expected. I found the people very laid-back and a lot of the day was spent sleeping. At first
this frustrated me, as I was there to gain experience, but you learn that this is how they are
and you make the most of the times when you do get to see a case or an operation. I went
alone but in the knowledge that I was going with a gap-year company who would be there
for me when I arrived and had sorted out my placement and accommodation for the year. It
was very easy to meet other volunteers doing the same thing through the company and you
had ready-made friends who knew the country better than you did.
Claire Fulton, who volunteered in Kenya with The Leap, appreciated the in-country
support during her placement:
The in-country staff were invaluable and they made it that much more enjoyable. They
prevented many near-catastrophes from happening! They would have done anything for
us, and I know that, as a group, we were all so glad that they were there.
Costs
While some of the more selective programmes like the Peace Corps (p96) don’t charge for
their placements, many of the programmes mentioned in this chapter are expensive. In
many cases, the price covers a truckload of inclusions, sometimes incorporating flights,
in-country support and pre-departure training. A proportion of the (often hefty) price tags
attached to expeditions allows for first-class equipment, whether this comes in the form of
a tent that won’t leak or a guide who can read a map. Want to feel a warm inner glow from
shelling out your life savings? Just keep in mind that all development and conservation
and wildlife projects rely on volunteers' money to keep their projects afloat.
Selection & Eligibility
Some of the programmes in this chapter – particularly the ones in the ‘Skilled
Volunteering’ and ‘Emergency & Relief’ sections – are selective, requiring such highly
specialised training that they’re simply not an option for many people. Others –
particularly those in the ‘Volunteering Holidays’, section – require little more than an
interest in the project and a financial commitment.
Length of Programmes
There are organised programmes of every length: from a volunteering stint during a
week-long vacation to an assignment that will last several years. Be sure you have a
general idea of the time commitment you’d like to make before you begin your research
because, while some programmes offer flexible time frames, others require very structured
time commitments.
What to Look for
Make sure you check whether costs such as airfares and travel insurance are included in
the programme fee. Also, if you think you might like to do some independent exploring,
find out how much time you’ll be allowed off from the volunteer programme. As always,
it’s a good idea to request the contact details of former participants, who can provide
objective answers to any specific questions you might have.
Pros & Cons
Regardless of whether you choose an expedition or a placement, there are some significant
pros and cons attached to organised volunteer placements that you should weigh up before
committing yourself.
Pros
You’re guaranteed a structured and packaged volunteering experience
By definition, organised volunteer placements offer inclusive packages that take care of
almost everything. In exchange for a sizable financial commitment, usually in the form of a
flat fee, you’re relieved of spending months trawling through guidebooks and foreign-
language websites for information about your destination. You’re also relieved of much of
the burden of pre-departure planning, because your accommodation, food, local support
and the project itself are all usually prearranged for you.high standards of in-country support make you feel more secure
Safety is often a chief consideration for anyone about to jet off to an unfamiliar part of
the world. Obviously, no-one can guarantee that things won’t go wrong, but placement
organisations have systems in place to prevent a crisis from turning into a tragedy.
Expeditions are accompanied by experienced team leaders and sometimes a doctor or a
nurse. If you’re on a placement there will be in-country representatives who can provide
support in an unfamiliar setting and who will follow established procedures in the event of
an emergency.You’ll get thorough pre-departure training & briefings about your project
Many organisations take great pride in thoroughly preparing volunteers for their
expeditions or placements. Many have training weekends, workshops on cultural
awareness, language training, risk-assessment sessions and lengthy discussions on
health and safety issues. Students who attend these training sessions are better
prepared when they arrive at their destination and most hit the ground running from
day one.
Also, when you live and work in the developing world where living conditions are, well,
developing, it’s important that you understand what to expect. Living without electricity
or running water shouldn’t come as a shock to you, as it did to Claire Loseby, who
volunteered in China. She says:
Everything seemed a bit daunting at first because I never expected to live in such horrible
conditions (no toilets, for example) but you soon adapt to it.You’ll work with like-minded volunteers & local communities
Programmes that attract school-leavers or recent graduates can be great places to make
new friends. Volunteers who live and work together, alongside their local partners, can
become like tight-knit family groups. Tabitha Cook, who taught English and worked at an
orphanage in Sri Lanka with Travellers Worldwide (p114), really appreciated being around
like-minded people her own age and says:
If you’re thinking of volunteering, look at who you’ll be living with, whether you’re
placed in a homestay or living with other volunteers. I chose to live with other volunteers
because I wanted to be around people that I could moan to if it all got on top of me, and
so if I made a cultural faux pas I wouldn’t offend those I was living with. It was the best
decision I have ever made. I made so many friends and learnt a lot, plus we had some
great house parties.You can find programmes geared toward personal development
Providing personal development opportunities for volunteers is a goal of many
volunteering ventures aimed at young people. Encouraging volunteers to develop
their skills, whether as part of a team or in a leadership capacity, is a key component of
organisations such as Raleigh International (p108).05: Organised Volunteer Programmes:Pros & Cons