Is there other organizations besides The Peace Corps that I can join to help other countries?

Question

I have tried to join the Peace Corps but my grades in college weren't perfect. So they dismissed my application. I've wanted to dedicate my life to helping countries that need it.

Answer 1

The PeaceCorps rejects for many reasons -- the way your online application was filled out (as it shows your communications skills), lack of skills in any other language, your credit check (they don't allow people who are in debt), lack of skills that would be useful in another country,  your reference check (the questions asked of your references are rather detailed, and a reference may like you very much but feel you aren't appropriate for such a placement), and so forth.

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, through further education and volunteering locally (something the PC and other placement groups look upon highly). It also lists the various placement agencies that don't charge volunteers:

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

You can also look at short-term assignment for unskilled people. The goal of organizations working in poor countries is to give the local people jobs and to keep money local, not to give unskilled Westerners a feel-good vacation/experience -- hence why short-term placement agencies (in contrast to the PeaceCorps and other groups) 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. 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...

Answer 2

tons...just do a search....the cheapest I have found is with kidsworldwide.org....I am currently stationed in Ghana....digging wells and rebuilding houses....but most orgs will not pay you.....they will house and feed you, but you have to pay to get there and back, and some other fees....unless you are skilled in something highly needed. If you get some experience in it and are talented and motivated, many orgs will ask you back to lead others at their cost....which is what I do.

Answer 3

Join the Army.