Marist Bridge Builders: Make a difference through meaningful volunteering

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Marist Bridge Builders Program

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The Marist Bridge Builders Program offers a unique opportunity for individuals over 18 years of age to contribute their skills and energy to a variety of ministries focused on children and young people. Whether your expertise lies in education, health, social work, trades, or music, your presence, knowledge, and abilities can be invaluable in assisting our international Marist projects and communities.

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If you are a college or university student taking a gap year or a retired professional, or anyone looking to gain some volunteering experience, the Program provides opportunities to join the Marist family and participate in their mission, allowing you to gain invaluable experiences and contribute to meaningful initiatives.

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Short-Term and Long-Term Placements

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We offer both short-term placements ranging from 3 to 6 months and long-term placements spanning 6 to 12 months. A common duration for a visitor's visa is three months, and many Australian volunteers have incorporated a placement as part of their broader travel plans.

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Our volunteers have been actively involved in various projects worldwide, including teaching and ecology initiatives in Fiji, teaching and health support in Timor-Leste, and exploring possibilities in Tanzania and Lebanon's Fratelli Project. We remain open to new inquiries and opportunities.

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A Transformative Experience

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Marist Volunteers are not merely sought as inexpensive labour; rather, they are invited to connect with local communities, joining in their activities and fostering a Marist-to-Marist bond. Young volunteers bring their skills in areas such as media, IT, music, and sports, as well as their energy, to enrich the lives of local youth and forge lasting friendships, while more older volunteers bring their invaluable experience and wisdom.

Global Opportunities

Marist Volunteers are welcomed in some of the 80 countries where the Marist world has a presence, as well as in ministries connected with the Australian Marist Province. Volunteers are free to indicate their preferences, and the Bridge Builders team can explore possibilities on their behalf.

Since the establishment of the Marist international volunteering network, Collaboration for Mission, International (CMI) in 2012, Australians have completed volunteering assignments in over 30 countries worldwide, including Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Philippines, Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, USA, Canada, Germany, South Sudan, South Africa, Lebanon, and Brazil.

Additionally, Marists have collaborated in countries such as Spain, Romania, Algeria, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Bangladesh, and China.

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For more information, contact Br Chris Wills, Director of Bridge Builders
chris.wills@marists.org.au