School built by a UNION Team in 2005

U.N.I.O.N.

Understanding Needs In Other Nations (UNION) is the overseas volunteer program run by HOPE International. UNION gives individuals with the heart and desire to serve people the opportunity to travel overseas and volunteer in a developing country. Volunteers share in the lives and work of people living in impoverished communities, with the aim of coming to understand their struggles and hopes.

UNION volunteers first explore the causes of hunger and poverty, the need for community development, the practice of crossing cultural boundaries, and an appropriate language through a self-study curriculum. These studies help prepare the volunteers for their overseas experience. Then, volunteers travel in teams to a developing country where they have the opportunity to become part of life in a rural village, working alongside people who struggle to survive.

UNION is a unique opportunity to see, listen, and live with people in the developing world. UNION volunteers invest not only in the lives of people overseas, but also in themselves. Practical work or overseas experience is not necessary - a passion to serve and encourage people is!

Every UNION team participates in some kind of community project that is implemented by HOPE International or one of its partner organisations. Work projects vary depending on the country and the needs of the local community. You can participate in anything from the building of schools, clinics, water systems or reforesting barren hillsides.

Please email hope@hope-international.org.au for more information about upcoming opportunities for UNION.