Structured & Self-Funding Volunteer Programmes :Selection & EligibilitySandra Sinclair was also with VSA and worked as a midwife in Bougainville. She says a bit
of realism is necessary:
You do have to accept that, as a foreign health professional, you can’t change the world or
do anything quickly. But I made small changes which I am confident are continuing.
Respect and understanding for the local people you work alongside are also crucial
qualities, in Phil Sydor’s eyes. He volunteered with Hands Around the World in Zambia,
where he helped build a teaching centre and says it’s important:
Not to assume you know it all! We worked with the local people, not as managers to tell
them what to do, but as labourers. They had appointed a site manager and we made sure
we deferred to her and asked her what we should be doing. The local people were surprised
at this.
The ability to relate to all sorts of different people is what Elaine Massie and Richard
Lawson believe is important. They have volunteered many times on short-term
environmental projects and say:
You have to be able to get on with all sorts of people. Earthwatch volunteers range from 16
to 80 years of age and you may have this wide age range in your group. Also, you generally
live in close quarters with everyone and there is often very little opportunity for you to
have your ‘own space’.
But for a comprehensive summary of what qualities you need to have as a volunteer on
conservation and wildlife projects, let’s turn to the words of Robin Glegg (a veteran of
three expeditions):
You need to be open-minded, team-spirited and tolerant but enquiring. Do not expect
to be ‘nannied’ and be prepared for some tough times, such as adverse weather, hard
physical activity or basic living conditions. Be prepared to mix with people you have
never met before and be prepared to experience a very different lifestyle to the one at
home. Remember that the more you put in, the more you get out of these expeditions.
Oh yes, I nearly forgot, do not necessarily expect to see lots of wildlife. The tragedy is
that in many parts of the world, much of the wildlife has been poached, driven away or
become extinct. Many Biosphere expeditions have been set up in order just to ascertain
the presence of a species. Do not build up your hopes and you will not be disappointed.
Robin makes an extremely valuable point here. Part of ‘having what it takes’ to be an
international volunteer, whether you work in development or conservation and wildlife,
is to have realistic expectations of your placement. Nine times out of ten if a placement
doesn’t work out the reason is that the expectations of the volunteer didn’t match the
reality of the experience.
There are things you can do to ensure that you approach your placement in the right
spirit of respect and tolerance. Research your chosen destination and leave cultural norms
and expectations behind. Be mindful of how your arrival on the scene might impact on the
locals you’re working with. Successful volunteers are like sponges soaking up as much as
possible about the circumstances they find themselves in and taking their cues from how
the local people interact. For instance, casual clothing may be the norm in your country of
origin but if you’re working for an NGO or government agency in Laos, you’ll be expected
to wear modest traditional dress. If you’re receiving a monthly allowance from your
government, you may find yourself earning more than the locals you’re working alongside,
so be discreet. And remember that volunteers are subject to the laws of the local country.
In Western democracies it’s acceptable to be an anti-royalist, but in Thailand, speak out
against the monarchy and not only do you cause great offence you could also become
familiar with the interior of a local police station.
More Information
Publications
~ Volunteer Work Overseas for Australians and New Zealanders by Peter Hodge
(Global Exchange, 2004). Tells how to find and prepare for a volunteer position from
childcare to plumbing, with workplace issues to ponder and accounts from returned
volunteers.Useful Websites
~ British Overseas NGOs for Development (BOND) (www.bond.org.uk) A site which aims
to improve the UK’s contribution to international development through the exchange
of ideas, experience and information.
~ Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) (www.responsibletravel.org) The website of this
research institution is packed with quick tips on responsible travelling and has useful
publications for download.
~ Comhlámh (www.comhlamh.org) A membership organisation that supports returned
development workers and campaigns on global development issues. It is the Irish
equivalent of BOND, NIDOS and WCIA (listed here).
~ The Daily Telegraph Travel Adventure & Sports Show (www.adventureshow.co.uk)
A chance to make contact with some of the UK’s international voluntary organisations.
~ Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show (www.destinationsshow.com) One opportunity to
meet some of the UK’s international voluntary organisations.
~ Ethical Volunteering (www.ethicalvolunteering.org) Dr Kate Simpson’s site on the topic of
ethical volunteering.
~ Gap Year Research (www.gapyearresearch.org) Another of Dr Kate Simpson’s sites. This one
acts as a hub for those doing research on gap years, volunteering and service-learning.
~ Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland (NIDOS)
(www.nidos.org.uk) A network of 55 Scottish-based associations with similar goals to
BOND, WCIA and Comhlámh.
~ One Life (www.onelifelive.co.uk) The website for the inspirational London event where you
can meet some of the UK’s leading international voluntary organisations.
~ ServiceLeader.org (www.serviceleader.org) General articles on issues faced by North American
volunteers, with links and information focusing on international service positions.
~ Travelers’ Philanthropy (www.travelersphilanthropy.org) Run by CREST, this portal helps trav-
ellers make a difference at their destinations by learning about and donating to develop-
ment projects.
~ University of Michigan International Center (www.umich.edu/~icenter/) This US page offers
scads of practical advice on choosing an international work or volunteer opportunity.
~ University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center (www.umabroad.umn.edu) Although
some resources are tailored to students, this website has plenty of tips for any US citi-
zens considering international volunteering.
~ Volunteering Options (www.volunteeringoptions.org) Put together by Comhlámh, this site
has lots of online information about international volunteering.
~ Welsh Centre for International Affairs^ (WCIA) (www.wcia.org.uk) This site is the Welsh
equivalent to BOND, NIDOS and Comhlámh.
~ World Service Enquiry (www.wse.org.uk) Lots of information on international
volunteering and working in development, including one-to-one advice and a
newsletter called Opportunities Abroad.02: Choosing Your Volunteer Experience:More Information