Hitchhiking, accepting rides from strangers, or using transportation methods not approved for your volunteer location are strictly prohibited. Transportation rules vary by site and will be explained before your arrival and reviewed again during your in-country orientation.

Volunteers are prohibited from being outside the volunteer facility alone.

Safety in Numbers: When exploring the city or traveling, the minimum group size is two people.

Curfew: All volunteers must be back in OSSO housing by 9:00 p.m. unless given permission from a Director of Volunteer Experience and/or Operations Coordinator. Curfews are subject to change depending on local safety concerns.

Volunteers must notify OSSO staff of their intended destination(s) before leaving the grounds.

Consumption of alcohol or drugs (including marijuana), smoking, and vaping are strictly prohibited inside or outside the OSSO compound.

Attendance at parties, festivals, or social gatherings is allowed only if the event does not involve high-risk behavior and has been pre-approved by the Directors of Volunteer Experience and/or Operations Coordinator. High-risk behavior includes, but is not limited to, excessive alcohol consumption, illegal drug use, violence, unsafe environments, or situations that compromise the safety or reputation of OSSO.

Visits to private homes are prohibited unless part of an OSSO-approved activity and supervised or authorized by the Operations Coordinator.

Physical, sexual, or verbal abuse of any child, volunteer, director, or orphanage worker is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate dismissal from the program at the volunteer’s own expense.

Reckless behaviors that put children, staff, or volunteers at risk of harm are strictly prohibited.