Job Discussion Forums

[Madame J]

Okey doke, so I am aware that a similar question was posed fairly recently, but the lass posting about volunteering previously didn't appear to be asking about *which* organisations she could specifically volunteer with. So I may as well!

I want to do some voluntary primary school teaching for six months or so, but after being ripped off by a couple of organisations five years ago, I want to make sure that this time, my money won't be going towards a free holiday for the co-ordinator in a four star hotel. I know it sounds naive to expect an organisation not to charge much, but in the UK we have an organisation called Community Service Volunteers which doesn't charge you a bean, so I'm thinking that similar organisations mcuh exist abroad. I am perfectly happy paying for my airfare, insurance and perhaps a small project cost (up to �300, at a push-is that equivalent to $600?), but anything more I see as unnecessary.

Is anyone aware of any organisations that charge that fair a price?

[sarahg]

Where are you interested in volunteering? I made the last post, but then I found an organization called ASVO in Costa Rica that is nonprofit and also has local volunteers. You're charged a $30 paperwork fee and $15/day for three meals and a bed. The accommodations won't be as nice as a for-profit company most likely, and you won't get airport pickup or anything, but it's cheap and nonprofit.[/url]

[Madame J]

Ah cheers, have just had a nosey at their website. They do seem a decent organisation, however all the projects I could see were concerned with conservation rather than education.

Also, $15 a day adds up to rather a lot over several months-more than I think I could afford over four months plus.

Is it mostly South America you're interested in? It is definitely top of my list, though I am not really too fussy about where I volunteer as finding a placement is difficult enough!

[cmp45]

I had saved this off dave's job board...it is at least 6 years old now...but perhaps worth checking out...not sure if moderators will pull this or not...


Teach or work in the Himalayas

A charitable foundation working with a US-accredited international school in the Himalayan Mountains of northern India. The school frequently needs teachers, residence staff, or others, to volunteer for short terms (6-12 months) on short notice (2-6 months). Winterline helps by identifying people open to this sort of adventure, now or in the future. We keep names and resumes on file, and, as openings arise, contact you about availability. Candidates are then referred to the school.

Teachers receive room and board plus a local-currency stipend sufficient to cover day to day expenses, and, in some instances, travel costs to and from India.

If you are interested, or just intrigued, forward us a resume or write, email, or call for more information. We'd like to talk to you.


Winterline Foundation
PO Box 301, Simpsonville, MD 21150 USA
410-715-8901
[email protected]

[sarahg]

[Justin Trullinger]

I'll second that. If you want a "real" volunteer experience, that means you want to volunteer with an org without much money. They can't afford to house or feed you. $15 a day is pretty reasonable, and you're unlikely to get much lower.


For what it's worth.


Justin

[Madame J]

Ack, you may have a point there.

I suppose I had the idea that most voluntary projects provide accommodation in the form of a homestay, and that it surely can't cost that much for a family to enlarge their meal to accommodate one more person. Not that I am for a minute suggesting that anyone should put me up for free, rather that I'd be prepared to pay the food/water costs but $15? Really? I'm sure you're right though.

Thanks for the link, anyhoo. I shall investigate in a tick!

[sarahg]

I think that sometimes the host families are not people actually affiliated with the project, but rather people who are picked by the project and paid to house volunteers. If there are a lot of volunteers around, it could be difficult to find families for all of them without a small profit offered. Plus, the host moms often will do your laundry and cook 3 meals a day for you, which takes a lot of time. And you have to factor in the space you're renting and take into account that they could also rent it to someone else who would pay more. Since the host families are typically local and not wealthy, I don't mind them making a few bucks off of me -- especially as it's generous of them to offer the rooms to volunteers rather than tourists or exchange students who would be willing to pay much more than $100/week.

Also, when I was looking at language schools I checked the homestay prices they offered, and most were in the $135-200 range, with only half board (no lunch), so it's still a pretty good deal. Not free, but cheaper than it would be for a non-volunteer.