Global Volunteer Network currently has opportunities to volunteer at a youth centre located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. The non-profit youth centre serves children and families living on the reservation and is a grass-roots organisation run by members of the Lakota tribe and the surrounding communities.

The Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation is home to around 15,000 residents and lies within two of the poorest counties in the United States. The unemployment rate is high, occasionally reaching over 75% in some areas, and the majority of families live at or below the poverty level (according to USA standards). As much as 50% of the population of the reservation is under the age of 18 years old, which means that youth and outreach programs have become vitally important to securing a viable future for the Lakota people.

Volunteers will work with children aged from 4 to 18 years old and will participate in all areas of running the centre.

For more information about the South Dakota Program please visit http://www.volunteer.org.nz/usa/southdakota/.

2-Jul-2008: Andrew Horwood - USAOK

Howdy, This is not a journal entry, so much as it is a one-off description of what I do in Eagle Butte. I recommend the GVN partner organisation in South Dakota without hesitation. The kids are neat. They are vibrant and fun. The staff are helpful and committed. The community is appreciative and supportive. The primary task here is working with the kids. We have two centres for this, the ...

• Andrew Horwood - USAOK