I want to go somewhere to help with a crisis this summer through an organization. Ideas?

Question

Internationally/in the US, i want to physically go somewhere and help with any sort of crisis - this is for my senior project - AIDS, poverty, anything. I need an organization that can help me?

Answer 1

I would recommend southern Sudan for an area, and a Christian organization may be best for that area.

Answer 2

Unless you can work in a language other than English, and have an area of expertise that is desperately needed in the developing world: treatment for HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation engineering, organic farming in a variety of climates, setting up a school, etc., you are an "unskilled" person when it comes to aid and development work. And, therefore, you can expect to pay to go abroad (flights, in-country transportation, health insurance, accommodation, food, security, translators, training, staff to create the service opportunities and then to supervise and support you in your 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 for paying to go abroad: 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...

If you want to be a volunteer to help with the consequences of a natural disaster, such as Hurricane Katrina, you need to register and prepare NOW. Here's a web site where you can register and start your preparation so that you can help the next time disaster strikes:

http://www.helpindisaster.org/

Otherwise, there are a variety of volunteering opportunities posted at these sites, searchable by region. Your time and energy would be welcomed in the Katrina-affected regions, among others - but even within the USA, for volunteering where you travel to engage in the service, you will need to pay all of your own expenses as well:

VolunteerMatch, http://www.volunteermatch.org

Idealist, http://www.idealist.org

Change.org, http://www.change.org

CraigsList, http://www.craigslist.com

Network for Good, http://www.networkforgood.org

http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/

ServeNet, http://servenet.org/