What is a good (and legitimate) online mentoring programme or volunteer programme that I can sign up for?

Question

I really want to do something that will benefit people, preferably in the field of Environment. I don't live in the US of Canada but I would like to build my resume too. I wouldn't mind an online mentoring / tutoring programme for children either. Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

There are no online mentoring programs that meet your criteria. For instance, most online mentoring programs still require mentors to come *onsite*, meet with staff face-to-face, undergo a criminal background check, etc. Most online mentoring programs also recruit their volunteers from one source -- a corporation, for instance, willing to assume all liability, criminal background checks, online supervision, etc.

If you are looking for online volunteering, here are some suggestions:

Project Gutenberg is always looking for online volunteers to proofread texts which are made freely available to the world. Volunteering for Project Gutenberg is something you can do from your home.

http://www.gutenberg.org/

LibriVox is a nonprofit effort that mobilizes volunteers to record chapters of books in the public domain. LibriVox then publishes the audio files on the Internet, via its web site. The goal is to record al books in the public domain! Volunteering for LibriVox is something you can do from your home. You can listen to free audiobooks recorded by volunteers, or volunteer to record yourself reading a chapter of a book in the public domain to share with everyone, by going to the LibriVox web site:

http://librivox.org/

The Online Volunteering service (http://www.onlinevolunteering.org) has opportunities with organizations focused on the developing world. Tasks require a certain level of expertise, however (web design, translation, online research, editing, writing, etc.).