Global Mapping International

Visiting Trainee Program

An opportunity for “on the job” training with GMI

For whom is the program designed?

Primarily for people who live and work in the 2/3 World and who have either a specific project they want to complete using a GMI product or a specific group of people they want to train to use a GMI product. For example:

• Creating maps that plot religious statistics and show where church planting is most needed in a given district or city
• Preparing a research paper with graphs and maps which your organization or board will use as the basis for discussion leading to a major decision
• Writing a pamphlet or booklet to help mobilize people to pray for your mission work
• Learning the mapping software well enough to train staff researchers of mission organizations how to apply it in their situations

What training is provided?

GMI will take you through these steps:

• Defining the objective before you come and determining which GMI team member(s) will assist you
• Providing you with an office (sometimes shared), a desk and a computer (if you do not bring one)
• Orienting you to GMI, and inviting you to our weekly staff lunch and prayer meeting
• Supervising you in your project, which will include the needed amount of training to get you started and the opportunity to request help as you go along. A brief daily meeting with your supervisor is a required minimum.

What are the costs?

• Tuition is not charged. Trainers’ salaries are covered mostly by contributions to their ministries from congregations and individuals.
• Travel is ordinarily the responsibility of the trainee. In exceptional cases GMI may subsidize part of the travel cost; we recommend that the training be done in conjunction with some other trip to this region so travel costs can be reduced.
• Living expenses are negotiable. Trainees usually stay in homes of various GMI staff members for one or two weeks at a time. There is no set fee for this. A contribution may be appreciated by some host families and declined by others.
• Transportation to the office is provided as a courtesy either by the host family or another GMI staff member.

Does the trainee need a laptop computer?

No, but it may help (if the laptop is of sufficient power to handle the trainee’s proposed project). GMI usually has only one computer available for visiting trainees, though we have shared office space for two or three trainees. If you bring your own computer, there is a better chance that GMI can accommodate you at the time of your choice.

How does the selection process work?

An application form is available in print, on the World Wide Web, or via e-mail from info@gmi.org. GMI will carefully review your application and communicate back with you. It is likely that GMI may have to turn down more applicants than we have room to accept. Please pray with us that we have the Spirit’s guidance as we make the difficult choices. Click here to go to the Application Form for the Visiting Trainee Program.

For more information, contact: