What is a DI ?

The Development Instructor Program is implemented in a cooperation between the DRH Movement and Humana People to People. Through the training period at one of the DRH Schools, the Development Instructor qualifies for a position at one of Humana People to People's projects or in the TCE Program.

Development Instructor is the name we give to our international volunteers. Over the last 30 years, more than 10.000 individuals have participated in the Development Instructor Program, contributing to development projects around the world. Within Humana People to People, these volunteers are crucial to the success and life of the development work, and they are counted upon as substantial contributors. In order to rise to the challenge of this responsibility, Development Instructors participate in an extensive preparation program that combines classroom learning and language study with experiential-learning and team-building activities. Program participants learn to take the initiative in their own education, just as they must while working in solidarity with their counterparts abroad. Being a Development Instructors it is essential to develop oneself in order to be able to spearhead development in the world.

Who can be a Development Instructor?

Everyone has the right to live, learn and volunteer. There is no such thing as the right person, the right experience, the right qualifications, the right gender, the right class, the right color, and the right religion ...etc. Everyone can do what we are willing to do and if we are willing to work with the development of people, then we have the right to do so. That's why we are here!

At IICD we give everyone an equal opportunity to "have a go"! We have an open-minded acceptance of people. This in itself causes people personal issues. When have you ever been in an environment where there is a total diversity of cultural and social backgrounds? However, simply because we accept everyone for who they are, it does not mean to say that we have to accept attitudes and behavior which are detrimental to a harmonious living and working environment!

We have an ethical responsibility to ourselves as well as those people who will be working with Development Instructors in Africa. This is a responsibility we take seriously. The project leaders, project personnel and perhaps most importantly the people those projects are there to serve the needs and interest of... Well, do you need people whose behavior is continuously disruptive to themselves and to others? So, why would it serve our friends in Africa's interest?

We want to take pride in the work the DI's from IICD do. We want to share in the moments of triumphs and tribulations, not to steal the glory, but to stand back and applaud as you achieve time and again what you had previously believed to be impossible. Accordingly, throughout this period, we want you to continuously demonstrate the capacity to grow, to develop as productive human beings. To live as people who can take responsibility for doing what ever needs to be done, without thought of immediate return, because it is in the best interests of others. That's the challenge. Do you accept it?

We do not believe that it is possible to measure the development of a human being. It is like driving a car on a long journey along a route we have not traveled before. If there were a single destination to aim for it would be that when you finished the program you knew in your heart that you had done something truly significant in the world. How can there be a single route-card that everyone can follow to reach this destination when we give everyone the same opportunity?

This is not to say that there cannot be milestones, signposts and people to guide you along the way. Those are all here wrapped into this training and development program.

Where do Development Instructors go?

Development Instructors go to work at Humana People to People projects in countries throughout Africa. These countries include: Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.

What do Development Instructors do?

During the preparation period, each Development Instructor will join a team headed to one or two countries in an educational program. The curriculum includes language study, courses in country-specific and regional history, politics, culture and economics, and practical training including health courses and job specialization. In addition to this curriculum, daily life at the school promotes the development of team-building, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills. Finally, the preparation period also includes fundraising, both as a way to maintain low tuition fees, to provide an opportunity for Development Instructors to share information about their work in communities around the country and to give thousands of people a chance to contribute to development work.During the preparation period, each Development Instructor will receive a job description describing the work they will do abroad. Common jobs include working in elementary schools, teacher training colleges, health and HIV/AIDS education, tree planting, income generation, administration, Child Aid and Partnership in Development. The availability of specific jobs varies from country to country, and is based on current needs. Once abroad, the Development Instructor will work closely with the permanent staff of the project, contributing his or her time, energy, expertise and experience. Along with their specific job responsibilities, the Development Instructors are expected to make a general contribution to the development of the project and the community where they work.