Becoming a Lifewater International Field Trainer

International Training trips
Lifewater International’s training trips are designed for people who make long-term commitments to training nationals in WASH (WAter, Sanitation, and Hygiene education) through multiple short-term international mission trips. Because the work is so specialized, Lifewater is looking for committed volunteers who are willing to receive the preparation necessary to effectively serve as WASH trainers. 

Lifewater’s international training trips are highly specialized, coordinated to fit into annual work plans developed by Lifewater in collaboration with its partner organizations. Training trips are limited to certified Lifewater Field Trainers (FTs). For each trip Lifewater selects FTs who have expressed interest and availability and are the most qualified for the specific project. The frequency and number of opportunities offered an FT varies depending on partners’ needs, and Lifewater does not promise that each FT will be invited to participate in a trip each year.

A typical training trip is comprised of one Team Leader, one Lead Trainer, and two to three other team members. The trips are scheduled based on the Lifewater partner’s schedule and FTs’ availability and usually last from two to three weeks.

Expenses
Lifewater Field Trainers donate their time and services.  FTs are not compensated financially for the work accomplished on training trips. Each FT is expected to raise funds to cover their training and trip costs. Each training course usually costs between $250 and $550, not including transportation or lodging. Lifewater determines the cost for each international trip based on training objectives, trip duration, and location. Trip costs range from $700 to $1400, not including airfare, passport, visa, or immunizations fees. Lifewater helps FTs raise funds by providing fundraising materials and donor support.

Steps to Becoming a Field Trainer
Lifewater attracts water professionals as well as people from many other walks of life, including drillers, teachers, nurses, farmers, business people, mechanics, health workers, pastors, and construction workers. Every Field Trainer agrees with Lifewater's Values Statement, has a desire to train others, demonstrates competency in at least one Lifewater training program, and is comfortable sharing Jesus’ love in word and deed in cross-cultural settings.

There are six steps to becoming an FT. This process may take up to one year to complete, depending on an applicant’s availability to attend Lifewater’s trainings. We hope this is a spiritually rewarding and fulfilling process that helps people walk out God’s calling for their lives. Lifewater is looking for volunteers who will make long-term commitments if they are accepted into the program.

1. Pre-Application Process:  By going to www.Lifewater.org and clicking on the Get Involved tab, you will begin the pre-application process. You will be prompted to read and see if you agree with Lifewater’s Values Statement. If you agree, you will be prompted to create a login username and password and proceed to the online application upon email validation.
2. Online Application:  The online application is accessed through your newly created login. It has several detailed questions that will be used in helping staff to determine whether you will qualify to become an FT. Each question must be completed before submitting the application.
3. Download Reference Form:  Next, you will be asked to submit two reference forms, including one filled out by your pastor or ministry leader.
4. Phone Interview:  After the Lifewater office receives the application and reference forms, the Field Trainer Manager will schedule a phone or in-person interview. Following the interview you will receive notification of your status in the mail. 
5. Lifewater Training:  After becoming an FT, you will take the first step toward being able to participate in a training trip by enrolling in Lifewater’s introductory training course, Exploring Transformational Mission (ETM).
6. Go on a Trip! Once you have fulfilled the steps listed you will receive a welcome packet in the mail. This packet is full of important information and encouragement and will help you learn how to research upcoming trips that interest you. Trips are posted on the Volunteer Trainer Information Center (VTIC) website, and we encourage you to check monthly for updated project opportunities. Lifewater staff will work with you to determine which trip is the most appropriate depending on your qualifications and the project’s need.

Lifewater Training Programs

Prior to being considered for a trip, Lifewater training must be completed.

Exploring Transformational Mission (ETM/formerly CBTS )
In this foundational course you will journey through Lifewater’s biblical response to the global water and sanitation crisis.  You will explore how Lifewater equips partner organizations to become catalysts in community transformation – a transformation that encompasses physical and spiritual needs. This course is required for applicants entering the education track in the field trainer application process and encouraged for seasoned field trainers.

Once you have completed ETM, Lifewater encourages you to specialize in one area of training.

Water Development Programs
Lifewater’s training courses in water development are hands-on: students drill a well, repair a hand pump, or build a biosand filter. They also learn the principles and best practices that ensure success in each technology. Because of the equipment involved, class sizes are usually limited to about twelve students, with a student to trainer ratio as high as three to one. FTs will gain familiarity with the technology in a basic course, acquire further experience under a Lead Trainer on an overseas training trip, and then hone their technical and training skills in an advanced course.

Shallow Well Drilling
Lifewater’s primary water development strategy is to train our national partners to drill shallow water wells using simple equipment. This five day training course introduces FTs to water well drilling with the LS-200, a small portable rig capable of drilling to 200 feet in sediments. Classroom topics include the principles of mud rotary drilling, basic hydrogeology, well siting, drill site safety, water well construction, hand pump installation, and pump maintenance.  Students drill a bore hole, install a casing, and place a hand pump.

Hand Pump Repair
Millions of people in rural communities rely on hand pumps for their water. In many places, wells have been drilled and hand pumps installed without the community being equipped to maintain and repair them. This five-day training course provides a basic background in the principles and practices of hand pump repair. Experience is gained repairing typical malfunctions in five types of hand pumps that are commonly used in developing countries; the Bush, India Mark II, India Mark III, Afridev, and Tara pumps. Work repairing the pumps is balanced with classroom discussion. 

Biosand Filtration
Some communities may have a reliable supply of surface water, such as a river or lake, but that water is contaminated. Biosand filters effectively reduce the concentration of disease-causing organisms and even some harmful chemicals. The biosand filter is made of concrete and sand and is easy and inexpensive to construct, making it an appropriate technology for rural communities. Lifewater offers FTs a four-day course in biosand construction and promotion during which they build a biosand filter, learn how to install and maintain the filters, and explore ways to develop a biosand filter business. 

Sanitation Program
Lifewater’s Sanitation Program combines participatory learning methods with technical training to build capacity in both sanitation promotion and latrine construction. Sanitation I and II can be taken separately and Sanitation I is not the prerequisite for Sanitation II. An FT may decide to specialize in the promotional aspects of Sanitation I or latrine design and construction in Sanitation II. Because they are stand-alone courses, some foundational lessons are similar to both courses.

Sanitation I
Lifewater’s Sanitation I course discusses the social, technical, and environmental issues involved in helping communities gain access to adequate sanitation. Participants are given tools that will enable them to train Lifewater partners in sanitation promotion. Using participatory training methodologies, Sanitation I demonstrates creative ways for people to build demand for adequate sanitation and to improve the health and well-being of their communities. Course topics include:

• assessing current sanitation practice, and attitudes toward improved latrines;
• the biblical mandate for adequate sanitation;
• how latrines impact the environment, including groundwater;
• marketing and promoting adequate sanitation in communities and schools;
• planning and funding a sanitation promotion campaign;
• improved latrine designs: pit latrine, VIP latrine, pour flush latrine, ecological sanitation, septic tanks;
• maintaining household latrines, and;
• evaluating a sanitation program.

Sanitation II
Lifewater’s Sanitation II course focuses on latrine design and construction. While Sanitation I emphasizes promotional activities that are essential for a successful community sanitation program, Sanitation II covers the issues directly related to the construction and use of improved latrines. Participants will be prepared to train Lifewater partners in the following topics:

• mitigating risk of groundwater contamination from sanitation facilities;
• construction of improved latrines: pit latrine, VIP latrine, pour flush latrine, ecological sanitation;
• sanitation for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities;
• operating and maintaining household latrines, and;
• emergency sanitation.

Community Health Through Hygiene
Hygiene Training of Trainers: Handwashing –This course includes Lifewater’s new hygiene curriculum preparing the field trainer to train Lifewater's partners in participatory training methods as well as community-level lessons on handwashing. After completing the course, field trainers are ready to participate in trainings overseas and are eligible to continue with training courses in additional hygiene modules. This course is recommended for field trainers who have already completed ETM (formerly CBTS), above.

Annual Conference
All Field Trainers are encouraged to attend Lifewater's annual conference to learn from others and share field experiences!