Overseas Volunteering

R-head

Hi there,

I have bit of time off over the next month or so and am looking to put it to good use so are looking to offer myself as a volunteer to work overseas for around a couple of weeks. Cheap holiday? No not really I'll pay my fare out wherever and food too, just want to try to make a difference. Accommodation, from a fox hole to hammock I'll be happy!! has anyone got any advice or can point me in a fruitful direction? My skills ........... enthusiasm, teaching/training in electronics, leadership, management, confidence and teambuilding, a dab hand at anything from office to manual work (no disrespect to manual workers there :-) )

Has anybody any leads ..... just want to put my opportunity away from my normal work to a worthwhile cause?

Savvy_Sue

Welcome to the boards!

You might struggle to find anything 'formal' if you're only starting to look now and you want something in the next month or two. I would expect that most organisations would want to at least take up references, in some cases do a CRB check, and offer some training or orientation.

Not to mention that for some countries you'd need jabs and / or visas, which you're a bit late for.

I realise that you're doing it here, to a certain extent, but if you're going down the 'informal' route then let everyone know that you're on the lookout for something useful to do and get in touch with any friends of friends of friends who are already involved in working overseas.

Having said that, would Habitat for Humanity interest you? And can you be free for a couple of weeks in October? If not, would you consider volunteering with them in the UK?

Sallys_Savings

Try Original Volunteers....they have volunteer projects in a variety of countries.

paulrowe

Hi
I know you are talking about volunteering, and that implies not being paid, BUT ....
I have lived in Vietnam for the last four years, and I bump into volunteers all the time. Most of my friends here in Vung Tau do volunteer work, I help raise a young boy Noii in my home,.... BUT we get paid!!!!!!!:T
We find it is possible to make a bigger impact on the world by working and living in needy countries, rather than doing a few months here or there. People who run orphanages etc are not that receptive to volunteers who just drop in.:(
Most of us are English teachers.
Have you thought of taking a six month English contract?
A teacher will make more meaningful contacts in a town than an individual volunteer.
I have been EFL teaching for nearly 25 years now, so if you want some ideas on REALLY living (volunteering) overseas, contact me.:j

hethmar

Its not easy finding placements and I have to say I always worry about these places that offer you volunteering but charge an awful lot for the flight and accommodation - probably much more than you could do arranging it yoursefl. You wonder if it would be better to give your £2K or whatever charge as a donation.

zzzLazyDaisy

Have you considered WWOOF

http://www.wwoof.org/

hethmar

Its probably just me, but I get this awful uncomfortable feeling about people doing short term vollie work overseas, as though its for their own gratification. It seems better to send the dosh and let a local person do the work and training involved particularly when you consider the cost of flying and accommodation.