The
following forms are both to ensure visitor and volunteer understanding
of insurance and conduct issues and also to obtain their commitment in
relation to the Helping Hands approach.
Kindly
provide signed copies of each document in advance of visiting Prasat
Char village or undertaking any work in
Cambodia
for or on behalf of Helping Hands (these can be signed at our
first meeting). Much
appreciated!
CODE
OF CONDUCT FOR HELPING HANDS STAFF AND SUPPORTERS
-
WORKERS AND VISITORS -
Introduction
We
appreciate that our Helping Hands staff and supporters are caring and
committed people.
As
part of doing everything we can to respect and protect the people we
work with, and to ensure the many and varied contributions to our
organization come from a common base, we ask people to read, agree to
and sign our Helping Hands Code of Practice.
Kindly let us know
if you have any questions about our Code, which you can bring along to
sign at our first meeting. As partners in our project, please do feel
free to make any suggestions as to how we might improve or develop it.
The Code
The Helping Hands
Code is as follows:
- We start from the
point of view of the villagers, and particularly those among them who
are most disadvantaged.
A key part of this is actively seeking
and listening to their views and wishes and, where we can, responding to
them or passing them on.
- Villagers are full
partners in Helping Hands activities in Prasat Char, and so take major
roles in identifying, planning and implementing Helping Hands projects.
As part of this, we do not view them as
recipients of charity and do not support begging.
- We at all times
respect the privacy of the villagers and fellow Helping Hands staff and
supporters.
As part of this, we recognize that many
Helping Hands staff and supporters pass through their village. So it is
all the more important to be sensitive to such issues as;
- entering people's private space - their
gardens and homes for example,
- being sensitive about the number and
type of photographs we take, always getting permission, generally only
taking photos of activities or pictures of people we have developed a
close rapport with over time.
- We are committed
to learning about and respecting local cultural practices, and laws (for
example through reading the attachment to this code)
As part of this,
- we respect villagers' religious and
spiritual beliefs, and
- we avoid behaviour which, due to
cultural differences, may be misinterpreted, cause discomfort or be seen
as having sexual overtones (including, for example, men touching women,
even in an informal friendly way acceptable "at home")
- we do not condone sexual exploitation
of any kind, whether within the village confines or beyond.
- We work to ensure
honesty, fairness and integrity in all Helping Hands activities.
As part of this, for example;
- we are a child friendly organization
and actively reject child or sexual exploitation of any kind.
Helping Hands is legally and morally bound to report those who
participate in illegal activities to local and international
authorities.
- we endeavor to work with the community
to jointly work out which individuals or families most need help or we
encourage projects that will assist a disadvantaged group, rather than
ourselves targeting individuals for assistance
- We will formally
represent Helping Hands or the organizations views through the Director
or Program Advisor, or with their permission.
- We are a
"Learning Organization" and so are always eager to receive
feedback.
As part of this, staff and supporters are
warmly encouraged to share ideas about ways of doing things better.
Agreement
I agree to, and
support the above Code and I have read the Volunteers Briefing Sheet.
_______________________
_______________________
Name
Date
_______________________
Witness
INSURANCE
SELF COVER
When you agree to volunteer, visit
or work with Helping Hands it is assumed that you accept the risks
involved and that you have taken your own measures to cover and protect
yourself, such as a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
For example, motor bike travel to and from the village is
potentially dangerous and undertaking this activity, as well as any
others in the course of volunteering with the organization, is at your
own risk. As part of this,
we ask you to sign below indicating your agreement that Helping Hands
and its workers will not be held responsible for any injuries or loss
sustained.
Please sign below to
confirm that you agree with the above.
_______________________
_______________________
Name
Date
_______________________
Witness