Projects should involve and benefit local people

• Projects should employ local people and not replace full-time jobs with volunteers.
• Projects should benefit the local community, meeting a genuine social need or protecting their environment. We seek regular feedback from our participants, representatives and project partners to make sure this is the case.
• There should be an emphasis on sourcing local food and supplies.
• Volunteers working with children are expected to stay for a minimum amount of time, to avoid disruption.

Our volunteers should be a benefit, rather than a burden to the project

• Participants are interviewed before booking to make sure they have the right skills and interests for the project. Where they are not suitable for their desired project, a better alternative will be suggested.
• All the costs associated with hosting volunteers will be paid to the project. Oyster also makes occasional additional donations to help the work of the projects.
• Oyster participants are expected to adhere to a detailed code of conduct, given to them before departure.

Respecting the local way of life

• Participants are briefed before departure on environmental considerations, local customs, laws and social norms. They receive further briefing on arrival.
• We make sure that our representatives speak the local language (where relevant) and encourage our participants to learn some of the language too.

Oyster’s business ethos

• Oyster promotes fair-trade, environmental responsibility and respect for others in all its dealings.