Latest volunteer updates
"The vast majority of people are subsistence farmers – we reckon less than 5% earn a salary. Vegetables sell for very little and the average daily wage for rare construction work is $3.50. Makes you wonder how people participate at all in the cash economy – and from what we can see people don’t, really."
The challenges of life in Hatubuilico, Timor-Leste
"I learned how to cut rice about 4 months ago and recently I had a go at planting rice. It is a really lovely thing to do, gingerly walking along the narrow tracks made by the bay walls of each padi, then sloshing about in the mud and plopping a couple of seedlings in the mud."
It’s the dry season
"My time here so far had been one of seeing kid’s health and lives improve but this is the sad reality of the AIDS virus. I would hate to think what it was like when the virus first took hold in South Africa. The care and treatment has really improved but for the young an infection can kill them so quickly."
A moment of sadness in South Africa
"I decided to return home for Christmas as the entire family had decided to descend on Perth for the festive season. I left Kiunga about 10.00 am. The morning was rushed because of the early departure and the need to book in early to avoid being off loaded (Bumped) should a small plane be used for the service."
What John did at Christmas
"The children at Kesho Leo Chekechea come from both the local community, and the families living in the project. They all have beautiful smiling faces, and are so happy and generally well behaved. I feel that I am in the right place to help the school."
Getting into the swing of things in Tanzania
Volunteer in 2013. Info Sessions coming soon.
We’re hosting information sessions in Canberra, Melbourne, Ballarat, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane for people interested in becoming a Palms global volunteer. Of course, we also welcome applications from people in other places, so complete our form to register your interest.
Fairtrade Organic Coffee Easter Sale
Our Fairtrade Organic Coffee Easter Sale starts today until 13th April 2012. Massive discounts on our whole range of coffee, chocolate and t-shirts are available for two weeks only.
Book Now for Sept/Oct Encounter
Palms Encounter: Timor-Leste, scheduled to run from July 2nd – 14th this year, is rapidly filling up. This trip is one of two Encounters to be run in 2012, the other due to start on September 24th.
March 2012
We’ve got updates from Fran and Carmel in South Africa; Anne, Mim and Damian in Timor-Leste; Jenny in Tanzania; and Lawrence and Edith in Uganda.
This activity in the field is reflected by the activity in the Palms office, with new staff and volunteers contributing to the strategies developed at our organisational review.
Finally our volunteering infographic illustrates the achievements of Palms over the last 50 years.
Blog: Retired volunteers: the giving of wisdom
You would be mistaken if you think volunteering is just a “young person’s game”. Older volunteers bring a number of qualities which can make them the most effective at contributing to their host communities.
