Newbie Traveler, Want to Volunteer Abroad

Hello Ashley 😊

I suggest that you look for volunteer opportunities which dont charge a fee. Fees for volunteering is becomming big business these days.
Try asking the expats on the following forum which volunteering opportunities exist where they are.
Expats

Mel
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Yep - the gap year volunteering business is big.

I think that you have to accept that a fee will be charged in many cases; why?

Well - it would be cheaper to get a local person to clean baby turtles or teach orphans, or plant trees - so economically volunteering as an unskilled foreigner - requires you to pay. But then there is a difference to getting ripped off with the middlemen (like the UK businesses that feature in investigations) taking the majority of the money, and ensuring that your fees go to the grass roots of the organisation and benefit those that need it.


Exceptions are where you use you existing skills - so teaching english, setting up networks (for geeks like me), marketing for charities, medicine, etc etc - but part of the reason we want to volunteer is to get involved at the grass roots and these things don't tend to do this?

Some to try that have good reputations; Peace Corps (USA), VSO (UK)

One non-profit that is upfront about where the fees go and has an environmental/adventure focus is: Greenforce.org Reply to this

I had checked out the Greenforce.org, saw some interesting Australia non profit job. But is it open for all? I am a Malaysian, am I entitled to apply? Reply to this