Where can I volunteer without having to pay for it?

Question

I find it kinda strange that most of the organizations I've seen actually ask you to pay money if you want to volunteer. They make it look like a cool-hip-touristic way of making a vacation. Is there any ORG that would actually be happy to have volunteers that would contribute to communities without them having to pay and provide volunteers only the necessary things for living (like a simple place to stay and food). Thnx.

Answer 1

Sounds like you are volunteering for mission trips. Most shelters for the homeless need volunteers to help and they do not charge a thing. That would be a good place to begin. If you have a church, they would be albe to help you in this area as well. There are mission trips where you do not have to pay, but you will have to provide your own transportation. Many of the trips cost as it is a mission trip and not a vacation and if we eat their food and stuff like that, we take away from them.

Answer 2

Try this website. To my knowledge, they don't charge for any match up to a activity that you are interested in volunteering for.

You can also try the United Way organization in your area. They would have a list of volunteer organizations.

Good Luck to You!

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Answer 3

www.risingfountains.org

www.rippleafrica.org

Answer 4

If you go abroad to volunteer, someone has to pay for your flights, in-country transportation, health insurance, accommodation, food, security, translators, training, staff to supervise and support you in your service, liaisons with the police and local officials, etc. Why should the organization pay for that, rather than hiring local people who desperately need to the work to feed their families?

These fee-based volunteering programs are for unskilled people who are looking for a short-term, feel-good experience. The fees cover all of the costs of giving those unskilled people that experience, without taking away any money or staff from the organization's important local work.

So, unless you are fluent in more than one language, have a master's degree in a subject area that would mean you could immediately start working to give local people jobs, clean water, health care and/or education, have a great deal of experience in working in high-poverty areas, and are ready to spend up to one year onsite, you are going to have to pay for your feel-good vacation.

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/

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 5

Salvation Army

Goodwill Industries

and most churches