Everything on Volunteer Global is free -- please keep it that way by donating to this project!
- Guest Blog: Travel, Serve, See
- Itchy travel feet
- Volunteer Global 2010 Directory Now Online!
- I love Washington DC - reason #100303
- Spotlight: Merazonia
- Spotlight: Fadhili Community
- Earthquake & tsunamis in the Pacific
- Five more types of volunteer programs
- Five types of volunteer programs
- Update: The Global Citizen Project is FUNDED!
Blogs
Osnaps, kids! The Volunteer Global 2010 Directory is now online!
This resource offers information on hundreds of international service programs, including where you can go, what you can do, how to apply, and more. The list is alphabetical by organization name, and two indexes allow you to narrow your search down by location and type of work. Download: 1.4mb PDF.
If you like this directory, please consider donating to my project. Everything I offer on Volunteer Global is free, and I want to keep it that way. I don't get paid for any research, writing, or site building and maintenance. So if you wouldn't mind sparing $3.50 or so, I would much, much appreciate it.
Today's post comes courtesy of Nicholas Hall, founder of Volunteer to See. You can visit the website at www.volunteertosee.com, become a fan on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter at @volunteertosee. Thank you, Nicholas!
At Volunteer to See we aim to change the way people think about their vacations, conventions, and family trips. I would like to take some time to tell you about our slogan; Travel, Serve, See.
Travel
I believe travel is one of the greatest educational tools in the world. People can see photographs or read stories, but when they find themselves at the foot of Mt. St Helens or Boston Harbor it completely changes the way they view this country. The United States is very large and traveling it allows a person the opportunity to experience all the joys and wonders that makes America a great place to live.
Serve
I salute the individual that sorts donations at a food bank week in and week out, to me this is what defines a great person. However, volunteering to me is about exploring new ideas, places and experiences. It is about testing yourself while helping others. People need help in Detroit as much as they need help in Phoenix. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone does not mean a month in an African village, but can mean a weekend volunteering in New Orleans or building trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.
See
Seeing is the culmination of the voluntourism experience. Anyone can buy a plane ticket to visit New York City. It takes an entire different breed of adventurer to sign up to volunteer with a soup kitchen while visiting the Big Apple. The rewards for this adventurer are greater than can be imagined. Friends, memories, and an impact will be made that lasts longer than the Broadway show. Taking time to volunteer on a vacation or trip, gives a person a chance to see so much more.
This is what we aim to do with Volunteer to See, we want to create opportunities and inspire people to use their vacations, conventions, and trips as a way to make lasting positive impact on the world.
This morning I woke up with that feeling I get every year where I really, really want to take a trip down to Central America. It's like I'm a salmon or something -- once a year I need to go to my breeding ground the most beautiful area I've ever seen.
Some of my friends have been talking about Guatemala recently. One of them volunteered there for two years, another one would like to volunteer there for six weeks this summer, and yet another is considering a vacation there.
In light of that, check this link out! It's my list of volunteer programs operating in Guatemala. Currently, I've listed 43 groups working there for children, education, business and community development, wildlife refuge, administration, environmental conservation...you name it, they've got it.
As if I don't talk about it enough, I have this intense love affair with Washington, DC. Today just presented another reason: We've legalized same-sex marriage. "Oh SVA, you're not political on here!" Pffah, ok, I'm straying from the usual posts here. If you're not a supporter of this issue, I apologize if I've offended you, and I hope you'll skip this post and move along to the other ones :)
So! With that said, watch this video, check out this gallery, and read this article.
#DC4M - congratulations to everyone who's applying for your marriage licenses from here on out! I wish you all the best.
Merazonia rescues illegally trafficked and abused animals throughout Ecuador. The center helps to rehabili
tate and release birds, monkeys, and other rainforest creatures, and provides a comfortable refuge for those that are unable to adapt to life outside of the habitat.
Volunteers care for the animals, maintain enclosures, assist with construction work, and manage trail building and maintenance. Programs last two weeks or longer and cost $65 per week, plus $20 per week for food. Accommodations are provided in a dormitory.
For more information and to apply, visit www.merazonia.org.
Contact:
Phone: 00.593.84213789
Email: Merazonia@mail.com
Image courtesy of Beverly Lussier
Fadhili Community works in Kenya with orphaned and at-risk children through education, life skills training, and more. 
Volunteers assist with teaching, HIV/AIDS education and care, general healthcare, and day-to-day operations.
Programs last two to 22 weeks and cost $630 to $2,270. Volunteers must provide their own housing, which is available near the orphanage. For more information and to apply, visit http://fadhili.org.
Contact:
PO Box 25759
Nairobi 00100
Kenya
Phone: +254 20 803 4264 or +254 738 410138
Image courtesy of Camil Marc Vijeu.
I've seen some "How do I help after the Chile earthquake" or "How do I help after the tsunamis" posts and requests fly by -- here's what I've got so far.
Earthquake
While the earthquake in Chile was larger than the one in Haiti, it was significantly less destructive. Building codes in Chile are far superior to the ones in Haiti, simply because Chile's a wealthier state with a more established government and infrastructure. Furthermore, the Pacific experiences more earthquakes than the Caribbean, so the people there are better prepared for natural disasters such as this one.
That said, buildings have collapsed, roads have been destroyed, and last count I saw, 900 individuals have been killed due to earthquakes and tsunamis throughout the Pacific. The earthquake has been devastating, but fortunately not nearly to the extent one would imagine given its force. Power and communication were up again in Santiago the afternoon after the earthquake, though the poorer areas outside of the city are still in the dark. The poorer areas outside of Santiago, and particularly in Concepción, Chillán, Curicó, and Talca, have had issues with looting. The Chilean army has been called in to handle the situation. It seems the biggest problem is access to water, gas, and electricity in those areas.
To view updates on the earthquake and aftershocks, visit the USGS map of the South America region here.
Tsunamis
As for the tsunamis, from what I understand, there was not nearly as much destruction in Asia and Oceania as was anticipated. For tsunami predictions and status, visit the NWS Pacific Region HQ site here.
Volunteers
So, with that in mind, hold your horses. Really. If there is help needed from volunteers, I imagine that as with Haiti, they will need to be trained, experienced individuals who are equipped to deal with this sort of thing.
If you're interested in volunteering in South America, click here. For opportunities in North America, click here. For opportunities in Oceania, click here. And for opportunities in Asia, click here.
And as always, don't hop on a plane and go. If you want to volunteer, check with your preferred group at least six weeks in advance. This is so they can ensure they'll need your help, that you have the time to give, and you both know exactly where you'll be staying and what you'll be doing.
Yesterday we looked at five types of volunteer projects you can embark on worldwide. Today we’ll highlight five more, including three groups for each that you might consider joining.
Education
Education is one of the most popular types of volunteer programs, and for good reason: Participants can teach children, teenagers, and adults in subjects ranging from basic math and language to business development and training. Programs are good for skilled and unskilled volunteers, and vary from short- to long-term. Some organizations that offer education projects include:
Community development
These programs are very broad in spectrum, but generally involve many people within an underserved community working together to promote a common goal. A few examples may include promoting green building efforts, establishing a youth center, or establishing an adult education or business development program to benefit the area. Programs are good for skilled and unskilled volunteers, and vary from short- to long-term. Some organizations that offer community development projects include:
Agriculture
Volunteers on these projects often help with sustainable practice consultation or with hands-on farming and other assistance. Programs are best for skilled, long-term volunteers, though unskilled individuals usually can find available projects. Some organizations that offer agriculture projects include:
Trail building and maintenance
This type of work is particularly popular in the United States, where volunteers may assist with mapping, removing invasive species, recording plan and animal behavior along trails, and building or repairing damaged trails. Programs are good for skilled and unskilled volunteers, and often are short-term. Some organizations that offer trail building and maintenance projects include:
Women’s group assistance
These projects host volunteers who wish to assist with such varied programs as microfinance, education, social work, and women’s community development initiatives. Programs usually are best for skilled volunteers, though unskilled individuals may find related programs. Short- and long-term opportunities are available worldwide. Some organizations that offer women’s group assistance include:
Volunteer projects vary in type from administration, to marketing and fundraising, to HIV/AIDS education, to women's group assistance. Below are five types of work you can do as an international volunteer.
Sea turtles
In these programs, you’ll tag and monitor nesting sea turtles – usually greens, leatherbacks, and hawksbills. You also might find yourself collecting eggs and storing them in a special hatchery, and recording information on nest temperature and hatching timeline. Projects can be tailored for skilled and unskilled volunteers, for short- and long-term assignments. Some organizations that offer sea turtle projects include:
Orphanage assistance
Volunteers often are placed in orphanages to assist with daily tasks, such as cooking and cleaning, as well as education projects for the children. Some orphanages offer support and housing for children whose parents are unable to provide adequate care for them – volunteers act as teachers and caregivers for these vulnerable youth. Projects are best suited (and I strongly encourage this) for skilled volunteers (teachers, social workers, etc.), and for long-term assignments. Please be extra careful in researching orphanage assistance programs, as unfortunately children may be exploited for monetary gain -- none of which may benefit their families. Some organizations that offer orphanage assistance projects include:
Special Needs
These programs assist physically and mentally handicapped individuals. Volunteers may work in a classroom, take their participants on adventure excursions (such as whitewater rafting or camping trips), or provide healthcare or home visits for those who might need it. Projects are best suited for skilled volunteers, but can be for short- and long-term assignments. Some organizations that offer special needs projects include:
Construction
With these programs, volunteers are brought in to an underserved community to construct and renovate houses, community centers, playgrounds, or other structures. Projects can serve families who do not have the means to renovate their own homes, cities that have been damaged by manmade or natural disaster, or even schools or buildings that need a little extra upkeep. Projects can be tailored for skilled and unskilled volunteers, for short- and long-term assignments. Some organizations that offer construction projects include:
Research
Volunteers on research programs engage in a variety of tasks, including trail mapping, bird watching, documenting historical artifacts, conducting genealogical research, and more. Projects can be offered by museums, environmental conservation groups, historical societies, and even tourism operators. Projects can be tailored for skilled and unskilled volunteers, for short- and long-term assignments. Some organizations that offer research projects include:
Update: The Global Citizen Project is funded as of 10:30am, February 22nd!
Congratulations, Charyn!!
On December 21st, Charyn Pfeuffer posted a guest blog entry about her planned 12-month, 12-country, 12-project volunteer trip.
At that time, she had about $1,000 donated, I believe -- in the past two months, it's been bumped up to a bit over $17,500! She only has a couple of days to go (no, really, last check was 52 hours left) to fund the project.
Please read about and contribute to the Global Citizen Project here.
It's a really, really cool venture, and she only has a little way to go to reach her goal. Help her out, kids!