Code of conduct for volunteers

Our responsibility to the participant

Medi-Aid does its utmost to prepare the participant as well as possible for the time abroad. We provide honest information and realistic expectations. The orientation interview and/or the training courses offered before departure offer the opportunity to discuss participation in detail. The program handbook is designed to give a good impression of life as a volunteer in a developing country. In Sri Lanka, our local partner is ready to help you experience a valuable time.

Nevertheless, the responsibility for a good time abroad lies largely with the participant himself. It is important for the volunteer to realize that he or she needs to be extra careful in another country with a different culture. We believe that, if the advice given by Medi-Aid Netherlands and Medi-Aid in Sri Lanka is followed, the participant, together with common sense, will have a safe and valuable time abroad. Nevertheless, we know from experience that a list of specific do's and don'ts expressed in this code of conduct is necessary to prevent ambiguities and undesirable problems.

This code of conduct, also known as the Code of Conduct, specifies the most important conditions for projects organized by Medi-Aid Nederland.

Medi-Aid uses the following principles for volunteers.

General

The participant:

Respects the project in Sri Lanka where he or she is placed. Follows instructions and advice offered and does not behave in a way that could damage the reputation of Medi-Aid or the project where the participant works.

Reads and understands his or her travel insurance policy and does not undertake any activities that are not covered.

Supports his or her fellow volunteers and respects their diversity (nationality, background, language, religion, sexual preference, etc.).

Don't buy stuff from underage street vendors. 

Cultural

The participant:

Dress respectfully: as a woman, the participant covers knees, shoulders, abdomen and bosom. Men cover their shoulders and knees and do not walk bare-chested in public.

Respects local laws and the customs of the local community where the participant resides and works. Keep in mind that police and other government officials in senior positions can sometimes react unprofessionally to various situations.

Does not make comments that could be seen as demeaning, insulting, sexist or racist.

Alcohol, drugs and smoking

The participant:

Follows Medi-Aid's advice regarding alcohol consumption. Never drinks alcohol on the project.

When the participant drinks alcohol in free time, he or she does so in moderation and thinks for his or her own safety. If the participant is under the influence of alcohol while working on the project or if there are noticeable influences of alcohol consumption on the performance as a volunteer, Medi-Aid will ask you to leave the program immediately.

The participant is discreet with tobacco consumption. Do this in the accommodation in the permitted areas. Never smoke in public in Sri Lanka.

Never buy, use and/or trade drugs. Not even marijuana. The health risks are unknown and the legislation regarding drugs is much stricter in Sri Lanka than in the Netherlands and Belgium. 

In the accommodation

The participant:

Respects the house rules, keeps the room clean, cleans up waste and helps to keep the accommodation a pleasant place for everyone.

Dress respectfully in communal areas.

Do not invite outside friends or guests to the property in the evening.

Always reports when he or she sees someone in the property who is not recognized. 

Travel and transportation

The participant:

Is alert and never walks or cycles alone at night.

Does not carry valuable jewellery, watches and sunglasses or large sums of money.

Follows the advice of Medi-Aid regarding the use of public transport in Sri Lanka.

Avoid places known to be unsafe. Medi-Aid informs about such places in Sri Lanka.

Never hitchhike in Sri Lanka. 

Health and Safety

The participant:

Keep in mind that the hygiene standard in Sri Lanka is not the same as in the Netherlands and Belgium and that he or she should be extra careful during travel and stay.

Do not perform work that he or she thinks is risky or dangerous (for example, operating heavy machinery or having to provide medical assistance that the participant has no knowledge of) and discuss this immediately.

Never use guns or ammunition on offer, even for fun or sport.

When the participant visits a family from the local community, he or she always does this with a fellow volunteer or a (local) friend that he or she trusts.

Avoid large gatherings such as (political) demonstrations.

On the project

The participant:

Starts and finishes work on time and meets the expected number of hours that he or she must be present as a volunteer at the project where he or she is placed.

Informs the project coordinator when he or she cannot come to work.

Completes all reporting and administrative tasks expected by the project.

Never be alone with a child in an enclosed space. Always keep doors and windows open.

Does not take pictures of naked or sick persons. Is discreet when posting photos on the internet and social media.

Keep an appropriate distance and behave professionally. Minimizes physical contact with potentially involved patients and realizes that he or she is not a constant factor on the project. Prevents attachment problems and does not promote bonding disorders.

Never give money directly to staff on the project.

Any form of corporal punishment is unacceptable. Always reports incidents to the local partner organization.

Volunteers should discuss the problems they experience on their project and in the accommodation directly with the project coordinator, Wimal from Medi-Aid Sri Lanka and/or Medi-Aid Netherlands, in order to find a solution together. 

Unacceptable behavior

Medi-Aid monitors the behavior of volunteers during the program. When a volunteer shows unacceptable behavior, both the local project in Sri Lanka and Medi Aid reserve the right to remove the volunteer from the program. Such a decision can be made immediately and cannot be challenged by the volunteer. Such a situation always involves serious violations. Medi-Aid Netherlands and Medi-Aid Sri Lanka will discuss the exact reason(s) with the participant and confirm in writing. 

Definition of unacceptable behavior 

Undesirable behavior can be described as follows: acts of a group or of an individual, directed against a person who experiences these acts as threatening, humiliating or intimidating. In addition, all actions that are contrary to what is described in this code of conduct. 

Complaints procedure

Medi-Aid and its partners want him or her to have a safe and valuable volunteer experience. With a problem or complaint, he or she always first goes to the coordinator of the project where he or she is placed. If they cannot help finding an appropriate and satisfactory solution, he or she will contact Medi-Aid in the Netherlands, who will be referred directly to the board member responsible for the project. 

Risks

Participating in the Medi-Aid program in Sri Lanka involves a number of risks that the program participant accepts. Medi-Aid is not responsible for any damage incurred by participating in the project in a material and/or intangible or physical sense. 

Cancellation of the program

If the participant cancels the registration during the registration procedure and after booking the ticket, he or she pays cancellation costs or ticket costs.

If the participant cancels the program or withdraws in the meantime when you are already in Sri Lanka, this request must be submitted in writing to Medi-Aid. From then on, he or she can no longer use the guidance and services offered and will not receive a refund for any paid program and accommodation costs. In addition, costs incurred by the participant will be reimbursed to Medi-Aid. In the event of cancellation by Medi-Aid, Medi-Aid will pay the costs.

Only in the event of premature return to the Netherlands or Belgium due to illness or other serious, unforeseen situation, Medi-Aid Netherlands and Sri Lanka can jointly decide to refund the participant part of the costs or to reimburse the costs incurred by Medi-Aid. to scold

However, you cannot derive any rights from this.

Medi-Aid reserves the right to change or amend this Code of Conduct at any time. Volunteers will be notified immediately by email