Volunteer work

[tbone]

Hey,

I've been thinking about this for a couple days now (after I saw this ad on the tele about VSA - Volunteer Service Abroard) and am just curious if there is anyone on here that has done something similiar or plans on helping out less unfortunate people.

With VSA you tend to go somewhere for about 2 years which is abit too long for me (still have heaps of bills to pay, but I do understand why it's 2 years). There a couple other organisations that are short-term which I'm looking into now. I'd have to quit my job and go, which don't get me wrong, I'd love todo, but I'm in too much debt (never, ever getting a HP ever again!)

[klingon]

Hey,

I've been thinking about this for a couple days now (after I saw this ad on the tele about VSA - Volunteer Service Abroard) and am just curious if there is anyone on here that has done something similiar or plans on helping out less unfortunate people.

With VSA you tend to go somewhere for about 2 years which is abit too long for me (still have heaps of bills to pay, but I do understand why it's 2 years). There a couple other organisations that are short-term which I'm looking into now. I'd have to quit my job and go, which don't get me wrong, I'd love todo, but I'm in too much debt (never, ever getting a HP ever again!)

Do you want to go overseas and do this, or do you want to do it in NZ?
I'm not sure if I understand your post - you don't want to quit your job? So you want to do volunteer work in the evenings/weekends?

There are PLENTY of organisations out there that could do with some help and I've done work for lots of them. The important thing is that you need to treat it like a 'real' job even though you're not getting paid.

If you say you will turn up at a certain time and do a certain thing, then you have to do it. No skiving off just because it's a nice day and you'd rather be riding. If you aren't prepared to keep your promises, then don't bother making them.

Is there any particular type of organisation you would like to work for? There are all sorts of people who could use your help, and organisations looking for people to help them. What's your interest area?
Kids?
Terminally ill?
Old people?
Environmental organisations?
Church groups?
Refugees?
Fair trade?

[tbone]

In NZ or overseas - was thinking more of overseas though.

I've been in my current job for about 4 years now (in IT) and haven't taken a holiday, so have some time that I thought could be put to some good use, rather than just go for a holiday somewhere (bout 2 or 3 months). It's for me as well as whomever I could help though, although I've been around the world abit, I do want to learn more about the world and help wherever I can.

I would treat it like a real job as you're dealing with aspects just as important as a job, if not more important.

I was thinking more of places/countries that are still developing and need a hand with the most basic things we take for granted. Although my skillset is in IT (programming to be exact) I would be able to teach basic maths/english or even using computers if they had computers/electricity in where I would end up.

More or less thinking out loud really, just wondering what other people thought!

[klingon]

Oh, I get it. More like a 'working holiday'.

I have a friend who goes to Cambodia as often as he can, to help in the orphanages there. There are a lot of people in Cambodia who have lost limbs due to land mines so my friend also helps them in whatever way he can with rehab.

Another option is helping out in some of the countries hit by the tsunami a couple of years ago. Sri Lanka and Indonesia apparently have rebuilding projects still going on, and (like Cambodia) they welcome people coming in to schools and orphanages to help the kids learn English and just to generally help out.

Good on you - it sounds like you've got a great attitude.

[tbone]

Thanks heaps for the help!

Just a quick search in Google for something like "volunteer nz" brings up heaps of results - even just here in NZ, so there are heaps of opportunities!

Thanks again!

[rachprice]

Thats so cool!
VSA are a pretty well known organisation. They have some good programs!
If you do search around though you may get a better deal, some of the bigger companies are more expensive, your actually paying quite a bit to volunteer!
I am looking forward to working with Médecins Sans Frontières.
Where are you thinking of going?

[portokiwi]

look up relief web, That a good site which has jobs and up dates on situations around the world.
I am a member of RedRNZ which does a lot of humanitaian aid work.
Thats just part of my kiwi tree hugging up bringing

[CookMySock]

Thats very cool. I'd like to do that. Two years over there will change your life though.

Steve

[sinfull]

Tis one of Heidi's goals to work with underprivvy kids, another is to see India/Africa ! So we've been talking about a move to Africa, as i want to do my bit on reserves/wildlife etc (done a few years at a lion park in my 20's and its left a bit of a hole, unfinished business so to speak) ! So we're thinkin she could spend some time helping kids, while i go off and hell i donno, shoot poachers or sommit !

[tbone]

Not sure yet about where to go - leaning towards Papua New Guinea (was born there and spent some time there when I was about 10 - still remember parts of it), but I would love to go to Africa.

From what I've seen and read, the western world takes alot from developing/war torn countries, but doesn't give a whole lot back and it's up to these volunteer organizations to help out - basically any country would suit me, but Africa and PNG would be high up there!

[GurlRacer]

The organisation I went overseas with (AFS) does a community service 18+ program. From what I hear, it's pretty good They do 3 month, and 6 month programmes, if you don't want to leave for too long. They offer it in these countries (Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Thailand and Venezuela) but you can request a country, and they can try and set it up for you

Good on you for wanting to do this!! I recently went to Vanuatu, and would love to go back and help the local people!

[CookMySock]

I recently went to Vanuatu, and would love to go back and help the local people!

Ditto, what a cool place, and the people are so grateful and friendly. It took me months to get the place out of my system. If it wasn't so difficult to get into business over there I would be gone in a flash. One day I'll go back.

Steve