Volunteer Work
Megan
overseas volunteer programs/websites. I am interested in volunteering
in Africa. I have looked around..found a few..but most cost LOTS and
LOTS to volunteer (maybe that is normal???)
Anyways if anybody has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it,
THANKS!!!
Megan
Alex
Volunteering abroad is very exciting and I recommend it for everybody;
but it also can be daunting process to find out what situation is best
for you when things can be a little crazy out there and your only
guide is what you see on a computer screen.
It seems like you are still at the beginning stages so the first thing
I recommend doing is research. But not in the typical sense on the
NGOs or travel companies, but rather on yourself in the form of self-
analysis. It sounds a little bit corny; but find out what the real
reasons are why you want to volunteer because that will ultimately
determine whether it is "super awesome and life-changing" or "fun but
okay". You are going to be spending thousands upon thousands of
dollars on your trip so you really need an answer that's realistic
(you are not going to "save the world") and also suitable for your
skills. You have to ask yourself what you want to get out of the
experience, how far do you want to push yourself during the placement,
what you want to learn, and also what do you think the benefits will
be for those on the other side.
As a start take a look at these articles by Verge Magazine and Outpost
Magazine respectfully called "How to Choose a Volunteer Placement" and
"Global Volunteer Guide". I am using these magazines because they are
independent third-party opinions and least likely to be filled with
shady white lies. You can also check the federal government sites as
well since they are also filled with unbiased resources.
http://www.vergemagazine.ca/articles/06winter/chooseavolunteerprogram.html
http://www.outpostmagazine.com/content.php/1.9/38/1.php
http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/CIDAWEB/acdicida.nsf/En/JUD-1214112922-MCE
I also urge everybody to read this editorial entitled "I've Come To
Help". It speaks on the important issue of "altourists" (i.e. altruism
wrapped in the veneer of tourism) and it gives you the harsh truth of
what most other sites won't tell you. It is a little bit scary because
it paints a picture most of us don't think of but if you are really
serious about reducing global poverty and making the world a better
place you'll take a look.
http://briarpatchmagazine.com/news/?p=345
hope this helps,
Alex
P.S. If anyone else has any thoughts or questions feel free to reply.