Do you volunteer for an organization here in Germany, and if so, where?

Question

I am taking a German language class in the mornings, but have my afternoons free, and want to volunteer here in Germany.

Answer 1

Sorry, I do live now in the US and I can not say to much about those volunteer jobs anymore in Germany...but I can give you some ideas...

Is there a Nursing home (Altenheim) close by?

Or the Diakonie ? ( http://www.diakonie.org/eng/html/1.html)

Since I do not know how big your town is I do not know what they would offer. Maybe you rather work with kids? Or coach a sport? Offer to be an English tutor at your local school?

Just some ideas....

Answer 2

You can get great suggestions from native English speaking expats if you log onto www.toytowngermany.com and go to the site for Munich.  The expats in Munich met quite frequently and are many volunteer for a number of organizations there. I wish you the best in Munich!

Answer 3

I am a member of the B.U.N.D. (Bund für Umwelt- und Naturschutz), Bavarian section, and although I disagree with some of the official "thinkings", I have kept up my membership since 1991. Before that, I was a member of the Greens, before Joschka Fischer went politico.

But you say you're taking language classes; have you ever thought of GIVING some? I think German children would be happy to have conversation with an English native speaker, and 10 euros per hour and child would be not too much asking. Do it on your own behalf, not for a company. What they pay is [censored].

Answer 4

Do you like animals?  Most animal shelters would be grateful for help, like cleaning litter boxes, walking dogs, feeding the cats. . . I also volunteered as a librarian at my son's elementary school for a while.

Answer 5

I agree with the recommendation for the Tafel - this is the kind of job where you'll be able to help without speaking perfect German, and the conversations you are likely to have will be down to earth (talking about collecting and distributing food), so you'll get something from it, too.

Answer 6

Apparently you're in Munich. There are a few organizations that always welcome volunteers.

First places to ask could be the tourist information office or your church.

Some well-known organisations are:

Münchner Tafel -- www.muenchner-tafel.de

Biss  - www.biss-magazin.de

Ev. Diakonie - www.hilfswerk-muenchen.de

I'm afraid most websites are only in German.