Want to travel / volunteer, but there's so many options out there!

Hello all, I'm new to this forum, but have browsed through some posts here and it seems like such a supportive site with so many experienced people! So I've graduated from international development program last year and have been working since, but in nothing directly related to my field. I've desperately wanted to get out in the world and just experience new cultures (particularly India) and also do some volunteer work with children (orphaned / underpriveledged) but there are so many different organizations available out there, and I've heard stories about some of them being scams or what not... and i just dont want my experience to be wasted. Also Im curious .. for many of you travellers out there, how is it that you fund your travels? Do you often find work in the countries you go to? ... so i guess for now, I'm just wondering what a good volunteer organization would be to go through ... any help would be great! thankyou Reply to this

Hello Alyssa,

Yes, there are lots of agencies and offers out there. As a veteran of 14 different volunteer trips, I know how difficult it can be to narrow it down. It sounds like you are interested in India and working with children and having a narrow focus can assist you find the right project.

My friend Delta is on the board of directors for an orphanage for street children in India.

You might also want to contact Shelley Seale, who wrote a book about working with orphans in India. The book is called The Weight of Silence.

As for funding, most people fund the trips themselves because they are working for small non-profits with tight budgets. If you have any contacts with service clubs at home such as Rotary, Kiwanis, etc, they will sometimes help pay a portion of the expenses in exchange for a program or presentation when you return home. Many of these service groups have programs in developing countries,and you may find a program that fits your education and your wanderlust at the same time.

Of you can ask your friends and family to forgo gifts and give money towards your trip.

There are many good books in bookstores about working your way around the world. I am sure in the social networks, there are people who have experience with this as well. Search for people under volunteer travel and working overseas.

Check out TransitionsAbroad.com An excellent web magazine on living, working, volunteering and teaching abroad.

Also the web and print magazine - VERGE. It is published in Canada and focuses on international volunteer opportunities.

For women travels - check out journeywomen.com, and womenwelcomewomen.con.uk.

Another group to check out is servas.org. This group has members around the world that may put up a traveler for a night or two in order to build cross cultural understanding.

Lastly, I wrote a book entitled Mapping Your Volunteer Vacation to help people sort through the options and find a program that fits their interest, time, budget and heart. It is available on Amazon and on my website

Let me know where you end up because I am always looking for first hand recommendation for my students and clients.

Travel in Safety. Jane Stanfield, Where Is She Heading

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just browsed around and see that they mean a 'private mssg' (seems very obvious now .. my bad haha) - would you mind sending me that email through there then? thank you so much !! Reply to this