Mennonite
Central
Committee

Description

Feeding the hungry has been an MCC priority since MCC's beginning in 1920. Initially this goal involved providing food relief. More recently MCC sends agriculturalists to live and work in farming communities around the world.

Requirements for experience and training vary, from a general farm background to a degree in crop and soil science, agronomy, animal science, agriculture engineering, international agriculture development or horticulture.

MCC volunteers work with local personnel, promote appropriate technologies and work with farmers to increase production and find markets for their crops.

Agriculture Assignments

Description

An African proverb says, "Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile won't eat you." MCC works with community and church groups to achieve together what can't be realized individually — confronting the issues of insufficient food, unsafe water, inadequate education and health care, and little say in decision-making.

In many assignments MCC workers serve in communities with local agencies, offering their ideas and skills to accomplish the goals set by those groups. Community and economic development assignments may tie into assignments in peacemaking, agriculture, or health.

Community and Economic Development Assignments

Description

Believing that education involves more than teaching reading, writing, arithmetic and vocation, MCC's educational involvement contributes to the liberation of people and helps develop their God-given gifts.

MCC places teachers in elementary, secondary and vocational schools, and in special education, non-formal and adult educational settings. Opportunities are available in North America and abroad.

Teachers in non-formal and adult programs must have a college degree but not a teacher's certificate. Most assignments in formal education settings require a bachelor's degree in education; some locations require workers to have a teaching certificate. Experience is helpful.

Education Assignments

Description

MCC's commitment to health care is rooted in Christ's example of bringing healing to physical as well as spiritual needs.

MCC volunteers serve in various public health positions. They work to promote nutrition and health in clinical and community settings in approximately 20 countries, including Canada and the United States. Volunteers work with local partners or churches serving in community-based health programs and clinics, hospitals, or nursing homes.

In many cases, facilities are minimal and medicines may not be readily available. Skills learned in North America frequently must be adapted to fit local circumstances.

Health Assignments

Description

Management and office support assignments involve promoting MCC's ministries and programs as an office assistant, program administrator or director of volunteers.

Assignments include working with MCC's international partners in an administrative or office support position. Requirements vary by assignment. Program coordinator and country representative assignments require previous service experience with MCC or another Christian service agency.

Management and Office Support Assignments

Description

MCC's work to bring peace is motivated by God's reconciling love and grace and concern for justice. Peacemakers seek to be a reconciling presence in all human relationships and to reach out to people caught in fear, suffering, hate, oppression and violence. Peacemaking involves reflection, prayer and an active, nonviolent witness to the structures that perpetuate injustice.

Peace Assignments

SALT Assignments

Summer/Short-term Assignments

Description

In January, 2009, MCC will initiate a 2-year service program for young adults by carrying out a pilot program in Colombia. The program will bring together a group of 8-10 people, ages 20-30, in Colombia from Canada, the U.S., Colombia, and other Latin American countries. Participants will spend time together studying important aspects of the Colombian context, such as the country's long standing conflict and its complicated political and church situation, as well as the explore U.S. and Canadian presence and influence in the country. Participants in the program will assist the service and peace and justice ministries in local congregations in a variety of locations throughout the country. While on assignment the MCC workers will strive to become advocates for peace, and witnesses for those who have been marginalized by violence and injustice present in Colombian society.