Fields of Life

There are a number of different ways to volunteer with Fields of Life.  Whether you are skilled or unskilled, you can make a valuable contribution. The following is a list of appropriate volunteering activities:

Administrator

At certain times of the year, the FOL office is extremely busy.  For example, December is the time that we receive many Gift of Life requests.  Twice a year the Child Sponsorship letters arrive and it is a tremendous amount of work to have them processed for delivery to child sponsors.  There is also the need for assistance with newsletter distribution.  Administrators roll up their sleeves with a smile, and work with us side-by-side in the office (and some within their own homes) to get even the most tedious mailings out to appreciative child sponsors and donors.

Consultants

“Hi. My name is Patrick Manning.  I first got involved with Fields of Life about two years ago when I enquired from a friend, with whom I was having a coffee, what this FOL charity was about. Having spent almost 40 years in education, both as a school principal and latterly as a school inspector, I volunteered my services to FOL to assist them in their educational planning for the future. Working with FOL has been a life changing experience.  Both my wife, Valerie, and I travelled to Uganda and Rwanda in February 07 and returned to help run a conference for Head Teachers in FOL schools in November 07.  By the grace of God, we both became Christians having been greatly influenced by the Christian attitude of the East African people, who thank God for all their blessings, and by the commitment of the FOL volunteers and staff with whom we came in contact. In February this year, I travelled back to Uganda to work with our new Educational Adviser there and was again deeply moved by the way the Lord is making his kingdom sure there.  As a volunteer with FOL, I feel very privileged to be a part of God’s work in Africa.  I’m now chairperson of the Fields of Life Education Advisory Group which oversees future educational strategy in relation to setting and achieving high standards in our schools and also contributes advice and recommendations to the Strategy Group.” - Paddy Manning, Educational Consultant

“Hello.  My name is John Wilson and I am from Randalstown.  I am a retired accountant.  I heard of Fields of Life through my church – Drummaul Parish, where I serve as Church Treasurer.  After looking into a number of African charities, a group from the church met with Trevor Stevenson, CEO Fields of Life.  As a result of the meeting we committed to building a primary school in Tabiro.  Based on my accounting experience and my interest in Fields of Life at this point, I was asked if I would prepare Gift Aid records and submit them to the Inland Revenue.  I enjoy the volunteer work that I do for Fields of Life and find it very rewarding.”  – John Wilson, Gift Aid Consultant   

John Wilson and Paddy Manning are just two consultants who act as important cogs in the wheels that enables FOL to function. Some volunteers do more specialised work, for example in the educational, financial, legal or medical field.  Fields of Life's Volunteer Co-ordinator guides a potential volunteer through the process inquiring about the volunteer’s particular qualifications, skills or gifts to ensure best use of their area of expertise.  FOL has, in the past, been blessed with assistance from doctors, solicitors, teachers, builders, accountants, etc.  All have made valuable contributions to the work of FOL, and we would not have accomplished much of what has been achieved today without their level of professional expertise and commitment to using their abilities for the assistance of less privileged communities.

Church Representative

Church Representatives bring alive the work of Fields of Life in their own church.  In this role, volunteers are responsible for passing on information about FOL to others in their congregation.  Church Reps have the opportunity to inform those who have not heard about FOL, and to drum up support for our work from the congregation.  We will send our quarterly newsletter and other FOL literature/information for Church Reps to give out, display on notice boards, put in their church newsletter or even announce in the church from the podium.

Events

At various times of the year we may hold our own special awareness, celebration or fundraising events.  Events volunteers may be involved in promoting the event, distributing information, greeting people, collecting tickets, stewarding, manning a FOL stand, etc.  Also, other large Christian events such as Summer Madness and New Horizon provide unique opportunities to talk to potential supporters about Fields of Life.  At these events volunteers might set up a FOL stand, display information and resources, and be available to talk to people who are interested.

If you would like to get the ball rolling or even if you have some unanswered questions on individual placements, simply forward an email to info@fieldsoflife.com, or Contact Us.  Our Volunteer Co-ordinator will be happy to be in touch with you to discuss the possibilities!

Fundraiser

“Whilst we were in East Africa in September of 2007, we had the pleasure of visiting the village of Kitandwe in Uganda. It was such an amazing experience to meet the villagers and understand their vision for the area. In Ireland we have been so lucky with the education system we have enjoyed.  Ian and I feel that education is the key to ongoing community development.” - Ian Taylor and Graham Kinch, Mt. Everest team     
   
FOL has been blessed with fundraisers such as Ian and Graham who have demonstrated unswerving commitment to their ambition to build a school in Kitandwe by undertaking their Mt. Everest challenge as the final leg in their goal of climbing four mountains on four continents in one year.  Their quest began in June 2007, and the Fields of Life staff eagerly monitored Ian and Graham's progress as they completed Mt Blanc in France, Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Aconcagua in Argentina. The team aimed to raise one euro (€1) for every foot they had climbed over the year, totalling the €85,000 needed to build the primary school in the Ugandan village.

Needless to say, FOL is dependent on the generosity of the public to assist in our work, for the people of East Africa.  Without it, FOL could not exist.  So far FOL has received wonderful support from the people of Ireland and beyond.  However, there are many worthy charities competing for a raised profile and donations, so people who are passionate about our work and are happy to communicate this message are a real asset to us.  Fundraisers are involved in the preparation, organisation and running of fundraising events.  So, if you are at a point in life where you want to dive in and make a difference, Ian and Graham have proved that one could even take on Everest and win! 

As a Christian organisation, we are here to remind you that the point to the fundraising is the children, and at the end of the day the satisfaction of seeing concrete results of your fundraising efforts is a certainty.  Photos of the construction progress and reports of our programmes will be available online, so that there is no doubt as to the impact of your contribution.  Your fundraising effort can be earmarked for a specific programme, or you may wish to support the FOL Growth Funds, so that general support of the organisation’s future plans can be realised.

Check out our Fundraiser's Den, where you can get more information on fundraising activities as well as consider a few ideas.

Prayer Partners

Praying for us is a powerful way to assist the work of Fields of Life.  We are a Christian organisation, so at the forefront of all we do is prayer and seeking God's guidance in our mission and work.  Without prayer, and without direction and wisdom from God, we can do nothing.  We depend on God for support, strategy and guidance for our continued growth and development.  As the work grows and develops in East Africa, we are conscious of the need for intercessors to prayerfully support and encourage us as we face many challenges and obstacles.

If you like to participate in specific prayer requests, please use our online form on the Prayer Support page in order to receive our monthly prayer letter via email or post. Alternatively, you can go to our online (bi-weekly) Prayer Diary.

Short Term Mission Team Member/Leader 

“Africa has so many problems, it’s understandable that so many people turn and walk away…Fields of Life gives ordinary people a wonderful opportunity to make a really significant positive impact in the life of other ordinary less fortunate people.” - Neil McVeigh, Bangor Team   

FOL provides opportunities for people to serve abroad as well as at home.  Two-week work teams travel to East Africa (predominantly Uganda) throughout the year and use their life experience, talents and trade to change lives.  A Short Term Mission trip is a very serious undertaking and exists as a means of tangibly help others in less-privileged East African communities.  It is not for the faint of heart as it has been experienced by many as a life changing experience.  Many arrive back from the mission having not only experienced a new culture, made new friends, but having developed and grow personally and spiritually.  Projects include building, painting, health education, and children's and/or adult's ministry in association with local churches.

If a Short Term Mission is of interest to you, read more about it and view a team mission in action here.

Trainers

We welcome people with specialised skills who can assist in preparing training programmes that will be of use in equipping and supporting our partners in East Africa.  Some of our trainers are doing sterling work with our micro-finance scheme, children’s ministry, accounting, and teacher training.

Questions?  

Why don’t you explore the Volunteer section in our online FAQ?  If this doesn’t supply the answers, contact us via email at info@fieldsoflife.com.  We would be more than happy to respond to any and all of your queries!