I want to go to Africa to help starving children, make a difference, and make them happy. Where do I start?

Question

Well, I do not know what to do. Does anyone know of any sites where I can sign up? I actually want to go there, not just donate. Thanks!

Answer 1

Ditto the peace corps!

Answer 2

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.

The goal is to give local people jobs and to keep money local, not to give Westerners a feel-good experience-- 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.).

Here is a web site that can help you learn more about the skills and experience desired by volunteer placement organizations, and how you can gain the experience needed in places like Africa locally, now, wherever you are.  You are never too young to start preparing for an eventual placement overseas.

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/

Answer 3

check with Oprah!!  She might have an idea

Answer 4

try moving there

Answer 5

Try peacecorps,

goto peacecorps.gov/

Answer 6

I've volunteered in several African countries, as well as in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. 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.

You've gotten great answers here already, but here's a few more websites to check out.  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? how long are you wanting to go?

I recommend going for a minimum 2 months, if possible, because it takes time to get to know your way around, the culture, the people, your job, etc. and before you know it, you're back on the plane again!

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!

Answer 7

You should start right in your own country. People must learn to take care of their own before they can take care of the world.

Answer 8

find an organization that has the same objective as you, remember that there is always a person that has a same opinion and beliefs as you. i'm really glad that you want to help people in a different country. you're a good person!^^

Answer 9

Try CCS, or cross cultural solutions.

Answer 10

Contact the Clinton Foundation! It's somewhere in New York City. You can Google search it and probably get info on what to do. They've been working on this and other crises since President Clinton left office.

Answer 11

Volunteer in Africa is an organization dedicated to disseminating information on voluntary work programs in Africa and organizing a wide range of volunteering and internship-volunteering programs in Ghana.

Check with local churches and see if they are doing a mission in Africa.  

Serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer means 27 months of hard work. It takes determination, flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor. And while applying to the Peace Corps is easier than being a Volunteer, the qualities that make a good Volunteer will also come in handy during the application process. Yes, applying to become a Volunteer takes some time, preparation, and effort. But as with volunteering, the rewards far outweigh the difficulties.

Hope this helps.  GOOD LUCK

Answer 12

You can start by taking me with you!!!! kidding but u can.... go volunteer at someplace where they offer to take u there

Answer 13

you can start with the united nations, they can let you know which country is safe to go to, when not to go.

Answer 14

The bus station