What to know about Voluntourism
What to know about Voluntourism
Info's and tips
Table of Contents
Types of Volunteering
How to Get Started with Voluntourism
Choose the right organisation
Prepare yourself
What to consider
Best Volunteer Abroad Programs (2017)
How to Get Started with Voluntourism
Choose the right organisation
Prepare yourself
What to consider
Best Volunteer Abroad Programs (2017)
Types of Volunteering
Service learning volunteering program
Many schools on all education levels offer service-learning programs, which allow students to serve the community through volunteering while earning educational credit. Students believe that what they gain from service-learning differs qualitatively from what they often derive from more traditional instruction. Skills-based volunteering Leveraging the specialized skills and the talents of individuals to strengthen the infrastructure of nonprofits, helping them build and sustain their capacity to successfully achieve their missions. Volunteering in developing countries International volunteering is an increasingly popular form of volunteering among young people, particularly gap year students and graduates, is to travel to communities in the developing world to work on projects with local organizations. Activities include teaching English, working in orphanages, conservation, assisting non-governmental organizations and medical work. International volunteering often aims to give participants valuable skills and knowledge in addition to benefits to the host community and organization. Virtual volunteering Also called e-volunteering or online volunteering, virtual volunteering is a term that describes a volunteer who completes tasks, in whole or in part, offsite from the organization being assisted. They use the Internet and a home, school, telecenter or work computer, or other Internet-connected device, such as a PDA or smartphone. Micro-volunteering It is an unpaid task that is operated via an internet-connected device and completed in small increments of time. Environmental volunteering Refers to the volunteers who contribute towards environmental management or conservation. Volunteers conduct a range of activities including environmental monitoring, ecological restoration such as re-vegetation and weed removal, protecting endangered animals, and educating others about the natural environment. Volunteering in an emergency Such as tsunamis, floods, droughts, hurricanes, and earthquakes. For example, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami attracted a large number of volunteers worldwide. Volunteering in schools Resource poor schools around the world rely on government support or on efforts from volunteers and private donations, in order to run effectively. In some countries, whenever the economy is down, the need for volunteers and resources increases greatly. Corporate volunteering A majority of the companies at the Fortune 500 allow their employees to volunteer during work hours. These formalized Employee Volunteering Programs (EVPs), also called Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV), are regarded as a part of the companies' sustainability efforts and their social responsibility activities. Community volunteer work Improving their local community. This activity commonly occurs through not for profit organizations, local governments and churches; but also encompasses ad-hoc or informal groups such as recreational sports teams. Benefits of community volunteer work Working together with a group of people who have different ethnicity, backgrounds, and views reduces stereotypes. Community volunteerism has also been proven to improve student's academic success. Social volunteering or welfare volunteering In some European countries government organizations and non-government organizations provide auxiliary positions for a certain period in institutions like hospitals, schools, memorial sites and welfare institutions. The difference to other types of volunteering is that there are strict legal regulations, what organization is allowed to engage volunteers and about the period a volunteer is allowed to work in a voluntary position. Source How to Get Started with Voluntourism
Consider your interests
Since voluntourism encompasses a broad range of activities, you will need to choose one area of focus. If you have some experience in a particular area, this can help guide you to a particular opportunity. If not, and you need help narrowing down your choices, make a list and order your interests from most important to least important. Where do you want to go? Even though the primary goal of the trip is to volunteer, you should still pick a city or a country that you are interested in visiting, because there is usually some free time on the weekends for volunteers to go sightseeing. In the United States, there are two great websites for finding volunteer opportunities – idealist.org and serve.gov. For volunteering abroad you to search based on interests, location, and/or project duration, with GoAbroad.com’s Volunteer Abroad Search. How much time do you have? Volunteer opportunities can range from a one-day event to two weeks to a year. If you are interested in spending a significant amount of time volunteering, you may want to consider joining the Peace Corps, which is a two year commitment. Do your research Using a site like Volunteer Abroad is helpful because it is assumed that you can trust the organizations listed. That said, it’s not impossible to find a reputable organization on your own, just be sure to do a little background check. Look for information such as how long the organization has been in business, any publicity (positive or negative) about the group, or if it’s a non-profit or private organization. Where does the money go? Many travelers are turned off to volunteering when they start researching because they see really high costs associated with giving up your time to help. It seems backwards sometimes – paying a lot of money to work for free. So ask questions. If the person/organization is not forthright with where the money is going, you may want to reconsider. Do it on your own It’s also worth noting that you don’t have to go through an organization to find a volunteer opportunity. Many orphanages and other groups have set up their own websites that allow you to make arrangements by contacting them directly. Safety precautions As with any trip abroad, there are safety precautions you should take, but when you volunteer it becomes essential to get your vaccinations and know what to bring with you. When volunteering, you will most likely go out of the typical tourist areas. The Center for Disease Control’s website will help you find out exactly what vaccines you need and what precautions you should take for any country you may be traveling to. You can also go to the U.S. government’s travel website to get information about visas, travel warnings, travel alerts, crime, and criminal penalties for any country in the world. Source Choose the right organisation
Create a list of your personal interests
For example, "I want to volunteer in Africa for 2 weeks, in conservation / adult education / helping orphans. Don’t worry about being too fussy in your requirements - after all, it’s your experience and you want to make the most of it. Criteria for volunteer organizations Write down your selection criteria for the volunteer organization you will be choosing, and choose a few criteria that have the most importance to you personally, as a volunteer. Project sustainability you want to be sure that the project you’re interested in doesn’t damage the environment or affect communities negatively by taking paid work away from locals, or making them completely dependent on the volunteers’ funds or skills - only to suffer when volunteers leave! Transparency The organization is completely up front and open about where your money is going to, and why. You want to avoid “small print” and terms and conditions that you weren’t expecting. You’re volunteering, not refinancing your home! Cultural experience Volunteers are encouraged to experience the many and varied cultural elements of local communities, and not get to know them merely on a surface level. Some volunteers want the experience of living in a home environment with local people instead of in a situation consisting only of other volunteers. One of the most rewarding things in life is to get to know people whose culture seems so different to your own - and then you realize that environments and experiences might be different, but humans are all ultimately closely interconnected! Volunteer preparation The organization makes sure volunteers are told how to stay safe and healthy, as well as informing them about any sensitivities the community they are working in might have. For example, you would want to know about about appropriate dress codes in conservative societies, or what to pack for a tropical climate. Volunteers might also want to be informed of behavior or personal habits that are considered normal in local communities, but are unusual or even considered “rude” to Western sensibilities. Strange nasal sounds or smaller personal space “bubbles” can be surprising until you realize they’re perfectly acceptable in some places, and YOU are the strange one! Last but not least Affordability. Some projects can be relatively pricey; if they involve specific fees, permits or training. Don’t feel guilty if affordability is at the top of your list - it’s your own hard-earned money you’ll be parting with - and if you’re a student or gap-year volunteer on a tight budget, you won’t want to part with it for nothing! Source Prepare yourself
Time to put together your short list!
Once you’ve narrowed down your preferred type of volunteering experience and your most important selection criteria, it won’t be too difficult to find some organizations that look like they’ll be able to deliver the goods! Keep a keen eye out for volunteer feedback on the sites of organizations, about the projects you’re interested in. You might be able to contact previous volunteers personally, or the organization might be able to forward your queries to them on your behalf. A shady or unethical organization might try to avoid this - red flag time! Ask previous volunteers with positive feedback if they have the details of someone who perhaps didn’t have as great an experience, and contact them to get a better overall view of the pros and cons of the project. The more info you can collect, the higher the chance of making good choices for yourself. Keep Calm...and make your choice. Contact the organization that seems to tick the most boxes and discuss your requirements and concerns, and get a good feel for the staff and their practices. Keep in mind that, especially in the developing world, unforeseen challenges and risks can arise which are no fault of the organization. The best will rise to the challenges, meet them with aplomb, and take care of the interests of volunteers and local communities with openness and professionalism. Have a spirit of adventure! Little hurdles are all part of the experience. You could make lifelong friends and arrange future volunteering trips together, or perhaps one trip will be enough for you. Whatever you choose, your trip will be remembered for the rest of your life. Source What to consider
Prepare your passport
If you're getting a passport for the first time, apply at least 6 months before travel if possible (if not, you may need to pay extra to expedite). If you already have a passport, make sure it's valid for at least six months after your travels, and that you have at least one or two blank pages for entry and exit stamps. Book your flight Compare flight prices. The best time to buy is typically somewhere between two and five months before your program, and lower rates tend to be launched on Tuesdays. There are also special travel agencies and flight consolidators, like Key Travel (/country-select) and Fly for Good that have access to “humanitarian” airfares, which are unpublished, discounted rates for travelers doing volunteer service. Apply for your visa (if needed) You'll always get a stamp in your passport when you arrive in a different country, but some destinations also require a pre-entry visa. To see if you need a visa for your destination, check out Visa HQ. Register your travels with the State Dept You can register your dates of travel with the State Department through their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive safety updates about your destination and be sure the State Department can find you in case of an emergency. Get insurance coverage Most regular health insurance policies do not cover travel abroad, so check with your provider to know for sure. If your international volunteer work isn’t covered, explore options for supplemental travel medical insurance, looking for features like emergency medical evacuation as well as trip cancellation insurance in case a major event makes you cancel your program. Research health recommendations and get required vaccines Check with the CDC to learn about any vaccine requirements or recommendations and health risks where you’re traveling. Pay particular attention to food safety; in some locations, you can eat as adventurously as you might at home, but elsewhere, you may need to avoid all uncooked foods (sorry, salad lovers!) or street food. Stay connected Be sure to know the availability of phone and internet where you’re going, and leave contact information with your friends and family so that they know how to reach you. Check with your provider, roaming data can be pretty expensive!. Keep in mind that internet connections at cafes will probably not be strong enough for uploading photos or video calls. If you’re bringing any electronics, be sure to get a converter and adapter if needed. Budget Make sure you talk with your program provider to know what expenses are and are not covered, and what you need to budget for. Notify your bank or credit card ahead of time so that they don’t freeze your account, and ask the international exchange fees for ATMS and purchases. Live frugally if necessary. Pack light and pack smart When it comes to packing, be particularly mindful of cultural norms and dress codes. In some cultures, “conservative” could mean buying traditional clothes in-country, where others could mean wearing fashionable jeans and long sleeve shirts that you already have. Also keep in mind what sort of volunteer work you’re doing. Research the weather as well, and don’t assume that deserts or beaches are always scorching hot. Pack as lightly as you possibly can. Fundraise If you’re fundraising to pay for your volunteer abroad experience, you’ll definitely want to plan ahead. Create a calendar for yourself with different approaches and ideas every few weeks. Learn the local language Whether you’re volunteering for one week, one year, or anywhere in between, it always helps to learn as much as you can of the local language. A phrase book or translation app could come in handy, but they can never take the place of advance preparation. Take a class at your university, use a free online program like Duolingo , sign up for a word-a-day email, or label items around your room in the foreign language with post-it notes. Brace yourself for culture shock Culture shock can strike even the most world-weary traveler, so the best things you can do to prepare are to embrace a spirit of flexibility, and to learn as much as you can about the culture you’ll be immersing yourself in as an international volunteer. Get a guidebook for your destination, ask your program for a recommended reading list, and research the country’s cultural norms and customs (including trying the cuisine if there are any restaurants near you!). Remember, as an international volunteer, you’re the guest, so it’s up to you to adapt to your host country. Prepare for your volunteer work Consider the volunteer work you’ll be doing and whether you need to plan ahead at all. For example, if you’re teaching, start thinking about games, crafts, songs, and activities you can do, and track whether you’ll need to bring your own materials or not. Read articles challenging you to reflect deeply on your intended services abroad. Travel with an open mind and heart Ultimately, the best preparation is knowing you’ll never fully be prepared, so while you want to do your best work, also embrace the unknown. If you’ve already checked off all of the logistics above, then your final step is to go into your volunteer abroad experience with an open mind and heart, and make the most of your once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Source Best Volunteer Abroad Programs (2017)
Global Vision International (GVI)
Is an award-winning organization that provides volunteer and internship opportunities in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. GVI's differentiators and their emphasis on volunteer safety make the program very appealing to first-time international volunteers and teen / high school / under age 18 volunteers. Maximo Nivel Appeal to a broad base of participants from high school students to graduate students and working professionals. Volunteer abroad, internship abroad, study abroad, Spanish Immersion, Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Semester Abroad, and High School Abroad programs. Maximo Nivel offers its projects in three countries in Latin America: Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) Offers over 150 affordable volunteer trips to 28 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Given the affordability of IVHQ's programs, volunteers could vary well volunteer abroad for free by fundraising on Volunteer Forever and applying for our volunteer abroad scholarships! Volunteering Solutions (VolSol) Is an international volunteer organization that was started in 2006. Since then, they have hosted over 10,000 volunteers in projects across 20+ countries, including popular destinations such as Nepal, India, Thailand, South Africa, Peru, and Costa Rica. Love Volunteers Is a low-cost international volunteer organization that provides meaningful, life-changing projects in over 34 countries around the world. Every year, thousands of Love Volunteers from all over the globe are placed into 1 week to 6 month projects in Central and South America, Asia, Africa, The Middle East, and Europe. Love Volunteers offers 120 community-based development programs in healthcare, education, sports and coaching, law and legal assistance, social services, engineering and architecture, special needs, construction, environmental protection and in many more areas. International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT) Is one of the world’s leading TEFL and TESOL course providers for aspiring English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers. If you are a native English speaker and want to earn a living abroad, this is a great opportunity as your skillset is in very high demand around the world. With worldwide accreditation for their TEFL courses, ITTT offers lifetime job support for their graduates - including exclusive leads on unadvertised jobs, unique databases of potential employers, CV and resume review, cover letter assistance, contract consultation, and interview preparation. Global Leadership Adventures provides teen and high school programs abroad that combine community service with hands-on learning and adventure. With an emphasis on safety - outlined in Global Leadership Adventures’ five-point safety system - this organization sends thousands of travelers to nearly two dozen countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America every year. Global Volunteers Offers volunteer trips and teach abroad placements in 17 countries worldwide. More than 33,000 volunteers have traveled with Global Volunteers - and as one of the longest-running volunteer vacation providers in the world, this organization was granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations in 1999, and formalized a relationship with UNICEF in 2008. Fronteering If you’re looking for a volunteer experience that’s unique, exotic, and off the beaten path, look no further than Fronteering. With volunteer and internship projects located in 14 different countries, Fronteering offers impactful programs for travelers who want to visit unspoiled locations and make a positive difference in environmental conservation, wildlife research, indigenous communities, and more. i-to-i Offers TEFL certification, adventure trips, paid internships, and jobs for travelers who want to teach English abroad. More than 175,000 graduates have completed i-to-i’s fully accredited TEFL courses, with certificates recognized by thousands of employers worldwide. Agape Volunteers Is a UK-based non-profit organization that operates low-fee volunteer projects throughout Africa. Agape Volunteers was founded by Oxford graduate, Guillaume Lefevre, in 2011 and boasts a perfect 5-star rating on Volunteer Forever. The program offers volunteer projects in Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and Tanzania with projects ranging from medical volunteering to coaching a football academy in Nairobi. A Broader View Volunteers Their team has sent more than 5,000 volunteers to 245 programs across 25 countries, and has raised and distributed more than $1 million in donations worldwide. Projects can include wildlife conservation, childcare, teaching, and more. Global Works Has combined community service, cultural exchange, language immersion, and adventure for an incredible travel experience both for students and groups. Trips run 8 to 21 days, and can focus on Global Action community development projects, conservation, language immersion, and pre-med or public health. And with destinations such as Cuba, Fiji, Spain, Nepal. Naturally Africa Volunteers (NAV) Coordinates sustainable, community-centered projects throughout Kenya, South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, Ghana , and Namibia. Their projects tend to run from two to twelve weeks and are perfect for volunteers who are seeking shorter term opportunities in Africa. Naturally Africa Volunteers seeks to solidify its change on two levels-- by coordinating high-impact, well-researched volunteers programs and by supporting its international volunteers from the moment they join the project. Volunteering Journeys As one of the newer volunteer abroad programs featured here, Volunteering Journeys got its start in 2014, and is growing quickly as an impactful volunteer organization in India, Thailand, Nepal, Cambodia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Bali. Projects Abroad As a large and established organization, Projects Abroad volunteers and interns have the opportunity to assist with a wide-range of programs focusing on agriculture, teaching, sports, archaeology, and more, with projects open to teens, gap year travelers, university students, and professionals. Projects Abroad works with more than 600 staff to support volunteers in 27 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Reach Out Volunteers Provides fun, high-impact volunteer programs designed to make a difference in impoverished communities, help endangered wildlife, and to immerse volunteers in a new culture. With a focus on local solutions to local issues, Reach Out Volunteers places travelers on projects created by the communities they serve, ensuring long-term program success. International Service Learning (ISL) ISL has provided healthcare and other services worldwide for more than 20 years while giving volunteers experience in pre-health, pre-dental, medical, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health, and veterinary programs. International Student Volunteers (ISV) Programs range from conservation, to education, to infrastructure development and beyond, and in addition to ISV’s standard volunteer programs, students are welcome to join for internships and college credit IDEX IDEX has hosted over 19,000 volunteers from over 25 countries. IDEX currently offers over 45 different projects in India, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. IDEX projects are especially appealing to young travelers as their projects are affordably priced, located near beaches and major sightseeing attractions, attract like-minded individuals, and tend to run between two and four weeks (perfect for summer or winter break). Source |
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