Volunteer
OUR FEATURED VOLUNTEERS
Ehsan Satti, Founder TajarbaGah
Tooba Akbar, Media Student at NUST
