Where Do I Turn-Volunteering?

Question

I want to volunteer abroad somewhere or elsewhere in the UK. And was recommended that I get in touch with VSO.

I wrote them an e mail where they offered me their phone number to have a discussion.

Yesterday I did this-and spoke to this chap who asked me if I had done voluntary before? Yes was my reply. And gave him details of what I had done etc.

Then asked me what professional skills I had got? None I told him. But I do have bags of energy to do a volunteering position.

We need Doctors Nurses Solicitors etc that can help in different places.

I then asked ‘so you don’t want anyone from Joe public?

Well no. Not really was the reply! I was gob smacked.

I would like to complain on how he spoke to me but Its not worth it.

Can anyone suggest or recommend any other organisations that may want my help in a volunteering position?

Thanks

Answer 1

Why were you gob smacked? The developing world needs *skilled* people, not joe-public-but-I-have-bags-of-energy. They need people who have tangible skills that they do NOT have, or expertise that could be used to train them to do for themselves. This isn't about you -- it's about THEM.

Here is a web site that can help you learn more about the skills and experience desired by long-term placement organizations like VSO (which does EXCELLENT work, because its priority is the needs of people in developing countries, not giving westerners a feel good experience). The site will explain how you can gain the experience locally, wherever you are right *now*:

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

The goal of organizations working in poor countries is to give the local people jobs and to keep money local, not to give Westerners a feel-good vacation/experience -- hence why short-term placement agencies (in contrast to agencies like VSO or UN Volunteers) charge 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 supervise and support them 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, and the placements are just for a few weeks or months. These are the programs for people like you, joe-public-but-I-have-bags-of-energy:

http://www.volunteerinternational.org/

You can also try United For Sight. The goal of Unite For Sight and its partner eye clinics and communities is 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

Why don't you use some of your boundless energy to gain skills or education that you can use both at home and abroad? Train as a nurse, a civil engineer, a plumber, an electrician, public administration, business and finance, agriculture......prepare yourself for a career and you'll be of great service. Having "bags of energy" isn't enough, charities and other NGOs need people who also have skills. I'm a nurse, and I consider myself to be part of "Joe Public"...:)