10 reasons why volunteering is better than traveling

Stone, I agree and I’m often very suspicious of so-called voluntourism. So many times it seems to cost way too much money and all to often that doesn’t filter down to the people that really need it.

Also ask yourself, if you’re paying a high price to go and do non-skilled work – are you actually undercutting a local person who might only want one or two dollars a day.

My thoughts are these – if you are traveling and want to volunteer for a short while then find out places from travel books/Google etc and contact them direct. Tell them you’re heading that way, what skills you have and how you’d like to help. Tell them you will pay your own way etc. The worse thing they can say is no. But be aware volunteers can be more trouble than they are worth so really sell yourself and promise that you’ll be low maintenance.

If you want to do long term volunteer work then I suggest you contact someone like VSO http://www.vso.org.uk and see if they have a position to suit. They actually pay your costs and a living allowance.

Although it is the equivalent of the American Peace Corps, unlike PC you can be from any country. They actually have recruiter stations in Holland, Canada, Kenya, Philippines, UK and Ireland (I think). You will have to travel for interviews (again, I think) if you are not from these places.

Expect a long term commitment. It always used to be two years but now shorter one year placements are becoming available.

A lot will depend on what skills you have. Do you have a job where you can use your skills to help others in a developing country? My own background is marketing but others can be medical, teaching, engineering even hospitality. You’d be suprised.

If you have a skill then maybe there is a volunteer organisation out there that will actually fund you. Did you know that UN “volunteers” actually get a living allowance of over $1000 a month?

If you do have to settle for paid for “voluntourism” ask them where the money goes and how much goes to the project itself and how much is eaten up by admin.

Another option is to go overseas and find paid work doing something like teaching English and then use your spare time to volunteer work. You can get a Teaching English qualifications relatively easily (night classes and, I think, on line)

Good luck.

It’s a great way to really learn about a place and feel a connection to it. A friend started Tropical Adventures if anyone is interested in volunteering in Costa Rica.

I had been a little sceptical about the idea of paying to volunteer programs like this but I see the impact his group is having both on the communities and travelers and while some of us can travel for months at a time and do the legwork and find our opportunities on the road, this is a way for the 2-3 weeks at a time traveler to really engage in a place in a short time.

Agree! We’ve taken our daughters (at age 8 and 9) to build a house in Guatemala through the God’s Child Project. They were our water girls and painters. They also love to read – something many children don’t have a chance to learn. It was eye-opening to see the other children staring in wonder at them. They were able to interact with the other children through bubbles and baloons, games and songs, even though they couldn’t speak the languate. All of it made an impression and gave them a unique perspective and lessons they will carry through life.

Just wondering if anybody else can possibly see how this article is slightly offensive to those involved in the U.S. military service. Volunteering is good, and war is ugly -those are certainly truths- but there seems to be no respect given the brave men and women who through their willingness to fight and die, actually give us the opportunity to serve others. This article seems to bash the military like they never do any good wherever they go and only leave a wake of destruction. While I know that to some degree one could argue that but I don’t think in all honesty that point could be made, unless you close your eyes to the regular horrors that existed prior to military occupation. Furthermore, I know for a fact that our military is doing TONS of volunteer-like work, but it will NEVER compare because it hardly receives much of any attention. Basically, I’m just trying to make the point that our troops actually do a decent amount of charitable work, but any recognition of that appears at best non-existent with this article all the while slamming the guys for following orders. Might I add that in my personal opinion, most the nice things done by our troops are done on a individual and personal compassionate level, and not because they were tasked on a good-will mission. Troops are humans too, and they do care for those they meet in passing. Many will even give their personal MRE’s away, leaving them with nothing to eat for who-knows-how-long all along having to haul 100+ pounds around while worrying about being shot. I mean, come on. Show some love…. or at least some respect.
~A Marine Wife

Hi Steve, FANTASTIC article! I agree with you that volunteering abroad is so much better than just traveling around the world. The sense of purpose and fulfillment cannot compare to just walking into a museum or monument and leaving after a few hours. The experience of volunteering stays with you forever. I hope that your article helps encourage more people to volunteer the next time they travel.

I do have to mention though, although volunteering is an amazing experience and there certainly is a need for more compassion and caring in this world, unfortunately, potential volunteers do need to be careful. There are some volunteer scams out there, waiting to take advantage of well-intentioned travelers. I recently wrote a blog about my own devastating volunteer experience and how others can avoid it. Please feel free to encourage your readers to take a look at my website for the details.

It’s regrettable that the world needs so much help but it’s even worse that there are people out to exploit those trying to make it a better place.

Thanks again for reminding me just how much good there is in the world and in humanity! Oh and by the way, I found another volunteer organization since the scam and my time with them was simply wonderful!

Recently volunteering has become a worldwide industry. Deciding on which company to choose and which specific project to support can be quite overwhelming.
Its difficult to know beforehand whether you will be contributing to a sustainable, long term project, whether the company is ethical and whether you will actually be making a tangible difference to the countrys heritage.
With EDGE of AFRICA, you can be assured of the following:
becoming part of a growing team which works towards sustainable and meaningful projects
working in a safe and well researched environment
a fulfilling experience, with exposure and opportunities to see some of South Africa’s most famous sights and experiences
continuous project and personal support by trained staff and friendly project coordinators
an overall life changing experience!
EDGE of AFRICA boasts a high return rate of volunteers and overall very positive feedback. Our volunteers leave here feeling satisfied that they have contributed to empowering the local people and / or to the conservation of the South African environment.
http://www.EDGEofAFRICA.com
http://www.facebook.com/EDGEofAFRICA/

Volunteer AND surf school? That’s just pathetic!