Looking for Volunteering Opportunities in India and China (Weeks Duration)?

Question

I would like to quit my job and volunteer in India and China rural villages. I can speak fluent English, Chinese and have a master's degree. However, I can only spend a few weeks there (no more than 2 months). Many organizations either require us to pay for the volunteering programs or fulfill a 1+ year of commitment. Would anyone suggest some specific programs which would allow me just to volunteer for a few weeks? April to June 2008

Answer 1

Calcutta, India

The Missionaries of Charity

This is the order founded by Mother Theresa

They pick up the dead and dying on the city streets.

When a friend of mine went over and asked how he could help, they sent him away, telling him that there were plenty of opportunities in the United States.

I think he stayed and helped anyway.

Did you know that Mother Theresa's nuns are in Little Rock, AR; Dallas; and Memphis?

Answer 2

Where are you?

Unfortunately, there's not much you can do in such a short-term that is really needed in India or China. Two months is too short-term to be of value for most organizations.

Depending on what your Master's Degree is in... you *might* be qualified for a consulting position, but note that these are hugely competitive:

http://www.developmentex.com

If you are willing to pay your own way to India and China, if you are willing to take care of all your own accommodation and in-country transportation arrangements, and if you have something specific you feel you can do in two months that would be of value to an international NGO, based on your professional experience and your academic qualifications (rather than good intentions, a desire to "help", etc.), you could write up a proposal for pro-bono work and send it to the local offices of UNDP, UNESCO, UNIFEM, UNICEF, OxFam, Save the Children, Care International, or other established, credible international agencies. Make it clear that the agency would not be required to pay you anything at all, that you would be willing to undertake all expenses yourself, that you are offering the proposal entirely pro bono.