Tips in Going Overseas to Volunteer for a Cause
It is a noble act to volunteer yourself for a charitable cause. There are a lot of countries where your help is needed. If you can’t donate in cash, you can give your time. The kind of help you provide could help reduce the overall expenses of a particular organization. This is why volunteers are highly encouraged. If you are planning to spend your next year or so to volunteer for a mission, you have to be totally prepared. Here are some tips to ensure that the time you have spent volunteering becomes a huge success.
Make sure you can pay for it
It might seem unfair that you are already giving your time but you will still end up paying for it. However, this is the reality in several organizations. You become a volunteer not only of your time, but of your finances. You need to spend money to buy the airfare. You also have to pay for the visas. In some countries, vaccination might be required and you also have to pay for it. Food, accommodation and local transportation are also a part of the expenses. Some organizations might help you out financially, but there will never be an assurance that it will happen.
Look for a good organization
Searching for a good organization is not just about finding one that offers financial assistance. You should also consider the kind of work that they do. For some organizations, the nature of the work seems risky. They go to remote places or near war torn areas. You need to know where you are heading before signing up. Reading online reviews and asking former volunteers would also be of help.
Find a project that highlights your skills
You should volunteer only if you know that your skills would be maximized. For instance, if you are a good teacher, join an organization that does tutorials to poorly educated kids. If you have a medical background, join medical missions and related activities. Your time is better spent when doing projects that are aligned with what you can do best.
Be prepared for hard work
Volunteering is different from traveling. Yes, you will have the chance to visit another country, but the mission is not the same. You won’t be there to take selfies for a few days and go back home. There is a mission that you need to accomplish. Regardless of the nature of the project, you can’t just go there and relax. You should also expect the worst. Not all days are about seeing children smiling. There are instances when you would have to deal with ungrateful people. There could also be internal organization issues that you have to deal with.
Once you are all set for this trip, you can finally make it happen. You should also feel excited about it. You are doing this for free. Your goal is to be of help to other people. Most of all, you should be proud of yourself. Not everyone has the same goal as you.
Photo Attribution:
Featured and 1st image from https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/top-10-tips-fundraise-your-volunteer-travels
2nd image from http://www.farawaylucy.com/how-to-travel-the-world-as-a-student/
