Volunteer Global

If you had the chance to read yesterday's entry, you learned that South America is the most popular destination for travelers on volunteer expeditions. In today's post, we'll learn a little bit about the Oceania region, which has the fewest service opportunities.

Compared to the 120 or so groups I have listed on Volunteering Global working in South America, I have only seven in Oceania. Why is this? Let's save that full post for another day; the short answer is that that most programs I've found in Australia, New Zealand, and the surrounding countries and islands seem to be paid, career break opportunities, such as working on a station (ranch) or providing administrative assistance in a hotel. Pure volunteer travel opportunities just seem less abundant in Oceania at this time.

Let's take a look at a few of the opportunities available to you in this region.

AIDE Abroad - Australia
www.aideabroad.org

“AIDE's Mission: Through education and the exchange of ideas and people across borders, AIDE will build a worldwide community of global citizens who will be part of an ongoing intercultural conversation. AIDE will be a catalyst for change in the world by building bridges between individuals from diverse cultures.”

Volunteers help with such projects as taking care of and researching animals, embarking on environmental conservation work (both in the ocean and on land), teaching children, assisting with community development initiatives, and providing medical and special care to those in need.

AIDE Abroad works in every region of the world, with programs starting from two weeks onward. Volunteers pay $1,700 for the first two weeks, plus $275 for each additonal week, with accommodations provided in hostels, group houses, hotels, or with host families.

Tolga Bat Hospital - Australia
www.tolgabathospital.org

"Tolga Bat Hospital works for the conservation of bats and their habitat. We do this by:
-the rescue, rehabilitation and release of hundreds of bats each year
-the provision of lifetime sanctuary for many bats that are too severely injured to return to the wild or have been retired from zoos
-education about bats through schools and the onsite Visitor Centre
-habitat restoration work at 2 colonies, Tolga Scrub and Lakeside
-facilitating research into flying foxes by various universities and government bodies
-advocating for bats
-providing a rich volunteering experience at the hospital"

Volunteers help with the care and rehabilitation of bats, as well as everyday facilities maintenance, gardening, and research. For three weeks or longer at 30-50AU per day, volunteers work hands-on with these creatures, which may have been injured or have fallen ill. Participants must be 22 years old or older, and procure a rabies vaccination before embarking on the service trip.

Oceanic Society - Fiji, Tonga
www.oceanicsociety.org

“The Society’s conservation approach is to foster alternative livelihoods for the benefit of local communities bordering marine protected areas through the development of eco-friendly economies as an alternative to those that are destructive to wildlife and natural habitats. Our wildlife conservation projects enjoy community support because we work locally from the outset. We have found this approach consistently leads to effective environmental conservation.”

Volunteers with the Oceanic Society work in the areas of environmental conservation and education. Located in North America, Oceania, and South America, the society provides the opportunity for its participants to brainstorm eco-friendly alternatives for business practice. The projects are on the more expensive side, costing $1,680 to $8,895 for one to two weeks on a yacht, in a lodge, or in a hotel. Some projects require SCUBA cerficiation.

Earthwise Valley - New Zealand
www.earthwisevalley.org

“We are a Centre for Sustainable Living, providing an interface for people to benefit Mother Nature while rediscovering their own true human nature. Visitors and volunteers are invited to explore human impacts on natural systems, the importance of these systems to us, and ways to actively live in harmony with Nature.”

Volunteers with Earthwise Valley help care for animals, assist with environmental conservation projects and research, and help with gardening activities. For $395 per week, participants are asked to stay three weeks or longer and eat vegetarian meals. Housing is provided in a rented building offsite.

That wraps up today's segment on regional volunteering -- tune in tomorrow for information about service projects in Europe!