How we work

Be More works in cooperation with grassroots organizations in developing countries. We support these organizations through grants and recruit volunteers to support their work and help increase their capacity. As part of our partnership with these organizations, Be More has made certain aspects a priority, things we feel are very important in a working relationship and to make sure both sides benefit as much as possible. This is how we work:

Programs
The organizations Be More works with in developing countries were established and are run by local residents. They existed prior to Be More's involvement with them and run completely without interference from Be More. Their main purpose is to support their local community: mainly children and vulnerable adults.

The volunteer programs which Be More promotes are owned and run by our partners. Even though Be More often offers advice and support to our partners when setting up their volunteer program, the partner organization determines what the program consists of: content, finance and practical matters are all decided upon by the partner, before Be More begins promoting the program to potential volunteers.

The volunteers' role is expressed in Be More's mission. The main purpose of volunteers is not to provide knowledge, extra hands or financial support, although all these things are a positive side effect. Instead their role is meant to be much broader and have longer term effects. Be More regards volunteers as ambassadors. They are a small group of people who work closely with people in a developing country and form a real image of the situation there, before sharing this experience with a large group of people back home. In this way an honest, and often surprisingly positive image of people in developing countries and the role an individual can play in someone's future, evolves. This engagement is central to Be More.

Effects & dependency

To all the organizations that Be More works with, volunteers are an added value, never an essential part of the organization. Volunteers provide support, knowledge, time, energy and extras like personal attention but they are never indispensible. This way we prevent an organization from becoming dependent on international volunteers' support as we want our partners to remain independent and strong without our support.

The effect volunteers have on children, patients or others supported by our partners' work, is regularly evaluated, When necessary, we adapt the program, together with our partners.

Selection & preparation

Be More carefully selects which volunteers we send to our partners. With an application and selection procedure that is specific to each partner and in which they have final say, we make sure that only those who are suitable are able to volunteer with us. Our application procedure consists of written forms, telephone calls, references and criminal record checks.
See Application Procedure ››

In addition to this, Be More makes sure volunteers are well prepared for their trip, so that they arrive at the partner with accurate expectations and knowing what their role is.

Evaluation

Our relationship with our partners, the volunteer programs they run and the volunteers we send, are regularly evaluated, both by Be More and our partners. This way we ensure our work and that of our volunteers, continues to benefit the work our partners carry out.

Financial contributions we make to our partners' work are also checked meticulously. Every grant that is made is evaluated thoroughly, so that both Be More and the local organization can learn for a next grant. All contributions are accounted for through the Be More Community and our website.

Finally
To illustrate, a quote from our partner Mother of Peace, a care centre that offers shelter to about 50 children in Lower Illovo, South Africa.

”The amount of good will generated by the volunteers within the community has proved to be more valuable than any monetary donation. Each week the benefits of the volunteer program increase more and more."

For testimonies from our other partners and from volunteers see
Testimonies »

Who are you? »

The Children Themselves

Read here what the children themselves say about volunteers!

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