lonely planet -volunteer abroad guide

(Nandana) #1

annual projects: 14
partner programmes: amigos partners with
21 other agencies.
selection & Interview process: depending
on whether the volunteer works with a
local chapter, they will either have phone
interviews or interviews in person.
In-country support: each project is equipped
with a project staff member on call 24 hours a
day. In many countries there are partnerships
in place with the ministry of health, which
assists volunteers when they are sick or in
case of emergencies.


amizade
suite 2, 200 robinson st, pittsburgh,
pa 15213, usa
%+1 412 586 4986
fax +1 412 904 2598
[email protected]
http://www.amizade.org
amizade is a non-profit organisation
dedicated to promoting volunteering,
community service, collaboration and cultural
awareness throughout the world. a mizade
offers a broad range of international
volunteer opportunities for individuals
and families, and regularly customises
programmes for groups.
status: non-profit organisation.
timing & length of placements: two or more
weeks with regular departures throughout the


year. some placements can be extended for
up to six months.
destinations: bolivia, brazil, mexico, jamaica,
germany, poland, northern Ireland, tanzania,
ghana and the united states.
Costs: Costs vary based on location, length
and type of program.
eligibility: the minimum age is 18, or 12 if you
are accompanied by a parent or guardian;
there is no nationality requirement. some sites
are more suitable than others for disabled
volunteers; contact amizade for details.
groups or Individuals: groups of six to 30
volunteers work alongside host-community
members. participants in customised group
programmes serve with their group.
annual no. of Volunteers: 350
annual projects: 50
partner programmes: 14 community
partnerships in 14 different sites.
selection & Interview process: Volunteers are
assigned to projects and communities that
best match both their interests and skills and
local needs.
In-country support: upon arrival in the
country, on-site personnel provide a formal
orientation to familiarise volunteers with the
programme, location and logistics. a staff
member remains with the group for the
duration of the project to coordinate and
provide assistance as needed.

global Volunteers
375 e little Canada rd, st paul,
mn 55117, usa
%+1 800 487 1074
fax +1 651 482 0915
[email protected]
http://www.globalvolunteers.org
global Volunteers is a large organisation
that has placed more than 20,000 volunteers
since it was founded in 1984. It offers short-
term service programmes in 20 countries on
six continents – at the invitation of local host
organisations, under the direction of local
leaders and hand-in-hand with local people.
Volunteers teach conversational english; care
for vulnerable and at-risk children; construct,
repair, and paint community buildings; deliver
healthcare and provide any other service
requested by communities.
status: global Volunteers is a private, non-
profit, non-sectarian international organisation.
timing & length of placements: programmes
are one to three weeks long and are offered
year-round. at present, extended stay options
are offered in China, ecuador, India, Ireland,
poland, romania and tanzania – for an
additional per-week fee of between us$150
and us$300. there are specific departure
dates throughout the year.
destinations: australia, China, India, sri
lanka, Cook Islands, brazil, peru, ecuador,

Costa rica, mexico, jamaica, united states,
ghana, tanzania, Ireland, poland, hungary,
Italy, greece and romania.
Costs: us destinations are us$795 for one
week; international programmes range
from us$1595 to us$2595. this is a tax-
deductible fee that covers all meals, lodging,
ground transportation in the community,
project expenses, an emergency medical
evacuation service and the services of a
trained team leader. airfares are extra,
however, all project-related costs, including
airfares, are tax-deductible for us taxpayers.
there are discounts for those who book
online, students, returning volunteers and
families and groups.
eligibility: Children as young as five can serve
and there are no upper age limits. You can
serve as long as you are in good health,
sufficiently mobile and have a curiosity
about other cultures, a flexible attitude and a
willingness to serve.
groups or Individuals: Volunteers can work in
teams of up to 20 or one-on-one with local
people in the host country. family and group
applications are accepted.
annual no. of Volunteers: around 2000.
annual projects: each year nearly 200 teams
of short-term volunteers are sent to work on
long-term development projects in over 100
communities in 20 countries on six continents.

05: Organised Volunteer Programmes:

Options for the Under 30s

Photo: Samantha Cook/Raleigh International

Raleigh International volunteers helping African communities

Photo: Briony Stevens

Australian Volunteers International set up a World Food Programme malnutrition workshop in Cambodia
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