Volunteer Work Abroad Online Resources
By Aoife Hegarty, Posted Nov 20, 2006
Sections: Intro to Volunteer Work Types of Volunteering Why to Volunteer Why Not to Volunteer Organization Resources
Name: Peace Corps
Restrictions: US Citizens only
Conditions: Local living wage. Housing provided, medical and travel expenses paid
Areas of activity: Education, Medical, Technical, Construction and others
Other Info: Funded by and incorporated into the US military (sort of) – you’ll definetely be suspected of being a CIA spy wherever you’re assigned. (You’re in the army now!)
Name: Net Corps
Restrictions: Canadian Citizens only
Conditions: Local living wage. Housing, medical and travel expenses paid
Areas of activity: Computers and Information Technology
Other Info: Funded by the Canadian government. Volunteers must have IT skills.
Name: Voluntary Services Overseas
Restrictions: Most people in the vicinity of a recruitment office with transferable skills are eligible.
Conditions: Local living wage. Housing provided, medical and travel expenses paid. Pre-departure and end of placement grants given.
Areas of activity: Education, Medical, Technical, IT and business
Other Info: Funded mainly by the British government. HQ is in London but there are recruiting offices in the Netherlands, Canada, Kenya, Philippines and India. Applicants to the Kenya, Philippines and India recruitment offices must have 5 years professional experience.
Name: United Nations Volunteers
Restrictions: Transferable skills
Conditions: approx US$750 per month, varies with country. Medical and travel expenses paid. Pre-departure and end of service allowances given.
Areas of activity: Various
Other Info: Roster system, whereby applicant’s details are kept on file for a 2 year period after application. The applicant is only contacted if a suitable job appears.
Name: VMM
Restrictions: Irish Citizens only
Conditions: approx 650 euro per month.
Areas of activity: Education, medical, technical and others
Other Info: placements are often with religiously affiliated employers.
Name: Volunteers for Rural India
Restrictions: None
Conditions: Initial costs of about UK£265 which covers some training in the UK and 3 weeks of training in India
Areas of activity: Agriculture, Education
Other Info: Run by a small charity, Volunteers for Rural India, funded by volunteer contributions. Initial period can be extended to many months as the volunteer is self funded.
Name: Willing workers on organic farms
Restrictions: none
Conditions: accommodation and food expenses covered
Areas of activity: agriculture
Other Info: Operates in various countries e.g. Australia. Food and accommodation is offered in return for farm work. Experience is not usually necessary.
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