Mentors must be at least 21 years of age and approved through an application process. In order to support video chat capabilities, mentors must have a high-speed internet connection and a webcam. Mentors will undergo a short online training program aimed at helping them understand the culture, the technology and the children. Following the training, mentors will be ready to chat with their Net Buddies.
Mentors spend 30 minutes each week video chatting with their Net Buddy. Email exchanges and blog posts are available any time you are!
To become an Infinite Family video mentor, just click on the button that says Apply Now on our website. Once you complete the convenient online application, you will receive an email detailing the next steps in the application process.
After a background check and a brief phone interview with Infinite Family staff, you will be ready to begin the Online "On Demand" Training. Training consists of a series of 5-30 minute videos, about 5 hours total, to prepare you for your role as a video mentor. Topics cover everything from navigating cultural differences to understanding the technology.
On Demand Training is followed by an Online Live Training session where you meet other video mentors from across the globe, ask questions of current Infinite Family Video Mentors and practice with the video chat desktop. The entire application and training process can take as little as three weeks or as long as you need to complete the steps. Whatever your timeline, we'll be with you every step of the way.
After training is completed, we match you with your own Net Buddy. Emails are exchanged, your first video conversation is scheduled and the relationship begins!
After a background check and a brief phone interview with Infinite Family staff, you will be ready to begin the Online "On Demand" Training. Training consists of a series of 5-30 minute videos, about 5 hours total, to prepare you for your role as a video mentor. Topics cover everything from navigating cultural differences to understanding the technology.
On Demand Training is followed by an Online Live Training session where you meet other video mentors from across the globe, ask questions of current Infinite Family Video Mentors and practice with the video chat desktop. The entire application and training process can take as little as three weeks or as long as you need to complete the steps. Whatever your timeline, we'll be with you every step of the way.
After training is completed, we match you with your own Net Buddy. Emails are exchanged, your first video conversation is scheduled and the relationship begins!
Infinite Family's insightful and inspiring Online "On Demand" Training consists of pre-recorded videos covering a wide range of pertinent topics to help you understand your Net Buddy, their lives and their culture. In addition, your role as a video mentor is explained and we'll give you insight into how to develop a strong bond using the tools available to you on the internet.
During our Online Live Training session you will be able to ask questions of current Infinite Family Video Mentors and get pointers on how to interact with your Net Buddy. You will be instructed in how to use the interactive video chat desktop and the tools available to you on our password protected internet platform, the Ezomndeni Net. The training amply prepares you for meeting your Net Buddy and developing a strong, lasting and enriching relationship.
During our Online Live Training session you will be able to ask questions of current Infinite Family Video Mentors and get pointers on how to interact with your Net Buddy. You will be instructed in how to use the interactive video chat desktop and the tools available to you on our password protected internet platform, the Ezomndeni Net. The training amply prepares you for meeting your Net Buddy and developing a strong, lasting and enriching relationship.
Infinite Family inspires and motivates teens and pre-teens in South Africa through online video mentoring relationships with adults in several countries. This long-term, personalized interaction strengthens youth with very limited resources or support networks with the confidence, skills and global perspective that promote success.
Infinite Family is unique in providing mentees with an ongoing, "face-to-face" guide through a turbulent and often isolated period of their lives to a broader vision of their own capabilities and the world. It is the only mentoring program using weekly video conversations to develop long-term nurturing relationships. These profound relationships with adults in South Africa and worldwide are designed to transform young people into fully contributing members of their country's sustainable, developing society.
With more than 300 "Net Buddies" - the term mentors and mentees use to refer to each other - already engaged, Infinite Family mentees demonstrate enhanced problem-solving and decision-making skills; improved literacy, technology and interpersonal skills; practical preparation for employment; and more resilient, forward-looking behaviors.
Infinite Family is unique in providing mentees with an ongoing, "face-to-face" guide through a turbulent and often isolated period of their lives to a broader vision of their own capabilities and the world. It is the only mentoring program using weekly video conversations to develop long-term nurturing relationships. These profound relationships with adults in South Africa and worldwide are designed to transform young people into fully contributing members of their country's sustainable, developing society.
With more than 300 "Net Buddies" - the term mentors and mentees use to refer to each other - already engaged, Infinite Family mentees demonstrate enhanced problem-solving and decision-making skills; improved literacy, technology and interpersonal skills; practical preparation for employment; and more resilient, forward-looking behaviors.
The Ezomndeni Net, Infinite Family's password protected internet platform, includes many of the features of your favorite social networking sites. Net Buddies and Video Mentors have access to email, affinity groups, blogs, photos, a calendar as well as access to our interactive video chat desktop.
The video chat desktop allows Net Buddies and video mentors to interact face-to-face using a webcam while drawing or writing on a whiteboard, sharing computer screens or visiting websites together.
There is a 6-7 hour time difference between the east coast of North America and most of Africa. Therefore, video conversations are scheduled during the Net Buddies after school hours which correspond to mornings in the eastern US and Canada.
On weekday mornings, video conversations start as early as 8:00 am and continue until 11am EST. On weekends, video conversations begin as early as 6am and continue until noon EST. In addition, our NGO partners who care for children on site (an orphanage or group home) are able to accommodate early afternoon hours for video conversations.
Video mentors and Net Buddies schedule video conversations in advance on our Ezomndeni Net Calendar. Although we encourage our video mentors to keep their weekly time as consistent as possible, we all understand the need for flexibility. If a vacation or other situation arises that necessitates missing a few video conversations, we can make sure your Net Buddy is notified as soon as possible.
There are also natural breaks in the video conversation schedule. Net Buddies are on school holiday from the beginning of December until mid-January and again from early June through mid-July. During these times, there are no scheduled video conversations.
On weekday mornings, video conversations start as early as 8:00 am and continue until 11am EST. On weekends, video conversations begin as early as 6am and continue until noon EST. In addition, our NGO partners who care for children on site (an orphanage or group home) are able to accommodate early afternoon hours for video conversations.
Video mentors and Net Buddies schedule video conversations in advance on our Ezomndeni Net Calendar. Although we encourage our video mentors to keep their weekly time as consistent as possible, we all understand the need for flexibility. If a vacation or other situation arises that necessitates missing a few video conversations, we can make sure your Net Buddy is notified as soon as possible.
There are also natural breaks in the video conversation schedule. Net Buddies are on school holiday from the beginning of December until mid-January and again from early June through mid-July. During these times, there are no scheduled video conversations.
Net Buddies have varying degrees of comfort with English. Older children generally are more advanced in their written and spoken English. Younger children have less developed skills and will struggle with written English. You will see great strides in your Net Buddies English skills as your relationship progresses.
Although we encourage our video mentors to keep their weekly video conversation time as consistent as possible, we all understand the need for flexibility. If a vacation or other situation arises that necessitates missing a few video conversations, we can make sure your Net Buddy is notified as soon as possible.
There are also natural breaks in the video conversation calendar. Net Buddies are on school holiday from the beginning of December until mid-January and again from early June through mid-July. During these times, there are no scheduled video conversations.
There are also natural breaks in the video conversation calendar. Net Buddies are on school holiday from the beginning of December until mid-January and again from early June through mid-July. During these times, there are no scheduled video conversations.
Infinite Family works in partnership with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that already provide quality food, medical and educational access to children affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty. We work with our NGO partners to create computer labs and obtain internet access so that the children they serve can be mentored by wonderful adults like you!
Many of Infinite Family's video mentors include their children, loved ones and extended family in their video conversations from time to time. We must emphasize that the primary need of our Net Buddies is to have adult mentors. This means that the majority of the interactions must be between the trained adult video mentor and their matched Net Buddy. Including others from your group of family and friends in your video conversations is fun and enhances the connection, but should not overshadow the primary mentoring relationship.
Not at this time. Many of our Net Buddies have been in our program for several years and might be in their late teens and early 20's. By maintaining at least a half generation gap between mentors and mentees, mentors have sufficient experience and life skills to share with their Net Buddies. As a result, we do require Infinite Family video mentors to be at least 21 years of age.
If you are interested in an internship with Infinite Family, we would be happy to consider your application. Please send us a resume and a short letter detailing your interest. Interns have the opportunity to work with video mentors, Net Buddies and staff in our dynamic and growing international non-profit, often from your own home.
Infinite Family needs volunteers who can host get-togethers in their home. We'll liven things up by attending "virtually" via video conversation! We'll demo what Infinite Family means by video mentoring and help you spread the word, raise some money and find new video mentors for Infinite Family.
We'd be happy to attend your service, community or church group any time we're invited. Geographical proximity is not an issue with video chat technology! We also need individuals who are interested in monitoring media reports, blogs and articles about Infinite Family, as well as tweeting, blogging and spreading the word about all the good things happening at Infinite Family. Even reposting our messages on your own social networking sites can make a big difference.
If you live in New York City, Pittsburgh, or Johannesburg you are also welcome to help us on site! We can always use volunteers to help with events, mailings or office tasks. So, please, don't hesitate to contact us, even if video mentoring isn't right for you at this point in time.
We'd be happy to attend your service, community or church group any time we're invited. Geographical proximity is not an issue with video chat technology! We also need individuals who are interested in monitoring media reports, blogs and articles about Infinite Family, as well as tweeting, blogging and spreading the word about all the good things happening at Infinite Family. Even reposting our messages on your own social networking sites can make a big difference.
If you live in New York City, Pittsburgh, or Johannesburg you are also welcome to help us on site! We can always use volunteers to help with events, mailings or office tasks. So, please, don't hesitate to contact us, even if video mentoring isn't right for you at this point in time.