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Lay Missionary Preparatory Programme

"You can clearly see the absolute importance of organisations like Viatores Christi and the vast difference in volunteers that have done some sort of preparation course as opposed to the ones that haven't, they settle in much faster, are more likely to do their full term, more tolerant of others cultures, less critical, etc"- words of one of our volunteers, during his sixth year of volunteering overseas.   

 

Conditions of Entry

• Entry to the programme can only occur only after attending an information session.
• Trainees must be 21 years of age or over (if not yet 21 we can refer you to other voluntary associations)
• Trainees are expected to attend all weekend workshops.
• As part of the preparation programme, it will be necessary to become involved in voluntary work. 
• The trainee is expected to work in partnership with the process and to undertake any extra preparation that may be recommended.
• Completion of the programme does not commit the trainee to going overseas.

Content

The programme is a series of six weekend workshops, delivered once a month over a six month period.  Experienced professionals, some of whom have spent time working on the missions / overseas, facilitate the workshops.

The topics covered in the programme include:

• Community Development and Leadership
• Challenge, Commitment and Conflict
• Church and Spirituality
• Cultural Adaptation
• Other Religions
• Health
• Holistic Health
• Global Awareness
• Social Justice
• Home Mission                                                                      

Trainees are gradually enabled to make a more informed decision as to whether or not overseas work is the option for them.  They become better informed about the actual reality of working as a lay missionary development worker overseas. 

Each weekend workshop session begins on Fridays at 8pm and ends on Sundays after lunch.

Programme Fees
	Waged	Unwaged
Course fee and meals	€500	Less 20%

 

Schedule 2008/2009

Cultural Adaptation                                  11 - 13 January 2008

Challenge Commitment & Conflict              8 - 10 February 2008

Global Awareness                                      7 -  9  March 2008
Health                                                       11 - 13 April 2008
Home Mission                                              9 - 11 May 2008

Community Development & Leadership     13 - 15 June 2008

Community Development & Leadership   19 - 21 September 2008

Global Awareness                                    17 - 19 October 2008

Health                                                      14 - 16 November 2008

Home Mission                                           12 - 14 December 2008

Cultural Adaptation                                  16 - 18 Januray 2009

Challenge Committment & Conflict           13 - 15 February 2009