My teenage daughter wants to spend some time this summer in a third world country as a volunteer.?

Question

Does anyone know any reputable organization that would facilitate this goal?

Answer 1

This would be a waste of time.  Nihilists can't be helped.  She should be spending the most important years of her life developing a career.

Answer 2

If your daughter is under 18, all of the programs I know of will be closed to her, although some may allow her to go if you are willing to go with her.

As an unskilled worker, she will need to be prepared to pay her own way entirely: her flights, in-country transportation, health insurance, accommodation, food, security, translators, training, staff to create the service opportunities and to supervise and support her in the service, liaisons with the police and local officials, etc. Because of her age and lack of skills, programs like PeaceCorps, VSO, UN Volunteers, etc., will not be an option.

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:

http://www.volunteerinternational.org/

The Learning Abroad Center Work, Intern, Volunteer (WIV) Database, hosted by the University of Minnesota, allows you to search work, interhsip and volunteering opportunities all over the globe. There are more than 500 programs to choose from, and you can search by keyword, region, type of program, etc.

http://www.umabroad.umn.edu/programs/wiv...

Answer 3

Habitat for Humanity..they are everywhere...  

Keep in mind there a hundreds of opportunities in our country too!    If the abroad does not work out!

Start now on the passport; if you do not already have one...

Answer 4

The Peace Corp.

Answer 5

How old is she? If she's under 18 and a parent isn't going with her as well, she won't be able to volunteer with more organizations. You didn't say which country you're in. In Canada there's a program called Canada World Youth that I believe goes as young as 16... But I think it's only open to Canadians.

Maybe she could get involved with Oxfam, Amnesty International or the like in your community (they all have youth/student programs) until she's old enough to go overseas.

Answer 6

http://www.habitat.org/

Answer 7

Yes, I know a great organization!  It's 'Free the Children', started by Canadian Craig Kielburger in 1995 when he was just 12 years old. His organization has grown by leaps and bounds and they are now the "largest network of children helping children through education in the world". Their website is http://www.freethechildren.org



Craig's been interviewed on countless TV shows, including the Oprah show a couple of times and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times.

Free the Children has a related Leadership Academy where they do offer trips to several countries. For Kenya they recommend being at least 14 years old, however for school groups there is no minimum age requirement. Before going overseas with them, they recommend taking their 'Take Action! Academy', which is week-long program, held in a couple of different cities in Canada and also in Beijing. I took a group of teens from the Middle East to this academy and it was absolutely incredible! The website is http://www.leaderstoday.com/



For other ideas, here are websites that give thousands of opportunities:

http://www.volunteerabroad.com

http://www.transitionsabroad.com

http://www.idealist.org

Most of them have a minimum age of 18 years, however if you go with a parent there are some that allow teens.