If you would like to join Free Border Skate on our inaugural trip: May 23 - May 29th, 2020, please familiarise yourself with all the info on this page, before sending in an application. Applications should be submitted no later than Wednesday Oct 9th 2019 

APPLICATIONS CLOSED FOR 2020 Please Check Back in August for 2021 Trips 

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Vacancies 

ALL POSITIONS HAVE BEEN FILLED

Assistant Dance Coach (x 3): These coaches will work under the direction of our lead dance coach. Coaches will be assigned their classes based on the individual assessment done by our head coaches. This may mean you are working alone or with another coach or that you may be asked to shadow during your first visit. All coaches will however work and play each day with our participants.  

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Assistant Ramp Coach (x 3): These coaches will work under the direction of our lead ramp coach. Coaches will be assigned their classes based on the individual assessment done by our head coach. This may mean you are working alone or with another coach or that you may be asked to shadow during your first visit. All coaches will however work and play each day with our participants.  

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Confidence Coach (x1) - This coach reports to the director. You will need to be extremely personable with a lot of energy and willing to focus on kids who may be struggling, or may not be nero-typical. This could mean a child is non-verbal, deaf/hard of hearing or visibly suffering from shock/PTSD. You will be as much a skate instructor as you will be an emotional support. 

 

Photographer x1 

Having travelled out of the country with a profile that examples this is necessary for this post. 

 

Videographer x1 

We ask that videographers have a reel/portfolio of work that they are willing to share. This person will report directly to the volunteer coordinator. Your work will need to be storytelling in nature. Please be professional and able to follow a brief with little oversight necessary. You will need to be willing to provide both raw footage and edited footage at the end of the post.  

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QUICK FACTS & FAQ!

Volunteers must be able to attend the full week and attend cross over session. The cross over session is a one day country introduction and training which includes mandatory safeguarding training during the first Sunday on the ground and will be lead by Sojourn & the ground staff.

 

Volunteers are asked but not required, to bring one pair of skates as a donation but no more than two. Please check online to see what sizes are needed most. Please don't bring skates that are not good quality or trash you want to get rid of. Our kids need skates that will last. 

 

Fundraising is done strictly through JustGiving. Sign up for an account by searching for Salam ladc, and create a profile. Go Fund Me, Facebook fundraisers etc are not permitted and we ask that anyone using these types of platforms disassociate our name, projects, goals etc since transparency and appropriation are impossible to monitor. 

 

Any funds-raised will go directly to your flight, accommodation and transportation to our program headquarters. Any surplus funds raised  will go towards the project. If you have ideas or projects in mind that you would like to propose, that can be covered by funding you have successfully raised please submit a one page project proposal. Please keep in mind we are a lean NGO and any projects approved will be done so with consideration to your qualifications to undertake and lead.

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IS LEBANON SAFE?

The safety situation in Lebanon is stable  and The UN has identified more than 90% of the country as a green zone; meaning it is considered safe for leisure travel. Volunteers & Coaches are advised to register with their countrie embassy in the case of an evacuation plan being mandated.

 

Can I fundraise for this trip? If so how? 

Yes! Please use our fundraising platform https://www.justgiving.com/salamladc

 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO VOLUNTEER

Because we encourage a diversified group of coaches to apply; who come from all socioeconomic backgrounds, our fundraising is based on a “co-op” approach meaning we fundraise as and for the group. This means each volunteer is encouraged to raise $2000 USD on our platform to reserve your spot on our volunteer team (this is flexible). Due to flight prices varying from all different locations, this approach allows us to invite skaters who’s cost may exceed $2000 as well as coaches who’s cost wouldn’t come near this. The amount raised will cover your flight, housing, airport pickup, transportation to and from our headquarters and one cultural outing. We only endorse fundraising on our site, as this creates transparency.

 

DO I NEED VACCINES?

Whether or not you need a vaccine(s) is dependent upon the country you’re from. Please research to make sure you’re up to date. Most American’s will not need vaccines but we Salam LADC UK or Salam LADC take no liability for this.

 

DO I NEED A VISA?

Whether or not you need a visa is dependent upon the country you’re from. Please research this before applying or signing up to volunteer. 

 

WHERE DO I STAY

Our group will stay at the beautiful Ecolodge, a traditional lebanese hotel. You will be assigned a roommate based on your volunteer form. 

 

CAN I COME IF I'M PALESTINIAN

We regret to inform residents of the Palestinian territories will not be permitted to enter Lebanon. 

 

HOW EXPENSIVE IS IT 

Your core expenses will be covered by your fundraising however other outings will be entirely up to you. Lebanon uses the US dollar and prices are comparable to those seen in the west.  

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WHAT SHOULD I BRING

Although Salam is an organization that has been running for many years, Free Border Skate is a new project so we ask that you bring a positive attitude as we pilot our new program. There will be things that go wrong, new ideas being developed as we go. Your attitude and how you respond is what will ultimately have the most influence over the children and your co-workers.  Nights are often cold in Lebanon even in the spring so an extra blanket is advisable. 

 

HOW GOOD OF A SKATER DO I NEED TO BE

Skaters must be at an advance-intermediate competency to come as a coach. That means skating backwards, forwards, spinning, stopping, jumping while in motion etc.  You will be assessed by the lead coach.  In order to come on as a coach to teach at the skatepark/ramp, you must be formally invited as this requires years of training and safety oversight. 

 

WHAT IF I HAVE OTHER TALENTS- Photo, video, chef etc, 

We welcome non-skaters with applicable talents to apply! 

 

WHAT AIRPORT SHOULD I FLY INTO 

You will be booked in to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport and airport pickup will be arranged. 

 

ARE ROLLERBLADERS WELCOME 

Rollerbladers are often great coaches even for quad skaters! If you have experience teaching non-roller bladers you’re welcome! Just know that all our kids wear roller skates not inlines. 

 

WHAT DO I SAY AT THE BORDER 

Tell the border agent you are here to volunteer with Salam LADC. We are a well known organization. If they ask, let them know your representative is Joseph Matta and you are staying in the Beqaa at the Eco Lodge. 

 

DO I NEED INSURANCE 

You will need travel insurance. Be sure you insurances covers Lebanon as many companies do not.