Volunteering Abroad

cannonfodder

Hay All,

I am taking the lazy way out by asking you lads/ladies for some advice..

I am looking for some info on Volunteer projects anywhere in the world which offer accomodation and food for work. I have looked on the web and all I can seem to find (i-to-i, volunteeringireland, tefl etc) is teaching work..

I am more interested in the building side of things, but most of the offers are for short 2-8weeks which you have to pay an initial 3-4,000 Euros.. A bit out of my price range, I can just about fork out the money for a ticket to as far as Asia, S. America or S. Africa but after that I would be selling most of what I have, and 300 euros wont let you live for long..

What would be ideal would be a year long, varied construction, foreign language (so I can learn), no initial fee over 300E, food and board and possibly some pocket money.. the construction is not hugely important but outdoors would be preferably..

I know there are options for these things for students but I am 28 and most have a cut off point of 25..

If anyone has any ideas suggestions, advice or experience of this sort of thing I would be really grateful..

Cannon

bugler

I had my phase of seeking volunteer work too..so I know what your thinking. I regret to say that what you're looking for isn't really out there, as far as I can see. Volunteering abroad w/ food and accomodation tends to be for skilled only, ie doctors/nurses, engineers and so on.

If this isn't the case, then I'll be only too glad to hear it, and it might reignite my interest. I refuse to pay a couple of thousand euro to go abroad and work for free. That's not volunteering And I can't help but think that the money would have been better off simply donated. I'm not a fan of these volunteer opportunites undertaken by those with their C.V in mind. Most NGO donkey work can be done by locals, which of course is a better way to operate.

cannonfodder

Bugler,

Cheers for the reply, not exactly what I wanted to hear but pretty much what I expected.. It is kinda difficult to understand that I am willing to work for next to no money and I cant do it..

Ah well, will keep an eye out..

thanks again,

Cannon

bugler

Of course one way to try and fulfil your wish is to buy your ticket to wherever, then just show up on some NGOs doorstep and beg for work A bit risky, noone wants to end up destitute in Calcutta after all. Regrettably, volunteer opps are scarce on the ground.

Is TEFL completely out of the question? I know you need to stump up some cash for a course, but you could always go to Asia and work for a little bit and earn reasonable money and then go volunteering wherever. Opportunities all abouts me thinks.

cannonfodder

Hay Bugler,

I have been thinking about Tefl as well, not opposed to going to Asia, who in their right mind would be :rolleyes:

But the money and time is an issue, on line it takes 6-8 weeks for a cert, and 8-12 for a diploma in Tefl.. and it costs 3-400 Euros.. and then a flight

Broke in Calcutta sounds interesting but at the moment I am thinking about getting out of Ireland and just going to work somewhere..

Still lots of time to work for free, thanks for all your help

Cannon