• We only work with registered organizations that have proven record of sustainable & ethical practices and long-term expertise in their field
• We collect feedback from all our participants and our host sites to continuously improve our participant’s experience
• We regularly visit our host sites to offer support/training, to evaluate processes/costs and provide transparent and affordable programs
• We review and evaluate each intern application and check their qualifications, criminal background and medical status for eligibility and suitability
• We ensure that our participants’ work does not impact the employment opportunities of the local community
• We refrain from overcrowding our host sites with participants and allocating only those that are needed
• All participants are requested to sign a Code of Conduct prior to arrival, which is designed to protect all stakeholders from inappropriate behavior or abuse
• Participants that breach ours or the host site’s Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct will be removed without refund
• We take extra care allocating participants in sites that involve the care of others as well as animals

Several host sites are organizations that accept donations from other corporations, government bodies and individuals to support their work and awareness campaigns. Our interns are not expected or obliged to contribute in any way to these. The intern’s effort (time/money) to participate in host site activities is of great value and no further financial support should be requested/needed. If a participant chooses to offer a donation (money/items) is welcomed to do so, always in a responsible and sustainable way. Interns should keep in mind to:

• Feel free to decline an invitation to donate
• Only donate what they can afford and deliver what they promised
• Consult the host site staff on a donation idea before acting to verify their actual priorities/needs
• Refrain from starting donation campaigns without receiving permission from the host site staff
• Seek permission from the host site staff before using photo/videos of the premises in any campaign effort

In all programs that involved animals (domestic or wild), interns and hosts are requested to commit to the strict animal welfare guidelines as defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH):

• Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a species specific diet to maintain full health and vigor
• Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
• Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
• Freedom to express (most) normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind
• Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

In all programs that involved animals (domestic or wild), interns and hosts are requested to follow the strict policy and protection guidelines as defined by organizations such as Doctors of the World.

Hence, program participants:

• Are not allowed to escort, house, gift or feed vulnerable adults outside the placement site during or after the program period
• Should always follow the instructions of the host site on vulnerable adult care
• Should not take any photos/videos of vulnerable adults with out their and the host staff’s permission
• Should not behave in any manner (verbal/physical) intended to shame, humiliate, force, discriminate, display favoritism, sexually harass, belittle or degrade vulnerable adults

Hence, program hosts and their staff:

• Are required to be officially recognized by the government as an adult care facility, maintain this status and present evidence on demand
• Facility staff must undergo regular criminal background check and not to allow unauthorized visitors to enter or allow unsupervised visitors near vulnerable adults
• Should not behave in any manner (verbal/physical) intended to shame, humiliate, force, discriminate, display favoritism, sexually harass, belittle or degrade vulnerable adults
• Should support family/human rights, personal freedoms and prevent dependency issues of the the vulnerable individuals within their care
• Host sites should invest in the life-long learning and development of their staff
• Should offer detailed introductory information to program participants to set expectations, roles and conduct
• Should allow periodic process review to evaluate their suitability as a host site

Although this is not an exhaustive or exclusive list, participants and host sites must avoid actions or behavior which may encourage, facilitate or constitute abuse or exploitation of any kind. Failure to follow the policy and protection guidelines is valid reason for instant dismissal from the program