LAST year COVID-19 forced most of Catholic volunteers working overseas to return home to Australia.
Now Palms Australia, the organisation that recruits, prepares and sends skilled Australians to work with international community partners is hoping 2021 will see a strong return to overseas placements.
“We need some lead time to prepare new people,” Palms executive director Roger O’Halloran said, as he prepared for the next intake of volunteers in October.
Established 60 years ago, Palms recruits skilled Australians, from a vast array of disciplines and trades, and supports and sends them on long-term assignments in remote communities to build the skills of local people.
Last year 20 Palms volunteers were forced to return to Australia, even though most had intended to stay overseas for several years.
Only five of Palms Australia recruits were able to stay overseas working.
By the second half of this year Mr O’Halloran is counting on a return to safe, international travel, signalling a return to business as usual.
“The greatest request is for teachers,” he said, suggesting that anyone interested should have a look at the Palms Australia website.
There are a variety of interesting placements on offer:
Sao Francisco de Assis Parish in Atabae, Timor Leste, has requested an English teacher mentor to assist local teachers to improve their English teaching skills and to develop English teaching programs.
Another teaching position is offered in East Timor’s remote, south coast subdistrict of Uatucarbau, requiring a qualified agriculture specialist to train local youth in sustainable farming.
In the PNG Highlands, an electrician is needed to pass on skills, in a region where trades are often self taught and learnt on the job.
The Archdiocese of Mount Hagen has had a significant influence on building the industrial and economic capacity in Papua New Guinea’s important highlands and coordinates projects across education, health, agriculture and pastoral infrastructure.
Another placement is for a qualified nurse to work with Filipino staff at health centres in Cebu to improve community health education programs and deliver first aid training.
The programs aim to reduce the spread of disease through basic health and sanitation awareness and sexual health knowledge.
For all of overseas placements each volunteer receive an allowance to cover accommodation and live a modest local lifestyle, and Palms staff provide personal and professional support and
The Palms website (www. palms.org.au) provides background to all positions currently available.
“You can have a look on your own behalf, but please also let your friends, family and others know about the many and varied opportunities.” Mr O’Halloran said.
