Job Discussion Forums

[sarahg]

[nickpellatt]

I have 'volunteered'in the manner that you mention. I have done it twice in fact! First time was in kenya, where I 'worked' in community developement, and the second time was to work as an English teacher in China. Both of these trips were in 2006.

'Voluntourism' is pretty big business these days, and tends to be pretty popular with backpackers and gapyear people. It is rarely a popular choice on TEFL boards though.

From my experience in volunteering, I would say it is nigh on impossible to find a position in a 100% genuine charitable organisation to volunteer with for a short time. Its also quite common that you need to be very well qualified to work for these organisations too.

The people who are in need, already have enough disadvantages, so the last thing they need is backpackers types who are going to swing in for a few months, drink beer and try to shag the locals, whilst doing a fairly shitty job at the same time. When I was looking at some international charities, they required applicants who really were highly qualified...much more so than I am!

So like most people who 'volunteer', you will be with a company who DO make a profit from your trip. It is also likely you will NOT be working with the most disadvantaged people in the community, and your 'work' will probably be minimal. You might also be volunteering with the type of backpackers I mention above.

You need to be aware of that, and accept it. It is great to think you are 'giving something to those in need', and yeah, perhaps you do help some people....but generally.....it isnt always like that.

So why do it? Well, those of us on the boards like this who have lived and worked in other countries dont always appreciate how brave and bold a move living and working in foreign climes really is! Perhaps they are quite adventurous by nature, and perhaps you arent...I certainly wasnt!

For years I had wanted to go to Africa, and had seen TV shows with people living in remote areas and villages and it was something I really wanted to do/experience.

I had never travelled to anywhere other than Ibiza for summer holidays! And so didnt have a clue about how to get to Africa!

So I went with a gap year company. I paid �600 for a single months placement, which would sound insane to most readers. Some of this money (although not much) went to the CBO I stayed with....they collected me from a tiny airport and drove me 200km to stay in a small town. They gave me a few token jobs to do.....and I had a great time. So much so I went back for 3 months in a private agreement with the CBO.

I also went to China and did volunteer teaching on a similar program. This was �699 for 3 months. And included a months orientation, placement at a middle school with accomodation and meals included.

Yes, people made money on both these programs. At times my work was not really worthwhile, and I was sometimes taken less than seriously...but I dont regret it for a moment. Both trips were awesome, and ultimately...I would never have been able to do them without the volunteer company.

I am honest enough to say that I am not a brave enough traveller to do these things on my own, and whilst these trips dont represent total value for money, they do make things somewhat easier for a newbie. From this point of view, I would say 'go for it'!

I wanted to post my little story, as I know many people on the board cant understand why anyone would pay to volunteer. My point is that it really is a bold thing to travel and work (in any capacity) in another country/culture. And its easy to forget that. Im sure we all have friends and family at home who are sometimes in awe of us having the courage to travel and work like this, and these same people at home are spellbound by some of our travel stories too!

My voluntourism was in 2006. The reason I am still on this board is that after my volunteer TEFL experience in 2006, I took a paid position in early 2007 as an English teacher (in China), and have been working in this field ever since, and see it as a career for me now.

[Def]

[parrothead]

Nickpellatt raises some good points. I've been nomadic for some time now that I often forget what it was like the first time I went abroad. Having a support system in place could certainly loosen tense nerves if you've never been out of the country on your own.
I still wouldn't pay to volunteer.
If you do, however, look for those organizations with the most transparency. Writing "volunteered in Costa Rica" might look snazzy enough on a resume, but I wouldn't fool myself into thinking I benefited anyone other than the voluntour group much.

[sarahg]

Okay, after a lot of searching on the Thorn Tree forums I've found a local nonprofit NGO that accepts volunteers. The placement fees are $30 and after that you only pay $15/day of room and board. Here is the website: http://www.asvocr.org/english/home.php

Does this sound like a better experience? It seems to offer a good balance of guidance and independent travel. There's someone to connect me with projects and give me training/orientation when I get into town, but I'm responsible for my own transportation around the country. There would also be a little more flexibility about projects -- I could work at the teaching project for a couple of months, then volunteer at some of the national parks or turtle rescue projects for a week or so each as well. Seems like the accommodations might not be as nice (all the volunteers in one host house instead of private bedrooms with a host family), but at least no one is profiting off my cash, and it'd be a good $1000 cheaper. And because they accept local volunteers, don't charge much (I doubt I could get a bed and three meals for $15/day otherwise), and don't seem to require you to pay in advance over the internet, it doesn't seem to be an organization that exists to rip off tourists.

[Jetgirly]

I have a friend who went to Kenya on a volunteer exchange through our local Rotary club. If I were you, I would start by contacting local charities, non-profits, schools, etc. See if they already have arrangements with organizations in other countries, and see if you could get involved. If you're willing to pay for your own airfare, you may find they offer you room and board, or a living allowance.

[herzog]

It is indeed ridiculous. I almost fell for it just before I went to India. These orgs that exploit people's altruism are a real oddity. Initially, I figured going for one of them would at least put something on my resume. You know what? You can find places to volunteer at on your own, and before you even get on a plane. Cut out these abusive middlemen: here's what I did. I scanned the Web for churches and schools in south India, and came across one: St. Joseph, a private school near Qilon, Kerala. Many such places have their own website. Just get in touch with the owner or manager directly. The one at St. Joseph responded immediately and urged that I make all haste to his school. I did. Here was his deal: I assist an Indian teacher for esl and western history. In return, I get a free room and free food as long as I eat on campus, and I have weekends to myself. No hassle and not a penny asked. I stayed at that school five months, and only spent when I'd go to Alleypey on weekends. Do it that way: ignore these orgs that pose as volunteer groups.

[Song&Dance]

Pay to volunteer?

Where can I sign up to pay to donate blood?