Volunteer Community/Aid Work

I'm interested in doing some aid work in either Asia or Sth/Central America on my next trip. I've checked out the web & found a plethora of companies that offer volunteer experiences from community projects and teaching, through to conservation etc - but I'm finding it difficult to find something that I'm confident will add value and is not a blatent rip-off.

Has anyone done this kind of work? Does anyone have any suggestions or words of wisdom?

Thanks, E Reply to this

Hello Ellen

I find that most of the conservation or community aid work being promoted are just disingenuous ways of making money. Many claim that their fees (for example $700 per week for conservation work in Africa) is to cover costs. What a load of crap! The cost of living in these same areas is no more than 10%!o(MISSING)f that - and I can bet you that most of this extra money is not going to the conservation projects!

Anyway, I have been doing research for a Canadian-based project I'm volunteering for to find Internet sites that do not charge premium prices. These three appear to be a lot better than most. They charge a minimal fee for placements and/or to introduce potential volunteers to agencies. In most cases, the costs are determined by the agency - so there is a lot of variance - but for the most part these are the most 'genuine' in their pricing. Furthermore, they largely have a non-religious base, so they can cater for people of all - or no - faiths.

http://www.ecoteer.com/index.php
http://www.interopp.org
http://www.vso.org.uk/index.asp

Hope this helps. If you find other websites that are similar, please let me know.

Thanks Reply to this

Hey Ellen

You seem to be only interested in environmental/conservation work but I am currently volunteering for an Indian organisation called People's Watch. They are trying to prevent torture in police stations. Arduous reading but they are compiling stats for a UN project. You come to Madurai (awesome place) they put you up and it does not cost you a thing. I am monitoring two Indian states, which means within my two month internship I will also get to travel to Kerala and Karnataka, two beautiful places. Look at our blog, "Fighting against torture" for more info and the web site for pople's watch if you are interested.

Yours faithfully
Chas Reply to this

Great site, Mariyam. There is even has a link on that website to an another interesting forum - http://www.volunteerforum.se/ - that contains even further options.
Reply to this

Hello Ellen!

I totally agree with Mad Greek... the best thing would be to get to the place, get a feel for the place, speak to the locals and form your own opinion. I did voluntary work in Peru last week, but it was very short (very very short) so I didn't know better and booked it online in advance, I guess my best option given the circumstances. But of course, I definitely got the feeling that most organisation are in it for the money.

Another suggestion would be to look for religious organisations. They definitely are not interested in the financial gain.

Best of luck, wish I was in your position and about to embark on some volunteer project abroad. Soon enough I guess! 😊 Reply to this

I would definitely agree with the idea of just turning up and seeing - if you are seeking something out, it will appear! I have done both organised, paid volunteer experience and voluntary work having just turned up and both have benefits.
Don't assume that if a company charges a (seeming) fortune for you to volunteer that there wont be a good reason. It is true that there are bogus organisations who generate profit this way but it is also often true that you get what you pay for. A hefty administration fee also sometimes means that you recieve a hell of a lot of support, in country, on the phone, by email - a third person to turn to if something (anything) goes wrong, who understands the urgency of getting a new passport, or who can organise medical help etc all of which can be extremely valuable to someone new to the country, or on their own.
These fees do seem confusing because they are way above what the living cost appears to be but what they cover in a good agency is a quality infrastructure of experienced managementment and support.
Having said that, if you are happy to take your own risks, then turn up and see. This is what I'm currently doing at the moment. I have literally just finished a month long voluntary stint with a natural dyeing company, and already I have seen hundreds more opportunities available in this region (Pondicherry, India). The main benefit to this is that you can determine exactly what you want to offer and who for, what you need in return and how long you are prepared to do the work.
One of the best placement agencies I know of (value for money, support etc) is Project Trust, (based on the Isle of Coll, Scotland) though I think they still only send school leavers abroad. I volunteered with them 12 years ago, but I believe they are still pretty much the same, they send people all over the world for a year to do all sorts of things based on the individual's skills and interests - highly recommended if you're the right age! Reply to this

Hi Ellen,

if you come to Thailand and Laos have a look at Openmind Projects. They are based in Nongkhai in Thailand at the border to Laos and have great teaching and eco-projects both in Thailand and Laos. Their fees are affordable because they don't have an office in a Western country but you get very good introduction and support.

Check out their website and see what you think. I went there in November last year and had a very good time.

http://www.openmindprojects.org/

Good luck,

Michael Reply to this

Hello - please help me change the landscape of volunteering worldwide.

Worldwide Helpers (WWH) will soon serve as an internet portal with an extensive database of low cost/no cost volunteer opportunities worldwide. Potential volunteers will use our search facility to find the right project for them in their desired location.

Simply write the question number and your answer in your reply.

1. Have you ever considered volunteering?
YES
NO

2. Have you ever volunteered abroad?
YES
NO

3. If YES please answer question 3a, if NO please go directly to question 4.
3a. Did you incur any costs apart from travel, food, and personal expenses?
$


4. What was the predominant reason for not volunteering abroad? (please give only one reason)
Costs
Time
Lack of information
Other please specify______________________

5. Would you be more likely to volunteer if you only had to pay for your flights, accommodation, food and personal expenses?
Definitely
Possibly
No


Do you know of any not for profit organisations/ projects worldwide which need volunteers? If so please give us any details you have so we can try and help them! If you would like to be kept up to date with our progress and notified of our launch...feel free to send you personal email to info@worldwidehelpers.org

THANK YOU FOR YOU HELP.
Roya
Reply to this

Hi,

I'm currently part of WWOOF (stands for 'Willing Workers On Organic Farms' or World Wide Workers On Organic Farms)..Work for the host and get free meals and board. Various job roles and type of hosts. I am part of the Japan WWOOF and its pretty fantastic. I lived with hosts families and learn their lifestyle and ideals. I met volunteers from various parts of Japan too. Language might be a barrier, but in the host description, you are made aware of what is to be expected.

Each country has a WWOOF organisation. So you need to register with the country's WWOOF organisation... pay only annual membership fee and thats it. Going to host sites are out of your own pocket. No further costs apart from social outings.

Google WWOOF.... its pretty safe for solo female travellers too.

I get discouraged by the high costs of other volunteer organisations too, so I only look for organisation or volunteer role that is about the true meaning of volunteering.

Have fun!

Cheers, Reply to this

If you have a religion try to look on line for a mission trip for a month or two overseas. Just a thought. Reply to this