Nexus Abroad
Assists community organisations in developing countries achieve financial independence by operating an international ‘voluntourism’ business.
Project Overview
Nexus Abroad is an international development project that assists community organisations in developing countries to become financially independent. The business has generated over $20,000 in the last financial year, helping two community organizations (an orphanage in Ghana and a health clinic in India) reduce their reliance on donations, and begin to generate their own sustainable income streams. Additionally, Nexus Abroad assists these organisations set up appropriate accounting frameworks and governance structures to improve transparency and accountability.
Nectar Home:
Since 2008, the team completed its first project by engaging with Nectar Home, an orphanage in rural Ghana, which provides shelter for children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
In December 2008, two SIFE students made the first trip to Ghana to help the community implement a public transport business.
In 2010 Nexus Abroad raised capital to create volunteer accommodation on the Nectar Home site and consequently sent over their first group of volunteers to Ghana at the start of 2011. By hosting volunteers on site, Nexus Abroad has ensured all Volunteer Program fees flow directly to the orphanage.
In addition, in January 2011 four SIFE students established a board of advisors to oversee the overall strategic direction of the orphanage.
At the beginning of 2012 Nexus abroad will be sending over a second group of commercial volunteers to Nectar Home. This is happening in conjunction with a second engagement at the Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP) Dhad, India, whom will be receiving its first group of volunteers at the end of 2012.
Nexus hopes to employ similar models in South-East Asia, thereby creating a network of global social organizations.
Nexus Abroad demonstrates the University of Melbourne SIFE’s commitment to driving social change through empowering those in disadvantaged communities and acknowledges our responsibility, as global citizens, to strive for a more sustainable and just world.
Nexus Abroad demonstrates the University of Melbourne SIFE’s commitment to driving social change through empowering those in disadvantaged communities and acknowledges our responsibility, as global citizens, to strive for a more sustainable and just world.
More Information
Nectar Home Volunteer Program
Running from December to February, groups of up to ten volunteers are offered the opportunity to use their unique skills to directly impact the lives of the Nectar Home children, with all profits going straight to the Home. Learn more
Nexus Abroad Case Study
Download the Nexus Abroad case study
Download the Volunteer Program Poster