How do I volunteer in Africa for 12 months?

Question

I am looking to volunteer my time to go to Africa for 6 months to a year. I am 35 years old, prior military and this has been a dream of mine for a long long time. I just need advice because there are so many websites out there and I just want to know from someone who has gone there and volunteered, what do I really need to do?

I feel that this is a stage in my life, especially with me having no children, no husband, no significant other to really give my time and energy for indiviudals that really need it.

What would be really helpful is the application process, the time you spent there, so pretty much a testimonial.

Greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

I totally agree with the second person that wrote.  I am from Africa.  I have lived there all my life.  It is the land where the people are really truly so loving and caring and you will never forget the warmth they will shower you with all your life.  I have never volunteered so I can't tell you about that but what i can say is that it will be an experience that will stay close to your heart forever.  I love Africa.

Answer 2

I've volunteered in several African countries, as well as in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.  The first time I went was for a year and I started in Africa at the age of 37 years.  I HIGHLY recommend it!! I call it my 'selfish' work because it so incredibly rewarding. We're filled up on the outside with all of our 'stuff' but I find people in developing countries so full on the inside, where it counts.

To find organizations that arrange volunteer opportunities, go to the following websites as they have databases with loads of opportunities:

http://www.goabroad.com

http://www.transitionsabroad.com

http://www.idealist.org

When deciding where to go and what to do, think about what kind of experience you want to have. For example, rural or urban? in a developed country or developing country? one that speaks a language you know, or do you want the challenge of learning a new one? live with other volunteers, on your own, or with a local family? what kind of work do you want to do? what kind of living conditions - running water, electricity, phone, internet? what kind of health risks and immunizations are required for the country you're thinking of going to?

To help you choose which organization to go with, ask if you can speak to their former volunteers, looking at what support they cover - you should get enough pre-travel info so that you know what to expect and how to adapt to your new culture, what screening they do - I avoid ones that take anyone and everyone, what in-country support they give, how long they've been in operation, and just what kind of vibe you get from their website and by talking to them on the phone.

Read up on the country and the culture before you go so you can be well-prepared. If you are patient, open to different ideas and ways of doing things, flexible, and have a sense of humour then you'll have a fantastic experience that will be life changing!

My overseas experiences have been challenging and tough at times, but yet the best times of my life. I have also learned so much from the indigenous people I've met - so warm, friendly, joyful, courageous, and to be greatly admired.

Answer 3

All of the responses above are good.  Here is another suggestion:

http://gohelpafrica.org/

Answer 4

Have you talked to the peacecorp or americorp.  Local churches who have missionary in africa.

http://www.volunteeringinafrica.org/

Answer 5

I donate school supplies to an organization called Rising Fountains.

www.risingfountains.org

They have a Volunteers Blog on their website and I believe a girl named Jeannie is currently there now (she's from ireland) you can read all about her experience on the blog and contact her if you'd like...

Answer 6

When you apply, you need to emphasize the skills and experience you have that are needed in Africa. Agencies are looking for people who have much-needed expertise, not people who want a feel-good experience, do don't talk about how much you want to fulfill a dream -- talk about what kind of work you are qualified to do.

Organizations that don't charge fees for volunteering, such as VSO Canada, UN Volunteers and the PeaceCorps are looking for people who can work (read, write and speak) in a language other than English, who have skills and experience that can lead to local people generating income, better feeding their families, improving children's health, etc., or that can lead to the transformation of key institutions, such as government, universities/schools or NGOs. They are looking for people who can commit to a two-year assignment, who have experience working with under-served communities, or who have a lot of experience in very diverse or religiously-conservative communities. The average age of volunteers in these organizations is over 30 (for UNVs, it's 38) and most not only have degrees, they also have grad degrees.

Here is a web site that can help you learn more about the skills and experience desired by long-term placement organizations, and how you can gain that experience locally. It also lists the various organizations that don't charge for volunteer placement.

http://www.coyotecommunications.com/volu...

There is a listing of the more-than-30 member organizations of the International Volunteers Program Association (IVPA) that is a good place to find reputable volunteer-for-a-fee programs -- programs where you don't need to have much experience in order to participate, and the placements are just for a few weeks or months:

http://www.volunteerinternational.org/

The goal is to give local people jobs and to keep money local, not to give Westerners a feel-good vacation -- hence why short-term placement agencies charge volunteers, or require these volunteers to pay their own way (flights, in-country transportation, health insurance, accommodation, food, security, translators, training, staff to supervise and support them in their service, liaisons with the police and local officials, etc.).

If you would like to look for actual paid work and feel you have the expertise for such, visit Development Ex (http://www.developmentex.com) and Relief Web vacancies (http://www.reliefweb.int) -- these each list job opportunities with many different organizations working in the developing world, including Africa. Looking at these jobs can give you an idea of the kinds of experience placement agencies, including volunteer placement agencies, are looking for.