Charity work abroad

fatboyonadiet

Not sure if this is the best board or if I should post in the Travel section but anyways;

I'm interested in doing a few weeks of charity work abroad, I would like to do teaching (don't have a TEFL though) or helping with rebuilding type work.

Do people have any suggestions of organisations they've used or places they've been? Been maybe thinking about going to Africa

bina72

Have a look at www.i-to-i.com
I haven't done anything like this but I have looked into it! This site does have lots of info & questions for you to ask yourself before you volunteer. Some of their projects include training in TEFL. They also have short term options available (- a lot of overseas work seem to require longer commitments).
Hopefullly you will get a reply from someone who's just got back too!

misscomickat

UNA Exchange. They do not charge extortionate prices like so many of these organisations, I have volunteered with them and got a lot out of it.

novelli

They shouldnt be charging anything for you to volunteer for them!! If they do i would suggest not signing up!! some charge such extortionate fees its rediculous!!! a small admin fee max of £50 (returnable on completetion of your stint) would be acceptable but any more than that i wouldnt bother!! sorting your own flights and accomadation is much cheaper than them doing it. I dont agree that they should be making a financial profoit out of volunteers, you are already giving your time for free!!
try https://www.childrenwalkingtall.com its in india, i spent 6 months there recently and it was amazing!!

Hkem

Hello there. I'm thinking about doing something with my life right now and going and helping those less fortunate seems like a really great idea. My only concern is I don't have a great deal of money saved up. What the hell do you do for money while you're out there and when you get back?

ahai1

Try http://www.yearoutgroup.org/

novelli

You could try getting people to sponsor you.
U would need to work our roughly what it would cost for your time out there/flights/etc, and aim to raise it in the months leading up to your visit.

Many of the developing countries are extremely cheap to live in, so you wouldnt need very much.

You could also contact local businesses/papers etc, explaining what you are doing to see if they could help. The hardest bit is raising the money!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But its worth it!!:beer:

Hkem wrote: »

Hello there. I'm thinking about doing something with my life right now and going and helping those less fortunate seems like a really great idea. My only concern is I don't have a great deal of money saved up. What the hell do you do for money while you're out there and when you get back?

Cheeky_Wee_Lassie

I'm sure you'll get a lot out of the experience, so I hope you find something that you're excited about doing.
I've just returned from doing four years of different voluntary work in different parts of the world. I would advise working for a charity where your accommodation and food are included, and where they take care of you. There are some projects/companies that will want to charge you for volunteering, and that's when it gets expensive.
If you go somewhere where they appreciate you rather than your money then all you need to worry about is the cost of travelling to get there, and any 'luxuries' you require. My biggest luxury during six months in Cameroon was a monthly box of cornflakes! It was that extra expense which meant I spent a grand total of £30 in all my time there.
It was rather distressing to spend more than that upon my return to the UK just on one taxi ride to get home from the airport!
Good luck with it, and worry about what to do when you get back...when you get back.

littlestar1981

I'm doing 5 weeks voluntary work in Tanzania this October - it has cost me quite a bit, but costs can jump when you go via a company such as i to i or real gap.

If you want any links which will show you places you can contact directly PM me.

ahai1

Can't you put the links here?

littlestar1981

Sorry I was just dashing about before!
Look at
www.gapyear.com (messageboards)
www.orphanage.org (I'm going to Forever Angels which I found via this site)
www.wwoof.org
www.volunteersouthamerica.net
www.volunteerafrica.org

And hundreds more, I couldnt quantify the amount of time I spent searching. Its about weeding out the profit making companies and finding a genuine organisation you can help.