WHAT TO EXPECT

On this page you'll learn more about our work activities, schedule, accommodation and the local area. You can also find important information about our code of conduct. 

Base is where you will live, eat and play during your time on program! It is communal living at its finest. Some call it rustic, others call it home.  Base is a co-ed bunk style dorm rooms with assorted common areas for eating and relaxing. You will need to be prepared to bring all of your own bedding and sleeping equipment.  You can take a look at our packing list here. 

We’re currently housing our team in an local campground. This is a spacious indoor/outdoor space that we have converted into a communal living space. The campground has shared sleeping areas and bathrooms for volunteers and staff. We do all of our cooking outdoors on flattops, but we do have WIFI and electrical access. 

We provide three meals a day, on each working day. There will be no meals provided on your days off. Some examples of standard meals are below

• Breakfast: Oats, Peanut Butter, Jam, Bread, Eggs, Tea and Coffee

• Lunch: Many of our sites are currently providing free lunch to volunteers from food vans, there is also the option to make sandwiches/ salads for a packed lunch. 

• Dinner: Staff and volunteers take it in turn to cook on base vegetarian options (different types of meat with vegetables, pasta, salads, vegetarian options are also available)

Vegetarian diets can be accommodated but vegans and those with specific dietary requirements will need to supplement what we can provide with items they bring or source and purchase themselves. You will be able to store personal food items on the shelves but there may not be any refrigerated personal space. You will be able to use the kitchen whenever meals are not being cooked for base.

The day starts at around 7 am when our team wakes up to get ready for work. Typically the work day is from 8am - 4pm. Please keep in mind the day to day schedule can vary slightly. This can be dependent on the needs of our local partners. After you return home from the worksite, you will have a chance to unwind, relax and reflect on your day, and review work assignments for the following day.

Working in a disaster zone in the response phase requires patience. The situation can remain dynamic and plans may be forced to change at the last minute. While it may appear as such, there are always things to be done, it is important they are done correctly and in coordination with the community we serve and our NGO partners.

We're currently working across a 6 day work week, ensuring all volunteers and staff have some time to rest. Which will look like the schedule below: 

Work days - Tuesday - Sunday

Days off - Monday

Below is what a typical workday will look like. We try very hard to ensure a level of consistency in our Daily Schedule. However, due to the nature of our work there is a potential for slight variations to the workday. We require flexibility from all volunteers and staff.  

- 6:30 am - Quiet hours end (8am on weekends)

- 6:30 am - 8:30am Breakfast, getting ready for the day

- 7:30 am to 9:00 am - Head out for the work site (start times may vary depending on our partners & traffic)

- 12:00 pm - 30 mins lunch (time may vary depending on our partners needs)

- 5:00 pm - Work day ends. Teams arrive back to base 

- 5:15 pm - Mandatory meeting

- 6:00 pm - Dinner

- 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm - Free time, Chores/ Clean up

- 9:00 pm - Quiet hours begin

- 10:00 pm - Curfew begins, all volunteers and staff back on base.

 Working in a disaster zone in the Response phase requires patience; the situation is very dynamic, and plans often are forced to change at the last minute. As response efforts ramp up, All Hands and Hearts has started assessments for scopes of work including muck and gut, debris removal, mold sanitation, etc. Safety of our volunteers is our highest priority, and for that reason you will be asked to wear full Tyvek protection while you are working on mold sanitation sites. It is incredibly important that you remain hydrated and take breaks while using this protection. 

We welcome and host both volunteers and staff from all over the world. You will be exposed to different cultures, social etiquette and personalities. It is critical that regardless of who you meet or where you come from that you respect each individual, as well as their personal belongings. The organization adheres to a zero tolerance policy around harassment (sexual or otherwise), violence and theft. Please read our Code of Conduct before applying to volunteer. The Code of Conduct contains information on our policies around consensual relationships, alcohol consumption and much more. All Hands and Hearts reserves the right to ask anyone who does not adhere to any element of our Code of Conduct, to leave the program.