The International Humanity Foundation (IHF) was founded in 1983 by Carol Sasaki. Today, it is comprised of seven locations in Thailand , Kenya, Indonesia & the United States caring for more than 3,000 children worldwide. IHF is a unique organization in that all those involved at any level consider themselves to be members of the IHF family. We wish to extend that warm welcome to you.

Please read the following statements to signify your understanding and acceptance of the terms presented.

1. I have read and understood the IHF mission statement. This is a mission statement that I endorse and will work to support.

2. I have read and understood the information on IHF's website, http://www.ihfonline.org, especially that which pertains to overseas volunteers.

3. I understand that by volunteering at an IHF center, I am being invited into a family. That family is run according to local custom and culture. It is important for me to respect local culture and understand that although I may not agree with some aspects of the culture, I am not at the center to make any changes but to help, support and love the children and their community.

4. I understand that I am never allowed to send out emails about IHF without the permission of Carol. All emails must be sent out from IHF mailboxes that have been set up for all tasks and never from my personal mailbox. To do so is grounds for dismissal.

5. I understand that any emails pertaining to IHF matters in any way must be copied to: carolmsasaki@ihfonline.org. IHF is a growing family and many of the volunteers are quite new to the foundation. It is vital that emails are copied to avoid misunderstandings and mistakes being made. In addition, during my initial training period, any emails I send out about IHF to anyone, must first be approved by Carol Sasaki. The goal is to have well trained task teams.

6. I understand that all guests need permission to enter Carols IHF homes and can not simply enter without this permission.

7. I will dedicate two or more hours per week for a minimum of four weeks prior to my departure to working on one of the previously suggested at-home task teams. I understand I will not be allowed to arrive at the center without completing these 8 hours. I understand that my work on the task team for these 8 hours is a way in which IHF can judge my ability to follow instructions and complete tasks and communicate with others while marinating a positive attitude-essential to working at our centers and with other cultures.

8. I understand that obtaining a visa if and when necessary is my own responsibility. IHF will provide me with a supporting letter and information needed to acquire said visa.

9. I will fill out the pre-volunteering survey before I arrive at my center. I will complete my post-volunteering survey within one month of finishing my overseas work. These surveys were provided to me with my application.

9. I understand that all international flights usually allow 60 to 70 Kg and some more. I will pack for myself minimally, as to maximum the amount of donations I can bring for the children. Most centers have many very inexpensive markets nearby where I can buy anything I could need for myself, so bringing excess clothing, etc. for myself is often unnecessary.

10. I will be in frequent email contact with key staff of the center in which I will be working (see below) at least three weeks prior to arrival to introduce myself as well as arrange arrival plans. When emailing IHF Centers, please be sure to ALWAYS CC these and all IHF emails to carolmsasaki@ihfonline.org

11. I understand that it is much appreciated if I bring donated used supplies with me to the center and work with IHF on what these items will be. Always needed are old cameras, laptops and desktop computer bases, and if I manage to bring such items to the center it would be a great achievement in my work for IHF. Other helpful items are used clothes and learning materials or children books.

12. I understand that I need to check in with Carol Sasaki by e-mail upon my arrival at the IHF center where I will be staying.

13. Once again, I understand that upon acceptance, and continuing until leaving for my IHF Center, I will also keep track of hours spent in preparation for my travels and include them in my weekly hour report. I understand it is fine to simply send "0" hours donated many weeks. I understand my personal trip preparation hours are reported but are not counted toward my 8 pre trip task team hours. (They are nevertheless counted as donated hours for other records.) I will send my record of my hours donated to IHF or on my trip preparation, weekly prior to my departure. I will send them to donatedhours@ihfonline.org

Upon Arrival

14. I understand that the Director or a representative of the director of the center in which I will be working will pick me up at the airport/ bus station where I arrive. However, I realize that all costs of transportation to and from the IHF center are my responsibility. ( In Bali and Jakarta, you will need to take a taxi which will be between USD $20.00 and USD $30.00. At the remainder of the centers, the cost will be USD $15.00 or less if Transport is needed) For all volunteers to Kenya please see the additional costs at the bottom of this MOU. Important for all volunteers going to Pokot to review. *

15. I understand that upon arrival at my center, I must provide the director with the following documents:

1. A copy of my acceptance letter.
2. A copy of my signed waiver.
3. A paragraph summary of my at home tasks I worked on before my arrival, as well as my tasks assigned to me by Carol Sasaki to be worked on during my stay at the center, unless these future tasks are yet to be finalized.

16. I understand that I need to pay USD $35.00 per week to live and eat at the center. I understand that this is because the centers' budget is used solely for the needs of the children. I understand that culture may make it difficult for the director of my center to accept the money but it is my responsibility to see that the director receives it. I will pay for the month on the day I arrive, either in dollars, euros or local currency. I further understand that this money does not cover the cost of special foods.

1. For Bali volunteers, the cost is USD $55.00 per week to live and eat in the center, and USD $140.00 per week to live and eat in the guest house adjacent to the center.
2. For Kenya volunteers, please read Kenya manual on our website about these additional costs.

17. I understand that the accommodation provided for volunteers is simple. Most centers do not have hot water or western toilets. At some centers, volunteers sleep on the floor. I am prepared to live as the children and directors live at the centers. I realize that the center cannot change to suit my personal needs and am willing to adapt to my surroundings (for example in Muslim Banda Aceh, I will never go outside the center without wearing the local head cover provided.) At every center, local customs do not permit unmarried couples to sleep together, share a room, or show public displays of affection. I understand this may affect me and my sleeping arrangements, but am willing to adjust for the sake of respecting the culture I am volunteering in.

18. I understand that my provided meals will be local food. I realize that I will be eating the same food as the children at my center. I understand that if this food is not suitable for me, it is my own responsibility to buy and/or cook food that is to my liking (often, food will be spicy. Also, if you have a vegetarian diet, you may find it difficult to eat provided food at some locations and want to supplement with additional foods you buy when at market). I further understand that the water used at the centers is boiled local water. I will buy my own bottled water, if need be, at a local market. I will not eat my special foods in front of the children unless sharing. I will eat them privately. (This is especially important with sweet drinks and snacks! Please be sensitive in this way.)

19. I understand the importance of teaching English to the children at these centers, and am willing to prepare for and teach English lessons at the IHF center where I will be living. ! While learning Indonesian happens naturally, I will focus not on their teaching me Indonesian but on my teaching them English. While English does not need to be my first language, teaching it daily will be one measure of my success. In the education centers, I will be responsible for teaching English or math or basic computer or basic leadership and world awareness classes at scheduled times. At the orphanages, I will also be responsible for teaching classes at scheduled times as well as teaching the children living at the centers through games, activities, and conversation.

20. I understand that I will be given daily and weekly tasks by both Carol Sasaki and the Director of my center. I know that I will be doing work not only for my Center, but for IHF internationally. I understand that generally the teaching of classes is about 3 to 4 hours a day and "Carols IHF work" 4 to 5 hours a day.

21. I understand that I need to be in correspondence with Carol Sasaki daily to report on the progress of my assigned tasks and to answer her questions. I will turn this daily journal in each morning by 9 am to donatedhours@ihfonline.org, for as long as I am at the center. In my journals I will note such matters as classes held and student/teacher attendance and quality, staff performance and quality, food, any illnesses or special needs or events,

22. I know that I will be helping the Director to write a weekly report on the center in which I am working, as well as the daily journal of my own progress. I will turn in each morning by 9 am to donatedhours@ihfonline.org, for as long as I am at the center.

23. I understand that I may not implement or change any procedures regarding IHF without express permission from Carol Sasaki. I further understand that IHF is looking for volunteers who are patient and understanding with the many problems that arise in work such as this. We are not looking for them to be solved with instant solutions and at times we leave them intentionally, learning after many years of experience that some problems can be healthy to deeper long term growth of those involved. ) I understand that IHF is not looking for volunteers to come to try to instantly fix projects or people or even IHF. I understand I am not coming to fix things unless I have first had many years experience at the IHF projects. I understand that IHF is looking for hard working volunteers with a positive and supportive attitude even when the living may be quite different from what we are used to. I understand IHF is looking for flexible volunteers who enjoy new experiences and playfulness too!

24. I repeat my understanding that, once living at the center, I will need to send in a daily journal or report of activities with amount of hours spent on them to donatedhours@ihfonline.org and copy carolmsasaki@ihfonline.org. In my journal report I will be sure to report classes run and attendance, and keep daily notes on each class I personally teach, even if in partnership with local teachers. I will include comments and suggestions for improvement (to help future volunteers as well as our students); through out my stay, I will list general Q/A's- using this format for gathering information for future volunteers arriving to our Center

25. I understand that while living at the center, I will need to help Directors with their weekly and monthly reports to be sent to weeklytasks@ihfonline.org and copied to carolmsasaki@ihfonline.org (I understand that these Directors weekly and Monthly reports are separate from my daily hours worked journal report I send in each morning, Monday through Saturday by 9 am while living at the center.)

26. I understand that if any volunteer is asked to leave for not following IHF rules, they must get permission in writing to return at any time.

27. I understand that I am at the center to be staff, not a guest. Because of culture, I understand that many of the local staff feel as they must serve me as a royal guest, and I will make it clearly known to them that I am a staff member and a volunteer, the same as them, and I don't need to be entertained or to be served. I will treat my Director with respect and as my boss, not as my servant at any time. I will help the Directors to improve their English when requested.

After Completion of Volunteer Work

28. I will dedicate four hours upon completion of my volunteer work to writing a report answering specific questions. I will submit my report no later than one month following my work with IHF. This report will help IHF continue to address the needs of its children and will educate people who have not been to the centers.

29. I will report to my local schools or civic groups or media about my trip and suggest it as a story though I am not responsible as to whether they say yes or not. I will get all suggestions and emails okayed by IHF first to be sure the information is accurate.

30. I understand that all volunteers at all centers help in taking photos and helping children to write thank you letters in their own words to their sponsors. If requested, I will make a PowerPoint from my photos about the IHF I am volunteering for and my experience there.

31. I agree to spend 1-2 hours a week for several months after completion, helping the center after my return home. I understand that I will send a report of these hours weekly to donatedhours@ihfonline.org.

IHF

32. I understand that IHF is a grassroots organization. Any money that the center spends on a volunteer is money taken away from the children's budget.

33. I understand that if I am found to be in violation of the aforementioned rules & procedures, I will be sent reminder letters. If I continue to violate IHF's rules and procedures, I will be asked to leave.

34. I understand that IHF & all the children at our centers treasure my help very dearly & are grateful for all the time & work that I give to volunteering for IHF! I understand that once an IHF alumni at one center, all IHF centers and children are family and they welcome me. I will keep in contact at least several times a year with others in my home country and province or state that are interested in IHF, offering advice to the best of my ability.

* In Kenya, unfortunately, costs are much higher then at our other centers, even while the need for help is so very great. You should expect a cost of USD $188.00 each way to cover gas expenses for being picked up and dropped-off at the Nairobi airport. This USD $188.00 cost is derived from gas cost alone for the required round-trip journey of two staff members (USD $94.00 each way) It is required for a pick-up or drop-off from the Nairobi airport which is a very full day long if not two day trip. If volunteers share transport, then this gas cost can be split. Thus, you should plan for a total of USD $376.00 round-trip for gas transportation to the center. In addition the YMCA is USD $12.00 a night for you and another USD $12.00 for the staff sharing a room, if they must spend the night in Nairobi. To spend the night in the smaller city of Nakuru (that is half way between Pokot and Nairobi) is slightly less. More details about Kenya, written by former volunteers, can be found on our web and in the manual.