I want to go to africa to help out. What can I do? Where do I start?

Question

I've always wanted to help out and not just send money through differnt orgs. I don't know where my money is going. I want to go over and see things for myself and Do whatever I can....are there organizations that I can join that actually goes to africa?

Answer 1

Madre.org sponsors trips to the places where it sends donations; however, you must pay all expenses associated with the visit, through Madre or any organization -- they want all of their money to go to their services, rather than trips for donors.

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 is a web site that can help you learn more about the skills and experience desired by long-term placement organizations, or 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. You are never too young nor too old to start engaging in activities and training that will make you a viable candidate for long-term volunteer placement agencies:

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

Answer 2

Check out  www.ReachingSoulsInternational.org - its a Christian ministry out of OKC that sends people to Africa. Not sure if that is what you are looking for and they probably have a long application process.

Answer 3

why specifically africa? in every community there is work to be done.. in every nation there are wounds to heal..

Answer 4

Check out Global Volunteer Network. They have some really interesting programs (including refugee camps, HIV/AIDS work, orphanages, etc) and have easily the best prices around. (I've done my research!)