How to volunteer in Haiti? (On dole)

WilcoYHF

Hi Everyone,

Ive been on the dole for too long now and I cant help thinkin that id be better off over Haiti helping in anyway I can. Problem is im pennyless, been on the dole since leaving college so I'm wondering is there anyway to volunteer for an aid agency or somethin where costs are covered? I know any aid agency would more likely to be sending any money they have over there but I thought I'd give it a go.

Capt'n Midnight

Contact the charity you regularly work for. If you don't all ready have a good rapport with a charity and have the skills they need then IMHO you are more or less looking for a free holiday. There are lots of people over there far motivated than you will ever be who will work longer for less and speak the local language.

dr gonzo

Im no expert but i would think that unless you were willing to join the UN its pretty unlikely.

speedboatchase

Make a useless Facebook group?

Yakult

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

IMHO you are more or less looking for a free holiday.

I bet it would be a great holiday

mikom

Tweet Wyclef jean.

Ps. Where was your thread during the floods.

digme

buy bananas

dan719

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Contact the charity you regularly work for. If you don't all ready have a good rapport with a charity and have the skills they need then IMHO you are more or less looking for a free holiday. There are lots of people over there far motivated than you will ever be who will work longer for less and speak the local language.

Of course, who wouldn't want to get a free holiday to a country just hit by a 7.0 earthquake?:rolleyes:

Maybe this is the first time the OP has been moved enough to do some charitable work? Did all the other charity workers start volounteering in the womb? Or were they just looking for a 'free holiday' too?

The OP wants to help, and since he doesn't have the money to contribute financially, he is offering his time and effort. For all we know he could be an engineer who could help rebuild devestated areas and so on?

@OP; I wouldn't bother. Concentrate on sorting yourself out with a job and the like.

nevaeh-2die-4

WilcoYHF wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

Ive been on the dole for too long now and I cant help thinkin that id be better off over Haiti helping in anyway I can. Problem is im pennyless, been on the dole since leaving college so I'm wondering is there anyway to volunteer for an aid agency or somethin where costs are covered? I know any aid agency would more likely to be sending any money they have over there but I thought I'd give it a go.

:rolleyes:

My name is URL

Buy a plane ticket and a wheelbarrow

imme

If people have certain skills they should contact a charity working there. If they want to contribute financially they can give to loads of different charities on the ground looking for survivors and helping the survivors search for dead relatives among other tasks.

It'll take years for Haiti to get back to even the impoverished level of existence that they had prior to the earthquake.

partyatmygaff

nevaeh-2die-4 wrote: »

:rolleyes:

He's asking for help on how to volunteer for charity work in a country suffering from a major earthquake. Why would anyone roll their eyes about that?

nevaeh-2die-4

partyatmygaff wrote: »

He's asking for help on how to volunteer for charity work in a country suffering from a major earthquake. Why would anyone roll their eyes about that?

:rolleyes:

brianthebard

OP contact the Red Cross, you would probably be made do work here but it would contribute to the effort in Haiti.

stepbar

Concern are crying out for people with particular skills. I know that because they're one of our customers. I suggest you contact Concern directly. Their offices are on Camden St.

dasdog

If you are willing to give over your life for say six months and you're skilled in the required humanitarian relief areas then go for it. If your thinking about how you can help them in "anyway you can" give a tenner a week of your payments to a reputable aid agency rather than getting in the way of the relief work thats going on amongst the chaos.

stringbox

I know a guy who just got a 2.1 in civil engineering from Dundee Uni.
He wanted to do charity work so he applied to thirty or so agencies here and abroad.
They all told him to go get some experience first and come back in ten years when they wouldn't have to use resources training him.

Make of that what you will, OP.

Biggins

WilcoYHF wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

Ive been on the dole for too long now and I cant help thinkin that id be better off over Haiti helping in anyway I can. Problem is im pennyless, been on the dole since leaving college so I'm wondering is there anyway to volunteer for an aid agency or somethin where costs are covered? I know any aid agency would more likely to be sending any money they have over there but I thought I'd give it a go.

Besides the Irish branch of the Red Cross - other sources of information:

http://www.volunteeringireland.ie/

www.irishaid.gov.ie

http://www.volunteernow.co.uk/overseas-volunteering/index.php

http://www.comhlamh.org/thinking-of-volunteering-overseas.html

http://www.imu.ie/index.php/component/content/article/907-members-news/386-imu-faith-based-overseas-volunteering-directory-

http://www.volunteeringoptions.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

Capt'n Midnight

stepbar wrote: »

Concern are crying out for people with particular skills. I know that because they're one of our customers. I suggest you contact Concern directly. Their offices are on Camden St.

What sort of skills do they need ?

nothing yet on http://twitter.com/concernworld or http://www.concern.net/blogs

kowloon

Quite a lot of the unemployed are from the construction sector, if you can speak French even better (or Creole).

imme

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

What sort of skills do they need ?

nothing yet on http://twitter.com/concernworld or http://www.concern.net/blogs

what d'ja think, like medical, engineering, medical, construction, medical.....

flanum

im a qualified spark.. in the immediate aftermath of the tsunami i contacted red-cross and several other orgs.. offering my services (i was employed at the time and was in a position to take as much unpaid leave as i wanted) i also could pay my way and was willing to do so... i was told that basically i wasnt really required but thanks.. really what they were looking to do at the time was source everything locally.... makes complete sense now.. create initial aid, jobs etc locally to try to rebuild the economy/infrastructure on a local level......... looking back on it... i suppose i like everybody else was very traumatised by the news images and reports, and being full of vinegar and piss thinking i could make a difference.(and deep down had a romantic notion of a heroic episode in me life..... FREE HOLIDAY).... NAH!!! basically have a charity jumble sale in your local gaa club, send the money over to them, thats the best ye can do....!
fair play to ye though!
.

brendansmith

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Contact the charity you regularly work for. If you don't all ready have a good rapport with a charity and have the skills they need then IMHO you are more or less looking for a free holiday.

Ah yes a free holiday in Haiti, thats the life! Nice and relaxing.
They would probably put you to work at relaxing by the pool with a cocktail or seeing the sights.

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

There are lots of people over there far motivated than you will ever be who will work longer for less and speak the local language.

Grow up. The guy wants to help out. Whats with the attitude?

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Fair play to you OP, that's a very noble thing to want to do. I wouldn't have the courage to do it. Ignore the criticism, don't let that demotivate you.

Tellox

echoing above comment, fair play OP. Ring around the list posted above by Biggins and hopefully you'll be able to help out in some way shape or form. I'd imagine one of the charities will at least have a few street teams sent out to do donation rounds.

And please ignore the jackass brigade making the "free holiday" comments. ****ing epic facepalm for the lot of you.

Larianne

Have a look at the Volunteering forum on Boards. You may find some information there.

CHD

nevaeh-2die-4 wrote: »

:rolleyes:

I see your :rolleyes: and raise you :rolleyes::rolleyes: and a :cool:

Have some of that

ya-ba-da-ba-doo

Fair play to ya OP.

philstar

ya well done OP

im sure you could do some fundraising work in ireland, if you can't go to haiti

Bandit12

WilcoYHF wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

Ive been on the dole for too long now and I cant help thinkin that id be better off over Haiti helping in anyway I can. Problem is im pennyless, been on the dole since leaving college so I'm wondering is there anyway to volunteer for an aid agency or somethin where costs are covered? I know any aid agency would more likely to be sending any money they have over there but I thought I'd give it a go.

If you can't get a job in the last two years tbh you won't be much use in a disaster zone. Have you looked in the supermarkets they are alway's hiring people.

blackiebest

OP. Good on you for wanting to get overseas and assist the aid efforts. I have a number of years experience working for an Irish NGO. I suggest you contact them all directly, in fact in person, and let them know you wish to work in this 'game'. Unlike what most people think the personality of the person is far more important than the skills they can bring. It is quiet amazing just how many highly qualified engineers, nurses etc there are in the countries where we worked. You should know that I am very cynical about the aid 'game' and the merits of what these NGO's actually achieve but that is a different topic. It is unlikely you will be sent to Haiti as it would be an extreme situation within which to 'cut you teeth'! I suggest that personal security will be a serious concern over there and combined with the extreme sights/smells of the place it might not be the place for a 'green' or first time volunteer.

Good luck and pursue it. Make an impression when you arrive at the offices, push to speak with the personal officer and impress upon them your desire to get off the dole and experience another world. Do NOT bang on about helping mankind and the like, let them know that you want to be active and are not afraid to experience different, very different worlds than the one we live in. For a good example one of the most valuable skills is a mechanic. Most NGO's end up wrecking the most important tools they have because they do not get serviced properly. Logistics, accounting etc are often far more important than engineers/nurses etc!

Get yourself to Dun Laoghaire and GOAL's office, you could findyourself on a plane within a week!

FUNKY LOVER

cant believe people judge him and think straight away he is after a free holiday or something,this is typical of the new ireland,everyone has an opinion about themselves and thinks everyone is against them.

SeaFields

Funny story re volunteering. A college buddy has spent 2 years all over the world for 6 month periods working in the third world.

His first job was in an orphanage in Northern Russia. He couldn't speak russian and the kids couldn't speak english but the kids had this "pet name" for him so he always knew when they were calling him.

After his 6 months were up the guy that ran the orphanage finally translated the pet name for him....for 6 months the kids were calling him "sh!thead"!!

Fair play to you OP but you won't get sounder advice than that of blackiebest i suspect.

mink_man

if you do this then the likelyhood is that you will get a job with it down as experience.

Smcgie

For the love of God the man is trying to help and people think its better to make a mockery of him than to help. Childish, ignorant, obnoxious human beings!

manc

Genuine answer:::::
Volunteering is difficult if you’re not a medic or relief worker, but you can look up these organisations to see if you can help:

http://www.volunteerabroad.com/Haiti.cfm



After hours answer:::::
Help the councils here by digging deeper reservoirs or new ones if there is land, as they seen to have forgotten that the thousands of extra house they allowed to be built may need water.

Lux23

I would contact the Irish Red Cross (or someone similar) and see if they need help organising the relief effort in Ireland. I am sure people will begin collecting for Haiti over the next week or so and there may be all sorts of small jobs that you could do. Unless you are a doctor, nurse, trained aid work you would be more of a hindrance in a disaster zone but you can help at home.

kmick

Haiti was prior to the the earthquake one of the most dangerous places on earth for personal safety.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1134.html

I cant imagine aid agencies are going to be dropping white, untrained volunteers in there any time soon.

0ubliette

Id assume the best way to get there and help out would be to post a thread on boards. Possibly start a 'if 100,000 people join this group ill got to Haiti' facebook group. That'll work.

Takk

'Heard these on the radio the other day. Haven is an organization that does it's work in Haiti and had been planning to go over in April anyway before this hit. Mightn't suit the OP but maybe others.

Haven is holding two Build it Weeks - one in April and another at the end of October.
We want to bring 250 volunteers on each trip.

We hope to attract people from all walks of life to come to Haiti with us. Volunteers with experience in construction, like bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians and labourers are very much needed. But, if you don't have a trade, but are fit and healthy and willing to work, we also need you.

WindSock

Get in touch with George Hook

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/hook-urges-volunteers-to-get-building-in-haiti-109542.html

RUGBY pundit, George Hook is leading a recruitment drive seeking volunteers for a house building week in Haiti, one of the world’s poorest countries.


Haven, a charity set up by Cork businessman Leslie Buckley is organising an April trip to Haiti. This follows the success of its first ever Build it Week in October last year when 250 Irish volunteers made the trip to the Caribbean country.

Hook was one of the volunteers that took part in October and has decided to continue work for the charity in Ireland by helping to recruit more volunteers.

The 68-year-old said he "could not recommend the experience more".

"Haiti is the poorest country in the western world with people living in absolutely appalling conditions. But by volunteering for Haven’s Build it Week you can make a tangible difference to the lives of many families," he said.

A volunteer meeting will take place in Cork on Tuesday, January, 19 at 7pm in Jurys Hotel on the Western Road.

Each volunteer is required to raise €4,500 for the trip. This will cover food for the week, flights and accommodation.

Volunteers will live onsite in the newly-constructed homes and food will be prepared by the catering team which will be drawn from the pool of volunteers.

Mr Buckley, who is a board member at Aer Lingus and Independent News and Media said taking part in Built it Week will be a "life changing experience".

"What better new year’s resolution could you make than deciding to help those less fortunate than ourselves to achieve what you and I take for granted – a proper place to call home.

"By raising money and taking a week off work to travel to Haiti on our Build it Week, you can make a real and lasting difference to Haitian families and do something really good in 2010," he said.

Volunteers for Haven’s Build it Week will work with its Haitian workforce to build homes and community facilities for the poorest people in the western world.

To sign up for Haven’s Build it Week or find out more contact 01 433 39330 or go to www.havenpartnership.com.

Other volunteer meetings will be held in Dublin, Athlone and Galway over the coming week.

Haven was set up by Mr Buckley and his wife Carmel two years ago.

Last year it built 200 homes, upgraded 400 more, built community facilities including a playground, school classroom and basketball court.


Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/hook-urges-volunteers-to-get-building-in-haiti-109542.html#ixzz0cguSYx04

Mike 1972

FUNKY LOVER wrote: »

this is typical of the new ireland,everyone has an opinion about themselves and thinks everyone is against them.

Agreed but were things that much different in the "Old" Ireland ?

Evil-p

Bandit12 wrote: »

If you can't get a job in the last two years tbh you won't be much use in a disaster zone. Have you looked in the supermarkets they are alway's hiring people.

Jesus, kick someone when they're down why don't you! Careful, Karmas a bitch! :mad:

Fair dues to you Op, you might end up collecting money with a bucket on the streets over here or something but it'll get out and about and you'll be helping!

Victor

OP, do you have the appropriate vaccines for working in a sub-tropical country where the will be outbreaks of disease due to the breakdown in hygiene (broken water and sewer pipes)?

brendansmith wrote: »

Grow up. The guy wants to help out. Whats with the attitude?

Every time there is a disaster people want to go out and "help". If they really wanted to help, they would have been involved in a charity before now. They don't want to help, they want to salve their own consciences.

Volunteering after the event when you haven't been trained is just putting a burden on aid agencies.

RUGBY pundit, George Hook is leading a recruitment drive seeking volunteers for a house building week in Haiti, one of the world’s poorest countries.

O_o a week!

Day 1 - fly out (no direct flights from Ireland)
Day 2 - orientation
Day 3 - move to work area
Day 4 - work
Day 5 - return from to work area
Day 6 - de-brief
Day 7 - fly home

If you really want to help people in situations like this, they would use the flight money to pay for (and train) local workers (where the money will go further) and materials. This way the disaster zone benefits from the reconstruction and it becomes better able to deal with situatiosn and not be dependent on others.

OctavarIan

So the amount they're looking for to spend a week in one of the world's poorest countries is €4500? The fcuk?

dlofnep

OP - I commend you wanting to do something for the betterment of the Haiti people. Pay no attention to the detractors. I hope it works out for you.

Capt'n Midnight

OctavarIan wrote: »

So the amount they're looking for to spend a week in one of the world's poorest countries is €4500? The fcuk?

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ha.html

GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,300 (2008 est.)

Population below poverty line: 80% (2003 est.)

note: widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs


Exports - partners:
US 70.7%, Dominican Republic 8.9%, Canada 3.1% (2008)

yip unskilled labour is the last thing they need.

TequilaMockingBird

Well done OP. I hope you get to help in some way.

There are some nasty people on here. Take no notice.

Grudaire

TequilaMockingBird wrote: »

There are some nasty people on here. Take no notice.

And some unrealistic

Capt'n Midnight

Victor wrote: »

OP, do you have the appropriate vaccines for working in a sub-tropical country where the will be outbreaks of disease due to the breakdown in hygiene (broken water and sewer pipes)?

forgot about that, would take weeks to get them and they aren't cheap

+1000 on the people who only volunteer AFTER there is a crisis, that's why I suggested the OP contact the charity they know in the first instance.

jumpguy

To go you'll need some very useful skill, they're not just gonna take anyone. You'll probably be able to finance your own flight and transport. The money is extremely tight, the donations the UN have already isn't enough. If it wasn't for the USA, the aid effort would be ****ed, which is kinda shameful really.

Anyway, I'm rambling, but unless you have some serious skills and are willing to finance your flight I doubt you'll get it, but if you're really interested, it's always worth a shot asking.