Mobility

Our service program in China requires volunteers to be very mobile for the following reasons:

The school campus is large and requires a lot of walking. Volunteers will need to walk 4-5 miles/day to get to and from school buildings and cafeteria.
There are between one and five flights of stairs to access rooms where volunteers will stay and additional flights of stairs at the university.
Volunteers’ lodging has Western-style flush toilets, but in teaching buildings, there is a squat toilet with a hole in the ground.

Our service program in Cook Islands requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

Volunteers take a local bus to/from school, so they need to be able to get on/off buses without assistance.
There are no sidewalks (except for towns) so volunteers need to walk on uneven terrain.
There are two flights of stairs at the Kii Kii Inn & Suites where volunteers stay.
All schools where we teach are on the ground level.

Our program in Cuba requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

Volunteers in Cuba are transported in passenger vans. Volunteers must be able to climb in and out of passenger vans unassisted.
Volunteers in Havana must be able to walk at least 0.5 miles in heat and humidity, as it can be warm and humid at any time of year in Cuba. Additionally, there are many broken and uneven sidewalks and streets, and volunteers should be able to navigate uneven terrain without issue. Due to electricity constraints, buildings, streets, and sidewalks can also be dark at night. Volunteers need to be able to safely navigate in the dark.
Some work projects may require volunteers to be able to climb at least two flights of stairs.

Our program in Greece in spring and fall requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

Volunteers must independently enter and exit public buses and taxis.
Volunteers will need to climb at least one flight of stairs to enter the local language schools.
Volunteers will need to walk to local taverns for dinner. The walk is typically about 1/2 mile from the lodging.
There is no elevator at the lodging. Volunteers must be comfortable climbing stairs. There are four rooms on the ground floor, but plan to navigate the stairs daily.

Our summer camp program in Greece requires volunteers to be somewhat mobile for the following reasons:

There is no elevator at the lodging. There are four rooms on the ground floor, but plan to navigate the stairs daily.
Volunteers will need to walk to local taverns for dinner. The walk is typically about 1/2 mile from the lodging.

Our service program in Italy requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

Volunteers will need to walk 2-3 miles/day to get to and from schools and restaurants.
There are around 2 or 3 flights of stairs to climb daily at the schools and the hotel. 
While part of the charm of Castelvetrano is the cobblestone streets and the aging architecture, the uneven terrain and holes in the roads and sidewalks make mobility challenging for those who require a cane, or other support.

Our service program in Malaysia requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

Volunteers walk up to 1 mile/day on uneven and broken sidewalks to dinner.
The traffic is heavy and one needs to be mindful when crossing the street.
Volunteers climb 2 to 5 flights of stairs daily at some schools. 
Volunteers are transported to schools by minivan or taxi and need to get in and out of them without assistance.
All our schools, restaurants, and hotels have Western-style flush toilets, but in some facilities, there is a squat toilet with a hole in the ground.

Our service program in Nepal requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

Volunteers walk to meals. The sidewalks are uneven and it is not uncommon for chunks of pavement to be loose or missing. Volunteers must navigate the sidewalks in the evenings after dinner when it is somewhat dark outside.
The roads are narrow and frequently congested with traffic. Volunteers prone to anxiety from crossing busy streets or being rushed should consider the lack of traffic control measures like stop lights, stop signs, and roundabouts. There are sometimes police officers helping with traffic control, but they are not at every intersection.
Volunteers must climb several flights of stairs at some work projects. The hotel has an elevator but our other community partners do not. Staircases do not always have handholds or railings, and some are exposed to the elements which can make them slippery. Additionally, volunteers at some work projects must navigate steep inclines twice per day.
Toilets and showers do not have handrails. There is a step up from hotel rooms into the bathrooms, as well.

Our program in Peru requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

Volunteers in Peru are transported in passenger vans. Volunteers must be able to climb in and out of passenger vans unassisted.
The Sagrada Familia campus within Ventanilla is expansive. Therefore, volunteers must be able to walk at least .5 miles over uneven paved terrain, including some sloped areas or small hills.
Volunteers stay in a hotel that may require them to climb at least 2 flights of stairs with their luggage.

Our program in Poland in spring and fall requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

All volunteers will need to climb 2 or more flights of stairs in their respective schools throughout the day.
Staying at the manor house, volunteers need to climb 2 flights of stairs to the second floor to access single rooms and the Resource Room for teaching materials. There are also a few steps to enter the building.
Some volunteers teaching in Siedlce take the train to school and need to get on/off the train without assistance.

Our summer camp program at Reymontowka, Poland requires volunteers to be somewhat mobile for the following reasons:

Single rooms and the Resource Room containing teaching materials are on the second floor of the manor house, so volunteers need to climb two flights of stairs (one way).

Our summer camp program in Siedlce, Poland requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

Volunteers will need to climb two or more flights of stairs at some schools/community centers where the camps are located.
Volunteers will need to do a lot of walking during the field trip that takes place one day during camp.
Some evenings, volunteers will walk 10 to 15 minutes to a local restaurant.

Our service program in St Lucia requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

St Lucia is a hilly region and volunteers should be able to walk up and down unassisted. 
Based on the location of the classrooms, volunteers may climb 2 or more flights of stairs throughout the day.
Staying at JJs Paradise, volunteers will need to climb steep walkways to access their cabin-style accommodation.
Walkways at JJs Paradise accommodation and the wooden bridge that leads to the restaurant can get very slippery.
Volunteers are transported to community work projects by van and need to be able to get in and out of the van independently.

Our program in Tanzania requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reason:

Volunteers in Tanzania are transported in high clearance Jeeps and passenger vans, volunteers are required to be able to climb in and out of these vehicles unassisted.
Volunteers need to be able to walk at least 0.5 miles on uneven, unpaved terrain and flat tiled surfaces around the village of Ipalamwa.
Ipalamwa is in the highland’s region of Tanzania, and therefore to get around, volunteers must be able to climb at least 1 flight of stairs.

Our program in Puerto Rico requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

Volunteers in Puerto Rico are transported in passenger vans. Volunteers must be able to climb in and out of passenger vans unassisted.
Volunteers may be required to walk around Aguada and Aguadilla during some work projects. Volunteers must be able to walk at least 1 mile on uneven paved terrain, as there are many broken sidewalks and uneven terrain to navigate, including sloped areas and hills.
At the lodging in Aguada and some of the work projects, volunteers may be required to climb at least 2 flights of stairs, some without handrails.
In Aguada and Aguadilla, there can be areas with minimal lighting in the evenings and at night. Volunteers should be comfortable and able to get around with minimal lighting.

Our program in Montana requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

Volunteers in Montana are transported in passenger vans. Volunteers must be able to climb in and out of passenger vans unassisted.
The lodging at the Blackfeet Community College is spread out between the buildings where volunteers sleep, have breakfast and dinner, and where showers are located. Volunteers must be able to walk at least 0.5 miles on uneven unpaved terrain.
Some work projects may require volunteers to use stairs to climb at least 2 flights of stairs.

Our program in Texas requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

Volunteers in Texas are transported in a passenger van. Volunteers must be able to climb in and out of passenger vans unassisted.
Volunteers must be able to walk at least 0.5 miles on paved surfaces, as some of the rooms at the hotel are a distance from the main lobby building where breakfast and dinner are eaten. This space between the lobby building and some of the rooms has low lighting at night, so volunteers should be comfortable with navigating paved sidewalks and curbs with minimal lighting.
At work projects as well as the hotel, climbing one flight of stairs may be required. Volunteers must be able to climb at least one flight of stairs.

Our service program in Vietnam requires volunteers to be mobile for the following reasons:

Volunteers walk up to 1 mile/day to some work projects and restaurants for dinner.
Volunteers climb 2 to 3 flights of stairs daily at the work projects.
Volunteers need to get in and out of vehicles without assistance.
There is one flight of stairs to enter the L’Heritage Hotel and two flights of stairs to the breakfast buffet and the meeting space.
In Hanoi, streets are congested and there are no traffic lights in many areas. It is difficult to navigate and cross the streets. The sidewalks are filled with motorbikes, food vendors, and other activities, and people oftentimes must walk in the street.

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