its love of sport, it’s no coincidence that events such as 24-hour marathons and cycling
odysseys (only the fit need apply) are popular ways of convincing your nearest and dearest
to empty their pockets of loose change to get you volunteering overseas.
Some organisations offer general advice on volunteer programme fundraising. CrossCul-
tural Solution’s Fundraising Guide (www.crossculturalsolutions.org) is one excellent resource
for American and British volunteers. There’s also an entire website devoted to fundraising
ideas, resources and links – click over to http://www.fund-raising.com.
Preparation
Many of the larger sending agencies run pre-departure briefing and training events.
Subjects covered usually include: managing your expectations; cultural awareness and
integration; what life could be like on your placement; and what to do if something goes
wrong. In the case of Maggie Wild, a volunteer leader for British Trust for Conservation
Volunteers (p133), training sessions were tailored to her role:
As a leader, my training was different to that of the other volunteers. I took the follow-
ing courses: Residential Leadership Training; International Leader Training; First Aid at
Work; and Wilderness First Aid.
Even though this is specialist training, it is wise to consider what courses you could do
independently to equip yourself for your placement. It is certainly a good idea to think
about a first-aid and travel-safety course (for more information on both, see p66 and p71).
If you have a placement teaching English, you may want to obtain a teaching certificate.
There are two main training systems: TEFL (Teacher of English as a Foreign Language) is
most popular in Europe; and TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages)
is the main system in the USA. Before Sharon Baxter volunteered to teach in Tibet she says:
I took a course in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. I also tried to learn some
Tibetan, but it is not easy, as different dialects are spoken in different regions.
Most volunteers prepare for their time overseas by learning the local language or reviving
their dormant language skills. Poonam Sattee, who volunteered in Guatemala, says:
I really immersed myself in the language before I left – I spoke Spanish to everyone I could
find. I found out as much as I could about Guatemala so it wouldn’t be such a culture shock
when I arrived. And I did research on the issues surrounding street children there.
Jacqueline Hill, who volunteered in Bangladesh, also tried to find out as much as possible
about where she was going:
I attended the VSO training agreed with my placement adviser. I talked to friends and rela-
tives from Pakistan and Bangladesh. I read the Lonely Planet guidebook – the only guide-
book to Bangladesh available at the time. I was also able to talk to returned volunteers, as
I was provided with a list. I had already travelled in Pakistan, so mistakenly thought I was
prepared for the living conditions.
Talking to returned volunteers is very important. Also, if you are volunteering on a team-
based project, your organisation will usually circulate contact details for everyone prior
to departure. This means you can do a little preparation together, forward information of
interest and pass on any tips. If you want to take this one step further, Karen Hedges, who
volunteered in Madagascar, remembers:
I read some books on Madagascar and helped in the charity office for a few days before I
went, to help understand more about the organisation I was going to work for.
Volunteers who expect their placement to be physically challenging also address this prior
to departure. Ann Noon, who volunteered in Peru, advises:
I tried to do more sport in the run-up to leaving, to be better equipped to deal with living
at altitude.
In the months before you leave, your sending agency will also be in regular contact, for-
warding you information packs, detailed handbooks and generally keeping you informed
about what’s happening, what you should be doing and when you need to do it by.Useful Documents
Your sending agency will let you know of any documentation you may need to take with
you. However, a few bits of paper you might like to add to this list are given here.
~ International driving permit These need to be taken in addition to your normal driv-
ing licence and are valid for one year only. In the UK, you can apply for one through the
AA (www.theaa.com), RAC (www.rac.co.uk) or some post offices. In the US, AAA (www.aaa
.com) and AATA (800 622 7070) are the only entities federally authorised to distribute per-
mits; AAA’s online application form is the most convenient way to get one. In Canada,
CAA (www.caa.ca) is the way to go. In Australia, members of the Australian Automobile
Association (www.aaa.asn.au) can issue these.
~ Itinerary print-out Of course, you’re likely to want to take this for your own purposes
anyway, but in addition you may be required to show it as evidence of onward travel at
border crossings or airports.
~ Criminal record clearance If you are working with children or vulnerable adults, your
sending agency will probably arrange for one of these as part of their checking and
selection process. If they don’t, it is something you should arrange. In the UK, log onto
the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) (www.crb.gov.uk) for a list of umbrella organisations
that can arrange one for you. In the States, either your local police department or the
FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) (www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm) can
supply you with a document indicating you have no criminal record. Canadians must
visit their local police station for fingerprinting and a criminal record check application.
Australians should contact the Criminal Records Section of their relevant state or terri-
tory police department.
~ Curriculum vitae Your CV may be required by your host organisation, especially if
your work history is impressive.
~ Birth certificate There’s no harm in taking a photocopy of this along with you.
~ Passport photos A few wide-eyed shots may be handy when applying for tourist visas.
~ Photo ID Always useful to have on you. A driving licence should fit the bill.03: The Practicalities:PreparationI used my old sixth form to do a lot of fundraising. One of my ideas proved really successful.
Having gone to an all-girls’ school, I approached three of the male teachers and asked them
if they were willing to get their legs waxed for charity. After three weeks’ of persuasion they
agreed. I hyped the event, produced ‘wanted’ posters of the teachers around the school and
ran an assembly saying that it would be up to the school which teachers got their legs done.
I then charged people to vote for the teacher they most wanted to see get their legs waxed. I
ran the voting over one week. The results showed a tie between two particular teachers so I
ran the event again, just between the two. Again, I charged for people to vote. After the voting
was over, I charged people to come and see the event, sold popcorn, drinks etc, and if people
wanted to wax the teacher’s legs themselves, I charged them per wax strip. It was a simple
event and with lots of friends I managed to raise £600.
Poonam Sattee
Poonam Sattee volunteered with Casa Alianza in
Guatemala for a year, working with street children.Creative Fundraising