Changing Worlds is now able to offer a professional work relationship with law firms in either Argentina, Ghana or Southern India.

These work placements are limited in number and will only be available to those who can show evidence that they are intending to work in this field or already have some kind of experience that they would like to broaden in an overseas context.

In Ghana volunteers will work in the provincial city of Kumasi. We have negotiated with a number of law firms in the city to welcome and accommodate volunteers from Changing Worlds. You will work in support of human rights and international human rights. You can expect to visit refugee camps in more isolated rural areas of Western Ghana. You will visit the local prisons.

Much of the work is office bound but there are chances to support local colleagues in the field. You will have the opportunity to go to court and observe proceedings in some cases that you will be more familiar in.

In Southern India volunteers will work in the city of Chennai (formerly Madras). Here we are linked with a team of solicitors.

We can offer a law placement with M.C.C.S.S.
The organizational structure of MCCSS is headed by the Executive Secretary. There is one project coordinator per department (e.g. HIV/AIDS, Women in Development, etc.) who reports to the Executive Secretary.  Under each project coordinator, there is a certain number of field staff who are assigned to specific clusters of slum communities around Chennai.  Support personnel assist all levels in a variety of duties from drivers to cantina workers to secretaries

Departments Overview

  Anti-Trafficking
The prevention of trafficking program was started in 2004. The goal is to prevent incidents of trafficking in women and children through rescue, rehabilitation, providing shelter, skill training, employment opportunities, providing medical and legal assistance and creating awareness against this issue.

  Rag-Pickers
The Rag Pickers pilot project was stated in 2009. The aim is to create a safe night shelter for street children. These children are found working among the dumping yards in hazardous conditions with inadequate facilities. The goal is to begin with a night shelter and slowly expand to encompass medical services, education, safety & hygiene and savings plans.

  Transgenders (TG)
The Transgender program began in 2008. Advocacy for equal rights is the main goal of the program and thus attention has been focused on the government.  This program also works on creating community awareness and acceptance and seeking employment opportunities for the TG population. 

  HIV/AIDS
The objective of this program is to reduce the vulnerability of slum dwellers and youth to HIV/AIDS and create an AIDS-free society.  A number of methodologies are employed in creating awareness including street theater, individual counseling, blood camps, condom promotion and mass campaigns.

  Women In Development (WID)
This program launched in 2003 aims to promote leadership among women living in Chennai slums and to enable equal participation in the community structures.  To ensure this, self-help groups for bank loans or micro-credits are established with 12-20 women.  As more self-help groups are formed, they organize into a federation and eventually a confederation encompassing more outreach, advocacy and education.

  Family Counseling Center (FCC)
This center provides professional counseling services, referral services and liaisons with police and legal systems.  Some of the main activities of the center include marital and divorce counseling, employment assistance, providing shelter for women, girls and children, reintegration of runaway girls with their families and medical services. Family counseling has been helping to promote better relationships and understanding within a family for the past fifteen years.

  Short Stay Home (SSH)
In conjunction with the family counselling center, the short stay home reaches out to deserted, destitute, separated and harassed women. It is a temporary shelter for women who are physically and psychologically battered to reflect and resolve their conflicts in a safe environment.  Activities focus around enhancing concepts of sharing, group spirit and mutual acceptance.

In Argentina we offer the unique opportunity to support in the construction of law and jurisdiction for HIV/AIDS sufferers and their families. In this case applicants must have a confident understanding of both written and spoken Spanish. Those with experience in this field would be very welcomed.

In all cases you will be working as part of a team in a busy working office environment. You will be assigned to a member of the team who will make you feel welcome, introduce you to the practice, give you an overview of the operations and act as your guide. You will shadow this person during the first weeks but after this you will have greater independence. You will be expected to arrive at work on time, be prepared to make the tea and maintain the professional status that this type of work demands.

You can expect to live with a local family. It is likely you will share a room with another volunteer. Accommodation, food and drinking water are all part of the Changing Worlds package.

Depending on the location of the offices you may have to pay for transport to and from work (maximum £2 per day in both directions!).

If you would like to know more general information about Mendoza in Argentina then click here.

If you would like to know more general information about Southern India then click here.

If you would like to know more general information about Ghana then click here.