I want to go out of the country to help.?

Question

I want to go out of the country for about 2 weeks to volunteer. I dont have any collage degree and i am not currently going to collage. I dont want to have to pay extreme amounts to volunteer though. Where could I go to find out some information on this?

Answer 1

We're getting a group together to go serve the people living in the squatter camps in Soweto (just outside Johannesburg) in July, 2008 (July 3 - 12, 2008) and you're welcome to join us for an experience of a life time!

Answer 2

I can't think of a single organization in a poor country who is saying, "Gee, I really wish a person from the USA or Western Europe or Australia, with no college degree, no skills that we don't have already, and who would want us to pay part of her expenses would come here for two weeks to 'help' us."

I work with people in the developing world and they are weary of untrained people from "the West" looking for a feel-good experience, and wanting to have their expenses paid to come and "help" them -- instead of them getting jobs they need to feed their families.

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:

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...

Answer 3

Check out www.craigslist.org There's a volunteer section under community that links you to opportunities.  Also there are programs like www.dreamproject.com that accept short term volunteers.

To avoid paying, pick your location and type of volunteer work you want to do.  Example, If you want to help with street kids in Nicaragua or make art with women in Peru.  Google that information and privately contact them for ways you can help.

You can also contact international organizations like the red cross for short term projects.  Another option is to help a medical mission.  They are short-term and you see results within a week.  You don't need experience.  You can help organize materials, entertain patients, run errands, etc. Again just search medical mission and a country you want to see.

Answer 4

Check out Global Volunteer Network. They're a great organization and after all my research, seem to have the best prices. There are lots of cool projects (animals, refugee camps, etc) in many different regions/countries.