Volunteering in other countries?

Question

I have been looking into joining a group that takes people to other countries to volunteer their time. I am wondering if anyone on here has done this 1st hand and what their experiences were with it. I am looking to help out in orphanages with small children. I am feeling unneeded by my 21 yr old and 18yr old and finding the whole empty nest thing is terrible! 45 is way too young to feel that way!!

I want to get involved with a reputable orginzation and my saftey is very important to me. A plus would be a group that also takes you to places to see the culture of the country you are going to.

Thanks for all your help!

Answer 1

www.paperhouses.org

They make frequent trips into the colonias of Mexico and are doing great things!

Answer 2

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/

The cheapest overseas volunteer-sending organization in the USA that will send unskilled volunteers for short-term assignments (six months or less) that I've found is SCI - Service Civil International (http://www.sci-ivs.org/). I know *nothing* about them other than what's on their web site, so please don't consider the listing of this organization in my answer as an endorsement.

Answer 3

I am currently i am a volunteer program.

Check out our website cctg.org.

You have opportunities to go to Africa or Central America.