volunteering abroad - advice needed

pashi2004

Hi , like lots people at this time of year i'm thinking of doing something different and starting the new year with a challenge,, My husband and I are seriously looking for a new adventure and doing somethng for others in the process . I'm really feeling drawn to helping children in Romania or helping others who are living in poverty.. My husband would like to help with manual/ environmental or conservation work , We were hoping we could combine the 2.. Has anyone been out to places like this who could advice us or point us in the right direction ? Were trailing websites at the moment looking for information but theres nothing better than someone who has actually been themselves.. We would be self funding but some sites are asking for £2000 plus ! surely there must be some charities out there that are just looking for people who are willing to get stuck into hard work and roll up theyre sleeves ?
thanks in advance

littlestar1981

Look at www.foreverangels.org

This would cover your desire to help children, and they always have manual work that needs doing.

I went in October for 6 weeks and I feel teary eyed just talking about it now... was an amazing experience. Have a look on the site for the latest accommodation charges, but they are very reasonable compared to many gap year companies that offer similar experiences.

pashi2004

Hi Littlestar thank you for the website it looks really interesting ! im going to go spend some time looking though it ,
Well done to you for getting there and making a difference ! What was the work that you actualy did and are you qualified in anything? I've been thinking of places like Africa but i have a servere phobia of snakes :-( im going to try and overcome it with hypnotherapy,,, i'm also going to try some meditation to prepare myself emotionally and mentally. Im not expecting this trip to be fun , but rewarding and hardwork. Were hoping to go in around 6 months so that will give us plenty of time to prepare and research.
Thanks again

littlestar1981

Glad you like the look of it, have a really good read of the volunteer page attachments they have recently been updated.

I'm not qualified in anything, I have done bits of voluntary work and the odd course but that's it.. a passion for their work is enough. I didnt see any snakes!! The worst thing I had to overcome was needles as several injections were advised.

The day to day work varied.. you were allocated one or two shifts (lasting 2-3 hours) and on those shifts you sat with small babies big babies or toddlers and did whatever that shift involved... feeding, bathing and dressing, playing, preschool etc. Any extra time in the baby home was gratefully received and this could involve sorting clothes, giving medicine, painting, anything really!!

As for your husband there is always work going on... painting, general handyman jobs... always something, and the project is always expanding.

Like I said take time to read all the info on the website and any q's PM me. The site is usually updated every few days, but the woman who owns it (who is English btw) lost her dad just before xmas (as you'll see on her diary) so I think she's been busy with that.

Like I say if you want any more info PM me, I'm sure there are places in Eastern Europe you could go to also without paying stupid fees... I came across a few in my research this time last year. HTH!

kacie

I too am interested in volunteering abroad, and was wondering if anyone has experience of it and what company/charirty they went with. What is included in the price, what they did?

poipleshadow

Have you thought about India? Indian has LOTS of small NGO's (Non Governmental Organisations) that provide help to children and believe me it's easy to do environmental work here as the whole 'saving the planet' bit hasn't really caught on here yet :mad:

Here's a couple of charities that don't charge

Children Walking Tall (Goa)

Sisp (Kerela)

The first one which I'm at, is pretty popular and the have a volunteer calendar showing available places, they have a deposit (refundable after completing the minimum 3 months), the 2nd one in Kerela I haven't actually been to but I have spoken quite a lot with a volunteer from there and it seems like a genuine project.

As well as these two there are SO many more, just turning up and giving a month or preferably more I'm sure would help, it's always good to have a recent police check done so you have proof that you are a genuine helper (safety first!)

In both places I'm sure you could find accommodation for around £100 to £200 per month and food is so cheap here! Obviously the free places you'll have to support yourselves and of course there's the flights to think of (and visas etc)

Thanks