NOTRE DAME INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Do you like helping people?
Have you experienced God's goodness in your own life?
Do you want to make a difference in someone's life?

If you said "yes" to all these questions, we have an opportunity for you to learn more about our Notre Dame International Volunteer (NDIV) program.

Purpose:

The purpose of the Notre Dame International Volunteer Program mission experience is to provide women with an opportunity to join with the Sisters of Notre Dame in proclaiming God's goodness and provident care among people of another culture. The NDIV program mission experience is an opportunity to:

  • Broaden your vision of the world and your place in it
  • Learn new things about yourself and others
  • Concretize your commitment to justice and peace
  • Strengthen your faith and deepen your spirituality
  • Experience Church in an new way, and
  • Change your life

Step 1
Watch our online mission slideshow and read the commemorative booklet that provides an introduction and overview of the work of the Sisters of Notre Dame.

Step 2
Volunteers are vital to our ministry activities in Uganda. Eligibility criteria to become a volunteer are:

  • Female, age 21 years or older
    U.S. citizen
  • College degree (preferred) and/or professional skills that will be practical and valuable in our missions
  • Ability to fund own transportation to and from Uganda as well as meet passport, visa and medical requirements
  • Commitment to work in a rural setting and live among the people of Uganda
  • Provide volunteer services for 10-12 months from September through August
  • Willingness to live in a predominantly Catholic community and participate in regular religious services
  • Willingness to learn about and have some experience with the Sisters of Notre Dame in Uganda
  • Ability to participate in the SND training program
  • Complete a basic background check.

Step 3
Consider how your talents can be of service at the mission.Volunteer opportunities include:
teaching, assisting in the library and computer lab, cooking, tutoring, gardening, coaching, providing health care, management of inventory, management of canteen, and assisting in the microfinance program. Indicate your area(s) of interest in the application form.

Step 4
Complete the downloadable International Volunteer Program Application. You may add additional sheets if needed to answer questions fully.

Step 5
Submit your application packet to your regional coordinator as listed below.

Applicants east of the Mississippi contact:
Sister Mary Ethel Parrott
Notre Dame Academy
1699 Hilton Drive
Covington KY 41011
parrottm @ ndapandas.org
Tel: 859-292-7727
Fax: 859-292-7722

Applicants west of the Mississippi contact:
Sister Betty Mae Bienlein
Notre Dame Center
1776 Hendrix Avenue
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
bmbsnd @ aol.com
Tel: 805-917-3711
Fax: 805-379-3616

Step 6
Your regional coordinator will contact you once we have your application. Also at this time we will give you more information regarding next steps in the volunteer process. We will schedule a telephone interview with you.

Step 7
After successful completion of the telephone interview, there will be a personal interview which is also a chance to meet the Sisters.

Step 8
Once eligibility in the NDIV program is confirmed, you will participate in a training program.

Step 9
After successful completion of the training program, volunteer recruits will participate in a Missioning Ceremony.

Step 10
Your volunteer mission begins.