Volunteer Global

Woohoo, we've reached the conclusion of my six-part series on regional service activities! Today's topic: Asia.

Check out these volunteer groups working throughout the region:

Blue Star of Hope - Thailand
www.bluestarofhope.org

"Our programs foster global understanding and compassion, celebrate cross-cultural similarities and diversities, and promote a consciousness of peace and empowerment while supporting economic prosperity, social progress and ecological integrity for all of Earth’s inhabitants. By inviting youth to participate in this process, we lay the foundation for Peace in our future."

Volunteers with Blue Star of Hope help to educate children and work with animals. The program costs $1,550 for two weeks, and participants are invited to stay in the elephant sanctuary or in a hotel. In order to apply, volunteers must be 14 or older.

Volunteer for the Visayans - Philippines
www.visayans.org

"Volunteer for the Visayans is a non-profit, established Non-Government Organization, CN200427692, that focuses on community development and international education. We are proud of our unique Asian culture and we invite the rest of the world to experience life from a Filipino’s perspective and experience living in a country burdened by economic hardships, yet still optimistic about the country’s existence! Our international volunteers immerse themselves in a culture foreign to their own, while educating the local community about the western world.

"In addition to placing foreign volunteers in community projects, Volunteer for the Visayans is also dedicated to raising funds for local projects. Currently, we are focused on working with the City Social Welfare Office and helping to support a new facility under construction which will be used to house the street children. We collect donations and basic necessities such as used clothing, to distribute to these children. Volunteer for the Visayans collects educational resources to distribute to rural schools where basic books and school supplies are not available."

Volunteers help with orphanage work, education, social work, clinic work, and children's care and activities. Participants are asked to stay for two weeks to six months, where they may live with a host family. In order to apply, individuals must be aged 18 to 60.

Cultural Restoration Tourism Project - Nepal
www.crtp.net

“The Cultural Restoration Tourism Project is a unique non-profit organization established to provide communities around the world with a chance to restore cultural artifacts that are in danger of extinction. What really makes us different is that we give people like you, from any background, the opportunity to participate in the restoration process. Our participants spend their vacations putting their hearts and hands to work on something truly meaningful. They return from their experience invigorated, knowing that they have had a real impact on the community they chose to visit. Our opportunities allow travelers to get a true experience of the culture, its people and its traditions.”

Volunteers help with historic preservation projects, such as reenforcing the foundation of a building, preserving a mural, and repairing damaged or older structures. For six to 12 days, volunteers live onsite and help locals and other participants with these important projects. The program costs $1,495 to $2,495, and discounts are available for past participants, seniors, students, and groups.

Volunteer in Cambodia
www.volunteerincambodia.org

"Experience life in Cambodia while volunteering your time to teach conversational English at Conversations With Foreigners (CWF) in the capital city, Phnom Penh.

"Living independently or as part of a group of international volunteers in Phnom Penh, you'll be part of a school providing affordable conversational English courses for local students to raise money for the Cambodian Rural Development Team (CRDT), a local organisation working to improve livelihoods within rural communities."

Volunteers help with education projects for three months at a time. Accommodations are provided in a shared volunteer house, for the cost of $85. In order to apply, participants must speak fluent English.

Our Chinese Daughters Foundation
www.ocdf.org

"Mission: To provide the highest quality Chinese culture programs, orphan support programs, and publications to adoptive families, support organizations, and educational institutions serving the wider community."

Volunteers help with children's projects, community development, and fundraising. For one day to one month, participants can stay in onsite housing as they help to build the foundation of the OCDF program.


 

That wraps up this series on regional volunteering opportunities. If any of these interested you, please take a look at my comprehensive list of international service programs -- there are 338 of them on here!

And remember to join my Facebook group and follow me on Twitter :-)