Volunteering in Africa

cathalosullivan · 07-07-2009, 23:44

Hi there,

Im looking for help/advice/tips you name it!i have been seriously considering going volunteering in africa for a while now. I hope to go next year around april/may time as i am currently on placement with college.

Firstly, I don't know where i want to go or what i want to do.

do i have to be qualified in any particular area?

do i have to raise much money to go on a trip?

what experiences have you had in africa and would you recommend the whole experience?

anyway.....im open to any advice at all.....something to get me in the know!!!

thanks!

dory · 21-07-2009, 12:10

Well if you give more info I can suggest a few things.

First up, what are you qualified to do, and how long would you like to go for?
You could do things that require no qualifications, but you'll generally get charged a lot for that. Taking volunteers can need a lot of admin work so they have to be worth the effort for projects to take you.

Look into Suas if you're in college, VSO, VSI, Goal etc if you're not. General rule of thumb is more qualified you are less you have to pay. If you're not qualified then it's a case of the more adventurous you are the less you'll pay. So if you want something totally safe and planned i-to-i will make you re-mortgage your parent's home to work.

cathalosullivan · 21-07-2009, 17:22

i dont have my degree yet but i will hav completed 3 years doing accountancy including a 7month placement. ideally id like to spend between 4-6weeks out there but i am fairly flexible!

il have a look into those places, hopefully they will have something appropriate for me

WeeBushy · 21-07-2009, 23:59

Suas are a superb organisation, and are Irish, and run programs in both Africa and India. Their placements are 10 weeks long, however start in June so if you were willing to go a little later then I'd look into applying for one of their places. Well worth it.

The other global (gvi, i-to-i etc) ngos will offer a wider variety and will be more flexible with when you go. You also have the added bonus of getting to volunteer with people from all over the world.

You almost certainly will have to raise money, no matter who you go with but you have plenty of time. Bag packing is a gold-mine. If only I could set up the "WeeBushy Foundation" I'd never have to lift a finger again

seriously though they are a great way of raising money, but book early as places fill up all year quickly in a lot of the bigger supermarkets.

Just some things to consider!
Good luck

dory · 24-07-2009, 08:38

I think maybe you should look into Suas for next summer.
These things take time. No decent charity will take someone who hasn't spent months preparing.
I've had to deal with unprepared volunteers in the past, total nightmare!
Also, with regards the accountancy - I know for a few charities I've worked with they would love someone to look after their accounts, but it would have to be for 6 months, maybe a year. We'd never let anyone coming for 4 weeks touch the books in case they changed things or something.
It's up to you, if you can afford i-to-i and want to go fast, off you go. If you can wait, Suas are more genuine.

07-07-2009, 23:44	#1
cathalosullivan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 16 Adverts \| Friends	Volunteering in Africa Hi there, Im looking for help/advice/tips you name it!i have been seriously considering going volunteering in africa for a while now. I hope to go next year around april/may time as i am currently on placement with college. Firstly, I don't know where i want to go or what i want to do. do i have to be qualified in any particular area? do i have to raise much money to go on a trip? what experiences have you had in africa and would you recommend the whole experience? anyway.....im open to any advice at all.....something to get me in the know!!! thanks!

21-07-2009, 23:59	#4
WeeBushy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The fairer side Posts: 1,204 Adverts \| Friends	Suas are a superb organisation, and are Irish, and run programs in both Africa and India. Their placements are 10 weeks long, however start in June so if you were willing to go a little later then I'd look into applying for one of their places. Well worth it. The other global (gvi, i-to-i etc) ngos will offer a wider variety and will be more flexible with when you go. You also have the added bonus of getting to volunteer with people from all over the world. You almost certainly will have to raise money, no matter who you go with but you have plenty of time. Bag packing is a gold-mine. If only I could set up the "WeeBushy Foundation" I'd never have to lift a finger again seriously though they are a great way of raising money, but book early as places fill up all year quickly in a lot of the bigger supermarkets. Just some things to consider! Good luck Last edited by WeeBushy; 22-07-2009 at 00:03.

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21-07-2009, 12:10	#2
dory Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,048 Adverts \| Friends	Well if you give more info I can suggest a few things. First up, what are you qualified to do, and how long would you like to go for? You could do things that require no qualifications, but you'll generally get charged a lot for that. Taking volunteers can need a lot of admin work so they have to be worth the effort for projects to take you. Look into Suas if you're in college, VSO, VSI, Goal etc if you're not. General rule of thumb is more qualified you are less you have to pay. If you're not qualified then it's a case of the more adventurous you are the less you'll pay. So if you want something totally safe and planned i-to-i will make you re-mortgage your parent's home to work.

21-07-2009, 17:22	#3
cathalosullivan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 16 Adverts \| Friends	i dont have my degree yet but i will hav completed 3 years doing accountancy including a 7month placement. ideally id like to spend between 4-6weeks out there but i am fairly flexible! il have a look into those places, hopefully they will have something appropriate for me

24-07-2009, 08:38	#5
dory Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,048 Adverts \| Friends	I think maybe you should look into Suas for next summer. These things take time. No decent charity will take someone who hasn't spent months preparing. I've had to deal with unprepared volunteers in the past, total nightmare! Also, with regards the accountancy - I know for a few charities I've worked with they would love someone to look after their accounts, but it would have to be for 6 months, maybe a year. We'd never let anyone coming for 4 weeks touch the books in case they changed things or something. It's up to you, if you can afford i-to-i and want to go fast, off you go. If you can wait, Suas are more genuine.