I'm wanting to volunteer this summer like out of the country but don't know where to find information?

Question

Any advice as to where to go? what to do? what not to do? how safe is it? whats best? Also i want to go with a group not by myself, I live in austin texas and dont know where to look for help/information on volunteering in another country?

Answer 1

google the peace corps...stay out of mexico and africa....they are both beautiful countries, but you want to be safe....and don't forget New Orleans...they still need help....what about Brazil?

Answer 2

Stay out of Mexico or Africa?!? The previous poster is delusional. Both are lovely and are safer than certain neighborhoods in the USA.

Anyway... The goal of organizations working in poor countries is to give the local people jobs and to keep money local, not to give Westerners a feel-good vacation/experience -- hence why short-term placement agencies (in contrast to the aforementioned) charge unskilled volunteers a fee, or require these volunteers to pay their own way (flights, in-country transportation, health insurance, accommodation, food, security, translators, training, staff to create the service opportunities and then to supervise and support the volunteers in their service, liaisons with the police and local officials, etc.).

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/

Here's one specific org recommendation: Unite For Sight, which workes through partner eye clinics and communitie to create eye disease-free communities. "While helping the community, volunteers are in a position to witness and draw their own conclusions about the failures and inequities of global health systems. It broadens their view of what works, and what role they can have to insure a health system that works for everyone..." This program was featured on CNN International. Volunteers, both skilled and unskilled, are 18 years and older, and there is no upper age limit. It is obligatory for accepted volunteers to purchase insurance coverage through Unite for Sight's recommended provider, and volunteers are responsible for all travel arrangements, visa vaccine requirements, lodging, airfare, food, and any additional expenses. http://www.uniteforsight.org/intl_volunt...

Here is a web site that can help you learn more about the skills and experience desired by long-term placement organizations such as PeaceCorps, VSO, etc. -- organizations that don't charge volunteers but require volunteers to be highly-skilled -- and how you can start to gain such experience locally, wherever you are now:

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