1) Identify the objective for making this volunteer trip
Knowing your objective helps you to select a suitable programme. Some volunteers are gap year students searching for direction in life, at the same time hoping to immerse in various culture and see as much of the world as possible. Some are executives who just want to do something different for their vacations. Yet others are leaders seeking to build stronger bonds in their teams through an overseas community service experience. Your objective will affect the choice of programme, whether single or multiple destinations; the nature of the volunteering activity and the country.
2) Seek a cause that you care about passionately
You are likely to contribute most in a cause that you care about passionately. What brings tears to your eyes? Orphans who are left to fend on their own? Women who are forced to prostitution to feed their family? Disabled who seemed forgotten by the society? Poor villagers who have no access to basic amenities in life, such as clean water, electricity or proper sanitation? Select a cause that you care strongly about.
3) Share a skill
Many skills that we take for granted can make a difference in someone’s life. Can you teach conversational English, basic computer skills, make handicrafts or jewellery? Or do you have the technical know-how to tap solar energy, purify rain-water or build a simple irrigation system? What about sharing these skills while volunteering abroad?
4) Give the time you have
Many of us believe that we need to have a lot of free time before we can consider volunteering. If you only have half a day, you can light up children’s face with magic tricks or relieve full time workers in elderly homes by helping to feed the seniors. With one day to spare, you can teach the children a new sports, like soccer, netball, badminton or rounders. With a week, you can teach English or computer skills. With two weeks, you can join a group of volunteers to dig wells, build basic sanitary systems etc. Look for organisations that specialise in organising volunteer trips and they would have a range of activities that are suitable for you based on your availability.
5) Volunteer with family, colleagues and friends
Consider volunteering with family, colleagues and friends. A young family can visit an orphanage together and spend time together playing with the orphans. Ask your young children to bring some of their toys to share with the orphans and teach them the value of sharing. Build deepen bonds with your colleagues through volunteering. Volunteering together creates conversations, shared memories and builds deep bonds within the company.
6) Determine your minimum requirements for food and accommodation
The living conditions while volunteering abroad vary. In general, it will probably not be quite like what you are used to at home, especially if home is in a first world country. Unless, of course, you choose to stay in a 5-star hotel, if there is one nearby, and travel to the volunteer site each day to help out.
Ask yourself the minimum requirements for food and accommodation that you need. Are you ready to rough it out and sleep in tents under the stars? Or you prefer to have at least a guesthouse with private room and attached shower facilities? Are you ready to eat with the locals or you rather live with instant noodles throughout your trip? Be honest with yourself and highlight your requirements to your volunteer trip organisers.
7) Do the needful pre-trip preparation
Find out more about the volunteer programme that you are going on. What are you expected to do during the volunteering trip? Do you need to prepare your own teaching materials if you are teaching? What kind of support will you receive from the organisers? Do you need to know some basic native language? Being well-prepared gives you a more fruitful and enjoyable trip.
8) Raise the required amount for the international volunteer trip
Yes, volunteering abroad is not free. Volunteering abroad incur expenses including airfare, insurance, visa, programme fees, accommodation and food etc. Find out the total cost of the programme and work towards saving that sum. You may consider volunteering in your home country while saving up for the overseas volunteering trip.
9) Stay healthy
Stay healthy always, especially before and during the trip. Otherwise, the staff and other volunteers may end up helping you instead of the underprivileged.
Also, find out the recommended vaccinations for your volunteer destinations before you go.
10) Keep an open mind
Volunteers need to remember that the foremost reason for making a volunteer trip is to give. Sometimes, the planned volunteer activities may not be carried out as scheduled due to various reasons such as weather, unforeseen circumstances etc. Volunteers should attempt to be flexible, maintain a positive attitude and be ready to help out where needed. Go with the flow.
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